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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
South Korea Rules Sixty Year Old Abortion Ban Unconstitutional
On Thursday, Seoul’s Constitutional Court voted 7-to-2 to overturn the 66-year-old abortion ban in South Korea, which criminalized abortion except in cases of rape, incest or imminent danger to the women’s health, and was one of the strictest abortion bans in a developed country. The court ruled the abortion ban as unconstitutional and violated a […]
Sen. Shaheen Invites Afghanistan Ambassador as NATO Joint Address Guest
Senator Shaheen (D-NH) brought Afghanistan Ambassador Roya Rahmani, the first female ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States, as her guest to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s Joint Address to Congress to highlight the need for women’s inclusion in all peace talks involving the U.S. and the Taliban. “I am thankful for Ambassador Rahmani’s willingness […]
Afghan Women Demand Inclusion in Peace Talks
Over 700 Afghan women from all 34 provinces participated today in a National conference to demand their inclusion in any peace talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan while stressing the importance of preserving women’s rights and upholding Afghanistan’s democracy. This conference was in response to recent peace talks between U.S. officials and the Taliban, a […]
Ethiopia Appoints Women’s Rights Champion to Head Supreme Court
On Thursday, Ethiopia’s parliament unanimously approved and appointed Meiza Ashenafi to head its Supreme Court. Meiza was nominated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has taken numerous measures to increase women’s roles in Ethiopia. In response to Meiza’s appointment, Prime Minister Abiy’s Chief of Staff tweeted, “Ethiopia’s march towards gender parity in key leadership positions […]
Record Numbers of Afghan Women Vote and Run for Office in Afghan Elections Amid Violence
Despite Taliban threats of violence on Election Day, record numbers of Afghan women and men turned out to vote in the Afghan parliamentary elections on October 20th and 21st. In total, some 45% of Afghan registered voters cast a ballot including at least 33% of Afghan women voters. In some areas almost 50% of the […]
Saudi Arabian Feminist Movement Celebrates Lifting of Driving Ban
In a historic win for the Saudi Arabian feminist movement, women in Saudi Arabia have won the right to drive. In a royal decree issued Tuesday, the Saudi Arabian monarchy announced that the ban preventing women from driving will be lifted. A committee has been assembled to determine how the lifting of the ban will […]
Peru Fails to Prosecute Former President for Mass Forced Sterilizations
Peru’s public prosecutor Marcelia Gutiérrez declined to prosecute former president Alberto Fujimori and his health ministers for the forced sterilization of hundreds of thousands of people in the late 1990s.
Pakistani Feminist Killed by Brother
A Pakistani celebrity, Qandeel Baloch, was violently strangled to death by her brother last week, in what he referred to as an “honor killing.”
Obama’s New Plan for Troops Means Continued Hope for Afghan Women
The Obama administration has announced that the United States will continue to support the Afghan National Security Forces through 2020.
Chicago Teachers Awarded $280,000 in Damages for Pregnancy Discrimination
Eight women who were fired from their teaching positions following the announcements of their pregnancies will receive nearly $300,000 in damages and back pay.
Tennessee Woman Faces Jail For Coat Hanger Abortion
A Tennessee woman was arrested and charged with attempted murder last week, three months after an attempt to terminate her pregnancy using a coat hanger.
Sierra Leone Legalizes Abortion
The Safe Abortion Act that passed this week with an overwhelming majority support in the parliament will make the abortion procedure legal in Sierra Leone.
Saudi Women Begin Historic Municipal Election Campaign
On Sunday, for the first time in Saudi Arabia’s modern history, more than 900 women have registered to run for the municipal elections.
Afghan Women Launch 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
Afghanistan marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and begun participating in the worldwide 16 Days Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Rising Support for Women’s Education in Afghanistan
A survey of the Afghan people by the Asia Foundation for 2015 found that 74% of Afghans support women’s access to higher education.
