The speaker of Nepal’s lower house of Parliament, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, stepped down from his position on Tuesday after a parliamentary employee accused him of raping her on Sunday in her own apartment. The lawmaker, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, a prominent figure within the country’s governing Nepal Communist Party, denied assaulting the woman who accused him […]
19 Women Rescued From Baby Factory in Nigeria
19 Nigerian women were rescued from being trafficked in Lagos, where they were raped, became forcibly pregnant, and had their babies sold. On September 19, police busted a human trafficking hub in Nigeria. They rescued 19 pregnant women, aged between 15 and 28, and four children from four properties in Lagos they described as one […]
Study Shows Women Are Dying From Heart Attack Gender Gap
A new briefing from the British Heart Foundation says women are dying of preventable heart attacks from a gender gap in treatment and a stigma that heart attacks mostly affect men. A study, funded by the BHF charity, found that over 10 years, 8,200 heart attack related deaths in the UK would have been prevented […]
Protests Erupt in Indonesia Over Bills that Would Ban Extramarital Sex
In cities across Indonesia, protesters have gathered to speak out against a new set of proposed legislation that would ban extramarital sex. This would, in effect, ban any sort of same-sex activity since the country does not recognize same-sex marriage. Additionally, the bill would ban abortion except in cases of rape or incest. These measures […]
French Lawmakers Approve IVF for Single and Gay Women
France’s lower house of Parliament approved a controversial draft of a bioethics law Friday allowing single women and lesbian couples to use medically assisted reproduction methods, but it still needs to make it through France’s upper house. The bill, which would allow women who are not in heterosexual relationships or single to access IVF treatment […]
Nike Nets Four Times as Much Apparel Revenue from this Year’s Women’s World Cup Than the Last One
Nike netted four times as much apparel revenue from this year’s Women’s World Cup than the last tournament in 2015, CEO Mark Parker said on it first-quarter earnings call yesterday. Overall sales in its women’s business increased 10% “on the back of an incredible summer celebrating female athletes,” he said. Strong demand for Women’s World […]
FIFA Says Women Will be Allowed to Attend Football Matches in Iran
FIFA said Saturday that women in Iran will now be able to attend football games, starting with a World Cup qualifier match next month. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a conference on Sunday that Iranian officials assured FIFA that women will be allowed to enter football stadiums. “We have been assured that as of […]
World’s First Vagina Museum Opening in London
The world’s first vagina museum is opening in London this November, hoping to educate about and break the stigma around vaginas. The vagina museum will feature all different types of art forms that “spread the message that there is nothing shameful or offensive about vaginas or vulvas” including art, plays, workshops, and comedy nights. The […]
Moroccan Journalist Arrested for Alleged Abortion
Prominent Moroccan Journalist, Hajar Raissouni and her fiancé, Rifaat al-Amin are currently on trial for having pre-marital sex and an abortion, both considered criminal offenses in Morocco. The medical team accused of performing the abortion is also on trial; Dr. Mohammad Jamal Belkeziz could face up to 10 years in prison. Despite accusations by authorities, […]
Pakistani Feminist Activist Escapes to United States after Manhunt by Authorities
Prominent activist Gulalai Ishmail had been on the run from Pakistani authorities for months before reaching the United States by way of Sri Lanka, where Pakistani citizens do not need a visa. Ismail, 33, already had a multi-entry visa to the United States, and was able to flee to her sister’s home in Brooklyn, NY […]
New Study Finds Pollution from Carbon Emissions Found in Placentas Could be Harmful to Fetuses
A new study reveals that black carbon, a result of air pollution, can be found in mother’s placenta, posing a potential health risk to unborn babies. The study examined the placentas of 25 non-smoking women who gave birth in Belgium. Researchers studied the side of the placenta previously facing the fetus and found black carbon […]
Feminist Protestors in South Africa Demand Change
Anti-violence protestors in South Africa demand government and business response to the rising violence against women, saying the government is issuing empty promises to help women. As protestors are gathered outside parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, the government says changes are coming. President Cyril Ramaphosa has cancelled his trip to the United Nations to […]
Woman Barred from Iranian Soccer Stadium Dies after Setting Herself on Fire, Incident Sparks International Outrage
A woman in Iran who was sentenced to six months in prison for disguising herself as a man to enter a soccer stadium, where women are barred, died this week from severe burns after setting herself on fire outside of the courthouse. The 29 year old, Sahar Kohdayari, attempted to enter Azadi Stadium, but was […]
The Fight for Women’s Justice in Mexico Continues with Silent March in Capital City
On Sunday, September 8th, hundreds of citizens took to the streets of Mexico City to participate in a silent march to end the ever-present violence against women in Mexico. Forty percent of Mexican women experience sexual violence in their lifetime, according to the United Nations. Investigations into these cases are often careless, skewed in favor […]
“Glitter Revolution” Protests Police-Perpetrated Sexual Violence in Mexico
Originating in Mexico City, the “revolución diamantina”, or the “glitter revolution”, is a new movement started by Mexican women to protest institutionalized sexual violence perpetrated by Mexican polices forces. The movement began in response to an incident in Azcapotzalco on August 3rd, in which a teenage girl was raped by four Mexican police officers. The […]
France Moves To Address Femicide Problem As Domestic Violence Related Deaths Increase
The French government has taken measures to address the increase in domestic violence related deaths that have occurred in France since the beginning of the year, including a series of conferences to address the prevention of femicide, specific prosecutors and courts to handle domestic violence cases, and universal protocol to address the danger of women’s […]
Afghan Women Activists Demand a Prominent Role in Peace Talks
During a large gathering to celebrate Eid and Afghanistan’s Independence Day on Tuesday, women in Khost province in eastern Afghanistan courageously called on the Taliban to stop violence and take steps towards enduring peace in the country. Afghan women have repeatedly called for more representation in the ongoing peace negotiations aimed at ending 18 years […]
Independence Day Afghan Women’s Handicraft Exhibition Uplifts Communities
This week, a three-day long exhibition of handicrafts made by Afghan women was showcased in Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul, to celebrate the country’s 100th independence day. The handicraft exhibition was a part of several other upcoming programs focused on celebrating Afghan culture, people, and history. Women from the capital and neighboring provinces were able to […]
United Nations Report Demonstrates Urgency of Climate Change Policies
Early today, a United Nations (U.N.) report composed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was released in Geneva, Switzerland, detailing the fast approaching effects of climate change and their impact on global food security. The report examined the correlations between various measures such as rising earth temperatures, soil degradation, and carbon dioxide emissions to […]
Women’s Rights: A Major Campaign Point in Afghanistan’s Presidential Elections
Afghanistan’s presidential candidates have officially launched their campaigns and candidates are vowing to protect and advance women’s rights in the hope of winning women’s votes. During their public gatherings, two front runners Mr. Ghani and Mr. Abdullah promised to advance the status of women and girls in Afghanistan and that they will include women in […]