Stories about Women & Gender from July, 2009
Armenia: Homophoia and intolerance
Unzipped: Gay Armenia comments on a round table held in Yerevan on homophobia and intolerance in society. The blog says that Armenia cannot afford to allow xenophobia, homophobia and intolerance towards others to go unchecked.
Hijablogging: On Burqas and Bans
Although the practice of wearing hijab has been around since pre-Islamic times, the debate surrounding it has increased in recent years. Whereas in some countries, hijab is mandated, in others, it has been banned in schools, workplaces, and sometimes altogether. But whether required or forbidden, Muslim women's dress is almost always a topic of hot debate.
DRC: Rape Epidemic Fuels Fistula Cases
Ongoing fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to take its toll on women's health. One consequence is more cases of a health condition called fistula, which is being caused by brutal rapes.
Czech Republic: Significant Czech Woman Abroad Award
CzechFolks.com writes about the 2009 winners of the award for Significant Czech Woman Abroad.
Jamaica: Gladys Bustamante Passes On
Repeating Islands acknowledges the passing of 97-year-old Gladys Bustamante, “the widow of Jamaica’s first prime minister and a fierce supporter of women’s and workers’ rights.”
Trinidad & Tobago: LGBT Rights
As Emancipation Day approaches, Trinidad and Tobago blog gspottt focuses on human rights, observing that “in the Anglophone Caribbean, discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender often intersect with other socio-economic conditions.”
Maldives: Journalists at Risk
At least three journalists in the Maldives have been subjected to either physical or verbal abuse and psychological intimidation within a span of the last 10 days. The recent cases of intimidation and abuse against journalists by various groups in the society indicate that journalists are still at risk in Maldives.
South Korea: White Guys Blogging About Korean Women
An interesting conversation about a Korean woman questioning a white guy, in this case the blogger, on why he blogs about Korean women at the Grand Narrative.
Bahrain: Keeping Apart
Bahrain-based blogger Shirley Dockerill, who writes at White Girl Arab World, had a male student walk out of her class because she was female: “I'd forgotten there is a school of thought here which doesn't allow interaction with non-relatives of the opposite sex, in any way, shape or form.”
Nepal: Incentivising widow re-marriage
In the budget for fiscal year 2009-10, the newly elected government in Nepal has proposed an incentive scheme whereby USD625 would be awarded to any groom who married a widow. This proposal has angered widows and women's groups alike, writes Bhumika Ghimire at NewsFlavor
Syria: Sexual Misconceptions
Syrian blogger Marcelllita [ar] blogs about sexual complexes young people in this part of the world suffer from, such as misconceptions and wrong information.
Bangladesh: Stigma of the ‘D’ tag
Life As It Is holds a mirror to the rising number of divorces and examines the stigma associated with the ‘D’ tag.
India: Family dynamics and domestic violence
Mandy Van Deven's post in The WIP analyses family dynamics and its impact on domestic violence in the context of Deepa Mehta's film ‘Heaven on Earth’.
Egyptian Women and a Fresh Outlook on Divorce
Divorce has always been a stigma in the Egyptian society. Today, the winds of change are blowing this away. In this post, Marwa Rakha follows conversations on Egyptian blogs which show what is being done to right a wrong situation.
Dominica: Investing in Women
Dominica Weekly says that the island's “muted” celebration of World Population Day was an opportunity lost “to start to create meaningful change in the lives of our women”, but adds: “It’s never be too late to create a positive movement…”
Arab World: Trouble for Gay Travels in the Muslim World
The first gay book to have been ever translated into Arabic after being originally printed in English has run into problems straight off the press. Katharine Ganly reports on blogger reactions to the book Gay Travels in the Muslim World, whose translation has spurred a heated debate.
Morocco: Changing Nothing and Everything
As summer in the kingdom wears on, bloggers across Morocco all seem to be talking along the theme of change. From the foreign experience in Morocco to the freedom (or lack thereof) of the press, the blogoma is waxing philosophical on a variety of topics.
Barbados: Man Power
Faced with appliance problems, Barbadian blogger Ingrid Persaud “decided it was time to deploy the only weapon that works in getting things done in Bim: an assertive man.”
Philippines: Testimony of a worker with HIV
Rina, a former domestic helper from the Philippines, shares how she acquired HIV while working in Dubai.
Azerbaijan: An Interview with Scary Azeri
Unashamedly acerbic, but alway humorous, Scary Azeri in Suburbs has fast become popular with many interested in the South Caucasus and posts have even been republished by the media in her native Azerbaijan. Today, Global Voices Online interviewed Scary Azeri about blogging, tweeting, cultural clashes, trolls and more.
Jamaica: Women Needed
In the context of the West Indies Cricket Team's strike, Jamaica's Girl With a Purpose humbly suggests that “the West Indies Cricket Board needs to include at least three women, who are prudent, business and financially savvy, with guts, and who can get things done.”
