· July, 2008

Stories about Women & Gender from July, 2008

Haiti: Woman PM?

  21 July 2008

kiskeácity reports that the woman to be nominated for the post of Haitian Prime Minister is battling “a vicious campaign of innuendo and allegations about her sexual orientation”, but her supporters are hopeful: “The final word is now in the hands of the Senate which will vote on the nomination...

Arabeyes: Moroccan woman refused French citizenship for burqa

Last week a French resident was refused citizenship on the grounds that she was “insufficiently assimilated.” The woman, referred to in the Press as “Faiza M.,” is a Moroccan citizen but has lived in France since 2000 with her husband, a French citizen, and three children, all born in France. The incident has set a precedent and has stirred up the feelings of bloggers around the world, reports Jillian York.

Bahrain: Obsessed with a Turkish soap opera

A Turkish soap opera, Noor, has become a hit in the Arab world, with reports of fights and even divorces occurring because of the obsession of many women with the handsome male star, Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, who plays Muhannad. Some Bahraini bloggers have been examining the popularity of the drama series amongst Arabs.

India: Should Pre-Marital HIV Testing Be Mandatory?

  19 July 2008

In an attempt to lower HIV rates, the Indian state of Maharashtra introduced a controversial proposal earlier this year, which would make it compulsory for couples to undergo an HIV test before getting married. Our new Public Health Editor, Juhie Bhatia, makes her debut.

Madagascar:Fistula and Early Marriages.

  18 July 2008

Mialy, a blogger in Antananarivo, describes the plight of young married girls in rural areas who are subject to health and social concerns stemming from early pregnancy (fr). She explains that fistula, a consequence of giving birth at an early age, results in incontinences and therefore health complications compounded with...

Dominica: Tattoo You?

  18 July 2008

“An adult’s desire for body art should be respected. However a misinformed obsession for tattoos, especially among Dominican and other Caribbean teenage girls…should be a cause for deep concern”: Dominica Weekly guest blogger guest Danielle Edwards thinks that West Indian women are being judged by their tattoos.

Saudi Arabia: The Black Garbage Bag

American Sabra is in Saudi Arabia … and has to do what the Saudi women do when it comes to covering up from head to toe when outside her house. See what she thinks of the black garb worn by women and how Saudi men react when they come face to face with flesh.

Trinidad & Tobago: Now Hair This!

  17 July 2008

“I’m a twenty-something overachieving chick with dreadlocks and a predilection for wearing Converse to work”: Trinidadian blogger The Liming House says her hair “is about defying stereotypes.”

Korea: Nurses and Sex Symbol

  17 July 2008

A recent music video of a popular and sexy female singer Lee Hyo-lee in Korea has been a hot issue. Maybe in other places as well as in Korea, the nurse costume has been sometimes used as a sex symbol and the singer used the concept for her new music...