Our weekly selection of stories on women's rights from TrustLaw and other media
LONDON (TrustLaw) – Here is our selection of this week’s stories on women's rights from TrustLaw and other media.
AFRICA
Kenya's election rape victims say they've been forgotten
TrustLaw, Kenya
Thousands of women were raped during the violence that followed Kenya’s 2007 elections. But rights activists say no one has ever been convicted. Nor have the victims received any compensation.
South African government to introduce gender equality law
South African Broadcasting Corporation
The government is to introduce draft legislation aimed at enforcing gender equality in both the public and private sectors, and those who do not comply will face stiff penalties. Strides have been made towards empowering women in politics - about 44 percent of MPs are women, and they constitute 43 percent of the cabinet.
ECOWAS promotes campaign to end violence against women
allAfrica.com
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and the Africa Unite Campaign are rallying ECOWAS member countries to help end violence against women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa.
Sexual bribery a growing issue for women’s employment in Rwanda
Global Press Institute, Rwanda
Researchers say the issue of sexual corruption is a small but growing issue in Rwanda’s labour market. Both women and men report instances of employers bribing job seekers or employees – especially women – with jobs and promotions in exchange for sex.
AMERICAS
Obama says election is crucial to women's rights
USA Today, United States
Appealing to a key constituency, President Barack Obama has said that this year's election could decide whether women get to keep newly won rights on health care and pay equity. "The choice between going backward or moving forward has never been so clear," Obama told a supportive crowd in Denver at the start of a two-day tour of Colorado.
ASIA
Domestic work treaty to take effect in 2013
TrustLaw, Thailand
Following ratification by the Philippines on Monday, the Domestic Workers Convention will come into force next year, providing protection and improved working conditions for millions of women and girls, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said.
Nepal recruits more female police to curb violence against women
Malaysian National News Agency
As a measure to curb violence against women, the government has initiated a process to create at least 1,000 more vacancies for women in the Nepal Police, Xinhua news agency reported, quoting local media.
Kiran Walia appeals to society to check violence against women
News Track India
Women are subjected to harassment, humiliation and often violence due to the supremacy of men in Indian society, and it is very difficult to convince this male-dominated society to control violence against women, India’s Minister of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, Prof. Kiran Walia, has said.
MIDDLE EAST
"Ignorance and negligence" hurt Saudi women’s access to health care – doctor
TrustLaw, UK
The assumption that Saudi Arabian women must seek permission from their fathers, husbands or sons before they can obtain medical care is wrong, a prominent Saudi doctor says. This is a common misconception, not only in Western countries but also among Saudi women in the kingdom, obstetrician Dr Samia Al- Amoudi said in an op-ed published on Al Arabiya website.
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