Our selection of this week's stories on women's rights from TrustLaw and other media
LONDON (TrustLaw) – Here is our selection of stories on women's rights from TrustLaw and other media this week.
AFRICA
African Union chooses first female leader
The Guardian, UK
A South African politician has become the first female leader of the African Union (AU), ending months of bitter deadlock at the continental body. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa's home affairs minister, was elected chair of the African Union Commission on Sunday at a summit of heads of state and government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Côte d’Ivoire Law Offers Battered Women Little Protection
Inter Press Service, Ivory Coast
A shiver ran down Habiba Kanaté’s* spine when she read about a policeman shooting and killing his wife in Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire. “That could have been me,” she said. IPS met the 28-year-old at a social centre in the south Abidjan neighbourhood of Treichville, one of a number of women there seeking help with domestic violence.
Bride abductions 'a distortion' of South Africa's culture
Los Angeles Times, United States
In South Africa, a secretive cultural practice called thwala - originally an acceptable means for two young Zulu people in love to wed when their families opposed the match - is often abused to victimize isolated rural women and enrich male relatives, activists say.
AMERICAS
A Shelter for Victims of Sex Trafficking Offers Counseling, Schooling and Safety
The New York Times, United States
Freedom Place in Houston, Texas, is the state’s first privately run safe house that provides long-term housing for American girls who are victims of sex trafficking. The shelter represents a new solution for state legislators and county officials as they try to figure out how best to support such victims.
Canada targets traffickers, with a close eye on sex work
Inter Press Service, Canada
The arrests last week of the three remaining perpetrators of the alleged Opapa human trafficking ring, which forced 19 people recruited from Hungary to endure long work days, poor living conditions and no pay in the Canadian construction industry, has cast a light on Ottawa’s new measures to combat the crime.
ASIA
Indian man charged for padlocking wife’s genitals - report
TrustLaw, India
A man in India's central city of Indore has been charged with grievous bodily harm and cruelty for padlocking his wife’s genitals for four years fearing that she would be unfaithful to him, the Indian Express reported on Wednesday.
Girl Gang-Molested? Bring Out the Popcorn
Times of India, India
A young Guwahati girl was recently stripped, thrashed and molested for 40 minutes in full public view. And such ‘incidents’ will continue. As long as we remain (a) cowards, (b) voyeurs and (c) apathetic. The man who allegedly added fuel to the fire, or is the reason behind the fire himself — Newslive channel reporter Gaurav Jyoti Neog. Accused by RTI activist Akhil Gogoi of having incited a mob of 50 men, some inebriated, to strip and grope her and 'move her to a better-lit place' while his channel’s camera filmed the gory proceedings.
MIDDLE EAST
Saudi Arabia: Female Athletes at Olympics will be ‘Breakthrough’ -HRW
Saudi Arabia’s National Olympic Committee’s decision to send two women athletes to the London Olympic Games is a breakthrough for Saudi women’s sports. However, there are still no signs of any advance in ending an effective ban on women and girls practicing sports inside the kingdom.
Q+A: Turning London family planning summit into action
TrustLaw, UK
A major summit on family planning held in London on Wednesday secured enough funding to extend contraception to 120 million women in the developing world who want it but cannot get it. Now that the money has been promised, what steps must be taken to ensure this global pledge translates into action to improve the lives of millions of women and children?
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
