Women's rights activists on Saturday reaffirmed their goal to “remove all gender discrimination from the Constitution” during a conference held by the "My nationality is my family's right” coalition.
News & Analysis
Women's Rights in the News
Islamic states frown on Islam-opposing paragraphs of UNHCR violence against women resolution
17 June 2013
Islamic member states of the United Nations Council for Human Rights (UNHCR) rejected on Friday paragraphs violating the Islamic law in the council's resolution on the elimination of all forms of violence against women, noting that the member states must make sure that their laws and national policies are consistent with the rejected demands.
Supreme Court Rules Human Genes May Not Be Patented
13 June 2013
Isolated human genes may not be patented, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Thursday. The case concerned patents held by Myriad Genetics, a Utah company, on genes that correlate with increased risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
What's new on awid.org?
Issues & Analysis
#FBrape campaign and the necessary debate
18 June 2013
The Take action to end gender-based violence on Facebook, or #FBrape campaign, co-signed by the APC Women´s Rights Programme, triggered interesting, timely and necessary debates around freedom of expression, censorship, privacy and intermediary liability. Read the collection of GenderIT.org Feminist Talk posts that reflect some of the discussion around these hot topics.
Putting women on the disaster risk reduction agenda
17 June 2013
Every year, approximately 200 million people around the world are affected by disasters. Of these, 100 million are women or girls, according to the UN’s Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).
Gender equality funds must go to women's groups in poor countries
17 June 2013
A report urging the UK to increase funding to women's rights groups is welcome, but the money must reach the right people.
AWID's Friday Files
Violating Women’s Rights: Forced Sterilization, Population Control and HIV/AIDS
07 June 2013
FRIDAY FILE – Last July, a high court sentenced the Namibian state for the forced sterilization of three HIV-positive women. In Uzbekistan, authorities continue to deny reported cases. AWID looks into forced sterilizations in both countries and what it means for women’s reproductive rights.
A Women’s Perspective on the Violent and Oppressive Bahraini Regime
31 May 2013
FRIDAY FILE - AWID interviewed pro-democracy activist and lecturer Dr Ala’a Shehabi* about the current violence and persecution against Bahraini citizens and how women are contributing to the fight for democracy and rights.
Illegal Detention of Women Human Rights Defenders in the Midst of the Border Conflict of Sudan
24 May 2013
FRIDAY FILE - Sudanese people inspired by the Arab spring, and led by women and youth, took the streets of Sudan demanding regime change in 2011. Authorities violently cracked down on these demonstrations, detaining more than 150 women, who were sexually abused or tortured, injured and beaten in the protests.
The First Arms Trade Treaty Recognises Gender-Based Violence
16 May 2013
FRIDAY FILE - On April 2, 2013, a decades long campaign culminated in the signing of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) at the UN General Assembly. The ATT prohibits arms sales when there is a risk that weapons could be used to violate international humanitarian or human rights law.
Some Advances in Legal Rights for Domestic Workers in Latin America
10 May 2013
FRIDAY FILE - Long working hours, lack of rest time and poor treatment and compensation, in the absence of national legislation, often turns domestic work into a form of slavery in many countries. We reflect on some of the changes taking place in Latin America regarding decent work for domestic workers.
New Resources
Las Constituyentes (film)
19 June 2013
The documentary is about 27 women, members of parliament and senators, who were protagonists of politic change during Spain’s transition towards democracy, because of the parliamentary role which they played during the first constituent term in office in 1977 after the transition to democracy.
The Secret History of Sex, Choice and Catholics (Film)
19 June 2013
The film features interviews with leading experts in the fields of theology, philosophy and ethics who examine Catholic traditions, teachings and beliefs on Abortion & Contraception, HIV & AIDS, Sex and Sexuality, New Reproductive Health Technologies, and Religion in Public Policy.
DB Click: HIV/AIDS, Young People, Research
12 June 2013
The HIV/AIDS, Young People, Research theme site, done in partnership with the Inter-Agency Task Team on HIV Prevention and Young People (IATT-YP), is part of the IATT website on young people and HIV which serves as a platform to provide access to a range of resources on HIV and AIDS focused on adolescents and youth.
Special Focus
CSW Special Focus
AWID is pleased to launch a special focus section on CSW 57. Follow the proceedings and keep up to date on events, news, analysis, and official and CSO statements in preparation for and coming out of the two-week meeting.
Democratic Republic of Congo
AWID is alarmed by the escalating violence in the North Kivu province of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and is dismayed by the lack of international response to protect civilians and women human rights defenders. We stand in solidarity with our sisters in DRC and our partners who are working closely to ensure that WHRDs in the area are out of harm's way.
Parliamentary Coup in Paraguay
On June 22, 2012, the Paraguayan Senate found President Fernando Lugo guilty of impeachment charges in a 39 to 4 vote, resulting in his removal from office.
Rio+20
The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 20-22 June 2012 marking the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).
Crisis in Haiti
Two years after a 7.0 earthquake devastated Haiti’s capital of Port-Au-Prince, on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 the nation is still trying to rebuild their country and their lives.
Announcements
Indonesian Journalist Prodita Sabarini named 2013-14 IWMF Elizabeth Neuffer Fellow
19 June 2013
The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) has selected Jakarta-based journalist Prodita Sabarini as the 2013-14 IWMF Elizabeth Neuffer Fellow. Sabarini is the ninth recipient of the annual fellowship, which gives a woman journalist working in print, broadcast or online media the opportunity to build skills while focusing exclusively on human rights journalism and social justice issues.
Honduras: Human rights defender Ms Berta Cáceres granted temporary stay in proceedings due to lack of evidence (update)
19 June 2013
On 13 June 2013, human rights defender Ms Berta Cáceres was granted a temporary stay in proceedings against her due to a lack of evidence.
Sudan : 14 women released, 20 still detained
18 June 2013
Fourteen women held in El Obeid Prison, in Sudan’s Northern Kordofan State, were released on 26 April, but have been told that they may be charged in the future.