LGBT Rights Made Visible in Moldova’s Quest to Join the European Union
FRIDAY FILE: Activist Anastasia Danilova explains how Moldova’s campaign to join the European Union provides some opportunity and some backlash for LGBT Rights
By Masum Momaya
South Sudan: What will Independence mean for Women?
The north-east African nation of Sudan, currently Africa’s largest country by territory, will soon be split into two, following a referendum which took place in the south of the country in January 2011. On February 7, 2011 it was announced that an overwhelming majority (98.83%) of Southern Sudanese had voted in favour of secession from Sudan.
By Kathambi Kinoti
Political crisis in Côte d’Ivoire: The impact on women and women’s rights organizations
FRIDAY FILE: Côte d’Ivoire has been in a political impasse since the declaration of contested results of a second round of presidential elections held in November 2010. Since both candidates claimed victory and have been sworn in, the country has two presidents and two governments.
Female genital mutilation and cosmetic genital surgery: Do they have anything in common?
FRIDAY FILE: At first glance, female genital mutilation and genital surgery carried out for cosmetic purposes might seem intrinsically different. On closer examination, however, they may be more similar than they initially appear.
By Kathambi Kinoti
Women’s Human Rights Defenders: A clear target of violence and repression
FRIDAY FILE: Margaret Sekaggya, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders submitted her third report to the UN Human Rights Council. This report is the first to focus exclusively on the situation of women defenders and those working on women’s rights or gender issues.
By Analía Penchaszadeh
Women’s Movements Present Alternatives at the World Social Forum
FRIDAY FILE: Initiated in opposition to the exclusive World Economic Forum, the World Social Forum(WSF) has, since it began in 2001, become an important space for civil society movements to propose alternatives to the dominant system, under the banner “Another world is possible”.
By Ana Abelenda and Gabriela De Cicco