May 2011
Housemaids: The gap between our conduct and Islamic principles
Islam has advocated sublime human conduct. It came to polish the behavior of people, whether individuals or groups, and to ensure their human rights in the best possible manner and form of human conduct. It did not stop there. It also called for a better treatment of animals.
International: Bin Laden's wife and the stereotyping of Muslim women
We should focus on events in Bin Laden's home, but not sensationalise the details of Amal Ahmed al-Sadah's life. Women played an interesting role in the account of the final hours of Osama Bin Laden's life. Three wives, as well as nine of his children, where he was killed, along with the families of two Pakistani brothers. Initially, it was that Bin Laden had used one of his wives as a human shield.
Iran: Visualising Power, Documenting Resistance - an interview with Mahboubeh Abbasgholizadeh
Persistently harrassed by the government, Iranian film maker Mahboubeh Abbasgolizadeh has found her mode of resistance in her craft. Her films have not only dealt with women who are oppressed by a fundamentalist regime. Behind the otherwise simple plots are real relations of power, that tells us much about Iran.
Pakistan: Modern communication tools and young women
A close friend, 19 year old Nazira, wore her best dress one evening. She came to show me her outfit before she went out to see someone ‘special’. Three hours later, she returned devastated; she could hardly speak. She wore a ‘burqa’ on top of what was left of her dress. Her rosy cheeks looked pale and eyes were sore. She was gang raped by the person she went to see and his friends. A male member from her family had seen her in that condition.
Saudi Arabia: Women try to 'buy' their freedom to work
ABHA: Saudi workingwomen have embarked on new ways to win the consent of their male legal guardians or husbands to take a job. This is so in jobs where there are still strong taboos about women working in them.
Many Saudi workingwomen set aside a portion of their monthly income, which enables them to win the consent of their male guardians as well as to enjoy full freedom to do job, according to a report in Al-Riyadh Arabic daily.
Europe: New Council of Europe convention to prevent and combat violence against women
Istanbul, 11.05.2011 - The Council of Europe’s new (CETS n° 210) has been passed and also open to accession by non-European countries and by the European Union.
This new landmark Council of Europe treaty is the first legally binding instrument in the world creating a comprehensive legal framework to protect women against all forms of violence, and prevent, prosecute and eliminate violence against women and domestic violence.
Egypt: Revolution Women March Against Religious Strife
Arabic - Below
(Cairo, May 10, 2011) A large number of Egyptian women participated in a march entitled "No to sectarian strife" which appeared with its ugly face in the district of Imbaba. They participated in this march to stress the values of citizenship and tolerance and to prevent the strife that has been witnessed in the district and in many different places in Egypt after the revolution.
India: Top court urges death penalty for honor killings, calling them ‘slur on our nation’
NEW DELHI — India’s top court recommended the death penalty for perpetrators of “honor killings,” calling the practice barbaric and feudal in a ruling cheered Tuesday by activists who hope it will inspire opposition to a crime seen as anathema to a democratic nation.
Most victims were young adults who fell in love or married against their families’ wishes. In some cases, village councils ordered couples killed who married inside their clan or outside their caste. While there are no official figures, an independent study found around 900 people were killed each year in India for defying their elders.
Pakistan: National Assembly unanimously approves Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill 2010
QUETTA: The National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously approved the Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill 2010.
The bill was introduced last year by MNAs Marvi Memon, Begum Shahnaz Sheikh and Advocate Anusha Rehman in a bid to prevent growing incidents of violence against women.
Offenders will now be punished with life or up to 40 years imprisonment and will have to pay rupees one million to the victim.
Uganda: Gay activist Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera granted Martin Ennals award
Ugandan gay activist Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera has been given the prestigious Martin Ennals rights award.
The 10 organisations which make up the award jury said she was courageous and faced harassment because of her work. Homosexual acts are illegal in Uganda, and can be punished by long jail terms.