Today India’s Supreme Court ruled the religious practice of “triple talaq,” which allows men to divorce their wives by simply repeating the word “divorce” three times, unconstitutional.
President Announces Continuation of Mission in Afghanistan
On Monday evening, President Trump announced to the country that the war in Afghanistan would move forward and that he would increase troop levels, but failed to include details over strategy or how success would be measured in a conflict that has now stretched on for over 16 years.
Chilean Congress Votes to Ease Strict Abortion Ban
The bill that passed through the lower congressional house last week will allow abortions in circumstances of deadly birth defects, risk of the mother’s life, and rape.
Funding Allocated for Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues
This week Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) successfully amended the State Department funding bill for fiscal year 2018 to preserve funding for the position of Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues for which funding had been originally excluded. The amendment was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and now heads to the Senate floor for a vote.
Afghan Girls’ Robotics Team Competes in International Competition
The Afghan girls’ robotics team that struggled to get U.S. approval to enter the country for an international competition were granted silver medals on Tuesday for their “courageous achievement”.
Afghan Female Pilot Flies Around the World to Inspire Women
Shaesta Waiza, the youngest certified female pilot from Afghanistan and the founder of Dreams Soar, is flying around the world to serve as an inspiration for other women and girls.
Feminist Protest Pressure Trump Administration to Grant Afghan Girls Robotics Team Visas
The Department of Homeland Security has issued humanitarian paroles to the Afghan all-girls robotics team that had been previously denied State Department visas to come to Washington DC for an international robotics competition. The girls have now arrived in the United States for ten days to compete in the FIRST Global Challenge.
US Denies Visas to Afghan Girls Robotics Team, Sparks Feminist Protest
The teenagers risked their lives making the 500-mile journey across Afghanistan twice to interview for visas at the U.S. embassy in Kabul— the site of several recent deadly attacks. Despite their efforts to secure a 7-day visa, the girls were rejected.
German Parliament Votes to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
The German Parliament has voted 393-226 in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, and the bill now heads to the Bundesrat, Germany’s upper house, where it is expected to pass. A recent poll found that two-thirds of Germans support legalizing same-sex marriage.
Trump’s Temporary Muslim Travel Ban Goes Into Effect
Travelers from Libya, Syria, Iran, Somalia, Yemen, and Sudan will be banned for 90 days if unable to provide a “bona fide relationship” connection to the United States. The Supreme Court ruled to allow the ban until the Court can hear the case in October and make a final ruling.
First TV Channel for Women Launches in Afghanistan
The TV station, which focuses on women’s voices and women’s issues, has an all-female staff of presenters and producers.
Feminist Majority Foundation Holds Congressional Briefing on Progress for Afghan Women and Girls
Featured presenters included Dr. Sima Samar, former Afghan Minister of Women’s Affairs and current Chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission; Gaisu Yari, former advisor to the Afghan Ministry of Women’s Affairs and a masters’ student in International Relations at Colombia University; and Belquis Ahmadi, Senior Program Officer at the United States Institute of Peace.
Russian Opposition Leader Arrested Amid Anti-Putin Protests
Navalny was sentenced to 30 days in jail for organizing Monday’s unauthorized protests, which drew thousands to the streets. He intends to run for president of Russia in the coming year on a democratic, anti-corruption platform.
Devastating Kabul Bomb Kills 90, Wounds 400
The suicide bomb was detonated at 8:22 am near Zanbaq Square, a busy market and diplomatic area. The attack, which hit just days after the start of Ramadan, targeted civilians, killing many innocent women and children.
U.S. Cities and States Take Leadership In Wake of Climate Agreement Withdrawl
President Trump announced on Thursday that the United States will withdraw support from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, an international promise reached among 195 world leaders to reduce the impact of climate change and limit greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions to help reign in global warming. The only countries not to sign onto the original agreement were Nicaragua, Russia and Syria.
Boko Haram Releases 82 Chibok Girls 3 Years After Kidnapping
Last week the Nigerian government announced that 82 of the nearly 300 schoolgirls from Chibok that were kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram in April of 2014 had been released in exchange for five Boko Haram commanders. The kidnapping has been an ongoing subject of public concern, prompting the massive #BringBackOurGirls movement on social media.
Confusion Over Administration’s Decision to End ‘Let Girls Learn’
The email, sent to Peace Corps employees by their director Sheila Crowley, states: “Moving forward, we will not continue to use the ‘Let Girls Learn’ brand or maintain a standalone program.”
Afghanistan Now Has 260 Female Judges
During the Taliban regime that fell sixteen years ago, there were no female judges.
Persecution of Gay Men in Chechnya Escalates
Reports are coming out of Chechnya that a large group of gay men are being held by the government in concentration camps and have been subjected to violent interrogations.
American University of Afghanistan Has Reopened Following Terrorist Attack
The American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) in Kabul has recently reopened after being close for seven months following a terror attack that left at least thirteen dead including seven students and one professor.