Stories about Women & Gender from May, 2016
Turkey's President and the ‘Treason’ of Family Planning
He is done with abortion, now its birth control and population planning. Next in line: how many times a night we can have sex, God willing.
Hindu Religious Leader Tells Child Marriage Critics in Trinidad & Tobago to ‘Mind Your Own Damn Business’
"That’s exactly the sort of idea that, if you let bounce around in your head for a bit, leads to an aneurysm."
‘It's Not a Compliment’ Campaign in Guyana Uses Personal Stories to Fight Street Harassment
"I think respect for women is vital and it starts with everyday interactions."
Uproar, Victim-Blaming on Brazilian Social Media After Gang Rape Video Shared on Twitter
"This reveals a society that is criminal and violent against women, which sees that a woman’s body as made for man's consumption."
How a Single Blog Post Changed the Life of a Somali Single Mother of Eight
A fundraiser springing from the massive public response to the story raised over $4,000 in the space of a single day.
How Beauty Trends Have Changed in Japan Over the Past 100 Years
From long hair to short, from heavy make-up to more subtle, beauty conventions in Japan have undergone a fascinating transformation over the past century.
Why Afghanistan's Hazara Won't Stop Marching
All Afghans are affected by the country's ongoing crisis of governance, but it is the long-suffering Hazara minority that has run out of patience fastest.
Bloggers Boggled Over Why Child Marriage Is Still on the Books in Trinidad & Tobago
"This is not just an issue of age and maturity, but once again, of power."
The Iranian State Versus Kim Kardashian
The story is so absurd that it seems funny, at first glance. But the Iranian state's problems with Kim Kardashian are no laughing matter.
Trinidad and Tobago Reconsiders Marriage Act After Push to Recognise Child Marriage as Abuse
Trinidad and Tobago is a society of contradictions: the legal age of sexual consent was recently raised from 16 to 18, even as another law on marriage differs significantly.
‘Activists’ Attack St. Petersburg Bordellos, Forcing Women to March Nude to Police
Only recently freed from prison, one of Russia's most notorious criminals has attacked two suspected bordellos in St. Petersburg, assaulting and humiliating the women inside.
Lower Castes in India Are Still Clearing Human Waste With Their Bare Hands, Despite Laws Against It
According to a recent report, many rural households in India continue to engage in manual scavenging, finding that it has less to do with poverty than with enduring caste-based discrimination.
Indonesians Light Candles and Seek Justice for Murdered Teenage Rape Victim
"We're all saddened by the tragic loss of Yuyun. Perpetrators must be arrested and receive maximum punishment. Women and children must be protected from violence."
In Tajikistan, Shoots of Hope Spring from a Tale of Woe
Dilbar Gurgova was ostracised and driven into poverty after her husband was detained on extremism charges. Compatriots working in Russia were eager to help.
Indians Applaud a Journalist's Passionate Takedown of a Body-Shaming Facebook Meme
"We judge her everything merely on the basis of her size and colour of her skin," wrote Tiyash Mukhopadhyay about a popular meme featuring Oscar-nominated Hollywood actress Gabourey Sidibe.
The Week That Was at Global Voices Podcast: The Defenders
This week, we take you to Cambodia, Syria, Tajikistan, The Gambia and Colombia.
Violence Against Women in Mexico Has Become Dangerously Normalised, One Lawyer Says
"Social media has played a key role in exposing the high rates of violence that Mexican women endure, as well as the silence and machismo that often surrounds it."
#JusticeforJisha: India Protests the Rape and Murder of a Dalit Woman
"#JusticeForJisha Find the culprits. End victim blaming mindset. Stop feeding the rape culture."
One Woman's Experience Breaking India's Feminine Ideal—With a Mohawk
"I constantly had to explain myself to others. There were whispers, giggles and derogatory comments: 'She’s gone butch.'"
Trinidad and Tobago Has Qualified for Gymnastics in the Olympics, So Why Aren't People Happier About It?
Hashtags. Online petitions. Lawyer's letters. None of these could save gymnast Thema Williams' dream to compete in the 2016 Olympics, but Trinidad and Tobago will still be represented in Rio.
Kazakhstan's Defence Ministry Shows How the Country's Women in Arms Have Changed Through the Ages
From sword-wielding nomads through commandos toting automatic rifles, women have played their part in defending the country's borders.