Muslim Women Learning About Empowerment
Jakarta Globe, Indonesia, 1/30/2011
Many Muslim women have suffered in silence through years of repression and discrimination in school, at work and at home. The Center for Education and Information on Islam and Women’s Rights Issues (Rahima) is trying to change this by empowering them and offering people a better understanding of the religion. The center’s curriculum features three topics: gender perspectives, sexual and reproductive health and how Islam looks at both issues. Rahima also publishes educational booklets complete with cartoons exploring sexual desire, wet dreams and sexually transmitted diseases.
Passage of `Women`s Act` Passed
Manila Bulletin - Manila, Philippines, 1/30/2011
Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco gave immediate passage of the ‘Women`s Right to Know Act’ which seeks massive public campaign to educate the Filipino women on the importance of reproductive health care. Syjuco lamented that majority of the Filipino women are not well-informed of their rights as provided for by the Constitution, including that of reproductive health care services. HB 1520 provides that no government authority shall limit the right of any person to provide or receive non-fraudulent information about the availability of reproductive health care service, including family planning, prenatal care and adoption services.
Guard Against Misuse of Gender Tests: Pratibha
The Hindu - New Delhi, India, 1/28/2011
Describing female foeticide as a ‘disgrace’ to society, President Pratibha Patil has called upon the medical fraternity to ensure that diagnostic tests are not misused for pre-natal gender determination. ‘We have laws and legal provisions that specially prohibit medical practitioners from disclosing the gender of the foetus. It is not only illegal, but it is socially immoral and detrimental to society. It is very important that all medical facilities, doctors and radiologists adhere to this so as to prevent female foeticide,’ Ms. Patil said inaugurating the 64th National Conference of the Indian Radiologist and Imaging Association.
Sachin Endorses Campaign Against Eve Teasing
Hindustan Times - Mumbai, India, 1/28/2011
Several women in India are exposed daily to violence and sexual harassment from routine ‘eve-teasing’ to sometimes fatal physical beatings at home. In fact, according to a 2005 study by the National Crime Bureau of India, there is one sexual harassment case every 53 minutes in India. Furthermore, one out of every three married women in India report being physically or psychologically abused at least once in their life, according to statistics by the International Center for Research on Women. Parivartan, an innovative sport-based program, uses India’s most popular sport, cricket, to teach boys how to respect towards women and help reduce violence and abuse. The program is endorsed by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.
Uganda Gay Rights Activist David Kato Killed
BBC News, Africa, 1/27/2011
David Kato, a Ugandan gay rights campaigner who late last year was pictured and named in a homophobic tabloid as homosexual, has been beaten to death, activists have said. Police have confirmed the death and say they have arrested one suspect.
Bill Seeks to Regulate Wombs-For-Rent
The Times of India - New Delhi, India, 1/27/2011
With India fast emerging as a hotspot for rent-a-womb phenomenon, the Union health ministry has now finalised the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) Regulation Bill 2010, which has been sent to the law ministry for its approval. The Bill has incorporated several landmark stipulations. For instance, no surrogate mother shall undergo embryo transfer more than three times for the same couple. If a surrogate mother is married, the consent of her spouse is mandatory. Only Indian citizens can be considered for surrogacy.
Small-Town Indians Are Rocking
Hindustan Times, India, 1/27/2011
The Hindustan Times Youth Survey 2011 found that life in small towns is far more adventurous and fun than in the big, bad metros. With the exception of Delhi and Kolkata, smaller towns are rocking with premarital sexual activity – and women are more ‘promiscuous’ than men in many cities. Indore is the pace-setter, with nine in 10 women (92.5%) surveyed saying they had premarital sex, compared to seven in 10 men.
New Thai Airline to Hire Transsexuals
The Straits Times, Thailand, 1/25/2011
Thai transsexuals were overjoyed as new airline P.C. Air on Monday took air hostess job applications from `third sex` candidates at Bangkok`s Esplanade shopping mall. Among the successful applicants was Miss Tiffany 2007 winner Thanyarat `Film` Jiraphatpakorn. P.C. Air executive Peter Shan said the company had seen the potential of transsexuals to work as hostesses. The first batch of successful candidates consisted of 17 women, 10 men and three transsexuals.
Family Planning Healthcare Network Gains Momentum
Viet Nam News, Viet Nam, 1/25/2011
The non-profit organisation Marie Stopes International Viet Nam (MSIVN), in co-operation with the Viet Nam Centre for Reproductive Health, has set up the alliance in HCM City, Ha Noi, and Hai Phong and Khanh Hoa, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and An Giang provinces. Two hundred and twenty private clinics have joined the BlueStar Healthcare Network, the country`s first social franchising model for reproductive healthcare and family planning, since its launch in Viet Nam in 2008.
Gay Magazines in India Hint at Quiet Revolution
The Independent, India, 1/24/2011
When the first editions of gay magazine ‘Fun’ arrived at his stand in New Delhi, Ram Naresh displayed it discreetly to avoid giving offence - but customers have ensured every month is a sell-out. ‘We consistently run out of copies,’ said Naresh. ‘I will have to order more as there`s enough of an audience for magazines like these.’
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