Acrush: the Boyband of Girls Winning Hearts in China
The Guardian, China, 4/30/2017
China’s latest boyband have all the usual trappings: five attractive singers, upbeat music and a loyal fanbase of young women. But in one crucial detail they are different. This boyband is made up entirely of girls. Acrush have yet to release their first single, but their fan page has already attracted more than 750,000 followers after a series of live performances. Their admirers already call the women ‘husbands’, a term usually used by female Chinese fans to refer to male pop stars.
Now, Get Condoms Delivered to Your Doorstep Absolutely Free
HuffPost, India, 4/28/2017
The global charity AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has launched India's first free condom store, with the aim of reducing cases of HIV and AIDS in the country. According to the United Nations, there are 2.1 million people infected with HIV in India, the third highest number among the countries of the world. AHF says that its new initiative is the first of its kind anywhere in the world. Anyone can place an order over phone or email to get condoms delivered to their doorstep. Not only are the condoms free, the foundation will bear the cost of shipping them too. However, it is expected to take 5 to 7 working days to ship the condoms.
Sexual Violence Between Married Couples Haram, Clerics Say
The Jakarta Post - Cirebon, Indonesia, 4/27/2017
Female Muslim clerics attending an Indonesian women's ulema congress in Cirebon, West Java, issued a fatwa that says sexual violence is haram (forbidden under Islamic law), even if it occurs between married couples. ‘All forms of sexual violence are haram for both married and unmarried couples. Islam and the Constitution have guaranteed that all people must be protected from sexual violence,’ said Priyati, a female cleric from Jakarta. According to the fatwa, sexual violence is against the people’s hifd an nafs (right to life), hifd al irdhu (rights of freedom and being respected) and hifd an nasl (rights to reproduce), all of which are the rights that are guaranteed under Islamic law, which is in line with the 1945 Constitution.
LGBT Groups Blast Moon for Anti-Homosexuality Remarks
The Korea Herald, South Korea, 4/26/2017
A group of South Korean gay rights activists were apprehended Wednesday, April 26 while staging a protest at the National Assembly against presidential front-runner Moon Jae-in over his remarks against homosexuality. 13 people were taken to police stations for investigation after they tried to approach Moon, demanded his apology and chanted slogans while the candidate of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea was addressing his supporters on a podium. During a televised debate a day earlier, Moon expressed his opposition to homosexuality and the legalisation of it when asked by candidate Hong Joon-pyo of the far-right Liberty Korea Party. ‘I oppose it. I don’t like it. But I oppose discrimination (against homosexuals),’ he said.
Indian Film 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' Cleared for Release
The Daily Mail, India, 4/26/2017
An award-winning Hindi film exploring women's sexuality that was blocked by India's censorship board for being ‘lady-oriented’ has been cleared for release by an appeals tribunal, officials said. India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) sparked uproar in February when it refused to certify ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’, in a case that again raised fears over creative freedom in the country. Director Alankrita Shrivastava appealed the decision and in a statement published late Tuesday, April 25 the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) ordered the CBFC to release the movie, albeit with a few cuts. It ruled that ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’ was suitable for anyone aged 18 or over and should be given an adult certificate.
Youth Leaders Advocate for Change as Under-aged Persons Get Access to Sexual Health Services
The Jamaica Gleaner, Guyana, 4/24/2017
Caribbean youth leaders are advocating for the age when most young people are allowed to access sexual and reproductive health services to be aligned with the age of consent. The call was made at the conclusion of a meeting of Caribbean youth leaders organised by the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS in Guyana over the weekend. In most Caribbean territories, the age of consent is lower than the age at which individuals can access certain reproductive health services. A release from PANCAP said the young people said they were concerned that most youth are allowed to engage in sexual activity before they can legally access sexual and reproductive health services.
Gender Ministry, UN Sign Sh1.2 Billion Deal to Fight Gender-Based Violence in Kenya
The Star, Kenya, 4/24/2017
The Gender Ministry has signed a Sh1.2 billion pact with the United Nations to fight gender-based violence. The four-year contract is a joint programme to accelerate efforts to eliminate GBV. Speaking at the signing on Friday, April 21, CS Gender Sicily Kariuki said the project will focus on five pillars — Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, Programming and Partnerships. All are interconnected and underpinned by coordination, communication, leveraging on ICT and policy dialogue at national and county levels. GBV remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations in Kenya.
Kano Plans Compulsory HIV Test for Intending Couples
Nigeria Today - Kano, Nigeria, 4/23/2017
The Kano State government has said that plans are underway to come up with a law that would compel couples to undergo HIV screening before marriage. The state government, through the Hisbah Board, and in collaboration with the Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KSACA), also said that when the drafting of the bill is completed, the two organisations would submit it to the state House of Assembly, through the Ministry of Health for enactment as a law. The Director General of KSACA, Dr. Bashir Usman, also explained that the proposal would include screening for sickle cell and hepatitis, adding that the gesture would save many lives, as well as, make the state epidemic-free.
Abortion Boat Creating Waves
Deccan Chronicle, Mexico, 4/23/2017
Dutch sailing boat offering abortions, often in defiance of some country’s laws, arrived in international waters off Mexico on Saturday, April 22, the organisation crewing it said. The ‘Women on Waves’ vessel was expelled from near Guatemala in February without carrying out a single pregnancy termination. It had taken up position off Guerrero state, on Mexico’s Pacific coast. The ‘Women on Waves’ group said in an online statement that it was offering ‘free legal medical abortions till nine weeks of pregnancy’ to women who needed them. It said its ship ‘has all required permits’.
Parties Have Six Months to Enforce Gender Rule
The Star, Kenya, 4/21/2017
The High Court on April 20 ordered all political parties to enforce the two-thirds gender rule in six months. Justice Chacha Mwita said political parties must formulate rules and regulations governing nomination for candidates aspiring for MP and senator seats. He made the ruling in a case filed by the Katiba Institute against the IEBC. Mwita said in case the political parties fail to comply with the requirement in the given time, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission should then put in place mechanisms to enforce the requirement. The judge said the electoral agency must, in future polls, reject any list of nomination presented by political parties that will not adhere to the policy.
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