Stories about Women & Gender from July, 2008
Bangladesh: Students Unity Against Rapists
Unheard Voices on students protesting against sexual harassment in Jahangirnagar University in Bangladesh being handed expulsion orders.
Saudi Arabia: Keep out of my space!
Nzingha is used to people keeping a physical distance from each other in Saudi Arabia – but she says that in Bahrain those boundaries of personal space are not respected.
Hong Kong: Summer T-shirt
Little Oslo collected a variety of Summer T-shirt with printed nude photos. So which one do you like?
The problem with ‘African Woman’ magazine
Uganda's Scarlett Lion comments on an article titled “From fistula to fab” in the magazine African Woman, a fashion makeover of a woman who was recovering from a fistula. She says: “From Fistula to Fab! trivializes a very serious problem without offering meaningful commentary or insight into things like medical...
Zimbabwe: Of molesters and voters
Marko Phiri at the Kubatana blog draws a parallel between those that justify sexual harrassment to women by the way they look or dress, with the current political situation in Zimbabwe where “women and children have ‘invited’ the wrath of Zanu PF militias by simply voting for a party of...
Syria: Too Young for Marriage
From Syria, Allosh [Ar] comments on under-age marriages – saying that 18 is too young an age to tie the knot.
China: Gender Relation
Maryannodonnell writes some interesting notes on gender relation in Shenzhen.
Lebanon: Glitzy Wedding
Lebanese Beirut Spring posts photographs from the wedding of Lebanese President Sleiman daughter's wedding and notes: “It’s good for a change to see all our politicians celebrating together in a glitzy environment.”
UAE: Sex on Jumeirah Beach
Jazarah writes: “Jumeirah Beach in Dubai witnessed two recent incidents where expats caught while they were engaged in sexual intercourse with tourists in public, alcohols were the reason in both cases, and of course results were too ugly.”
Saudi Arabia: Pious Wife Beating
From Cairo, Tom Gara posts a video [Ar] featuring a Saudi clergyman preaching on how to discipline wives. He adds: “This clip of a Saudi cleric explaining how to properly beat your wife is pure poetry – you couldn't make more perfect anti-Saudi propaganda if you tried.”
Bangladesh: An Expensive Wedding
A wedding is considered the most important event of a Bangladeshi girl's life and an integral part of the local culture, however these celebrations are getting more and more expensive. See a this post about typical weddings in Bangladesh.
Afghainstan: Gender Debates
Sanjar says that “women’s question” in Afghanistan provides a vivid illustration of ongoing emotional and sensitive debates on universalism versus cultural relativism, individualism versus tribalism, secularism versus religious state.
Afghanistan: The Soccer Ladies
Islam-Feminism posts a story about Afghan businesswomen traveling to the U.S in October to apprentice on the job at American firms.
Angola: An unacceptable silence
Brazilian expatriate, Menina de Angola [Girl from Angola, pt] comments about two separate cases of rape committed against Brazilian women in Luanda and criticizes the silence surrounding the issue, which according to her hasn't triggered any action from police, media or community: “I always thought the Angolan society was sexist,...
Jordan: The Big Day!
Jordanian Qwaider is no longer single. Click here to see what he has to say about the Big Day!
Africa: Summer Reflections (Thoughts from Mothers)
With this article, Paula Odhiambo salutes all mothers in Africa and reflects on children's compassion and giving, talking about sex with children and announces the birth of a blogger's baby girl.
Morocco's Changing Bodies
As in many developing countries, the food landscape in Morocco is rapidly changing. Obesity and body image, two rarely-discussed subjects, are becoming ever-present issues. Jillian York has the story.
Pakistan: Women and Jihad
CHUP! on women gathering at the Red Mosque in Pakistan.
Nepal: 2008 Gruber Women's Rights Prize
Nepal Monitor profiles Sapana Pradhan Malla, a Nepali lawyer and activist, who won the 2008 Gruber Women’s Rights Prize.
Russia: The Day of Family, Love and Fidelity
Russia's got a new holiday: the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, celebrated on July 8. Translated below is a holiday post by Moscow-based LJ user eprst2000 - a post that has moved quite a few readers to tears.
Bahrain: Tying the Knot
Bahraini blogger Mohammed Al Maskati is tying the knot — but keeping the details away from his blog.
