Stories about Women & Gender from January, 2008
Touring Libyan Blogs: broken hearts country
If I were superstitious, I would have said that the evil eye has hit the Libyan bloggers. A month before Valentine's Day, a larger than usual number has caught the heartbreak bug, and the bigger than life problems' caravan. It's a bullet train sweeping everything in its path, men and women being equally affected, writes Fozia Mohamed.
India: On Breastfeeding
IndieQuill on breastfeeding, and what the fuss is all about in India.
India: Marriage and Women
Bohemian Rhapsody on the expectations in India, when it comes to women who get married – to look, behave and act in a certain manner.
Morocco: Female Genital Mutilation
Braveheart does the Maghreb shares her opinion on how to deal with female genital mutilation globally.
China: Women at The Wheel
Tiger temple introduces an online documentary about woman taxi drivers’ life in China. The director is a Chinese migrant in Germany. The whole documentary is streamed at 24hr blogbus (zh).
Saudi Arabia: Women May be Allowed to Drive
Mideast Youth author Muneeb links to news reports which say that Saudi women may be allowed to drive by the end of this year.
Saudi Arabia: Women Allowed to Stay at Hotels
Or Does it Explode reports a small victory for Saudi women in this post. It quotes news sources as saying: “Women in Saudi Arabia can now stay in a hotel or a furnished apartment without a male guardian, according to a government decision that comes as the country faces increasing...
Morocco: Ashoura and Fashion
Morocco is celebrating Ashoura, the 10th day of the month of Moharram (which is the first month of the Hijra calendar year). In other news, dress was a prominent subject amongst Moroccan bloggers over the weekend as well, reports Jillian York.
Barbados: Time for change?
The 15 January general election in Barbados, which brought a new government to power, triggered a flood of commentary and analysis from the country's politically active bloggers.
Barbados: Cabinet Named
As Barbados’ new Prime Minister names his Cabinet, Living in Barbados has some questions.
Iraq: Two Bloggers Tie the Knot
Two Iraqi bloggers have tied the knot, reports Konfused Kid from Iraq.
Puerto Rico: Sexual Politics
"Hey mom what’s an abortion? Have you ever had one? Um yeah, and I thought of aborting you." Puerto Rican bloggers grapple with questions of feminism, reproductive rights, and gay marriage in this round up of posts.
Barbados: Boys’ Club?
“Last time I looked about half the population were women, so what’s going on here?” asks Barbados Free Press, on realising that “there's only one girl in government”.
Iraq: Respect Women
Hala S, an Iraqi who lives in the UK, relates an incident which made the following thought ring true: “There will be no democracy and no freedom in the Middle East till men learn how to respect women and look at them as partners not inferiors”.
Jordan: Illegitimate Children
Khalaf takes a look at the issue of illegitimate children in Jordan in this post.
Ukraine: Interview on Prostitution
Natalia Antonova interviews a Ukrainian man on prostitution.
Macedonia, Russia: Photos
Pictures from Macedonia, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Novgorod (here and here) – from Flickr user quinn.anya (via Openly Feminist, a Bulgarian-language blog by Petya of Bighead).
Palestine: Dance Prodigy Hopes to Make it Big
Every once in a while, you hear about a story that makes you stop in your tracks. One that is so outside the norm, that is seems as if the central figure has been born in the wrong time or place. Maya Norton writes about Palestinian Ayman Safieh's steps towards making it big in the world of classical ballet.
Iran:Hijab is not an obstacle for Women
Kourosh Ziabari says that Hijab (veil) is not an obstacle for women to become active in social life or make sport. He has published a few photos to support his idea.
Cuba: Gender Issues
Child of the Revolution reports that Cuba has given the green light to “Cuban transsexuals who want to undergo what is now described as sex-realignment surgery.”
Israel: Ms. Magazine Shuns Ad Promoting Leadership of Israeli Women
In a surprising move last week, Ms. Magazine refused to accept an advertisement that highlighted the leadership of Israeli women in public service. Maya Norton brings us the reactions of bloggers from Israel.
