Stories about Women & Gender from January, 2012
Brazil: Sex Scandal on Big Brother Provokes Debate on Machismo
The live broadcast of an alleged rape on the TV show with the highest ratings in Brazil on 14th January, with no immediate intervention by TV Globo, led thousands of internet users to declare their disgust and outrage, but also provoked an important debate on machismo and sex education in the country.
India: Child Abuse In Mumbai
Debolina Raja Gupta blames Mumbai police for not being able to solve the recent child abuse cases and the trend is on the rise as a consequence.
Cuba: Pope's Visit & Human Rights
In the wake of more repression against Las Damas de Blanco, Uncommon Sense thinks “that the pope should postpone his visit until human rights conditions improve in Cuba.”
Video: Online Media by and for Indigenous People
Intercontinental Cry has a list of 12 recommended films on indigenous issues, some made by indigenous people from Brazil, Australia, Panama, USA, Northern Kenya, Colombia and the Democratic Republic of...
Serbia: The Media War Against Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie was concerned about the reception of her director's debut movie, 'In the Land of Blood and Honey', in Bosnia and Serbia, and some of her fears turned out to be justified. Sasa Milosevic reports on the virtual battle that Jolie's film has caused.
Sierra Leone: Say Grace Before Drowning
Black Looks writes about “Say Grace Before Drowning”, a film by Sierra Leonean/American Nikyatu Jusu: “The film tells the story about a woman’s struggle to overcome the insanity of war...
Puerto Rico: Debating Maripily
In 80 Grados [es], Melissa Fernández Arrigoitia responds to a controversial column written by Nelson Rivera in the same digital publication on the supposed virtues and failings of the model...
Afghanistan: Sahar Gul’s story as an illustration of women’s rights
basir ahang writes about 15 year old girl, who had been forced into marriage and later was imprisoned, tortured and violently beaten by the husband and his family because she...
Guatemalans Climb to Raise Awareness About Domestic Violence
“On January 21, Under the name of Subida por la vida [“Climb for life”], there were over 8,000 people climbing Volcán de Agua (Water Volcano) to form the largest heart...
Guyana: First Female Colonel
Repeating Islands notes that “in a history making moment, the promotion of Guyana’s first female Colonel was today announced. She is the region’s first serving female colonel.”
Uganda: Controversy Over King of Buganda's Child Out of Wedlock
On Tuesday January 17, 2012 the Buganda kingdom in Uganda announced the birth of a second son of their King (Kabaka), Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. The announcement has sparked controversy and mixed reactions because the new prince was born out of wedlock.
Bahamas: A Belief in Democracy
“To date, my country has not put in place anything to serve and build me; to every politician who has served in parliament in the time I have been voting,...
Iran: Women activist shot dead in Texas
A Texas Medical Center student and Iranian women activist was shot dead on Monday in Houston. Gelareh Bagherzadeh was driving her car when she was shot. Authorities said it is...
Trinidad & Tobago: “Disturbing” Laws
Globewriter points out some “strange and disturbing laws” that are still on the books in Trinidad and Tobago, saying: “Yes, T&T can’t deal with LGBT rights but it is so...
Trinidad & Tobago: Sidestepping Motherhood
Suszanna.com explains why she thinks kids may be overrated.
Iran: Golshifteh Farahani posed nude for Le Figaro
Madame Le Figaro published a nude photo of Golshifteh Farahani, Iranian actress based in Paris, and there has been a huge interest and reactions to this quite rare photo on...
Iran: Another Blogger in Jail
According to confirmed reports from Tehran, Parastoo Dokouhaki, Iranian blogger and journalist, is arrested by authorities. Parastoo is a women activist as well. She writes in her blog “Zan-Nevesht” and...
Liberia: Lawmaker in the Web of Nudity
Netizens discuss the recent revelation of a scandalous episode of nudity widely known in Liberia as ‘Snoweleaks' or ‘Snowegate' which involves Edwin Melvin Snowe, Jr., a very popular lawmaker.
Black Women in European Politics: from Struggle to Success
Nowadays, it is a common to witness African-born women with successful careers in Europe. Despite the evident challenges, many have also distiguished themselves in politics. Still, it was not so long ago that such success would have seemed impossible.
Costa Rica: I'm Happy In That Water
This wordless short film follows Doña Norma, a 78 year old woman who goes to swim every day at a local swimming pool outside of the capital city of San...
Pakistan: Bigotry Or Blind Hatred?
Sana Saleem reports that on last Saturday evening a group of men attacked a church in Manghopir because children were singing carols which allegedly disrupted their prayers.
