Stories about Women & Gender from March, 2009
Egypt: New Fatwa on Divorce
The Middle East Blog reports on the latest fatwa (religious edict) from Egypt saying: “According to an Egyptian Sheikh, neighbours now have have the right to demand the divorce of a couple if they believe them to have irreconcilable differences.”
Dubai: Dress Appropriately and Behave!
“Dubai Executive Council issued a new law prohibiting inappropriate behaviour in public places of the emirate. Such behaviour is nudity, kissing, wearing “disrespectful” clothes and even holding hands. I do respect and welcome Dubai's attempt to protecting its identity and cultural values from any western influence, but could something like...
Trinidad & Tobago: Lack of Clear Vision
“Trinidad is so small that we can’t find criminals. We can’t find missing children. We can’t find a functional government or a serious opposition”: Attillah Springer is convinced that we are macoing but not seeing.
Malawi: Female Candidates and the Politics of Regionalism
With two months to go before Malawians vote in presidential and parliamentary elections on May 19th, 2009, the soup du jour has evolved around two developments, the first one being the recent arrest and release on bail of former president Dr. Bakili Muluzi. The second development is the unusual visit to the country by former presidents of Ghana and Mozambique who are attempting, unjustifiably, according to the blog Chingwe's Hole, to prevent what they fear might be a potential violent conflict in the run up to the elections and possibly in the aftermath.
Armenia: International Women's Day action sparks virginity debate
Although couples now marry at a later age than before, some traditions have been slow to change in Christian Armenia. One custom, for example, expects women -- but not men -- to remain virgins until their wedding night. However, a recent rally to mark International Women’s Day after which red apples were buried, a symbol of the bride losing her virginity, has prompted intense discussion in the Armenian blogosphere.
Saudi Arabia: Forty Lashes for a 75-year-old Woman for ‘Mingling’ with Men
A 75-year-old Syrian woman was sentenced to 40 lashes, four months imprisonment and deportation from Saudi Arabia, for having two unrelated men in her house. The two men were also charged with ‘mingling' with an unrelated woman and sentenced to prison and lashes, sparking criticism for the country's judiciary and the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Saudi Arabia's bloggers speak up.
Palestine: The Occupation and Women
Al Falasteenyia, from Palestine, discusses the impact of occupation on women in her country.
Lebanon: Pink Taxis for the Ladies
“A taxi firm in Lebanon has unveiled a new concept geared toward women, complete with a fleet of pink cars and pink-attired female drivers ready to keep the sexes apart,” reports Jester at Lebanese Inner Circle.
Lebanon: Demonstrating for Migrant Workers rights
“I worked for three years and never received my salary” and “The Mister Beats Madame Everyday” are some of the slogans raised during a demonstration to support migrant workers in Lebanon on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Egypt: Women Play Central Role in Struggle
Swedish blogger Per Bkorklund, who is based in Egypt, pays tribute to Egyptian women on the occasion of the International Women's Day with this post, which features the central role played by women in social and political struggles.
Guyana: Domestic Abuse
From Guyana, Raptus asks: “Why do we yield to domestic violence?”
Brazil: On the Vatican's condemnation of raped-child's abortion
A 9-year-old girl several times raped and made pregnant by her stepfather was guaranteed the right to have an abortion legally in Brazil. After the operation, the Roman Catholic Church excommunicated the mother, the doctor and the whole medical team responsible for the operation. This has sparkled a great debate in Brazil: What is the Church's role in society?
New Citizen Media Projects Foster Rising Voices in Ivory Coast, Liberia, China, Mongolia, and Yemen
Of the 270 project proposals we received from activists, bloggers, and NGO's all wanting to use citizen media tools to bring new communities - long ignored by both traditional and new media - to the conversational web, the following five are most representative of the innovation, purpose and goodwill that Rising Voices aims to support. Please join me in welcoming our new Rising Voices grantees.
Iran: No Cake for Iranian Women on their Day
Although the Iranian government does not recognize the International Women's Day and has banned women activists from organizing gatherings and demonstrations to commemorate the day for the previous 30 years, Iranian bloggers and women activists remembered the 8th of March, honouring women in Iran and the rest of the world.
Tunisia: Tribute to authors who promoted the women's movement
Tunisian blog Kissa Online [Ar] highlights pioneering authors who pushed for more rights for women in the Arab world.
Egypt: The Influential Role of Women in History
Egyptian blogger Lasto Adri [Ar] posts excerpts from a book entitled The Modern Women's Movement: The Story of Arab Women in the Land of Egypt, where she highlights the influential and integral role played by women in their communities in history and how that changed in 222BC.
Burkina Faso: A Special Day In Burkina Faso
March 8, 2009 was a special day in Burkina Faso in West Africa. Blogger Stephen Davies of Voice in the Desert explains.
International Women's Day in Tunisian Blogs
Tunisia celebrates its National Day for Women on August 13. Calls are now being echoed in the blogosphere to join international women in their celebration and mark the day with the rest of the world on March 8, reports Lina Ben Mhenni.
Iran: Iranian Women's art in London
Iranian female artists share their stories in London. Watch their art here
Caribbean: Message for Rihanna
The Rihanna/Chris Brown headlines have been capturing the interest of bloggers Caribbean-wide recently, not only because Rihanna is Barbados-born and bred, but because the whole issue of domestic abuse hits really close to home.
Egypt: Dalia Ziada urges Saudi Arabia to end discrimination against Muslim women
On the occasion of Prophet Mohamed's birthday, Egyptian blogger Dalia Ziada launches a campaign asking Saudi Arabia to end their discrimination against young Muslim women worldwide! Marwa Rakha reports on the initiative.
