International
Silent No More: The untapped potential of the church in addressing sexual violence
This report, Silent No More, calls all churches to account and to action. It paints a painfully honest picture of the way churches have perpetuated a culture of silence around sexual violence and have largely failed to respond to the crisis and may even worsen the impact by reinforcing stigma and discrimination experienced by survivors.
Religious Fundamentalisms and Their Gendered Impacts in Asia
Preface: Amidst growing uncertainties in a globalised world, fundamentalist convictions have been gaining ground in many religions. Reinforced by the threat from interna- tional terrorism, this renaissance of religious fundamentalisms has created ideolog- ical conditions for polarisation between ‘us’ and ‘them’, from community to trans-national level. At national level, it has affected both politics and society, leading to something of a ‘retraditionalisation’ of gender roles.
Dr. Farouk Musa: Feminism, gender equality and the Qur'an
There have been numerous tafsirs throughout the ages, but few stressed on the gender equity issues as
propounded by the Qur’an. Many exegetes failed to distance themselves from the misogynist views prevalent in their society while endeavoring to interpret God’s words. Their exegeses are so deeply embedded in the minds of the Muslims nowadays and considered to be the ultimate truth that any other forms of interpretation are considered non-conformist or worse, heretical.
It has to be understood that all the previous exegetes approached the Qur’an with their reason, explaining the purport of each Qur’anic statement in the light of their knowledge of the Arabic language and the traditions of the Prophet apart from the knowledge they acquired historically and culturally.
EROTICS: Sex, Rights and the Internet - An Exploratory Study
What's the connection between sexuality and the internet? Why is internet censorship often accompanied by regulation of sexualities? How do people in different parts of the world use the internet in the exercise of sexual rights? After 3 years of interrogation into the politics of sexuality and the internet, the EROTICS research is out! Full report:
Report: Rising Restrictions on Religion
Pew Forum Executive Summary (12.08.2011) - Restrictions on religious beliefs and practices rose between mid-2006 and mid-2009 in 23 of the world's 198 countries (12%), decreased in 12 countries (6%) and remained essentially unchanged in 163 countries (82%), according to a new study by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life. Direct Link to Report:
Report on the Strategic Conversation on Addressing Gaps in the Defense of Women Human Rights Defenders
The VNC Campaign was privileged to be part of this meeting on women human rights defenders organised by the Center for Women's Global Leadership (CWGL) and the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition. The Campaign was represented by AIsha Shaheed and Edna Aquino who took part in the Working Group on Families, Communities and Culture.
The Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) is pleased to publish this report on the ongoing efforts being taken by the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRD IC) and its allies to shed light on the unique challenges women human rights defenders face and to create new systems of advocacy on their behalf.
Child Marriage: Videos, Stories, Resources
The TrustLaw website has a section which focuses on the issue of child marriage globally: .
VNC Campaign Join Hands with NGOs' in raising concerns on UN Study on 'Traditional Values'
The VNC Campaign join hands with numerous international, regional and national NGOs from all over the world in expressing their concerns on the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) Resolution 16/3 passed last March 2011) for a " study on how a better understanding and appreciation of traditional values of dignity, freedom and responsibility can contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights”.
The resolution, sponsored by the Russian Federation, has been the subject of much concern for many NGOs working on issues around women's rights, sexual and reproductive health rights, and rights relating to sexual orientation and gender identity (amongst others), due to its close relation to an agenda of cultural relativism and the desire to undermine the universality of human rights.
157 Catholic Priests Rise Up To Support Fellow Embattled Priest
In an unprecedented move, 157 Catholic priests have signed on to a letter in support of their fellow embattled priest, Fr. Roy Bourgeois, who has been told to recant his support for women's ordination or be removed from the priesthood. The letter that supports Roy's priesthood and his right to conscience was delivered, Friday, July 22nd, to Fr. Edward Dougherty, Superior General of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers in Maryknoll, NY.
"We can no longer remain silent while priests and even bishops are removed from their posts simply because they choose to speak their truth," said Fr. Fred Daley, a spokesperson of the effort and a priest of the Syracuse Diocese.
Reality Check: Women Rights Defenders
Who are Women Human Rights Defenders? What are they doing? Where? Are they facing challenges now? Will they face them in the long run? Who are responsible to speak for them? These questions need to be recognized and answered.
Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) are activists who raise voices against violation of human rights.