Stories about Women & Gender from June, 2013
Thai Monk On Abortion and Buddhism
Takato Mitsunaga of Prachatai interviews Bhikkhuni Dhammananda, a feminist and Buddhist monk, about the spread of abortion in Thailand. About 300,000 abortion cases are reported in Thailand where majority of people believes in Buddhism. Bhikkhuni Dhammananda discussed some misconceptions about Buddhism and how it relates to abortion.
Jamaica: Working for Women?
Jamaica Woman Tongue takes a closer look at an antiquated law that restricts women working at night. “It looks like progress,” she says, “but there’s definitely a downside to freeing up women for night work. It’s not all about emancipation.
Trinidad & Tobago: Tourists Charged
This is a country where tourism is a big portion of the nation’s income, yet tourists are clearly not valued, even just enough to answer a simple question. tzen project blogs about her family's travel nightmare in Trinidad and Tobago.
‘Qandisha’, the Women's Webzine that is Ruffling Feathers in Morocco
A webzine for women in Morocco is causing a stir for its frank treatment of religion and sexuality. Global Voices recently caught up with the founder, Fedoua Miski.
China's “Leftover” Women
In China, if a young woman does not marry by age twenty-eight, she is widely considered “leftover”. If she is single by age thirty, she is made to feel she has truly expired. Melissa Schneider, a couples counselor living in Shenzhen, believes that the so-called “leftover women” problem has been...
Kazakh Minister Fired as Netizens Criticize Pension Plans
A Facebook-driven reaction to the government's attempt to ram through a pension reform without public discussion has given people approaching retirement age in Kazakhstan a rare voice. The republic's Social Affairs Minister was toppled after a gaffe at a public appearance made him an object of ridicule, while Kazakhstan's strongman president...
Parliament Restricts Kyrgyz Women's Rights
After lengthy debates, the parliament in Kyrgyzstan has adopted legislation banning young women from travelling abroad without parental consent. On Registan.net, Alisher Abdug'oforov suggests that the new legislation not only violates the country's constitution, but is also unlikely to solve any problems it is designed to address.
Australian DJ Asks PM if Partner is Gay
Mia Freedman of popular website Mamamia attacks the “disgraceful” behaviour of shock jock Howard Sattler when he asked Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard whether her partner Tim was gay. [Wikipedia: ‘A shock jock is a type of radio broadcaster or disc jockey who entertains listeners or attracts attention using humor...
The Daily Sexism that Women Face
A woman leaves an airport and feels naked in the face of the looks that every man throws at her on the way out. All women have experienced this to the extent that it seems normal. An article entitled What a Woman Feels [pt] by Cláudia Regina sheds light on...
No Witnesses? No Rape, Says Pakistan's Islamic Council
A ruling by Pakistan's Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) dismissing DNA as primary evidence in rape cases has received much flak from activists in the country. The ruling has its fair share of supporters though, with some happy that there is a legitimate institution pondering religious issues in Pakistan.
Putin Loses His First Lady & RuNet Snarks
A three-person TV crew from Russia 24 standing in an empty Kremlin hallway, the black-suited reporter with her arms awkwardly crossed—that was the initial audience to Vladimir Putin’s announcement today, that he and his wife Lyudmila have split.
Tunisian FEMEN Activist Faces New Charges
As Tunisian FEMEN activist Amina Tyler is set to appear before a judge to face new charges on June 5, the secular opposition's lack of support to the young woman is met with criticism.