Stories about Women & Gender from May, 2010
Taiwan: Measuring masculinity
Michael Turton writes about how differences in masculinity between Taiwanese and Western males explain relationships between Taiwanese females and Western males.
Trinidad & Tobago: Domestic Violence Laws
Upon learning of news of the death of a Trinidadian woman as a result of domestic violence, diaspora blogger Jumbie's Watch admonishes the government: “Amend those laws now!”
Saudi Arabia: Streets closed to women joggers
A street in Asir Province, Saudi Arabia, where many women liked to exercise has recently been shut off to female joggers, as it has been deemed unsafe by the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Katharine Ganly takes a look at some of the blogger reactions to this development.
Lebanon: More webcomics
Sareen Akharjalian, who describes herself as a programmer by day and a cartoonist by night, shares her takes on issues through cartoons at her blog “Ink on the Side“. This one is about gender difference in preparations for date night.
Africa: The abortion debate on the continent
Fungai discusses the abortion debate in Africa: “And with only three African countries (Cape Verde, South Africa and Tunisia) giving unrestricted legal access to abortion to women, it would be safe to assume gross underreporting when it comes to figures pertaining to rates of abortion on the continent.”
Afghanistan: Strange morale
Nasim Fekrat tells a shocking story how a dozen farmers raped two young men as a punishment in revenge for engaging in sexual relations with two young women in the Jawzjan province of Afghanistan.
Jordan: First Arab female bodybuilder
Buj Al Arab praises the determination of Farah Malhass, the Arab Wolrd's first female bodybuilder, and is pleasantly surprised seeing her gracing the cover of Gulf News .
Singapore: Transgender women campaign vs discrimination
Transgender women in Singapore have launched a campaign to end discrimination against their community.
Nigeria: Petition against Senator's marriage to 14 year old girl
Jeremy posts a link to a petition against Senator Ahmed Yerima and his ‘marriage’ to a 14 year old girl.
India: Couples Doing Business Together
Indian blogger Jaya Jha shares her personal story of how an entrepreneur couple faced challenges doing business together.
India: Much Ado About Covering Up
“Women and their creative desires are collateral damage in a war to control visual pleasure. Its all about what is pleasing to the male eye,” comments Outlandish Musings from Mumbai, India.
Guyana: Articulate Voice
Signifyin’ Guyana blogs about Guyanese writer Grace Nichols and her poetic tongue, saying that in her work, she “continues to produce articulate speakers who tell the stories of women’s lives…”
Algeria: What is going on in Hassi Messaoud?
Diáspora saharaui (at Courrier International) wonders why the town of Hassi Messaoud, known for its oil refinery and for being usually safe, has been plagued with a wave of violence against working women (fr). A blog that details the history of abuse against women in the city has been created...
South Africa: 40,000 prostitutes for World Cup
Brett shows how rumours and lies become fact in media saturated world: “How I have been puzzled and annoyed by the ongoing repetition in our media, that 40 000 ‘prostitutes’ are set to be trafficked into South Africa ahead of the World Cup.”
The Balkans: Online Hit Song Highlights the Diaspora State of Mind
Jay Z & Alicia Keys get a Balkan rival singing about New York City, too.
