Stories about Women & Gender from December, 2016
The Best of Latin American Info-Activism in 2016 (Part 1)
The best of Latin American info-activism did not fit into one post, so this will be the first of two articles discussing initiatives that sparked online fire throughout the region.
There Were Many Bright Spots to Be Found Amid the Doom and Gloom of 2016
Here's a list of 41 Global Voices stories about the strength and creativity of the human spirit, proving that 2016 wasn't an annus horribilis through and through.
This Was Also the Year of Citizen Heroes in Latin America
Global Voices reviews the Latin American stories in 2016 that taught us about fighting back.
Vietnamese Mother Goddesses Religion Receives UN Recognition
"The worshipping of the Mother Goddesses also contributes to the appreciation of women and their roles in society.”
Serbian Government Backtracks on Russia-Inspired Anti-Abortion Council
"You know the consequence of prohibition of abortion? Profit for the clinics in neighboring countries, and semi-skilled butchers playing with the lives of the poor."
Breaking a Four-Century Custom That Denied Women Temple Entry in India
"If we all have equal rights and freedom then why such restrictions on women?"
2016: The Year the Caribbean Was Forced to Confront Its Attitude Towards Women
"We do not talk truthfully among ourselves about [...] harassment. Verbal innuendo and unwanted remarks are part of the culture we do not want to get rid of."
Things Are Not What They Seem: The Week That Was at Global Voices Podcast
This week, we take you to Paraguay, Iran, Qatar and the Caribbean.
Lives Without Dignity in Thailand’s Female Prisons
"Prisons in Thailand still fail to recognize the basic rights of female prisoners, depriving women of essential health services and goods from sanitary pads to bras."
Domestic-Murder Spree Clouds Christmas in Jamaica
"The system of patriarchy continues to socialize men into a false belief that they have the right to control women. Consequently, gender-based violence [...] seems almost ‘normal.'"
Is Nepal No Country for Women?
Nepal's constitution has failed to bring equality to the country's women, but human rights advocates haven't given up.
MujeresMundi Offers Spanish-Language Chronicles of Women's Roles Around the World
"Change is around the corner, even though we sometimes feel it's far away. The only way to bring change closer is to set our minds on it."
Syrian Women Thank Russian Soldiers in New Sexy Calendar Funded by the Kremlin
Thanks to Kremlin grants, there's now a glossy calendar featuring a dozen beautiful Syrian women, posing beside flirty captions that praise Moscow’s armed intervention in the Middle East.
Controversial Legislation in Bangladesh Highlights the Complexity of Child Marriage
"Civil society easily can see child marriage but is blind to the fact why it happens. When there is development in society...child marriages will fall. We need time for that."
The Rape of a Teenager Raises Concerns About How Jamaican Police Respond to Gender-Based Violence
"Many girls (and boys) find themselves in cycles of sexual abuse. It is a horrendous rite of passage for many young persons in Jamaica."
These Short Films by Young Cambodian Men Aim to Stop Sexual Harassment
Why stop sexual harassment? Young amateur filmmakers from Cambodia explored this question to encourage the public -- especially men -- to understand the impact of sexual harassment.
Interested in Cultural Feminism? Serve Yourselves!
A well-known Peruvian educational outreach blog has listed 70 Spanish-language texts available on cultural and women's struggles.
After Missing Woman Is Found Dead, Trinbagonians Say, ‘Enough is Enough’
"How do we fix this? Where do we start? Who has the expertise [...] to bring about the changes [...] required to get these criminals off our blood splattered streets?"
Now That's Epic: Kyrgyz Woman Singer Remakes Poem Traditionally Sung By Men
"The whole might of the Kyrgyz Nomadic Spirit, the intimate, magical fluid of our mountainous country."
A Major Leak Exposes How Chinese Loan Sharks Make Female Debtors Take Nude Selfies
Taking nude photos in exchange for a loan may seem bizarre, but that's exactly what's happening in China. A major online leak has cracked the scheme wide open.
Dismantling Patriarchy at the Roots – One Video, One Conversation at a Time
Why are the aspirations of young girls’ treated differently from those of young boys? Why are girls prepared for housework from an early age and boys are allowed to play?
