Africa
The status of women in Egypt: What would the post-Mubarak era offer them?
Women's Rights in the Middle East and North Africa 2010 - Egypt
By Mariz Tadros
Introduction
Over the past decade, women in Egypt have made great strides in addressing discriminatory laws. The country's personal status legislation, which had been a source of gender discrimination since its inception in the 1920s, has undergone reform, especially with respect to its procedural elements. Legal prohibitions preventing women's equal access to and representation in the judiciary have been lifted, and social taboos that have restricted their access to certain professions have been broken.
VNC condemns the murder of David Kato
The Violence is Not out Culture campaign condemns the brutal murder on 26 January 2011 of LGBT human rights defender, David Kato, of Uganda and extends its condolences to his colleagues at Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG). David was a long term activist for rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Uganda, and was a highly respected and admired human rights defender within his community and worldwide.
Spirit, hope, money and a dose of patriarchy
A growing movement of African Christians are making waves at home and abroad with their ultra conservative interpretations of scripture. Far from a naïve embrace of conventional norms or a faithful embrace of scripture, these interpretations are emerging as clear political choices and are undermining women's rights struggles across the African continent.
Somalia: Mother of 4 Killed for Her Christian Faith
Al Shabaab militants carry out ritual slaying of Christian found to be ‘apostate.’
NAIROBI, Kenya, January 17 (CDN) — A mother of four was killed for her Christian faith on Jan. 7 on the outskirts of Mogadishu, Somalia by Islamic extremists from al Shabaab militia, a relative said.
Cameroon: Attacks and Arrests on basis of Orientation
Government Should Decriminalize Consensual Activity, Protect LGBT Rights
(Yaoundé, November 4, 2010) – Cameroonians are attacked by police, politicians, the media, and even their own communities if they are suspected of having sexual relations with a person of the same sex, four human rights organizations said in a joint report released today.
Zambia: Marriage of Young Girls a Tradition - Risks, Rights
MANSA, 20 December 2010 (IRIN) - The minimum legal age for marriage in Zambia is 18, and parental consent is required if a girl or boy is 16-17. Anyone under 16 is a minor, and defilement of a minor is a serious offence, punishable by imprisonment of up to 25 years.
Rape with impunity - plight of Somalia's women refugees
The three Somali women sat huddled together in a corner of an empty, dusty room in a camp for displaced people in northern Somalia, their faces etched with grief and resignation.
Zambia - UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women Media Statement on Conclusion of Visit to Zambia
LUSAKA (10 December 2010) – In conclusion of her official visit to Zambia the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Human Rights Council on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Ms. Rashida Manjoo, delivered the following preliminary findings:
“At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation for the cooperation extended to me by the Government. I am grateful to all my interlocutors, including State officials, representatives of civil society organisations, representatives of United Nations agencies, and individual victims of violence that shared their personal experiences with me.
Coalition of African Lesbians: Discriminately Denied Legitimate Status by African Commission
The (CAL) was founded in 2003 as an independent, non-profit organization with a membership comprising of organizations in Africa that do work to support the struggle of lesbian women for equality.
Comprised of organizations from eleven African countries, CAL is the first non-governmental organization in Africa to work for the equality of lesbians at a continental level. In response to a climate of staggering violence targeting out lesbians and gay men throughout the continent, CAL has worked with the African Commission on Human and People's Rights to challenge homophobic rhetoric and policy, and to incorporate LGBT rights into the African human rights platform. CAL's acclaimed annual Leadership Institutes hone the ideas and skills of lesbians, feminists, gender activists and academics across the continent.