Former Gambian Leader Sued over Fraudulent AIDS Cure
CNN, Gambia, 5/31/2018
Three survivors of Gambian President Yahya Jammeh's ‘cure’ for HIV and AIDS have sued the former leader in a lawsuit filed May 31, 2018, in the nation's High Court. The plaintiffs are seeking financial damages for harm suffered and a declaration from the High Court that their human rights were violated. All three victims underwent a treatment program administered by the Government, consisting of rubbing a concoction of herbs and spices which Jammeh had claimed would rid them of AIDS. The treatment, which was offered to a large group of people, was unscientific and faulty and caused a lot of physical and emotional damage.
Textbook Claims Scantily-Clad Women Sexually Harass Men
Global Times, China, 5/31/2018
A Chinese high school safety education textbook claims women who wear ‘revealing’ clothes sexually harass men, sparking controversy online recently. ‘Talking in an open way or suggestive poses could stimulate men's feelings, and make them think of sex,’ the textbook warned. While some people online supported the idea, many others criticised it, saying that it would encourage men to use such an excuse to justify their predatory sexual desires. As a response to the backlash, the publisher of the book has issued an apology, and has promised to recall the books that are in supply and re-evaluate its content. However, the ideas presented in the book have already been read and internalised by many students, which sets a dangerous precedent.
Saudi Arabia Outlaws Sexual Harassment
Economic Times - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 5/30/2018
Saudi Arabia passed a new law to criminalise sexual harassment on May 30, 2018, less than a month before it lifts its decades-long ban on women driving. According to the law, a prison term of up to five years and a maximum penalty of 300,000 riyals ($80,000) would be imposed upon sexual offenders. The move is part of a highly publicised liberalisation drive launched by powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who also ended a decades-long ban on cinemas, allowed mixed-gender concerts and clipped the powers of the long-feared religious police. This is a big win for women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, however, many feminist activists in the country are still getting persecuted and there remain a lot of hurdles to overcome.
Air India Airhostess Alleges 'Harvey Weinstein-Like' Sexual Harassment
NDTV - New Delhi, India, 5/29/2018
An airhostess of Air India who has accused a senior executive of sexual harassment at work place has written a letter to the Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu, copying Prime Minister Narendra Modi on it. In the letter, the Air India employee, without naming the officer, described him as a Harvey Weinstein-like ‘predator’ who had propositioned and abused her, and talked about how the Vishakha guidelines and other sexual harassment redressal systems failed to offer any kind of justice to her. In response, the Aviation Minister immediately urged the airline’s authorities to look further into the issue, and assured that he would appoint a separate investigative committee if the internal investigations aren’t prompt enough.
Osaka’s LGBT Lavatory Signs Draw Flak from Those They’re Designed to Help
Japan Times - Osaka, Japan, 5/29/2018
Restroom signs for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have drawn an unexpected backlash from sexual minorities in Japan. A few years ago, the city of Osaka put rainbow-coloured stickers representing sexual diversity on the doors of unisex multipurpose restrooms in municipal government buildings in hopes of making it easier for LGBT people to use them. But the city withdrew the measure recently, following complaints from LGBT people saying that they often received unnecessary attention if they are seen entering a restroom adorned with the sticker, which often exposed them to targeted hate. People from the community argued that stickers weren’t synonymous with support, and that the Government should take actual legal measures to protect the rights of LGBT people.
South Korea’s Debut Drag Queen Parade Held in Seoul
South China Morning Post, South Korea, 5/27/2018
South Korea held its first ever drag parade on 27 May, 2018 a small but significant step for rights activists in a country that remains deeply conservative when it comes to sexuality. Dozens of drag queens and kings marched through Itaewon, a Seoul suburb best known for its nascent but vibrant gay night life. While homosexuality is not illegal in South Korea, same-sex marriage is not recognised and people cannot legally change their assigned gender. The country is home to a large evangelical Christian community and LGBT people feel pervasive pressure to stay closeted. Gay pride parades have occurred in South Korea for years but have often been protested by religious groups, therefore, this drag parade is both revolutionary and important.
Women at ‘Daily Risk’ of Slapping, Sexual Abuse and Harassment in Walmart’s Asian Supplier Factories, Rights Groups Say
South China Morning Post, Bangladesh, 5/26/2018
Based on interviews with about 250 workers in 60 Walmart supplier factories in Bangladesh, Cambodia and Indonesia, a coalition of charities said that women in these factories were ‘systematically exposed to violence’ and faced retaliation when they reported the attacks. The charities said they found widespread sexual harassment, verbal and physical abuse such as slapping and threats of retaliation when women refused sexual advances from bosses. The alliance, which probed the abuses with four other groups, said in a 43-page report that the incidents represented the tip of the iceberg.
To Deal With Women Safety, Home Ministry Creates Separate Division
NDTV - New Delhi, India, 5/25/2018
With concerns often raised that the Indian Government is not doing enough related to women safety, the Home Ministry has created a new wing to address issues related to security of women. The new wing would deal with all aspects of women safety in coordination with the relevant ministries, and will handle subjects like crimes against women and minorities, crimes against children, anti-trafficking, and so on. In order to address offences against women, particularly rape, in a time-bound manner, the division would focus to enhance capacity of the existing administrative, investigative, prosecution and judicial machinery, along with ensuring appropriate measures for rehabilitation of victims and bringing attitudinal changes in society.
Menstrual Hygiene Policy on the Cards
The Himalayan Times - Kathmandu, Nepal, 5/24/2018
Nepal’s Government is set to bring a national menstrual hygiene management policy very soon which places menstrual health within the human rights framework. The new policy aims to spread awareness, discourage superstition and cultural malpractices related to menstruation. If endorsed by the Parliament, the policy will also address long-term physical and mental health problems related to menstruation, and provide easy access to sanitary pads and other menstrual management products. The draft of the policy also includes provisions for ending discriminatory practices against menstruating women.
Saudi Arabia Widens Crackdown on Women's Rights Activists
BBC News, Saudi Arabia, 5/23/2018
Saudi Arabia has reportedly arrested three more women's rights activists in a crackdown launched just weeks before a ban on women driving will be lifted in the country. Human rights groups said at least 11 people, most of them women who had long campaigned for the right to drive, have now been detained since the previous week. Human Rights Watch said the detainees included prominent women's rights advocates Loujain al-Hathloul, Aziza al-Yousef, and Eman al-Nafjan, along with Mohammed al-Rabea, an activist, and Ibrahim al-Modaimeegh, a human rights lawyer. Despite the current Saudi prince claiming to be more ‘liberal’, this attack on feminist dissenters sets yet another dangerous precedent about the state of women’s rights in the country.
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