Stories about Women & Gender from August, 2012
Libya: Hijab Fiasco at Power Handover Ceremony
A problem marred Libya's National Transitional Council power handover to the newly elected 200-member General National Congress in a ceremony: The master of ceremony was the unveiled female presenter Sarah Elmesallati, who was ordered to leave the stage after an Islamist MP walked out of the ceremony in objection to her presenting the historic ceremony. Netizens go to Facebook to record their objection or support.
Saudi Arabia: The Best Way to Tell your Wife You Married Another Woman
On Twitter, Adel Abdel Ghafar shares a photograph of a “Cover of a #Saudi book titled ‘ the best way to tell your wife that you married another woman.'”
What Is A Chinese Orgy Actually Like?
A set of orgy photos leaked out online featuring three pairs of swingers, all are government officials and their wives. Anthony Tao from Beijing Cream picked up the buzz and continued the discussion on the Chinese orgy culture.
India: Pictures of Varalakshmi Vratham Festival
Anuradha Shankar posts a photo essay on the Varalakshmi Vratham (a festival to propitiate the goddess Lakshmi), which is popular in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamilnadu.
France: Stories of Everyday Sexism
After being harassed and insulted by men in the streets of Brussels, Belgian student Sofie Peeters made a hidden-camera film to denounce the male chauvinism experienced every day by unaccompanied women in the streets. Under the hashtag #harcelementderue (street harassment), French women are testifying to the verbal abuse and sexual harassment that they are subjected to in the streets.
Bhutan: Women Talents Galore
Tenziniesta at Writers Association Of Bhutan Blog celebrates the recent feats of women in Bhutan. For the the first time a female Dzongda was elected and the Supreme Court of Bhutan has a newly appointed female Justice. The Anti Corruption Commission of Bhutan is headed by an woman and guess...
Saudi Arabia: Defending the Virtue of Syrian Women?
On August 11, Bader Al Domiat from Saudi Arabia tweeted a message saying there were around 300 Syrian widows looking for husbands. The message caused outrage among Saudi netizens who apologized from their Syrian brothers and harshly condemned Al Domiat, who immediately suspended his account.
Saudi Arabia: Reaching the Line of Gender Equality
While saluting the decision of Saudi Arabia to send two female athletes to the London Olympics, the Saudi Women Driving deplores the fact that Saudi women cannot drive. “The whole world has been watching Saudi women and their triumphant appearance at the Olympics, and most news stories about them mention that...
Female Saudi Athletes – Out of the Olympics, Into the Twitter Storm
After stepping out of the Olympics, the first and only Saudi female athletes in the history of the Saudi sports, Sarah Attar and Wojdan Shahrkhani have received a storm of reactions on the Saudi twittersphere. Haifa Al Rasheed samples reactions which range from inspiration and hope to shame and disgrace.
Afghanistan: When Bronze Means More than Gold
"In a year filled with suicide bombings, school poisonings and kidnappings, the bronze for Afghanistan was more than gold." The country celebrates its one and only Olympic winner - Bronze medalist and Taekwondo fighter Rohullah Nikpai.
Zambia: Four Women Murdered in Possible Ritual Killings
A recent spate of murders of women in Lusaka, widely considered to be ritualistic killings, have shocked the nation to the core. Some online have sympathized with the families concerned and others are asking for the blood of the killer/s.
Morocco: Marriage Proposal During Twitter Meetup Caught On Tape
A video of a marriage proposal during a tweetup in Casablanca is buzzing in the Moroccan social media sphere. “So far The Geekiest marriage proposal in Morocco,” comments Amine Hachimoto, who first published the video on Youtube.
China: Rape Victim's Mother Free After Online Protest
A mother, Ms Tang was sentenced to 18 months labour camp for pursuing justice for her daughter who was raped and forced into prostitution in 2006. An aggressive online campaign finally pressured the authorities into releasing her. (via CDT)
East Timor: Women's Network Continues Protest
Rede Feto (Women's Network) continues to protest the rejection of a woman candidate for Minister of Defense (our coverage), posting photos of women in East Timor's armed resistance on its Facebook profile and a “Declaration of Women Prisoners and Clandestine Fighters” demanding an explanation the rejection.
Tajikistan: Female Boxer Fights Odds, Wins Olympic Bronze
"I hope Chorieva will become a motivation for other Tajik girls and women, and we will have more female champions in future. It doesn't matter whether she wins or loses, she has already broken a social stereotype."
East Timor: President Rejects Woman Defense Minister
Prior to the swearing-in of East Timor's new cabinet, the new President provoked controversy by rejecting the coalition government's proposed Minister of Defense, Maria Domingas Alves (known as Mikato). Women's groups, academics and the public questioned why and also whether there are strict limits to women's participation in politics.
Jamaica, Bahamas: Long Way to Go?
Two bloggers, Stunner from Jamaica and Pure Fawkery from the Bahamas, consider how far their countries have come – or not – since independence.
Russia: Pussy Riot Doomed by its own Supporters?
Recent online coverage of the Pussy Riot trial makes it seem as if all of Russia is mobilized in protest against the inordinately harsh treatment the three arrested band members have received. In fact, many well-wishing bloggers continue to aggravate Riot's predicament by advocating leniency, rather than arguing with the entire premise of punishment.
Tajikistan: Female Boxer Breaks Stereotypes
Mavzuna Chorieva, a female boxer representing Tajikistan at the London Olympics, has moved to the semifinals of the lightweight tournament after eliminating China's Dong Cheng. She is now guaranteed a medal. Jasur Ashurov writes on Twitter: “Go Mavzuna! You have already broken major stereotypes about Tajik women, particularly female athletes.”
Afghanistan: Girl's Murder Sparks Anger and Protests
Shakila, a 16-year-old girl, was reportedly raped and murdered by a powerful politician in Afghanistan's Bamyan province some six months ago. Although the politician's supporters claim that Shakila took her own life, activists and netizens believe that the strongman is misleading the investigation and urge the authorities to ensure that he does not go unpunished.
Brazil: Sexist Reporting Taints Olympic Coverage
"Female athletes who got into this competition representing their countries, after long years of training.. are simply summarized to the excess or lack of weight, to their hair style, smiles and, of course: buttocks."
