Do Women still need feminism? A controversial social media movement called Women Against Feminism features women explaining — mostly in “selfies” with handwritten signs — why they do not. Feminist responses have ranged from bafflement to vitriol or mockery to arguments that these women don’t know what feminism is. But while this new movement has its silly aspects, it raises some much-needed questions about feminism’s present and future state — and, in the weeks since it first attracted … [Read more...]
Mandela, ‘man of many names’ … one Humantarian Heart
MANDELA IS KNOWN BY SEVERAL NAMES. EACH NAME HAS A STORY BEHIND IT CALL HIM TATA MADIBA, NELSON, KHULU! MANDELA FONDLY REVERED AS A WORLD ICON FOR HUMANITY AND FORBEARANCE Rolihlahla – Born on July 18, 1918, in the village of Mvezo in Transkei in the Eastern Cape province, he was given the name Rolihlaha Mandela by his father, a tribal chief. This is Mr Mandela’s birth name: it is an 'isiXhosa' name which means “pulling the branch of a tree”, but colloquially it means … [Read more...]
Maasai, ‘They’re kicking us off our land to hunt lions!’
We are elders of the Maasai from Tanzania, one of Africa’s oldest tribes. The government has just announced that it plans to kick thousands of our families off our lands so that wealthy tourists can use them to shoot lions and leopards. The evictions are to begin immediately. Last year, when word first leaked about this plan, almost one million Avaaz members rallied to our aid. Your attention and the storm it created forced the government to deny the plan, and set them back months. But the … [Read more...]
BAHRAIN Taking Action, compensates families improving human rights
The Kingdom of Bahrain is to compensate families of protesters killed during last years anti government protests. That's what the Foreign Minister of Bahrain Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa told the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday. The minister said 17 of the victims have already received compensations totalling 2.6 million dollars. He added that legal reforms are already under way in the justice system to ensure fairness, prevent torture, and protect the … [Read more...]
The Embassy of Afghanistan celebrates the 93rd Anniversary of the Restoration
The Embassy of Afghanistan celebrates the 93rd Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence of Afghanistan WASHINGTON—Ambassador Hakimi welcomed over 300 people to the Embassy to celebrate the 93rd Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence of Afghanistan Wednesday evening. Amongst an intricate display of traditional Afghan handicrafts, artwork, and rugs, Ambassador Hakimi and Under Secretary of State for Management Patrick F. Kennedy delivered remarks to guests who then enjoyed a … [Read more...]
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UN) United Nations March 21, 2012 The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, March 21, commemorates the anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960. On that day in South Africa, peaceful demonstrators against apartheid were killed. In 1966, the United Nations declared that each year on March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination should be observed as a … [Read more...]
WOMAN of ACTION™ – Rosa Parks *Tribute
WOMAN of ACTION™ Tribute Rosa Parks "Back then, we didn't have any civil rights. It was just a matter of survival existing from one day to the next. I remember going to sleep as a girl hearing the Klan ride at night and hearing a lynching and being afraid the house would burn down." -Rosa Parks Rosa Louise McCauley was born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama. At age 2, Rosa moved to Pine Level, Alabama, to live with her grandparents, and at age … [Read more...]
Avaaz Community 10 million strong thru Taking Action !!!
blockquote> Dear Incredible Avaazers, Just a few hours ago, our community reached 10 million people! 10 million of us. From every nation, every walk of life. Hopeful, and serious about creating the world we all dream of. Campaign after campaign, we're winning. Not just the little fights, the big ones, the ones they said couldn’t be won. And we're just getting started. There's never been a community like this before – and we’re accelerating – growing by 4 million in … [Read more...]
The Rights to Contraceptive Information for Women and Adolescents
The Rights to Contraceptive Information and Services for Women and Adolescents Briefing Paper Download PDF English This briefing paper examines the right to access contraceptive information and services for women and adolescents. It provides practical guidance for activists, scholars, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, governments and other actors working in the area of sexual and reproductive health to integrate human rights into programmes and … [Read more...]