Indian Army Working Towards Women Empowerment, says Army Chief General MM Naravane
ANI - New Delhi, India, 1/12/2022
It was stated that the army is making continuous efforts to encourage women empowerment by the Army Chief General MM Naravane. With the granting of permanent commission the army has opened new doors for women which will allow women officers to aspire to achieve greater glory. The changes will also help women advance to higher ranks. General Narvane added, “The first batch of women soldiers of the Corps of Military Police academy has successfully completed their training and have joined their units. These are major developments towards women empowerment in the country’. Preparations are underway to induct women cadets from June 2022 at the National Defence Academy.
UN Official says App Targeting Muslim Women Form of Hate Speech, Must be Condemned
The Indian Express - New Delhi, India, 1/12/2022
Dr Fernand De Varennes, the United Nation Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues condemned the hate app on which doctored photographs of Muslim women were uploaded for “auction”. The need for such incidents to be prosecuted as soon as they occur was pointed out. The 26-year-old alleged creator of the app, Aumkareshwar Thakur, was arrested by Delhi Police. The Chairperson of National Commission for Women (NCW) said “these incidents are very unfortunate. It is not a matter of Hindu or Muslim women. Communities of both religions need to come together and protect their women. These apps are not about hurting each other’s communities but hurting women. The police should also not drag its feet in such cases,”.
Kabul Women Shift Protest Mode, Write Demands on City Walls at Night
ANI News - Kabul, Afghanistan, 1/11/2022
To avoid violence by the Islamic Emirate forces women have changed their mode of protesting by writing their demands on walls at night. Slogans calling for girl’s rights to education, women’s right to work, women’s choice of clothes and the inclusion of women in social and political life have been found on walls. A protestor said, “Kabul women shift protest mode, write demands on city walls at night”. Another protester talked of restrictions imposed on women with regards to their clothing style, work and education emphasising that women will not be silenced. If the demands are not met protests will be increased.
Salima Mukansanga Makes History as AFCON’s First Ever Female Referee
Versus - United Kingdom, 1/10/2022
The Rwandan-born, 33 year old Salima Mukansanga made history as the first woman to ever referee at the African Cup of Nations. She has previously officatated Women’s World Cup, Africa Women’s Cup of Nations and the CAF Women’s Champions League. Previously women have been expected to only take charge of women’s matches and hence have been subtly excluded from the world of refereeing. In a scenario such as this, Mukansanga and the four other women who are match officials at the AFCON tournament this year bring much needed change to the landscape of the game. Only Mukansanga out of the four will be refereeing matches.
Kerala to Induct Transgender Persons into Police, Steps On
The New Indian Express - Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 1/9/2022
After consultations with women and child welfare department, the state government has taken steps to induct transgender persons into Kerala Police. Sources at the police headquarters have confirmed that the recommendation has been received. However, the discussion of where transgender persons can be accomodated and the parameters for recruitment is still pending. The DGP will take a decision after a report with senior police official’s ideas is submitted. Many other states in the country have also made proactive efforts for the inclusion of transgender persons into mainstream society. Recently, in Chhattisgarh thirteen trangender persons were selected as constables as well.
Marital Rape: Concept of Wife’s Irrevocable Consent Must Be Abrogated, Delhi HC Told
The Wire - New Delhi, India, 1/8/2022
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves representing a batch of petitioners seeking striking down of the exception granted to husbands under the Indian rape law raised many arguments in court on January 7th. Stating the cruelty of marital rape he said “courts all over the world have recognised marital rape as an offence and abrogated the concept of a wife’s irrevocable consent for establishing sexual relations”. Gonsalves also brought forth the example of Nepal’s Supreme Court which has observed Hindu religion did not exempt the crime. A report by the United Nations which indicated the prevalence of sexual violence between married couples in certain Indian states was brought up to counter the narrative that marital rape is a western concept.
First Female Judge Nominated for Pakistan’s Supreme Court
The Guardian - Islamabad, Pakistan, 1/7/2022
In a historic first, Pakistan’s top judicial commission has nominated, Ayesha Malik, a female judge to the supreme court. The decision to appoint the 55-year-old has been supported by lawyers and civil society activists. Maleeka Bokhari, the parliamentary secretary for law and justice called it a moment of “shattering of the glass ceiling”. Although celebrated by many, the move has not come without opposition. A group of lawyers have threatened to go on strike if Malik joined the supreme court bench. However, Malik has given some landmark verdicts in her career, last year outlawing virginity tests for female rape survivors. If appointed, this would be a huge step towards women carving a place for themselves in male dominated spaces.
Bill Banning, Criminalizing Child Marriage in PH Lapsed into Law - Solon
Inquirer.net - Manila, Philippines, 1/6/2022
A bill banning child marriages in the country, including cohabitation with a minor, has lapsed into law, with corresponding penalty for violators, House Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera, one of the authors of the law said. “This is a major victory in our campaign to end child marriage in the Philippines. This law will help protect children, especially young girls, and hopefully change the trajectory of their lives,” Herrera said in a statement. Under the law, the solemnization of child marriage and cohabitation of an adult with a child outside wedlock are considered unlawful acts. A fine of at least P40,000 and jail term of up to 12 years await solemnizing officers, parents, guardians, or adults who fixed, facilitated, or arranged child marriage.
Israel to Open Surrogacy to Same-Sex Couples as of Next Week
The Tribune, Israel, 1/4/2022
Israel’s health minister said that same-sex couples will be able to have children through surrogate women in Israel. “Full equality. That is the simple demand and it is the goal of the LGBT struggle, the long struggle of my community,” said Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, who is openly gay. “Equality before the law and equality of parenthood.” Horowitz said the change in the law would also expand surrogacy to single men and transgender people. In contrast with much of the conservative Middle East, Israel is seemingly generally tolerant toward its LGBTQ community. People who identify as gay can serve openly in Israel’s military and parliament, and many popular artists and entertainers are openly gay.
Marriage Bill: Women Groups Reach out to Parliamentary Panel
Hindustan Times, India, 1/3/2022
Several women organisations have reached out to the Parliamentary committee assigned to examine the The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which seeks to raise the legal age of marriage for women to 21. The bill seeks to modify the definition of a child, stating that it means a male or female who has not completed 21 years of age. It also seeks to make consequential changes to various personal laws relating to the marriage of different communities to ensure a uniform marriage age. The bill evoked mixed responses. While a section of political leaders have extended their support, a few Muslim organisations have raised concerns over the bill.
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