Stories about Women & Gender from October, 2012
Afef Abrougui, Blogging From Tunisia
Afef Abrougui, a contributor for Global Voices in Tunisia, tells us about her experience in the demonstrations that took place in her country in 2011 and what she expects for the immediate future of Tunisian politics. She also shares with us some of her daily life and chores.
El Salvador's Tough Abortion Laws
Voices from El Salvador highlights several stories of Salvadoran women affected by the country's abortion ban, ” which includes cases of rape, incest, and when the health of the woman is...
Tajikistan's ‘Million Dollar Baby’ Hangs Up Her Gloves
Mavzuna Chorieva, Tajikistan's female boxer who brought the country its only medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, has married and hung up her gloves, at least for a year. While many people in the country are happy for Chorieva, some have been disappointed over her decision.
Ghana: Meet Agnes Chigabatia – Ghanaian Female Politician
There have been considerable efforts by women to have chance in Ghanaian politics. Agnes Chigabatia, a parliamentary candidate and a former member of parliament, is one of them. Ghana Decides, a non-partisan project which aims to foster a better-informed electorate for free, fair and safe 2012 elections using social media tools took a personality profile look on her. She is
Kyrgyzstan: Bride-Kidnapping Prevented
You know what shocked me most of all? The people in the street. They were just standing there and watching [an attempt to kidnap a girl], as if it was some sort of a performance.
Guyana: Upcoming Chris Brown Concert Upsets Anti-Violence Advocates
When news broke that Barbadian-born singer Rihanna's then-boyfriend Chris Brown had allegedly assaulted her, Caribbean bloggers were outraged. Talk of an upcoming Chris Brown concert in Georgetown has bloggers speaking out about the dangerous message it sends about gender violence.
Chad: ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’ Winner & Human Rights Activist Attacked at Home
DJAMIL AHMAT in Chad reports that Jacqueline Moudeina, a lawyer, human rights activist and winner of an Alternative Nobel Prize Award was attacked at her home (fr) last night (October 19). Moudeina...
Australia: PM Julia Gillard's Misogyny Speech Sparks a War of Words
Following the viral video of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s attack on Opposition leader Tony Abbott as sexist and misogynist, a debate about changing dictionary definitions has emerged online.
Pakistan: Developing Viewpoints on Malala Yousufzai
Malala Yosufzai, the female education activist who was shot by Taliban, has become a symbol for an enlightened and moderate Pakistan. Her name is being eulogized in prose and poetry in her homeland and beyond. However, an Anti-Malala Syndrome has also developed simultaneously.
China: Breast Feeding
Sascha Matuszak blogs about his wife, Zhang Yushi's involvement in breast feeding campaign in China, including the organization of a flash mob breast feeding action in Chengdu.
Pakistan: Malala Yousufzai And The Drone Attacks
Ever since the young school going peace activist Malala Yousufzai was attacked by armed gunmen in Swat, Pakistan, numerous questions over the efficacy of the ongoing drone attacks in the region have surfaced.
Ada Lovelace Day: Celebrating Women's Genius
Ada Lovelace Day, celebrated every October 16, honors international women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths -women's whose skills are urgently needed for the future of the world. Here we highlight some of these extraordinary women.
Yemen: Why Insult Women?
Yemeni netizen Hind Aleryani questions [ar] the demeaning manner in which some people talk about women on social networks.
Argentina: Guarani Leader Wins International Rural Women's Day Prize
Fionuala Cregan reports that Matilde Lucio, an indigenous leader in a Guarani community in Jujuy, in northern Argentina, “will be awarded one of 10 international prizes for her creativity in rural...
Saudi Arabia: Women2Drive Steps Up Tone; Blames Government Policies
Women2Drive, later renamed Right2Dignity, has been campaigning for lifting the ban on women's right to drive by calling for days in which women get behind the wheel and supporting lawsuits against the Interior Ministry for refusing to grant women driving licenses. Now they are blaming the government for the ban, saying that if the Saudi monarchy wanted to lift it, it would have done so earlier.
Ghana: Obstacles to the Advancement of Women
Betty Mould Iddrisu, jurist and Minister of Justice of Ghana, writes [fr] on pambazuka.org: To reach the upper level is rare, and once you have arrived there, you still have...
Ukraine: “The Babushkas of Chernobyl” Documentary Project
On Kickstarter.com, only a few hours are left to pledge funding for The Babushkas of Chernobyl, a documentary project by Holly Morris and Anne Bogart, which tells stories of “an...
Russia: Democratic Public “Outraged” by Release of Pussy Riot Member
It now appears that Samutsevich’s gamble has paid off, as she was freed after today’s hearings, her two-year prison sentence reduced to two-years probation. The other two imprisoned Pussy Riot members, Maria Alekhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, were not so lucky.
Pakistan: Religious Extremists Attack Malala Yousufzai
Malala Yousufzai, a 14 year old girl, was shot and severely wounded by Taliban for her activism. She is famous for her ‘Diary of a Pakistani School girl‘ which reveals the onslaught of the Taliban against girls education in Swat, Pakistan. Netizens condemn this horrendous act.
Arab World: The Plight of Syrian Refugee Girls
As the Syrian Revolution continues, its consequences continue to affect refugees who have fled the violence in the country, especially women. Syrian refugee girls in Jordan, Libya, Turkey and Lebanon are subject to the pressures of forced marriages from Syrian or other Arab nationals under the pretext of protecting their virtue.
