It is widely acknowledged that names are important. Identities are built around them, and they are instrumental in creating a sense of dignity and autonomy. They often embody the independence of that person, their status, and encourage them to stand up for their rights. Names may therefore be seen to have a massive psychological impactContinue reading “What’s in a Name? Afghanistan and the #WhereIsMyName Campaign”
Tag Archives: womensrights
The Wage Gap: “If You’re a Woman, You Will Earn Less Than a Man”
The wage gap is a buzzword of sorts, having been discussed by Patricia Arquette in her Oscar acceptance speech and by Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail. Despite its relevance as a mainstream topic of discussion, it continues to persist. But why does the wage gap occur? If politicians, actors, and the more than 5Continue reading “The Wage Gap: “If You’re a Woman, You Will Earn Less Than a Man””
A Policy of Silence: The Global Gag Rule and its Impact on the Developing World
On January 26, not even a week after his inauguration, President Trump signed an executive order reinstituting the controversial Mexico City policy. This so-called ‘Global Gag Rule’ is a piece of legislation that prevents federal funding from the United States being used to advocate for the legalisation of abortion, provide abortion referrals or counselling, orContinue reading “A Policy of Silence: The Global Gag Rule and its Impact on the Developing World”
A Return to “Traditional Values”: Russia’s New Domestic Violence Policy
Domestic violence is a taboo subject, one which, as of late, has been at the forefront of the Russian parliament’s political agenda. Though amendments that criminalized the beating of one’s family member were put in place as recently as July of 2016, this progress has been undone by a bill introduced in January 2017. CoincidingContinue reading “A Return to “Traditional Values”: Russia’s New Domestic Violence Policy”
Stuck in the Dark Ages: Abortion Rights in Northern Ireland
In April of 2016, a Northern Irish court handed down a three-month suspended sentence to a 21-year-old girl for ingesting mifepristone and misoprostol, two drugs she used to induce a miscarriage. It was heard in court that the woman – a teenager at the time of the offence – could not afford to travel toContinue reading “Stuck in the Dark Ages: Abortion Rights in Northern Ireland”
Burkini: Liberation by Oppression or Oppression by Liberation?
A woman on holiday is publicly confronted by locals and forced to leave the beach, another is confronted by state officials in a public place and forced to change her clothing, while others are fined for failing to wear ‘an appropriate outfit’. Unimaginable in a country like France? No. Such instances have been happening onContinue reading “Burkini: Liberation by Oppression or Oppression by Liberation?”
Lost Childhood: The Reality of Modern Day Child Marriage
It is estimated by UNICEF that there are over 700 million women alive today who were married as children. To put this in perspective, that is roughly ten times the population of the United Kingdom, or double the population of the United States. Of these women, more than one in three was married before theContinue reading “Lost Childhood: The Reality of Modern Day Child Marriage”
Victory for Polish Women’s Rights
A controversial abortion bill was rejected by the Polish parliament on Thursday, 6 October after public protests throughout the preceding week. The law was rejected by a large margin of 352 to 58, with 18 abstaining votes by members of the lower house of parliament, called the Sejm. The bill would have limited abortion toContinue reading “Victory for Polish Women’s Rights”
Saudi Arabia: Behind the Veil
Women and girls: do you play or compete in a sport? Do you wear the clothes that you have decided you want to wear? Do you sit in the same classes, offices, and restaurants as men and boys? Do you drive a car? Do you go to the doctor whenever you would like or needContinue reading “Saudi Arabia: Behind the Veil”
Desperate Criminals: Seeking an Abortion in the Republic of Ireland
As the Republic of Ireland’s political parties meet for talks to establish a new government after the unsuccessful election in February, the most controversial topic is a referendum on the 8th Amendment to the Constitution. This amendment gives the life of the unborn the same rights as the life of the mother. The battle betweenContinue reading “Desperate Criminals: Seeking an Abortion in the Republic of Ireland”
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