A Decade After Recognising LGBT Rights, Nepal Stalls
The Indian Express - Kathmandu, Nepal, 11/30/2018
Nepal was hailed a leader in LGBTQ rights when it became the first country in conservative South Asia to recognise more than two genders, and landmark reforms in 2007 prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation at a time when homosexuality was still illegal in various Asian countries. But more than a decade later, its reputation has lost its lustre, with LGBTQ Nepalis still confronting obstacles to jobs and schools, and marriage equality a distant prospect. On paper, they enjoy some of the most-progressive protections and rights guaranteed by law in the immediate region. But gay and transgender Nepalis and rights activists say action has not matched rhetoric, and the community continues to face discrimination.
Chile Enables Gender Change Over 14 Years of Age in Official Records
Irish Times, Chile, 11/28/2018
The Chilean President has signed into law a Bill allowing people over 14 years of age to change their name and gender in official records. The signing of this Bill marks a historic shift in a traditionally conservative, predominantly Catholic country. The Transgender Bill defines gender identity as a personal conviction of whether a person sees himself or herself as male or female, irrespective of their physical state or gender or name assigned to them in the country’s civic register. Children aged 14 to 18 are allowed to officially change their name and gender identity in official records, but must still obtain parental consent or approval from legal guardians first, since they are minors.
Dowry Deaths Make Significant Share Of Female Killings In India: Report
NDTV, India, 11/27/2018
Dowry deaths continue to account for a substantial share of all female homicides in India despite legislation prohibiting it, according to a UN study which says ‘the home is the most dangerous place for women around the world’. The study, released for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, examines available homicide data to analyse gender-related killings of women. It noted that available data on dowry-related killings from the National Crime Records Bureau indicate that female dowry deaths account for 40 to 50 per cent of all female homicides recorded annually in India, representing a stable trend over the period 1999 to 2016. This shows that tangible progress in protecting women from such violence has not been made in recent years.
Syrian Kurdish Women March to End Gender-Based Violence
Japan Times - Qamishli, Syria, 11/26/2018
Hundreds of female protesters took to the streets of the Syrian Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli on November 25, 2018, to call for an end to violence against women. Women of all ages carried the portraits of fighters in the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), the all-female branch of the Syrian Kurdish militia. ‘Underage marriage is a crime,’ said one sign held up by a protester, on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Other demonstrators carried signs condemning sexual violence, gender-based discrimination, and various other forms of oppression women face on a day to day basis in the conflict-torn region. ‘Women must organise and reach decision-making positions,’ said Hanifa Mohammed, an activist present at the protest. ‘They must determine their future.’
Taiwan’s Image as Asia’s LGBT Rights Beacon Takes a Hit as Same-Sex Marriage Referendum Fails
South China Morning Post, Taiwan, 11/25/2018
Gay rights campaigners in Taiwan have suffered a serious blow after voters rejected a proposal to legitimise same-sex marriage in the island’s civil code. Taiwan’s progressive stance on LGBT rights had been celebrated when in 2017, its High Court ruled last year that a ban on same-sex unions was unconstitutional and that gay couples would be allowed to officially register their marriages soon. But while galvanising supporters, the issue also prompted a backlash from conservative groups and led to multiple referendums. But the opponents of same-sex marriage emerged victorious, with all three measures they proposed – to define marriage as solely between man and woman, to prohibit students from learning about LGBT issues, and to introduce limited protections for same-sex couples – being approved by the voters.
Child Adoption and Divorce Highlights of Proposed Same-Sex “Marriage” Bill for Thailand
Chiang Rai Times - Bangkok, Thailand, 11/24/2018
The right of same-sex couples to adopt foster children and their right to end their ‘marriage’ just like any other heterosexual married couple will be incorporated in the same-sex marriage bill expected to be submitted to the justice minister for consideration within this month. Nareelak Paechaipoom, director of International Human Rights Division of the Department for the Protection of Rights and Liberties, said on November 23, 2018 that the addition of the two issues – child adoption and the right to so-called “divorce” between same-sex couples – was the result of recent public hearings organised by the department among the LGBTQ community. She disclosed that the public hearings went smoothly, and the bill would be ready for debate by the National Legislative Assembly next month.
Will Allot Two Days Exclusively for Entry of Women at Sabarimala: Kerala Government Promises High Court
Times Now - Kerala, India, 11/23/2018
The Kerala Government on November 23, 2018, told the Kerala High Court that it was ready to allot two days exclusively for entry of women in the temple, in order to ensure women can travel to and enter the temple without obstacles. Many women, including activists and journalists, have attempted to reach Sabarimala since Supreme Court's verdict on September 28, 2018, which allowed women to enter the shrine. However, protestors have often blocked their entry and instead, urged the state government to take legal steps to revert the Supreme Court's verdict. After four women filed a petition in Kerala High Court seeking police protection for their Sabarimala visit, the State decided to reserve days exclusively for the entry of women as a possible solution.
Anger in India over Twitter's Apology for CEO Jack Dorsey's Photo
Reuters - New Delhi, India, 11/22/2018
Women journalists and activists in India have hit back after Twitter apologised for a photo of its top official holding a placard that criticised the patriarchy propped up by India's caste system. The placard that read ‘smash Brahminical patriarchy’ was held up by Dorsey when Twitter hosted a closed-door discussion with a group of women journalists and activists during his India visit, and handed to him by Sanghapali Aruna, a Dalit activist present at the meeting. But a top Twitter official apologised on behalf of the company following a massive backlash from mostly upper caste Indians, to which the group of journalists and activists said the apology was a ‘disappointment to all of us dealing with abuse, harassment and legal threats’.
Saudi Arabia Tortured Activists Including Women, Rights Groups Claim
BBC, Saudi Arabia, 11/21/2018
Saudi Arabia has tortured, sexually harassed and mistreated several human rights activists detained since May this year, including women, two leading international rights groups have alleged. ‘In one reported instance, one of the activists was made to hang from the ceiling, and according to another testimony, one of the detained women was reportedly subjected to sexual harassment, by interrogators wearing face masks,’ rights group Human Rights Watch reported. In a separate but strikingly similar statement, citing ‘informed sources’, Human Rights Watch claimed interrogators had tortured at least three of the Saudi women activists detained at the beginning of May, which had included ‘forcible hugging and kissing’.
Kenya Bans Charity Marie Stopes from Providing Abortion Services
The Independent - Nairobi, Kenya, 11/19/2018
Kenya has banned the international charity Marie Stopes from offering abortion services to women and girls after complaints it was promoting the termination of unwanted pregnancies, the Government and charity officials said on November 18, 2018. Abortions are not permitted in Kenya unless a woman's life or health is in danger and emergency treatment is required; but as a result, an estimated 266 women die per 100,000 unsafe abortions in Kenya - higher than rates estimated in other east African nations. The charity - which provides family planning, counselling, emergency abortions and post-abortion care to thousands of women - said its campaign promoted awareness about unsafe abortions. The ban on Marie Stopes could hit victims of backdoor abortions who desperately need emergency treatment.
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