WELFARE FOR THE RICH by Frank Corbin As we all know, the US financial system is currently in a mess. Institutions like Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Bear Sterns, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Bear Stern, AIG and now Washington Mutual are struggling to keep their heads above water. These organizations are either declaring bankruptcy, being bought out by other big financial institution or looking at the US Government for a financial life-support. As with any business model, we must admit … [Read more...]
Forced to marry her rapist — days until the big vote
January 10, 2014 by
16 year-old Amina Filali, raped, beaten and forced to wed her rapist, killed herself — the only way she saw to escape the trap set for her by her rapist and Moroccan law. We’ve joined Moroccan activists, campaigning for years to repeal this provision, and now victory is within reach. This week, one last vote could make it happen. Article 475 in Morocco’s penal code allows a rapist to avoid prosecution and a long prison sentence by marrying his victim if she is a minor. It’s any rape … [Read more...]
UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie Recounts 5-year-Old Girl’s Ordeal
June 25, 2013 by
SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS TEXT URGING TARGETED SANCTIONS AGAINST PERPETRATORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE DURING ARMED CONFLICT Rape Largely ‘Cost-free’, Says Special Representative As UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie Recounts 5-year-Old Girl’s Ordeal The Security Council today urged the United Nations sanctions committees to apply targeted sanctions against parties committing sexual violence during armed conflict. Ahead of a debate on the subject that attracted more than 60 speakers, the … [Read more...]
Women of the Middle East: What Changes Does 2013 Hold?
March 6, 2013 by
Women Leaders in Seven Arab Countries ... were asked what political, social and economic changes they expect to see in 2013. Most expected to see political infighting, backsliding in women’s status, or an economic downturn in their respective countries. Women in Iraq and Lebanon projected a deterioration in the security situation if the Syrian conflict spills over. Yemeni women said their country’s democratic transition hinges on a successful national dialogue scheduled for March. Two … [Read more...]
Morocco celebrates as Soulalyates women succeed in land rights
February 12, 2013 by
In the spring of 2012 the Moroccan Government granted men and women equal rights to benefit from incomes and profits gained from their land in a new order from the Ministry of the Interior. In the past, discriminatory laws had long deprived rural women of the Soulayates ethnic group of land ownership and benefits in Morocco. Women had campaigned hard with the support of UN Women for their inheritance and property rights, so the new ruling was a historic victory. The 2012 ruling underlines … [Read more...]
Morocco adapts UNESCO’s Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Media
January 12, 2013 by
© UNESCO In order to integrate gender perspectives into policies and contents of Moroccan public service broadcasters, UNESCO’s Office in Rabat is organizing a workshop for the adaptation of Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Media (GSIM) to Moroccan context. The workshop will be held in Rabat on 14 and 15 January 2013. Morocco (Arabic: المغرب al-Maghrib ; Berber: ⴰⵎⵕⵕⵓⴽ or ⵍⵎⴰⵖⵔⵉⴱ Ameṛṛuk or Lmaġrib; French: Maroc), officially the Kingdom of Morocco. Arabic name al-Mamlakat al-Maghribiyyah … [Read more...]
Avaaz , if 1 million of us join forces … Take Action
January 4, 2013 by
She was a 23-year-old physical therapy student who boarded a bus in Delhi last month. Six men locked the door, and savagely raped her for hours, including with a metal rod. They dumped her naked in the street, and after bravely fighting for her life, she died last weekend. Across India, people are responding in massive protests to say enough is enough. In India a woman is raped every 22 minutes, and few see justice. Globally, a staggering 7 in 10 women will be physically or sexually abused in … [Read more...]
Morocco, the rape and death of an adolescent girl prompts calls for changes to the penal code
March 30, 2012 by
In Morocco, the rape and death of an adolescent girl prompts calls for changes to the penal code By Aniss Maghri RABAT, Morocco, March 2012 – The death of 16-year-old Amina Filali, in the old port town of Larache, Morocco, has prompted outrage around the world. Amina’s life was shattered by a double tragedy: She was raped at age 15, and then, after reporting the assault, she was forced to marry her rapist. After five months of marriage, during which she endured … [Read more...]
International Women’s Day in Morocco with M. Bachelet
March 9, 2012 by
Ms. Bachelet urges women’s equal participation in all spheres of life as fundamental to democracy and justice. Rabat, 8 March 2012 — Against the backdrop of global geopolitical events and during a period of unprecedented transformation in the region, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet commemorated International Women’s Day in Morocco today. Highlighting the progress made globally in women’s legal rights, educational achievements and … [Read more...]
Arab States Share Lessons in Improving Maternal Health
July 14, 2011 by
Arab States Share Lessons in Improving Maternal Health Morocco Serves as Model in Reducing Maternal Deaths RABAT, Morocco --- While high rates of maternal mortality continue to plague some Arab States, Morocco has made remarkable improvements in maternal health. The country is among a small group of low- and middle-income nations on track to meet Millennium Development Goal 5 – to reduce by three quarters the number of women dying during pregnancy and childbirth by 2015. Morocco’s … [Read more...]
