Posts Tagged international issues

By Sesali B. • 11 years ago

Ireland passes its first abortion law

Talk about baby steps (no pun intended). Not even a year ago,  Savita Halappanavar died after being refused a life-saving abortion in Ireland. Her story brought international attention to exactly how strict the staunchly Catholic nation’s abortion ban was.

In 1992 the Supreme Court did rule that abortions were allowed in cases where the pregnancy was life-threatening. Unfortunately this decision was too vague and not enough to save Halappanavar’s life. This is why the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill was so important. The bill passed in the first vote earlier this month and President Michael D. Higgins signed it into law today.

“The law permits abortions to alleviate life-threatening conditions, including a woman’s own threat to commit ...

Talk about baby steps (no pun intended). Not even a year ago,  Savita Halappanavar died after being refused a life-saving abortion in Ireland. Her story brought international attention to exactly how strict the staunchly Catholic nation’s ...
By Lori Adelman • 11 years ago

Waiting for a revolution: Tackling homophobia in Cuba and beyond

Ed note: This is a guest post by Kelly Castagnaro, Communications Director at the International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR).

Only days before today, the International Day against Homophobia, a Russian man was beaten, mutilated, and murdered after revealing he was gay to two strangers.  His death reminded me of the many other deaths and injustices that occur on a daily basis, the harsh discrimination that people endure on the basis of who they choose to love, and the fact that homosexuality was only removed from the list of mental illnesses by the World Health Organization in 1990.  Most of all, the murder was a call to action, a reminder of the need to continue ...

Ed note: This is a guest post by Kelly Castagnaro, Communications Director at the International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR).

Only days before today, the International Day against Homophobia, a Russian man was ...
By Amy S. Choi • 11 years ago

World Bank: Gender norms are strikingly similar across cultures

The World Bank surveyed more than 4000 women, men, and children in 20 countries on social and gender norms last year. The results? We’re more similar than we are different.

In one notable section of the study, The World Bank asked girls and boys to define what makes a “good” girl.

Unsurprisingly, being helpful at home, obedient, and respectful are high on the “good” qualities from the perspective of both boys and girls. Boys found it more important than girls that “good girls” are decently dressed, and girls found it more important than “good girls” do not date, but there isn’t much disparity in responses.

The World Bank surveyed more than 4000 women, men, and children in 20 countries on social and gender norms last year. The results? We’re more similar than we are different.

In one notable section of the ...
By Miriam • 13 years ago

Kai Wright: The ability to kill Osama Bin Laden does not make America great

The last two days of media blitz about the Bin Laden assassination have been really difficult to watch. Regardless of the role of Bin Laden in horrific incidents like 9/11, I have not been able to rejoice in his death. I did not feel proud to be an American yesterday.

Kai Wright at Colorlines summed up my feelings about the incident, and Obama’s speech, better than anyone else I read yesterday.

“Today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people,” the president declared. “We are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to,” he concluded, after insisting that the execution represents justice. “That ...

The last two days of media blitz about the Bin Laden assassination have been really difficult to watch. Regardless of the role of Bin Laden in horrific incidents like 9/11, I have not been able to rejoice ...
By Lori Adelman • 13 years ago

Conservative Opposition at UN Meeting on Women Reaches Fever Pitch

Last weekend, I gave a speech at the Feminist Majority Foundation’s Young Feminist Leadership Conference about why U.S.-based feminists should care about international issues.

I spoke about some of the challenges I see in getting domestic folks engaged globally. Some people may be unsure of the ways in which U.S. foreign policy affects the day-to-day lives of women in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Others may feel overwhelmed by the need they see in other countries and worry that their contributions amount to just a drop in the bucket. But I told my own story of getting involved with these issues and ultimately tried to emphasize that despite these challenges, there are absolutely ways to get involved with ...

Last weekend, I gave a speech at the Feminist Majority Foundation’s Young Feminist Leadership Conference about why U.S.-based feminists should care about international issues.

I spoke about some of the challenges I see in getting ...
By Miriam • 13 years ago

Women central to Egyptian Revolution

The news from Egypt continues to flood in as the protests continue, despite the government crackdown on internet and travel throughout the country. President Mubarak, the center of much of the criticism from the Egyptian people, will reportedly announce soon that he will not seek another term as President.

If you want to follow what’s happening in Egypt from a feminist perspective, Mona Eltahawy is your woman. Jezebel has a great feature about Mona, and you can follow her on her site and on twitter. You might also recognize her from all the US media appearances she’s been making this past week.

She’s a vocal Muslim feminist. A recent quote from her about this role:

She ...

The news from Egypt continues to flood in as the protests continue, despite the government crackdown on internet and travel throughout the country. President Mubarak, the center of much of the criticism from the Egyptian ...