Odisha Police Set Up Special Cell to Probe Crime Against Women
Hindustan Times - Bhubaneshwar, India, 8/31/2019
The Odisha police have started a separate cell to deal with all cases of crimes against women, including that of dowry-related deaths as well as other cases of exploitation. The decision comes in the wake of a spurt in crimes against women in the state. A circular signed by Odisha’s director general of police (DGP) said the cell would monitor all red flag cases and ensure prompt investigation, especially in cases of rape, which are time-sensitive. A ‘red flag case’ is defined as an incident of ‘inhumane crime’ against a woman that is dealt with in immediate priority. The special cell will also pursue expeditious prosecution of such cases by appointing special prosecutors, and will ensure the use of latest infrastructure in investigating sexual assault.
Unemployment Rate Among Indian Women More Than Double of Men: Study
India Today - New Delhi, India, 8/30/2019
The unemployment rate among women in India is more than double than that of men with similar qualifications, a new study has revealed. Titled "Gender Inclusion in Hiring in India", the study by two Harvard students noted that 8.7 percent of urban, educated women in the country are unemployed, as opposed to only 4 percent of comparable men. According to the study, while discrimination based on gender is illegal under the Indian constitution, conversations with hiring managers and other labour market experts have revealed that there is gender discrimination in the hiring process. The study analyses three stages at which women may face barriers during hiring - qualifications and experience, the choice to apply, and application process, while suggesting tools to increase gender diversity in the Indian workforce.
Thousands Gather at #MeToo Rally to Demand Hong Kong Police Answer Accusations of Sexual Violence against Protesters
South China Morning Post, Hong Kong, 8/29/2019
Thousands gathered at Hong Kong’s Chater Garden on August 28, 2019, to hold Hong Kong police accountable for alleged instances of sexual violence during extradition bill protests. ‘In the name of law enforcement, police are using sexual violence as an instrument of intimidation,’ said Linda Wong, spokeswoman for the Women’s Coalition on Equal Opportunities, the organiser of the event. The rally was attended by an estimated 30,000 people, many of whom carried purple ribbons and shone purple lights to show support for the victims, as well as displaying messages echoing the #MeToo movement. A survey launched on August 21, 2019, by the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women found that 46 out of 221 respondents reported having experienced sexual violence since the protest movement started in June 2019.
"No Need for Teaching Sex Education in Schools": RSS-Linked Body
NDTV India - New Delhi, India, 8/28/2019
‘There is no need for sexuality education in schools or making it part of curriculum under the new education policy proposed by the centre as it will have a negative impact on children’, an educational body affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said on August 27, 2019. The Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas (SSUN) suggested there can be ‘need-based counselling’ for students and parents. The National Education Policy draft, which was given to Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in May 2019, states that sexuality education will be included in secondary school studies, including topics like consent, harassment, safety, family planning, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections. The SSUN says it is working to ‘Indianise’ and find and establish alternatives to the present education system.
Muslim Women's Body Wants Family Law
India Today - Mumbai, India, 8/27/2019
A Mumbai-based women's group has raised the issue of parity for Muslim women like in Hindu and Christian laws. They have urged the government to bring in a Muslim family law in Parliament to uphold gender justice and gender equality for women in the community. In a letter written to Union Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) has argued that Muslim family law would enable legal justice for Muslim women at par with Hindu and Christian women. “There is no legal parity for Muslim women compared to Hindu and Christian women. Rights of meher, property, divorce are given to women in the Quran, but there is no legal framework available for protection of these rights," the letter said.
Sindh Cabinet Approves ‘Historic’ Bill Recognising Women Farm Workers’ Contribution
Dawn - Karachi, Pakistan, 8/25/2019
Pakistan’s Sindh cabinet on August 25, 2019, approved the Sindh Women Agriculture Act 2019, aimed at empowering the women of the rural swathes of the province. The act provides that women affiliated with cultivation, fisheries, poultry and animal husbandry would be considered agriculture workers, and that they will have rights equal to workers in industries. This is historic, as earlier, these women who were working for a largely unorganised sector did not receive employment benefits or have job security; but now their employment rights will be safeguarded and they will be able to gain more financial agency. The new law also gives women workers the right to collective bargaining, social welfare (including child health), community development, economic profit and accessing publicly supplied goods and services.
DMA, DMC Lend Support to Campaign for Unmarried Women
The New Indian Express - New Delhi, India, 8/24/2019
The Delhi Medical Association (DMA) and Delhi Medical Council (DMC) have backed a campaign for the provision of ‘safe and non-judgmental sexual health services’ to unmarried women in the national capital. Expressing solidarity with the campaign ‘Health Over Stigma’, DMA President Dr Girish Tyagi and DMC Chief Dr Arun Gupta said they will sensitise doctors and hold service providers accountable to ensure stigma-free sexual and reproductive health services. The move comes after two non-profit organisations – Haiyya and Sachhi Saheli – filed a complaint in April with the Delhi Medical Council, a body that regulates the practice of the modern system of medicine in the city, about doctors being negligent towards unmarried women. The two organisations also put forth a ‘code of conduct’ for providing non-judgemental service to unmarried women.
A First: Tribal Women To Drive Maharashtra State Road Buses
NDTV India – Pune, India, 8/23/2019
In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, the Maharashtra Government has selected women from tribal communities for driving the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSTRC) buses. As many as 163 women have been selected for the pilot project who will undergo training for driving heavy vehicles and will later be inducted as drivers in the state-run bus service. These women who would be undergoing training hail from tribal parts of the state including Gadchiroli, Vardha, Bhandara-Gondiya districts. Since driving is still considered to be taboo for women, this was hailed as an important way forward to not just provide women for marginalised tribal communities equal employment opportunities, but also to break the myth that women cannot be drivers.
In a First in Kerala, Women Can Drive Govt Vehicles
Hindustan Times - Kerala, India, 8/22/2019
The Kerala Government on August 22, 2019, decided to allow the appointment of women drivers in government departments and public sector undertakings, a post so far reserved for men. ‘Directions have given to all government departments and PSUs to make the driver post gender neutral. This has been done in accordance with the State Government’s policy on gender equality,’ said a statement issued by CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s office adding the existing recruitment rules will be amended for this. In Kerala, barring the State Road Corporation, women were earlier not allowed to apply for driver posts in any other department, and many women’s organisations have been protesting against this ban for years. Hence, rights activists and organisations (like the Mahila Congress) have hailed the government’s new move.
China's Parliament Rules Out Allowing Same-Sex Marriage
Reuters - Beijing, China, 8/21/2019
Limiting marriage to a relationship between a man and a woman will remain China’s legal position, a parliament spokesman said on August 21, 2019, ruling out following neighbouring Taiwan in allowing same-sex marriage, despite pressure from activists. Taiwan’s parliament passed a bill in May 2019 that endorsed same-sex marriage, after years of heated debate over marriage equality that has divided the self-ruled and democratic island. China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, has a thriving gay scene in major cities, but there has been little sign the ruling Communist Party will legalise same-sex marriage. Asked at a news briefing whether China would legalise same-sex marriage, a spokesman for parliament’s legal affairs commission said that Chinese law only allowed for marriage between one man and one woman.
News Archives
2022
248