All articles tagged with #womens rights
Afghanistan’s decree-based penal code imposes longer punishment for animal fighting than for domestic violence against women, formalizes gender and social class discrimination by granting husbands authority over wives and varying punishments by status, and has drawn criticism from UN rights officials who urge reversal for violating international obligations and restricting women’s rights.
The UN’s human rights chief warned that a Taliban decree expands the death penalty, authorises corporal punishment, and criminalises dissent, deepening repression and rights abuses—especially against women—and called for its reversal and a moratorium on executions.
Violet Zulu, a 26-year-old in Zambia, was sentenced to seven years in 2024 for procuring her own abortion after clinics refused legal care and she couldn't afford private services; she delivered the fetus in a toilet, pleaded guilty after representing herself in court, and was later freed on appeal thanks to intervention by international rights groups. Her case highlights barriers to legal abortion, stigma, and lack of information, underscoring the need for better access and education amid Africa's high rate of unsafe abortions.
The Gambia's supreme court is hearing a case to overturn the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), amid protests from religious leaders and some MPs who argue it infringes on cultural and religious freedoms. Despite FGM being criminalized in 2015 and associated health risks, efforts to decriminalize it continue, reflecting a broader global regression in women's rights and ongoing cultural debates.
Queen Camilla publicly shared her personal experience of being assaulted on a train in the 1960s to highlight the issue of domestic violence and advocate for awareness and change.
Despite global setbacks in women's rights, inspiring resistance and progressive policies are emerging in places like Iceland and Rojava, demonstrating the resilience and potential for positive change through grassroots democracy, feminist activism, and innovative legal strategies.
Queen Camilla publicly shared her personal experience of being assaulted on a train in the 1960s to highlight the issue of domestic violence and advocate for awareness and change.
UN experts and prominent women worldwide have called on Iran to halt the execution of Zahra Tabari, a 67-year-old women's rights activist, citing serious procedural violations and gender discrimination in her trial, amid a broader increase in executions in Iran.
Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest U.S. park ranger and a pioneering advocate for Black and women's history, passed away at 104. Her life was marked by resilience, activism, and storytelling, from surviving the Great Mississippi Flood to working in segregated industries, founding a Black-owned record store, and dedicating her later years to preserving overlooked histories at the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park. Her legacy includes numerous honors, a memoir, and a school named in her honor, inspiring ongoing conversations about justice and inclusion.
Despite ongoing enforcement, Iran's authorities appear to be easing their strict mandatory hijab policies amid social disobedience and protests, though they have not officially abandoned the rule, and a potential crackdown remains possible. Women are increasingly dressing freely in public, reflecting a shift driven by civil resistance, but the regime continues to enforce and threaten repression against those opposing the hijab.
Iranian women are quietly protesting by removing hijabs and riding motorcycles, signaling a significant shift in social norms despite ongoing repression and crackdowns, indicating a potential silent revolution in the country.
The article recounts the author's experiences witnessing the resilience and strength of Afghan women amid decades of war, oppression, and recent Taliban restrictions, highlighting their struggles, sacrifices, and unwavering hope for a better future.
During the women's suffrage movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, bake sales and cookbooks featuring recipes like kiss cakes and ginger cookies were used as fundraising tools and to promote women's roles in society, helping to garner support for women's voting rights while strengthening community ties.
Roya Karimi, a former child bride from Afghanistan, escaped to Norway and became a top European bodybuilder, using her journey to inspire women and challenge social norms, while preparing to compete in the World Bodybuilding Championships.
The public groping of Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum by a drunken man has sparked widespread outrage among women and politicians, highlighting ongoing issues of violence and sexual assault faced by women in Mexico, and prompting calls for legislative action and increased protections.