Stories about Women & Gender from October, 2008
Albania: “Sworn Virgins”
Balkan File links to a BBC story on “Albanian women who became men, not as transsexuals, but because the man of the house had died, leaving a mother alone with her daughters.”
Serbia: Courageous Mothers
Belgraded contributes an article on what it's like to be a mother in Serbia to the Women's International Perspective, becoming “one of the rare men blogging there.” Showcased in the article is a Serbian blog called Majka Hrabrost (“Mother Courage”), whose author, Krugolina, blogs (SRP) about childbirth issues and has...
Indonesia: Parliament approves anti-porn law
Indonesia now has an anti-porn law which critics say will curtail freedom of speech and traditional practices. Via Twitter, Aulia comments: “If only people would read the entire ‘porn’ law and understand its full consequences.”
Ukraine: Sex Workers and the Police
A discussion of the treatment of Ukrainian sex workers by law enforcement officials – at Natalia Antonova's blog and Kiev Ukraine News Blog.
Egypt: Swingers Use Internet to Arrange Rendezvous
There are secrets behind closed doors. But to say that Egypt was shell shocked as news about its first swingers club emerged would be an understatement. And there is a small technicality - the couples first met online before arranging to meet face to face in cafes.
Kuwait: For Ladies Only
Chillnite, from Kuwait, shares a link ‘for the ladies.’
Blog for LGBT Filipinos
Rainbow Bloggers Philippines is a blog dedicated to LGBT Filipino bloggers worldwide.
Russia: “Help Svetlana Bakhmina” Petition
As of now, 71,250 people have signed an online petition appealing to the Russian president to pardon Svetlana Bakhmina, a former senior lawyer for Mikhail Khodorkovsky's oil company Yukos, who was arrested in December 2004 and sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for embezzlement and tax evasion in April 2006.
Morocco: Habib Belkacem, Producer Extraordinaire
Cinema and Movies talks about female Moroccan film producer Habiba Belkacem.
Guyana: Social Services
“Increasing access to social services is among the priorities identified by indigenous women leaders in the region as key to empowerment”: The Voice of the Taino People Online reports on the Conference on Indigenous Women in the Caribbean, being held in Guyana.
South Korea: Homophobia
Ask a Korean! discusses the homophobic culture and reaction in South Korea.
Jordan: Dubai Visa Problematic
From Jordan, Princess N writes about how frustrating it is to get a visit visa to Dubai.
Jordan: Rumours, Gap Year Foreign Students, and Body of Lies
From an innocent murmur to a devastating consequence on the life of an innocent girl, see how rumours can destroy lives in Jordan in this round up of Jordanian blogs by Mohammad Azraq, which also discusses foreign gap year students in Amman and the latest big screen hit Body of Lies.
Speaking of Sexual Harassment: Noha makes Egyptians proud!
In an unprecedented case, sexual harasser Sherif Gommaa was sentenced to three years behind bars, hard labour, and was also ordered to pay 5,001 Egyptian pounds fine to Noha Roshdy Saleh for groping her in the street. Egyptian blogger rejoice.
Egypt: Laila Echoes Reverberate in the Land of the Nile
In its third year, the Kolena Laila (We Are All Laila) campaign took a different turn, reaching out to women with no access to the Internet and giving them a chance to speak to the world. Nermeen Edrees reviews some of the voices which had a chance to be heard.
Jordan: Black is the Colour
From Jordan, Mai Al Shareef [Ar] argues that black is the best colour for the Islamic veil worn by women.
Trinidad & Tobago: Higher Standards
“When a few stupid women lower their standards, we all suffer…It’s time we learn from our animal friends and reclaim the power nature entrusted to us. Like the Alpha female wolf, we have to start to give sexual consent to only to the Alpha Male and snarl and bite when...
Jamaica: “Old Boy”
Jamaican Geoffrey Philp is brimming with pride over his alma mater.
Kuwait: Guys and Rejection
From Kuwait, Ginaview writes about how different guys react when they are rejected by women.
Jamaica: Senseless Murders
“The government and the security forces just seem powerless in the face of these heartless crimes that are being committed in our small island”: Jamaican blogger Stunner says that the violence is hitting too close to home.
Guyana: Ladylike?
Guyana-Gyal isn't quite sure what “ladies living in proper places” actually do.
