With the media mostly focused upon Taliban aggression, less attention has been given to an important human rights topic: gender equality and democracy in Afghanistan. Despite a male population of which only 35% believe that women should have equal representation in government positions, and only 51% believe women should be allowed to work outside theContinue reading “Out of the Spotlight: Democracy and Women’s Rights in Afghanistan”
Tag Archives: womensrights
Combating Systematic Rape: South Sudan’s Struggle for Peace
Female peace activists in South Sudan have proposed a nationwide sex strike to end the country’s civil war. The proposal emerged from a meeting of more than 90 women, several of which were members of parliament, in the capital city of Juba. A sex strike was just one of many proposed ideas, all aimed atContinue reading “Combating Systematic Rape: South Sudan’s Struggle for Peace”
The War Against Women: At Home and Abroad
There are 60 million women missing due to neglect and sex-selective abortions, 15 million female slaves in sex-trafficking and labour, and 5,000 victims per year in honour killings. These are hallowing indications of a phenomenon known as gendercide. Gendercide is the systematic killing of members of a specific sex. In this article, we will expandContinue reading “The War Against Women: At Home and Abroad”
#HeForShe
Speaking in her now famous address at the United Nations Headquarters on September 20, actress Emma Watson defined feminism as, “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes.” Watson felt the need to provide this definition afterContinue reading “#HeForShe”
The Forced Sterilisation of Disabled Women in Australia
In 2013, a slew of articles was published regarding the sterilisation of disabled women in Australia, but recently this issue has dropped from the headlines despite having not been resolved. Disabled women, often under the age of 18, are recommended for permanent sterilisation by means of hysterectomy. There are various reasons proposed by those supportingContinue reading “The Forced Sterilisation of Disabled Women in Australia”
Forced Ultrasounds for Abortion: Is it Simply Too Much Information?
In a world where informed consent is a cornerstone of medical practice; we examine if there is such a thing as too much information when consenting to a procedure, and if so, does forcing women to have ultrasounds prior to obtaining an abortion cross this line? Informed consent is a key principle that lies atContinue reading “Forced Ultrasounds for Abortion: Is it Simply Too Much Information?”
‘Comfort Women’: The Uncomfortable Truth
During the Second World War, Japan committed countless of war crimes; of this, there is not much room for doubt. However, recent comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, along with other prominent political figures such as Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto make us question whether Japan actually has acknowledged past wrongdoings. Mayor Hashimoto wasContinue reading “‘Comfort Women’: The Uncomfortable Truth”
Sterility for Sale
Cash-for-sterilisation. It’s an idea that took me a while to get my head around, despite the fact that it really is as simple as it sounds. Established in 1997 by Barbara Harris, Project Prevention tours States and cities across America (recently expanding overseas), touting one simple message: “Don’t let a pregnancy ruin your drug habit”.Continue reading “Sterility for Sale”
Pope Francis and Women’s Rights
The Catholic Church has far from a clean record when it comes to the issue of human rights in general, and women’s rights in particular. Whilst much of the world has evolved on the issue of women’s rights, the Catholic Church seems to have adopted a slower approach tackling issues such as women’s leadership –whichContinue reading “Pope Francis and Women’s Rights”
Femmes Fatales: Women in the Military
Women in the military have a history that extends over 400 years into the past. Women all over the world serve in the military and in different roles. Yet only certain nations permit women to fill active combat roles. The US recently overturned a 1994 rule banning women from serving in certain combat positions, potentiallyContinue reading “Femmes Fatales: Women in the Military”
Protocol Magazine 