Apologies for the delay (due to ill health). The September special feature on abortion will be posted here shortly. Thanks.
Wednesday 28 September 2011
Monday 19 September 2011
Women/Politics
Sex and power
It could be another 70 years before women gain equal representation in the British parliament according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), and women are missing from other positions of influence too: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/news/2011/august/sex-and-power-5-400-women-missing-from-top-jobs/ . The Fawcett Society has produced a detailed response showing that, of 23 cabinet ministers, only 4 are women (a 10-year low), and only 19 of 119 minister positions (16%): http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/documents/Fawcett%20response%20to%20Sex%20and%20Power-%20August%202011.pdf . A UN Women report http://progress.unwomen.org/ shows that 28 of the world's countries have over 30% representation of women in parliament. These include Rwanda (51%), Tanzania (31%), Nepal (33%), Costa Rica (39%), Macedonia (33%) and Spain (34%). They do not include the UK or the USA. Even Afghanistan's parliament has 28% women representatives: http://www.unwomen.org/2011/08/afghanistan-resource-centre-women-parliamentarians/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+unwomen%2Fen+%28UN+Women%29&utm_content=Google+Reader .
It could be another 70 years before women gain equal representation in the British parliament according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), and women are missing from other positions of influence too: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/news/2011/august/sex-and-power-5-400-women-missing-from-top-jobs/ . The Fawcett Society has produced a detailed response showing that, of 23 cabinet ministers, only 4 are women (a 10-year low), and only 19 of 119 minister positions (16%): http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/documents/Fawcett%20response%20to%20Sex%20and%20Power-%20August%202011.pdf . A UN Women report http://progress.unwomen.org/ shows that 28 of the world's countries have over 30% representation of women in parliament. These include Rwanda (51%), Tanzania (31%), Nepal (33%), Costa Rica (39%), Macedonia (33%) and Spain (34%). They do not include the UK or the USA. Even Afghanistan's parliament has 28% women representatives: http://www.unwomen.org/2011/08/afghanistan-resource-centre-women-parliamentarians/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+unwomen%2Fen+%28UN+Women%29&utm_content=Google+Reader .
Women and peace
Only 1 in 40 signatories to peace deals in the last quarter-century have been women yet women's consent and support are vital to the negotiation and maintenance of peace agreements. No Women No Peace http://www.nowomennopeace.org/the-issue is an organisation set up to campaign for women’s involvement in peace accords and negotiations.
Only 1 in 40 signatories to peace deals in the last quarter-century have been women yet women's consent and support are vital to the negotiation and maintenance of peace agreements. No Women No Peace http://www.nowomennopeace.org/the-issue is an organisation set up to campaign for women’s involvement in peace accords and negotiations.
South Sudan's women
The world's newest country, South Sudan, has a minister for gender, Agnes Lasuba. She talks here about the effects of independence on the country's women: http://www.unwomen.org/2011/07/qa-south-sudans-minister-of-gender-child-and-social-welfare-on-africas-newest-nation-and-its-women/?
The world's newest country, South Sudan, has a minister for gender, Agnes Lasuba. She talks here about the effects of independence on the country's women: http://www.unwomen.org/2011/07/qa-south-sudans-minister-of-gender-child-and-social-welfare-on-africas-newest-nation-and-its-women/?
Egyptian women's charter
The women of Egypt have released a charter for women's rights and representations following the revolution, calling, among other things, for 40% representation in ministerial posts in a new parliament, a hand in drawing up the new constitution and constitutional rights to equality, justice and an end to discrimination: http://www.unwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/charter-egyptian-women-en.pdf UN Women reports on the release event here: http://www.unwomen.org/2011/06/egypt-womens-charter-released-calling-for-a-democratic-transition/ .
The women of Egypt have released a charter for women's rights and representations following the revolution, calling, among other things, for 40% representation in ministerial posts in a new parliament, a hand in drawing up the new constitution and constitutional rights to equality, justice and an end to discrimination: http://www.unwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/charter-egyptian-women-en.pdf UN Women reports on the release event here: http://www.unwomen.org/2011/06/egypt-womens-charter-released-calling-for-a-democratic-transition/ .
Poland's gender quotas
However, in Poland, politicians are struggling with the new gender quotas they set themselves earlier this year. There will be a general election in Poland in October, so parties are listing candidates but women are rarely being included in the guaranteed seat slots on party lists. Poland's gender quota regulations are being evaded and the Act appears to be a paper one only, say commentators:
However, in Poland, politicians are struggling with the new gender quotas they set themselves earlier this year. There will be a general election in Poland in October, so parties are listing candidates but women are rarely being included in the guaranteed seat slots on party lists. Poland's gender quota regulations are being evaded and the Act appears to be a paper one only, say commentators:
Women/Economy and finance
Women's unemployment
Women are faring badly in economic stakes at present, not just in the UK but in many parts of the world. The current recession has seen unemployment figures for women in the UK reach their highest for 23 years at 1.05 million: http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1241 , while in early September, UK labour market statistics showed that the number of UK women made redundant in the latest quarter of 2011 increased by 72.3% over the previous quarter: http://networkedblogs.com/n58GH .
UK government's plan for women
The UK Conservative-led government clearly has a 'blind spot' when it comes to women. UK single mothers are the hardest hit by cuts, job losses and welfare changes: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/30/coalition-cuts-mothers-childcare-maternity-leave?CMP=twt_gu. A feeble memo has recently been leaked from the UK government to show that the Conservatives are aware of their failings and listing a series of measures – mere spin and tinkering at the edges – to win back women's support: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/interactive/2011/sep/13/leaked-memo-women-coalition-government. Ascerbic comment from columnist Suzanne Moore here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/16/coalition-smacked-down-women-message and from The F Word here: http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2011/09/how_could_the_g.
Christine Lagarde
Women are faring badly in economic stakes at present, not just in the UK but in many parts of the world. The current recession has seen unemployment figures for women in the UK reach their highest for 23 years at 1.05 million: http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1241 , while in early September, UK labour market statistics showed that the number of UK women made redundant in the latest quarter of 2011 increased by 72.3% over the previous quarter: http://networkedblogs.com/n58GH .
But the shift away from women in recession isn't only confined to Britain or the West. The recession is having the same effect in Nepal: http://www.ekantipur.com/2011/09/03/business/industries-closure-hits-women-the-most/340176/ .
The UK Conservative-led government clearly has a 'blind spot' when it comes to women. UK single mothers are the hardest hit by cuts, job losses and welfare changes: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/30/coalition-cuts-mothers-childcare-maternity-leave?CMP=twt_gu. A feeble memo has recently been leaked from the UK government to show that the Conservatives are aware of their failings and listing a series of measures – mere spin and tinkering at the edges – to win back women's support: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/interactive/2011/sep/13/leaked-memo-women-coalition-government. Ascerbic comment from columnist Suzanne Moore here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/16/coalition-smacked-down-women-message and from The F Word here: http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2011/09/how_could_the_g.
Christine Lagarde
Christine Lagarde has now taken over as the head of the IMF http://www.forbes.com/sites/mahaatal/2011/08/24/it-takes-courage-christine-lagarde/. Forbes ranks her at number 9 on its annual list of the world’s most powerful women: http://www.forbes.com/wealth/power-women. But the Daily Mail (UK) concentrates on her femininity for all the wrong reasons: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2009973/Christine-Lagarde-Secret-life-new-IMF-boss.html, though we do learn she was once a synchronised swimmer, is vegetarian (!) and thinks women bring a “more inclusive” approach to power.
Thursday 15 September 2011
Women/Family and society
Witch-hunting
A new draft law in Rajasthan, partly the result of concerted efforts by women's groups to end abuses, bans witch-hunting. But will it ever be passed or implemented? Voting bank politics and police complacency in the Indian state have so far ensured that violence against women, often widows or outspoken single women, continues, with the underlying aim of driving them out of the area and grabbing their land and property:
A new draft law in Rajasthan, partly the result of concerted efforts by women's groups to end abuses, bans witch-hunting. But will it ever be passed or implemented? Voting bank politics and police complacency in the Indian state have so far ensured that violence against women, often widows or outspoken single women, continues, with the underlying aim of driving them out of the area and grabbing their land and property:
Lack of brides
Abortion of female foetuses in China and India has led to a generation of missing girls and a lack of brides for men to marry. Now Chinese men are looking to Korea and Vietnam for wives, with the consequential risks of trafficking, violence, exploitation and the funding of an industry of pimps and brokers. In Tamil Nadu, southern India, cribs are placed in special centres to encourage women to leave unwanted girls instead of killing them. But does the lack of women lead to greater respect? It appears not: http://www.newint.org/blog/2011/09/05/mari-marcel-thekaekara-china-gender/ .
Abortion of female foetuses in China and India has led to a generation of missing girls and a lack of brides for men to marry. Now Chinese men are looking to Korea and Vietnam for wives, with the consequential risks of trafficking, violence, exploitation and the funding of an industry of pimps and brokers. In Tamil Nadu, southern India, cribs are placed in special centres to encourage women to leave unwanted girls instead of killing them. But does the lack of women lead to greater respect? It appears not: http://www.newint.org/blog/2011/09/05/mari-marcel-thekaekara-china-gender/ .
Moral policing
Women and couples are being beaten and harassed on 'moral' grounds for associating together. Women in Kerala travelling with or visiting a male friend are grabbed, questioned, and sometimes arrested for alleged moral offences as zealots clamp down on unauthorised relationships: http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/devil-s-own-country-for-women .
Women and couples are being beaten and harassed on 'moral' grounds for associating together. Women in Kerala travelling with or visiting a male friend are grabbed, questioned, and sometimes arrested for alleged moral offences as zealots clamp down on unauthorised relationships: http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/devil-s-own-country-for-women .
Army misogyny
A deeply misogynistic culture in the Australian Defence Force has been revealed by a series of scandals over the filming of a sex acts without knowledge of woman involved and other invasions of privacy. When investigated, more women came forward with with claims of rape and other abuses: http://feministing.com/2011/08/26/yet-another-sexual-violence-scandal-at-the-australian-defence-force-academy/ .
A deeply misogynistic culture in the Australian Defence Force has been revealed by a series of scandals over the filming of a sex acts without knowledge of woman involved and other invasions of privacy. When investigated, more women came forward with with claims of rape and other abuses: http://feministing.com/2011/08/26/yet-another-sexual-violence-scandal-at-the-australian-defence-force-academy/ .
Violence unchecked
Guatemalan women experience some of the highest levels of violence in the world and few perpetrators are ever convicted: http://www.newint.org/blog/majority/2011/08/22/guatemala-femicide-murder-womens-rights/ .
Guatemalan women experience some of the highest levels of violence in the world and few perpetrators are ever convicted: http://www.newint.org/blog/majority/2011/08/22/guatemala-femicide-murder-womens-rights/ .
Honour killings
'Honour' crimes account for a third of all violent deaths in Jordan and claim at least 25 lives a year. http://www.newint.org/columns/makingwaves/2005/04/01/rana-husseini/ is an interview with a Jordanian journalist who campaigns against honour killing of women in her country.
'Honour' crimes account for a third of all violent deaths in Jordan and claim at least 25 lives a year. http://www.newint.org/columns/makingwaves/2005/04/01/rana-husseini/ is an interview with a Jordanian journalist who campaigns against honour killing of women in her country.
Later marriage
Asian women are now marrying much later or not at all, in large part because of women's changing attitudes to the burdens they have to bear in marriage. Statistical report on attitudes to marriage, numbers of children, divorce rates and age at marriage across South Asia, South East Asia, China and Japan.
Asian women are now marrying much later or not at all, in large part because of women's changing attitudes to the burdens they have to bear in marriage. Statistical report on attitudes to marriage, numbers of children, divorce rates and age at marriage across South Asia, South East Asia, China and Japan.
Women/Work
Domestic worker abuses
New Cambodian legislation on domestic workers recruited by agencies to work abroad fails to tackle all the worst abuses, leaving migrant workers open to forced labour and huge 'recruitment' debts:
New Cambodian legislation on domestic workers recruited by agencies to work abroad fails to tackle all the worst abuses, leaving migrant workers open to forced labour and huge 'recruitment' debts:
£10,000 pay deficit
The Chartered Management Institute has found that UK female managers are now paid an average of over £10,500 less than men doing the same job, with the gap having widened by £500 over the last year. Junior female managers, however (at graduate recruitment level) are on average paid £500 more than their male counterparts, while women's salaries are rising faster than men's. The CMI said that despite this it would take 98 years for women to reach pay parity with men.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14721839.
Women leaving labour market
UK women are being priced out of work because of cuts to public sector jobs and child tax credits, and the soaring cost of childcare, according to left-wing think tank IPPR. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/women-forced-out-of-jobs-by-rising-cost-of-childcare-2333282.html .
UK women are being priced out of work because of cuts to public sector jobs and child tax credits, and the soaring cost of childcare, according to left-wing think tank IPPR. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/women-forced-out-of-jobs-by-rising-cost-of-childcare-2333282.html .
Women/Arts and culture
Women in film and TV
.Women are only 25% of creatives and 41% of characters on screen in US television and film according to Professor Martha M Lauzen, Executive Director, Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, San Diego State University. The figures show a decline in the representation of women except for a few categories, and a marked drop in some, including writers, down from 29% to 15%, and directors, down from 16% to 11% (contains a link to full report): http://www.wif.org/news/industry-articles-and-stats/732-boxed-in-employment-of-behind-the-scenes-women-in-the-2010-11-prime-time-television-season.
Sexist comics
Dancing girlsTraditional dancing girls in Swat valley in Pakistan, near the Afghan border, have been systematically attacked and killed by Taliban as an example to others, and forced to give up their profession. The report contains lengthy history of the region and its conflicts but several first person accounts from former dancers of their experiences: http://www.worldpolicy.org/journal/fall2011/swat-valley .
.Women are only 25% of creatives and 41% of characters on screen in US television and film according to Professor Martha M Lauzen, Executive Director, Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, San Diego State University. The figures show a decline in the representation of women except for a few categories, and a marked drop in some, including writers, down from 29% to 15%, and directors, down from 16% to 11% (contains a link to full report): http://www.wif.org/news/industry-articles-and-stats/732-boxed-in-employment-of-behind-the-scenes-women-in-the-2010-11-prime-time-television-season.
Sexist comics
Women in comics – why so few, why so sexist? This link takes you to a report that discusses why there aren't more women in comics, particularly superhero comics, and looks at the industry's embedded sexist bias apparent in hiring creatives, focusing on a single genre, killing off women (and ethnic minority) heroes and alienating its female readers: http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/08/29/superhero-comics-women-sexism/
Where are women artists?
Where are women artists?
Only 8% of exhibits in MOMA in New York are by women, and approximately 23 percent of solo gallery shows at top New York sites feature pieces by female artists. This article discusses why women are still so under-represented in the art world and among top-selling artists: http://prospect.org/cs/articles?article=an_ego_of_ones_own . Some further links to feminist art projects in the US here: http://feministing.com/2011/08/31/the-wednesday-weigh-in-feminist-art-edition/ .
Dancing girls
Women/Health
Maternity healthcare
Earthquake recovery programmes in Haiti are failing women and girls, according to Human Rights Watch. Women are still having to give birth in muddy tents, with few pregnancy and maternity services available. And where women and girls were vulnerable before, such as to rape and other forms of violence, the earthquake has intensified that vulnerability. http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/08/30/haiti-earthquake-recovery-failing-women-and-girls .
Earthquake recovery programmes in Haiti are failing women and girls, according to Human Rights Watch. Women are still having to give birth in muddy tents, with few pregnancy and maternity services available. And where women and girls were vulnerable before, such as to rape and other forms of violence, the earthquake has intensified that vulnerability. http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/08/30/haiti-earthquake-recovery-failing-women-and-girls .
Silicone breast implants
US National Organization for Women is campaigning for better research on silicone breast implants. This report lists diseases linked to implants and areas where insufficient research has been conducted (including in breastfeeding and pregnancy) and demands better information and investigation and a suspension of the marketing of implants till companies fulfil their research and follow-up responsibilities in full:
US National Organization for Women is campaigning for better research on silicone breast implants. This report lists diseases linked to implants and areas where insufficient research has been conducted (including in breastfeeding and pregnancy) and demands better information and investigation and a suspension of the marketing of implants till companies fulfil their research and follow-up responsibilities in full:
Women/Body, mind and spirit
Lesbian ethics
Lesbian ethics - a justification and commentary on the necessity of a separatist ethics, through a reflection an essay by Sarah Hoagland:
Lesbian ethics - a justification and commentary on the necessity of a separatist ethics, through a reflection an essay by Sarah Hoagland:
Wednesday 14 September 2011
Women/Sport
Soccer star
Do you know who is the world's best women's soccer/football player? Neither did we. The five times winner of the FIFA woman player of the year award is - unsurprisingly - Brazilian, plays for a US team and her name is Marta Vieira da Silva. She is also a UNDP goodwill ambassador, and here travels to Sierra Leone to promote women's empowerment: http://www.beta.undp.org/undp/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2011/08/31/football-superstar-marta-visits-sierra-leone-to-promote-women-s-empowerment.html ,
Do you know who is the world's best women's soccer/football player? Neither did we. The five times winner of the FIFA woman player of the year award is - unsurprisingly - Brazilian, plays for a US team and her name is Marta Vieira da Silva. She is also a UNDP goodwill ambassador, and here travels to Sierra Leone to promote women's empowerment: http://www.beta.undp.org/undp/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2011/08/31/football-superstar-marta-visits-sierra-leone-to-promote-women-s-empowerment.html ,
Women/Missing links
Each month we seek to track down as many important stories from as many sources as we can manage. We don't claim to be comprehensive in our coverage but would like to be able to report and share as much information as is possible. To this end, we ask readers to contribute sources and suggestions, links and ideas to help to fill the gaps.
This month, there are no links on topics such as women law and crime, or women and environment or, except in reviews, women in development. We have only one international sport link (this is to ignore the mainstream of women's sport such as athletics, swimming etc that is covered regularly). And there is nothing here on women, science and technology. Please help us to fill these spaces and others you might be aware of, although we note that absence also suggests areas where women may traditionally be under-represented, under-reported and lacking a voice.
This month, there are no links on topics such as women law and crime, or women and environment or, except in reviews, women in development. We have only one international sport link (this is to ignore the mainstream of women's sport such as athletics, swimming etc that is covered regularly). And there is nothing here on women, science and technology. Please help us to fill these spaces and others you might be aware of, although we note that absence also suggests areas where women may traditionally be under-represented, under-reported and lacking a voice.
Reviews
Greenham Non-Violent Women v The Crown Prerogative, by Sarah Hipperson. http://www.newint.org/columns/media/books/2005/11/01/greenham/ : a new book on the Greenham women by a former activist who tells the story of resistance against the British legal system and the divisions between different groups of protesters.
The Women, Gender and Development Reader, ed. N. Visvanathan, L Duggan, N Wiegersma and L Nisonoff. http://www.zedbooks.co.uk/book/paperback/2011/women-gender-and-development-reader : The "definitive" text for women in the development process, in five parts, covering migration, structural discrimination and environment issues as well as the impacts of social, economic and political change.
Forced Marriage, ed Aisha K Gill and Sundari Anitha. http://www.zedbooks.co.uk/book/paperback/2011/forced-marriage : Forced marriage discussed and conceptualised from a human rights and social justice perspective, challenging cultural essentialism.
Policing Sexuality by Julian C H Lee. http://www.zedbooks.co.uk/book/paperback/2011/policing-sexuality : examines how and why states seek to control the sexuality of their citizens.
Tuesday 13 September 2011
And another thing....
"Plus-size"
Nancy Upton's entry to American Apparel's competition for a so-called "plus-size" model has subverted the whole campaign with her witty photos: http://www.dangerousminds.net/comments/subverting_american_apparel_an_interview_with_nancy_upton/
Sexist gender studies
We agree with equality, but this may be taking things a bit too far...http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2011/09/access_to_acade : a man is suing LSE for its ‘sexist’ (anti-male) gender studies course.
Nancy Upton's entry to American Apparel's competition for a so-called "plus-size" model has subverted the whole campaign with her witty photos: http://www.dangerousminds.net/comments/subverting_american_apparel_an_interview_with_nancy_upton/
Sexist gender studies
We agree with equality, but this may be taking things a bit too far...http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2011/09/access_to_acade : a man is suing LSE for its ‘sexist’ (anti-male) gender studies course.
Beer for babes
Would you buy this? We know we wouldn't. A beer specially designed for women. And just in case you missed who it was targeted at, it comes in a pink pack with a label sporting a little black dress... http://feministing.com/2011/09/02/finally-a-beer-just-for-women/
Are men finished?
If you are in the NY area, why not join this debate on 20th September, or post a question to be answered live? http://www.slate.com/id/2303488/ . Entitled "Are men finished?" the debate will pose the question of whether men are being left behind, at home, at work, in education and in society at large. Can men make a comeback? Or is this state of affairs just a gloss on the surface of the same old patriarchy?
Would you buy this? We know we wouldn't. A beer specially designed for women. And just in case you missed who it was targeted at, it comes in a pink pack with a label sporting a little black dress... http://feministing.com/2011/09/02/finally-a-beer-just-for-women/
Are men finished?
If you are in the NY area, why not join this debate on 20th September, or post a question to be answered live? http://www.slate.com/id/2303488/ . Entitled "Are men finished?" the debate will pose the question of whether men are being left behind, at home, at work, in education and in society at large. Can men make a comeback? Or is this state of affairs just a gloss on the surface of the same old patriarchy?
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