When we celebrate the International Women’s Day (IWD) this year we shine the brightest light on the vast majority of women – especially in developing countries that live and work in rural areas and whose empowerment is about bringing the…
Category: Femina
Girls, women must gain equality in all aspects of life: EU
Brussels, 6 March – Equality between women and men is one of the fundamental values of the European Union enshrined in our treaties. Our Union is a pioneer in tackling gender-based discrimination and we can be proud of the progress…
France to set age of sexual consent at 15
France plans to fix the legal age of sexual consent as 15, meaning sex with someone younger than that would be considered rape.Equality Minister Marlène Schiappa welcomed the move, which follows advice from doctors and legal experts.
Ferdousi Priyabhashini passes away
Noted sculptor and freedom fighter Ferdousi Priyabhashini passed away in a city hospital on Tuesday noon. She was 71.Ferdousi Priyabhashini, who has been suffering from multiple complications includingkidney ailment, diabetes, high blood pressure, orthopedics and heart disease, and undergoing treatment…
Kuwaiti ban on domestic helps not average workers
Dhaka, March 6 – Minister for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Islam yesterday has said that his ministry is not aware about imposing ban on recruiting Bangladeshi workers by Kuwait.
’94pc women commuters in BD experience sexual harassment’
Dhaka, March 6 – About ninety-four per cent women commuting in public transport in Bangladesh have experienced sexual harassment in verbal, physical and other forms, a study by development organisation BRAC has revealed.
When environmental crises hit homes, women suffer the most
By Victor Tsang and Shari Nijman Nairobi, Kenya, Mar 5 (IPS) – When Mandelena became a mother, she was only 16. During the prolonged dry season in Gwor County, South Sudan, her community saw crops failing and cattle dying. Children…
Making the business case for gender equality
Achim Steiner and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka New York – Around the world, gender bias is attracting renewed attention. Through protest marches and viral social-media campaigns, women everywhere are demanding an end to sexual harassment, abuse, femicide, and inequality.
France’s McDormand wins best actress Oscar
Los Angeles, Mar 5 (AP/UNB) —McDormand’s portrayal of a mother seeking justice for her murdered daughter in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” has won the best actress Academy Award.
Rise of feminism and the renewed battle for women’s rights
By Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini Washington DC, Mar (IPS) – In 1909, the Socialist Party of America, in support of female garment workers protesting working conditions, designated March 8 as a day to honor women. By 1917, women in Russia were protesting…
Ebadi for women’s awareness against patriarchal culture
Shirin Ebadi, an Iranian Nobel laureate, has urged the womenfolk to get educated to change the patriarchal culture.“And this is basically because men don’t want women to be literate and educated because once they become educated they’ll try and weaken…
A long way still to achieving gender equality: Int’l Women’s Day
By Akinwumi A. Adesina Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Mar 1 (IPS) – International Women’s Day is a call to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of women and a reminder that globally, we are a long way from achieving gender equality.
Culture of deep-seated denial of sexual violence in Sudan
By Pramila Patten UN, Feb 28 (IPS) – At the invitation of the Government of Sudan, I visited Sudan from 18 to 25 February 2018. The objective of the visit was to gain first-hand knowledge of the situation, assess the…
The next stage of women’s emancipation
February 6, 2018, marked the centenary of the Representation of the People Act, which enfranchised (some) women in Britain for the first time – a reward for women’s work during World War I. In honor of this historic event, statues…
French singer Ariana Vafadari performs at Shilpakala Academy
Dhaka, Feb 27 – French singer Ariana Vafadari’s musical performance, organised by Alliance Française, Dhaka, was held at Experimental Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on 27 February Tuesday.
DNA paternity claims against sexually abusive peacekeepers
As sexual abuse and paternity claims continue to rise against UN peacekeepers overseas, the United Nations is actively collaborating with troop contributing countries (TCC) in collecting DNA samples: a protocol introduced back in 2014.
Nigerian government acknowledges 110 girls still missing
Maiduguri, Feb 26 (AP/UNB) — Nigeria’s government acknowledged Sunday that 110 girls remain missing nearly a week after Boko Haram militants attacked their town. Frustrated family members already had compiled a list of missing girls after saying officials were being…
World leaders abandon human rights: Amnesty International
In 2017, the world witnessed a rollback of human rights. Signs of a regression were everywhere. Across the world governments continued to clampdown on the rights to protest, and women’s rights took a nosedive in the USA, Russia and Poland.
Some missing Nigeria girls ‘rescued’ after school attack
Some of the schoolgirls missing after a militant attack on a boarding school in northern Nigeria have been rescued by the military, officials say.
Cricketer turned politician Imran Khan marries a third time
Islamabad, Feb 19 (AP/UNB) — Pakistani cricket legend turned politician Imran Khan has married a faith healer, ending rumors that he was considering a third marriage after divorcing two wives.
America remembers Susan Anthoy’s contribution
From Mohammad Zainal Abedin in NY New York – America remembers Susan B. Anthony, a women’s rights activist, on her 198th birthday – which is observed in the US as Susan B. Anthony Day – and recollects her contributions. Susan…
India woman held for posing as groom for dowry
Police in India have arrested a woman who allegedly posed as a man and duped two women into marriage for dowry.Krishna Sen was arrested on Wednesday in the northern state of Uttarakhand for demanding dowry, which is illegal in India.
The #Me Too drive should end Hollywood’s narrow concept of sex
Since the shocks of last October, the entertainment industry has taken a number of helpful steps to try to stop sexual harassment. Harvey Weinstein is no longer in a position to use his power to allegedly coerce actresses sexually. Time’s…
Maid’s body found in Kuwait freezer sent back to Philippined
The body of a Filipino housemaid found stuffed in a freezer in an abandoned apartment in Kuwait has been returned to the Philippines to her grieving family.
Prior to ICESCR review of BD’s rights compliance: HRW
Human Rights Watch has written in advance of your upcoming review of Bangladesh’s compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Human Rights Watch has extensively documented human rights violations in Bangladesh relating to neglect in the…
Israeli Court to decide if Ahed Tamimi will be on bail
Bill Van Esveld On Monday, an Israeli military court will decide whether to release 16-year-old Ahed Tamimi on bail or keep her in jail until the end of her trial. She has become a symbol of Palestinian resistance, and some…
Pakistan’s leading Human rights activist Asma Jehangir dies
Asma Jehangir, one of Pakistan’s prominent right activists and lawyers, has died of a heart attack in the eastern city of Lahore. She was 66.
Rape on birthday again at Dhaka’s Banani
Dhaka, 05 Feb – The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka fixed February 7 for hearing on whether the two youngmen, who have been accused of raping a young woman will be placed on remand or not.
Rights body demands justice for Marma sisters
Right activists on Sunday demanded immediate probe and trial of a recent incident where two young girls of Marma community in a Rangamati village were allegedly sexually harassed.
Beware the #MeToo backlash—It masks ugly lies about women
Liesl Gerntholtz The backlash against #MeToo is gathering steam, with a chorus of voices raising concerns about “overreactions” to “minor” transgressions and citing threats to sexual freedom.