Repeal 18A: UNHRC Tells SL
The Daily Mirror, Sri Lanka, 10/31/2014
The UN Human Rights Committee while expressed concern over the implementation of the 18th amendment, called upon the Sri Lankan government to repeal 18A in their concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of Sri Lanka. The Human Rights Committee has also noted with concern, the existence of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the restrictions imposed on the freedom of expression and association, arbitrary searches and arrests and prolonged detention without charge or trial. It had also noted the reports of arbitrary surveillance, torture, detention, enforced disappearances and sexual violence against former combatants while urging the government to ensure that they are provided with effective protection against human rights violations including sexual violence, through the effective application of procedural safeguards and prosecution and punishment of the perpetrators of such violations.
LGBT Community to Organize Parade in City
The Times of India - Vadodara, India, 10/30/2014
The first week of December will witness the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community in the city coming together for a two-day `Gujarat LGBT Pride Festival` for raising awareness and celebrating the rights of the LGBT community. The festival will be hosted by Gujarat LGBT Pride Festival Foundation in association with Rangrez and Foram Foundation.The event will have participants from various cities including Surat, Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Mumbai. Apart from `Pride March` which is a highlight of the festival, it will also have various events including film screenings, skits as well as dance and musical performances.
Sex Workers Demand ‘Decriminalisation’, Not Legalisation
The India Express - Pune, India, 10/30/2014
A conglomeration of sex workers from across India gathered in the city for a workshop held by organisations batting for their rights want ‘decriminalisation’ of sex work and not its legalisation per se. This was held in the run up to discussions, scheduled on November 8, 2014 by a panel constituted by the Supreme Court on laws pertaining to sex workers. ‘Sex workers denounced the move of legalisation and are asking the government to listen to their views before taking any decision. They said they will be impacted by any change in laws and policies,’ said Sevekari, Director of Saheli Sangh will be among those who take forward the demands and concerns of sex workers to the panel when it discusses the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA).
HIV/AIDS Infects 152 Housewives, 31 Children: Commission
The Jakarta Post - Archipelago, Indonesia, 10/29/2014
The West Nusa Tenggara-chapter National AIDS Commission (KPAP NTB) has said that the number of HIV and AIDS infections reported in the province have continued to increase with a wider reach, now also affecting previously low-risk groups such as housewives and children. Soeharmanto, KPAP NTB secretariat head, said KPAP NTB and its partner groups had continued to encourage people, especially those in ‘high-risk groups’, to have the courage to get an HIV check-up at a VCT centre. The ongoing stigma and discrimination against HIV and AIDS has led many to remain somewhat reluctant to have an HIV check-up although it is free, he added.
Music, Films Help Promote Sex Education
The Jakarta Post - Jakarta, Indonesia, 10/29/2014
Hundreds of young visitors cheered as they listened to prominent singer Kartika ‘Tika’ Jahja sing at a free concert promoting sex education at Taman Menteng in Central Jakarta, Indonesia. Four movies by young directors were also screened for the audience, followed by a discussion with the directors and actors. Pamflet coordinator Afra Suci Ramadhan said the four movies were chosen for the event because of their underlying themes of sexuality and identity.
It Will Take 81 Years for Gender Parity at Workplace, Says WEF Report
The Hindu, India, 10/29/2014
India has taken a high position on the political empowerment sub-index, shows the annual gender survey of the World Economic Forum. It ranks 114 out of 142 countries in World Economic Forum’s 2014 gender gap index. The survey puts the country at number 15 on the scorecard for political empowerment. India also tops the list of countries on the years with woman head of state (over the past 50 years). On economic participation and opportunity, India ranks 134, while on educational attainment it ranks 126. But on the health and survival parameter India’s rank is among the lowest at 142. Owing to its low sex ratio at birth India slumps to 114th position overall, which makes it the lowest-ranked BRICS nation and one of the few countries where female labour force participation is shrinking, the report states.
Leadership and Focus on Key Affected Populations Frame Indonesia’s Response to HIV
UNAIDS Press Release, Indonesia, 10/28/2014
A delegation of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) conducted a field visit to Indonesia from October 22 - 24, 2014 to assess the country’s implementation of an integrated and decentralized response to AIDS that has accelerated the strategic use of HIV treatment, increased testing and counselling and strengthened HIV prevention services for key populations. According to national estimates, 638 000 people are living with HIV across Indonesia, and latest national data show that new infections are stabilizing, although there are increases among men who have sex with men and a higher burden of HIV was found among key populations and in certain geographic areas, such as urban settings and in the Papua provinces.
NCW Chief for Legalising Sex Trade
The Hindu, India, 10/28/2014
The chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), Lalitha Kumaramangalam, has advocated legalising sex work to regulate the trade and ensure better living conditions for women engaged in commercial sex work. Legalising the trade, she says, will also bring down trafficking in women and lower the incidence of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. While she asserts that legalisation will also help weed out middlemen and brothel owners who exploit the women, activists are campaigning for a ban on the trade disagree and are of the point of view that legalisation of prostitution will only embolden the traffickers.
First Bengali Film `Achena Bondhutta` Casting LGBT Community Awaits Release
Daily News and Analysis - Kolkata, India, 10/27/2014
For the first time in a Bengali film called `Achena Bondhutta`, members of the LGBT community in West Bengal and Bangladesh have been cast in lead roles. Teesta, who underwent a gender change operation years back to become a woman, says, ‘The film talks about how to treat everybody as human irrespective of the gender. There was a time when we were not considered safe on streets. Our fight for acceptance was then ridiculed; we had to be psychologically counselled. Above all there was a stigma attached to such films. But not in the same way now.’
First Marathi Play on Sex Education Hits the Stage Soon
Daily News and Analysis - Mumbai, India, 10/26/2014
Introducing sexuality education as a subject in schools has always a topic of debate. Time and again, politicians have raised questions on content and styles of teaching this subject. To solve this deadlock, Marathi theatre has for the first time come up with a play which according to the director of `Balak Palak`, the play will give parents an idea of how to break the ice with children on this subject. The play is expected to hit the stage in mid-November, 2014.
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