Stories about Women & Gender from January, 2015
Grindr in the Kremlin: Gay and Online in Putin's Russia
Russia's "balanced" anti-homosexual legislation has turned the Internet from a safe haven into a battleground in Kremlin’s assault on the Russian LGBT community.
Iranian Women's Rights Advocate Mahdieh Golroo Released From Jail
Last October, a wave of acid attacks against women created a public uproar in Iran. When police failed to respond, protests and online campaigns against government inaction swept the nation.
Trinidad & Tobago Journalist Marcia Henville's Murder Shocks the Nation
A popular journalist dies in a fire, but autopsy results confirm that she was murdered. Netizens want justice in what many assume to be a domestic violence case.
Cape Town's Fancy Galada Sings to Heal Herself and Others
Fancy Galada grew up quickly, taking care of her younger siblings at age 10. And at times it was terrifying. She sings to help herself heal from those early experiences.
Five Issues that Matter to Kyrgyzstan's Girl-Activists
Kyrgyzstan's 'Devochki-Activistki' are young girls fighting for gender equality in schools and within families. Meet them ahead of their appearance at the Global Voices 2015 Summit in Cebu.
How Muslim and Christian Women in Nigeria Banded Together to Fight Violent Extremism
Pastor Esther Ibanga and local Muslim religious leader Khadija Hawaja founded Women Without Walls a few years ago in a bid to return safety and security to their communities.
Outrage in Colombia over ‘Little Miss Thong’ Child Beauty Pageant
In a controversial Colombian beauty pageant known as "Little Miss Thong," participants, sponsored by the local city hall, are bikini-wearing girls as young a six-years-old.
A 16-Year-Old's Death Is Forcing Ethiopia to Confront Its Sexual Violence Problem
Hanna Lalango was 16 years old when she was kidnapped while riding home from school, gang-raped and left severely injured on an Addis Ababa street.
Croatia Makes History With First Woman President, But Her Politics Worry Some Voters
Croatia is deeply divided politically. Kolinda Grabar Kitarović managed a narrow win over incumbent President Ivo Jospović in the runoff in January 2015 with 50.74% of the votes.
Welcome to #TheWildEast and Vocativ.com's Kyrg Republic: A Land That Does Not Exist
Vocativ, "a new type of media company" has released an orientalist documentary about "a part of the world that you didn't know you needed to know about.": Krygyzstan (sic).
Nationalist Vigilante Group in Kyrgyzstan Targets Chinese Expatriates and Suspected Sex Workers
A vigilante group with apparent ties to Kyrgyzstan's weak government is unrepentant after its members physically intimidated and lectured girls they believed were selling themselves to Chinese businessmen.
Corruption, Climate Change and Chik-V Stole Headlines in the Caribbean in 2014
A mass outbreak of the Chikungunya virus and an environmental activist's hunger strike along with several good news stories were the talk of the Caribbean's blogosphere in 2014.
Puerto Rican Writes ‘2014 Political Folk Song of The Year’
"I hope this song breathes power and humanity back into all people who feel targeted by violence and oppression," says singer songwriter Alynda Lee Segarra.
