CHR Upholds Gender Equality and Women’s Rights
Manila Bulletin - Philippines, 4/30/2020
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Philippines has expressed alarm over news reports that women are dying due to childbirth complications after being turned down successively by different hospitals. CHR Commissioner Karen S. Gomez-Dumpit, Focal Commissioner on Gender Equality and Women’s Rights, said that pregnant mothers and newborn babies are among those who are highly susceptible to the coronavirus disease. While it is understandable that the majority of health resources are now focused on treating COVID-19 patients, care and treatment for mothers and their infants should not be disregarded, Gomez-Dumpit added. She cited the fears of pregnant women from going to health care facilities for checkups and even deliveries.
Coronavirus Lockdowns Could Lead to 7 Million Unintended Pregnancies, UN Agency Says
South China Morning Post - Geneva, Switzerland, 4/29/2020
According to data released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on April 28, 2020, lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic could result in 7 million unintended pregnancies. Supply chain disruptions could leave 47 million women in low- and middle-income countries without modern contraceptives, the UNFPA said. The analysis also projects that six months of lockdowns could result in an additional 31 million cases of gender-based violence as women are confined at home for prolonged periods. In addition, according to the UNFPA, delays in programs to end female-genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage due to the pandemic are estimated to result in 2 million more cases of FGM and 13 million more child marriages over the next decade that could have been prevented.
Murders of Women in Mexico Rise Amid Fears of Lockdown Violence
Reuters - Mexico City, Mexico, 4/28/2020
According to recent government data, the rate of women who were murdered in Mexico in the first three months of 2020 is 8 percent higher than in the same period in 2019. Mexican advocates attribute this increase in violence to the coronavirus lockdown measures. In addition, calls and messages sent to the National Network of Shelters rose more than 80 percent between mid-March and mid-April when compared to the previous month. Advocates worry that such alarming rates of violence may get worse with the extension of coronavirus lockdown measures. Patricia Olamendi, a lawyer who represents women affected by violence said that many more women could die because of violence than Covid-19 in this period.
Declare Sanitary Pads an Essential Pads an Essential Commodity, Says ‘Padman' Arunachalam Muruganantham
The Hindu - Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 4/27/2020
Arunachalam Muruganantham, also known as ‘padman’, has said that sanitary pads should be declared an essential commodity during the Covid-19 lockdown period. The celebrated social entrepreneur, whose low-cost sanitary pad-making machine brought about a revolution in rural India encouraging women to practice menstrual hygiene, urged authorities to permit all pad manufacturers as well as women self-help groups to start operation while following physical distancing norms. Muruganantham also urged ensuring the availability of raw material for the manufacture of sanitary pads. He noted that if women do not get sanitary pads for two cycles, they would go back to unhygienic practices which in turn would affect their health. This would be counterproductive to the lockdown’s goal of keeping everyone healthy.
Domestic Violence on Rise Amid Covid-19 Lockdown: Helplines, Shelter Homes Running, Delhi, Centre, DSLSA Tell HC
The Indian Express - New Delhi, India, 4/26/2020
The Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) has informed the Delhi HC of the steps that have been taken to deal with the alarming increase in domestic violence since the imposition of the lockdown in response to a petition by an NGO that had sought an intervention by the High Court for effective measures to help women affected by domestic violence while being confined at home during the lockdown. The DSLSA told the High Court that they were raising awareness by distributing pamphlets with the help of chemist shops, mother dairy booths and Anganwadi workers. In response to the DSLSA, the High Court highlighted the importance of the effective implementation of the provisions in the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
95% Jump in Child Porn Traffic: NCPCR Sends Notice to Google, WhatsApp
Hindustan Times - New Delhi, India, 4/25/2020
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has sent notices to Google, WhatsApp and Twitter citing gaps on these platforms which make children vulnerable to online sexual abuse. The NCPCR said in a statement that while conducting an inquiry on the availability of online Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), it noticed that the pornographic materials were easily accessible through Apps on Google Play Store and WhatsApp groups. In their notices to the social media platforms, the NCPCR cited the research study by the India Child Protection Fund which found that the online child porn traffic from India had increased by 95% between March 24 and March 26 as compared to the average traffic before the lockdown.
Lesbian Couple’s Custody Case Takes China into Unchartered Legal Waters
Reuters - Beijing, China, 4/24/2020
A Chinese lesbian couple’s court battle over the custody of their two children has stirred debate over LGBTQIA+ rights. Shanghai resident Zhang Peiyi turned to the courts after her partner broke off communication with her and took their two children away to an unknown location in the aftermath of their separation in 2019. Zhang, who has a biological relationship to only one child, had the children with her former partner with the help of reproductive technology in the United States. More LGBTQIA+ couples are choosing to have families but many find themselves pushing up against the limits of the law if the relationship ends due to the absence of laws in China for same-sex marriage and LGBTQIA+ parental claims to children after separation.
Rajasthan HC Ruling puts Question Mark over ID Proof for Access to Services
News Click - Rajasthan, India, 4/23/2020
The Rajasthan High Court on April 15, 2020 had ruled that the transgender community cannot be denied necessary treatment because of the lack of identity cards. A petitioner had earlier approached the court and listed the grievances of the transgender community including their inability to access treatment on account of not possessing documents that could establish their identity. They further added that IDs were needed even to get a pass to get out of the house during the lockdown. The Right to Food Campaign has demanded that the government does away with the requirement for ration cards or an identity proof at this time, and distribute rations universally, to all in need.
Kenyan Chiefs Go Door-To-Door to Stop Female Genital Cutting Amid Coronavirus
The Fiji Times - Nairobi, Kenya, 4/22/2020
After receiving reports of female genital mutilation (FGM) being performed on girls during the school closures due to coronavirus, village chiefs in Kenya have decided to make house-to-house checks in order to stop the prevalence of the practice. Felister Gitonga, programme officer for Equality Now stated “We are receiving increased reports of gender based violence, from FGM and child marriage to defilement and domestic violence due to women and girls being stuck indoors.”
MCO: 27 More Pregnant Women Brought Home from Singapore
Malay Mail, Singapore, 4/21/2020
A total of 38 Malaysians, including 27 pregnant women, have been brought home by bus from Singapore on April 21st, 2020 via the Johor causeway. Reportedly, this is the second such arrangement after the first was made by the High Commission of Malaysia in Singapore to help 70 pregnant Malaysian women along with 10 children and people with disabilities return home on April 2. St John Ambulance of Malaysia secretary-general Hoo We Tak explained that two bus trips have been organized in order to maintain the social distancing on account of Covid-19.
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