A Celebration of Women shares ... Painting: Ruben's 'Rape' An alternative, feminist reading of several of the works discussed in "Authoritative and Disciplined Discussions of Master's Pieces," is presented by Margaret Carroll in an article entitled "The Erotics of Absolutism: Rubens and the Mystification of Sexual Violence" (in The Expanding Discourse: Feminism and Art History, eds. Norma Broude and Mary D. Garrard, pp.138-159). For the complete article see JSTOR.: p. 139: … [Read more...]
Impasse at Commission on Status of Women – Taking Action at grassroots is required
March 17, 2012 by
Impasse at Commission on Status of Women “deeply regrettable” UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet comments on the ending of the 56th session of the Commission on the Status of Women without agreed conclusions. During this 56th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, we have witnessed passionate and dynamic discussion with a very high level of participation from governments and civil society. Unfortunately we have also witnessed an inability to reach … [Read more...]
Letters and words changing lives in Ecuador
March 17, 2012 by
Letters and words changing lives in Ecuador Since my childhood I have always heard the story of the princess who finds her Prince Charming. The delicate and beautiful girl with blue eyes … However, on the streets I found women with brown eyes, tanned hands and lush bodies … The other big difference with reality from the story I was told is that women do not have any Prince Charmings on their sides. And so begins one of the thousands of stories with which working women, sex workers, … [Read more...]
Women farmers worldwide need support – Take Action!
March 15, 2012 by
Women face widespread restrictions with their ability to buy, sell or inherit land, open a savings account, borrow money or sell their crops at market. They also are more likely than men to lack access to rudimentary basics of farming such as fertilizers, water, tillers, transportation, improved crop and animal varieties, and extension services. (..) “The global sidelining of women farmers puts our food security at great risk,” said Mark Holderness, Executive Secretary for the Global Forum on … [Read more...]
Ethiopia by Task-Shifting Procedures, Saving Women’s Lives
March 2, 2012 by
Finding ways to deliver for women where doctors are in short supply TIGRAY REGION, Ethiopia — “We are all looking to you to be a window of hope to reduce the unnecessary death of mothers and newborns during pregnancy and delivery in rural Ethiopia,” said Dr.Tedros Adhanom, the Minister of Health, as he handed over degrees to the first graduates at Ayder Hospital of his country’s programme in Integrated Emergency Surgery and Obstetrics. The first graduating class of the new … [Read more...]
US Aims to Empower World’s Women Farmers
March 2, 2012 by
U.S. aid officials are launching a new way to measure whether their efforts to empower women farmers are working. Women make up nearly half the agricultural workforce in sub-Saharan Africa and East and Southeast Asia, but women’s farm production tends to lag behind their male counterparts. Women face a number of obstacles that men do not. They tend to own less land and have fewer rights to that land. They have less access to credit and training. And they have less input in … [Read more...]
UNFPA, Launch of First-Ever Global Map of Devastating Childbirth Injury
March 1, 2012 by
Launch of First-Ever Global Map of Devastating Childbirth Injury SANTA BARBARA, CA/ SAN JOSE, CA/ UNITED NATIONS, New York—The largest and most comprehensive map of available services for women living with obstetric fistula was launched today by Direct Relief International, the Fistula Foundation, and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. The release of the Global Fistula Map, a major step forward in understanding the landscape of worldwide treatment capacity for … [Read more...]
WOMAN of ACTION – Dr. Phyllis Chesler on Michael Coren Show
March 1, 2012 by
Dr. Phyllis Chesler on Michael Coren Show To combat the epidemic of honor killings requires understanding what makes these murders unique. They differ from plain and psychopathic homicides, serial killings, crimes of passion, revenge killings, and domestic violence. Their motivation is different and based on codes of morality and behavior that typify some cultures, often reinforced by fundamentalist religious dictates. In 2000, the United Nations estimated that there are 5,000 honor … [Read more...]
The Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers, TODAY!
February 29, 2012 by
The Wisdom of the Grandmothers 7-week virtual course The course begins THIS WEDNESDAY, February 29th Dear Friends, We are delighted to share a special announcement. The Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers, in collaboration with The Shift Network, is hosting a seven-week virtual course so that you can deepen your connection with the Grandmothers and their ancient wisdom. For this special, even historic … [Read more...]
UN report, sexual violence during conflict, singles out worst offenders
February 24, 2012 by
Special Representative Margot Wallström presents the Secretary-General’s report on conflict-related sexual violence to the Security Council. UN Photo/JC McIlwaine The annual United Nations report documenting conflict-related sexual violence around the world today for the first time names some of the military forces, militia and other armed groups that are suspected of being among the worst offenders.The groups listed in the report include the Lord’s Resistance Army … [Read more...]
Women in Bolivia – Demands Heard,and Their Presence Felt
February 24, 2012 by
Rural Women in Bolivia Make Their Demands Heard, and Their Presence Felt They work around the clock, searching for firewood at dawn, lighting the morning fire, fetching water, growing and preparing food, caring for children and other family members — along with the endless other tasks and chores that keep a household running. Yet although these functioning households lie at the heart of Bolivian society, the contribution of rural women to the economy remains largely … [Read more...]
