SC for Putting HIV-Affected Kids in Disadvantaged Group for Education
The New Indian Express - New Delhi, India, 3/31/2017
The Supreme Court today asked the State Governments to consider issuing a notification to include children living with HIV as belonging to disadvantaged group for imparting compulsory education. ‘We are of a prima facie view that the state governments need to consider issuance of notification to include children living with or affected by HIV as belonging to disadvantaged group under the provisions of the Right to Education Act,’ a bench of Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud said.
Judge Suspended Over Schoolgirl's Sexual Assault Case That Shocked Mexico
The Guardian, Mexico, 3/30/2017
A Mexican judge who freed a wealthy young man accused of sexually assaulting a schoolgirl, on the grounds that the perpetrator did not enjoy himself, has been suspended, judicial authorities announced on March 29. Prosecutors in southern Mexico had earlier said they are appealing against the court ruling that dismissed sexual assault charges against the suspect because there was no proof he acted ‘with lascivious intent’. The ruling shocked many in Mexico, where the case had already become emblematic of the impunity often enjoyed by wealthy men.
Mariela Castro Promotes Pro-LGBT ‘Legislative Package’ in Cuba
Washington Blade, Cuba, 3/30/2017
The daughter of Cuban President Raúl Castro on March 29 said there is a ‘legislative package’ that would extend rights to LGBT Cubans. Diario de Cuba, an independent website that is blocked in Cuba, reported Mariela Castro, who is director of the country’s National Center for Sexual Education, did not provide specific details when she spoke to reporters at her organisation’s headquarters in Havana’s Vedado neighborhood. Mariela Castro said the Cuban National Assembly could consider the package once they approve proposed constitutional reforms, which Diario de Cuba said could take place in 2018.
Alarming Increase in Gang Rape Cases, Child Sexual Abuse in Indonesia
Jakarta Globe, Indonesia, 3/29/2017
The number of gang rape cases has increased since 2015, Witness and Victim Protection Agency, or LPSK, and child rights watchdog report. According to National Commission on Child Protection (Komnas PA) chairman Arist Merdeka Sirait, gang rapes are most often recorded in war-torn countries, their occurrence in Indonesia is therefore staggering. In 2015, 44 gang rape cases were reported; nine victims died. In 2016 the number was almost double, with 82 incidents recorded. The first months of 2017 have already seen 26 gang rapes, in which three victims succumbed to their injuries.
Linking Benefits for AIDS Patients to Aadhaar Triggers Privacy Concerns
Hindustan Times - Bhopal, India, 3/28/2017
Linking people living with the HIV and AIDS with Aadhaar cards is allegedly driving away patients from hospitals and antiretroviral therapy (ATR) centres in Madhya Pradesh. The patients feared that the compulsory submission of Aadhaar card to get free medicines and medical check-ups under a government’s AIDS control scheme, could lead to disclosure of their identity, inviting social stigma. The Aadhaar is a 12 digit unique-identity number issued to Indian residents based on their biometric and demographic data collected and maintained by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
Ganga Jamuna Residents Mull Contempt Plea in HC Against Cops
The Times of India - Nagpur, India, 3/27/2017
The residents of red light area Ganga Jamuna, mostly commercial sex workers, are moving to file a contempt petition against the city police with the high court on March 29th. They plan to challenge last week’s sweeping action, where 91 women and 45 customers were booked under various sections of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1986. Though the cops let off pregnant and breast-feeding women, the sex workers are calling the action a violation of last year's high court order asking police not to act in an atrocious manner in dealing with them.
New Facility Will Help Establish Gender Equality: Shahbaz
Daily Times - Lahore, Pakistan, 3/26/2017
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated an anti-violence centre in Multan on March 25th. The centres will provide health care and legal assistance to women who have been abused. ‘The whole system is given a legal shape so that the miseries of violence-affected women could be minimised and their problems solved under one roof,’ Sharif said. ‘Quaid-i-Azam said that no society can progress without protection of rights of women, provision of justice, education and empowerment; and this is in accordance with the Islamic societal norms,’ he added.
Chief Exec Candidates Carrie Lam and John Tsang Avoiding LGBT Issues, Say Activists
Hong Kong Free Press, Hong Kong, 3/25/2017
Rights groups have criticised the ‘silence’ of chief executive candidates Carrie Lam and John Tsang on LGBTQ issues in the lead-up to small-circle election. None of the three contenders – including Woo Kwok-hing – mention improving the rights of sexual minorities as part of their official election platforms. All three have expressed their views on LGBTQ rights in response to media enquiries, but activists say that only Woo has voiced his stance in detail.
Lebanon Plans LGBT Sexual Health Week
Washington Blade, Lebanon, 3/24/2017
Lebanon is hosting it’s first-ever LGBT sexual health week and will focus on the marginalisation of the community, Gay Star News, a U.K. outlet, reports. The Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) will run the health week, which will focus on how the marginalisation of the LGBTI community affects mental health. Although Lebanon is one the most progressive countries in the Middle East regarding LGBT issues, it is still taboo. Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code prohibits having sexual relations that are ‘contradicting the laws of nature.’
Radhika Apte: India Ashamed of Sexuality, Physicality
The Times of India, India, 3/23/2017
Actress Radhika Apte, who has often been under the scanner for her ‘bold’ approach in her films, said anything remotely associated with human body can turn out to be a problem in India – a country that is ‘very ashamed of sexuality and physicality’. Sex and sexuality are not the only veiled topics of discussion in the country. Menstruation also finds a spot on the list, and Radhika is happy that the topic is being handled in a 'big way' in her upcoming Bollywood film ‘Pad Man’ – which tells a true story of a man's journey to make affordable sanitary napkins.
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