Stories about Women & Gender from December, 2014
Central Asia's 2014: Lots of Alarms but only a Few Surprises
In 2014 Global Voices' Central Asia team wrote about Sochi, Afghan elections, Tajikistan behaving strangely, a Kazakh currency devaluation, an Uzbek Princess' fall and a volleyball tournament in Taiwan. What?
Can Women Be Sexy and Hold Public Office in Jamaica?
Lisa Hanna, Jamaica's minister of youth and culture, has faced criticism for posting a photo of herself in a swimsuit and T-shirt on Instagram.
A 17-Year-Old Rape Victim's Demand for Justice Gains Momentum in Nepal
Puja Bohara's open letter to Nepal's law minister has resonated with many in the mountainous country, where rape and other kinds of violence against women are prevalent.
Democratic Republic of Congo's Dr. Mukwege: ‘How Can One Stay Silent’ in the Face of Sexual Violence?
Dr. Denis Mukwege moved some European parliament members to tears with his speech accepting the 2014 Sakharov Award on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Murder of LGBTQ Activist Renews Venezuela’s Human Rights Debate
The murder of Giniveth Soto, a gender-equality activist, has launched at least two major, nationwide public debates about urban violence and threats same-sex couples face in Venezuela.
The Pakistanis Choosing Light Over Darkness After the Horrific Peshawar School Attack
As the last of the hostages were rescued at an army-run school in Peshawar, where 145 were killed by six Taliban gunmen, Pakistanis tried to find light in the darkness.
El Salvador Imprisons 17 Women Who Lost Their Newborns as Murderers
Although a rallying cry for the global abortion rights movement, these 17 Salvadoran women didn't purposefully end their own pregnancies. Instead, they suffered a combination of obstetrical complications and poverty.
Does the Caribbean Have a Rape Culture?
Is Caribbean society doing everything it can to protect women from rape? Some activists have had enough with the region's passive acceptance of a rape culture.
The Incredible Courage of Women Human Rights Defenders in the Middle East
Women in Iraq, Syria, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Iran have faced prosecution, poor treatment, kidnappings and even death for daring to defend human rights.
Behind Prison Walls, Violence Against Women Is Often Ignored in Argentina
Women in lockup in Argentina face humiliating searches, lack of prison amenities in comparison with men, poor health care, and a lack of interpreters if they don't speak Spanish.
Australian Prime Minister's About-Face on Sexism, Two Years Late
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has accused critics of his chief of staff of being sexist. Abbot was famously the target of former PM Julia Gillard’s misogyny speech in 2012.
Latin America Tweets to End Violence Against Women
Using the hashtags #HeForShe, #DiaNoViolenciaContraLaMujer (#NoViolenceAgainstWomenDay), #PorLasMujeres (#ForTheWomen), and #NiConElPetaloDeUnaRosa (#NotEvenWithThePetalOfARose), Twitter users joined the campaign.
3 Videos Turn the Tables on Street Harassment of Women in Latin America
Street harassment is a reality that many women have to deal with in Latin America.
Photo of Peshmerga Combatant Breastfeeding Her Child Captivates Kurdish Media
Kurdish media outlets are abuzz with a photograph of a Peshmerga woman, sitting beside an automatic weapon, breastfeeding her child. The picture has been widely distributed on social networking sites,...
Argentinian City Awards Schools’ Blogs in Campaign to Reduce Violence Against Women
Argentina has witnessed a blossoming of organizations dedicated to spreading awareness about gender-based violence. Despite these advances, however, the phenomenon continues to grow.
Contestants in This French Beauty Pageant Strike a Pose—With Their Cows
A French farmer organized a tongue-in-cheek beauty pageant on Facebook for "country girls only" as an answer to the glittery official Miss France pageant.
Rebuilding Timbuktu's Cultural Diversity, One eReader at a Time
Several local NGOs are now hard at work in Mali, launching projects to help rebuild the country's social cohesion and restore peace. "Living Together" is using eReaders.
Why ‘Maternity Harassment’ Was a Top Japanese Buzzword in 2014
Even as the status of women has slowly improved in Japanese society, maternity harassment remains a serious issue. Japan's Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of a harassment victim.
Central Asian Migrants in Russia Are Humiliating Their ‘Dishonorable’ Countrywomen on Video
Footage of Central Asian sex workers being threatened and humiliated by their male compatriots has become a worrying online trend. The men accuse their victims of dishonouring their homeland.
India's ‘Braveheart’ Sisters Fight Back Against Sexual Predators
For defending themselves so assertively, people across India have praised Rohtak and Pooja as shining examples of how women should have the strength and willpower to fight back against attackers.
Syria's Women of Mazaya in Response to Arson Attack: “We Will Carry On”
"Raising awareness among women, who are the key element in building society in Syria is detrimental to the goals of these radical groups."
