insert_link World French parliamentarians secure abortion rights French parliamentarians have voted to enshrine the right to access abortion services into the constitution. Ross Cullen reports that lawmakers and senators overwhelmingly approved the changes in a rare joint session of parliament. todayMarch 6, 2024 8
insert_link Health / Medical On International Women’s Day, UNAIDS calls for protecting women’s rights to protect their health Ahead of International Women’s Day, celebrated on 8 March, UNAIDS is calling for the protection of women’s rights to protect their health. The world is way off track to meet the gender, equality and HIV targets that are part of the Sustainable Development Goals. At the current rate of progress, it will take an estimated 300 years to end child marriage, 140 years for women to be represented equally in […] todayMarch 6, 2024 15
insert_link Africa The Moroccan referee who has overcome cultural barriers and gender stereotypes to make history at AFCON 2023 By Joel Omotto, bird story agency Bouchra Karboubi is blazing a trail through the beautiful game. While there has been a laudable increase in the number of female referees at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following the appointment of six women, only one has been given the mandate to officiate as a centre referee, with the rest working as either assistant referees or Video Assistant Referees […] todayFebruary 9, 2024 8
insert_link Opinion Pieces Irish referendum: how the Catholic church shaped Ireland’s constitution to define the status of women By Caitriona Beaumont, London South Bank University It has been 87 years since feminist and activist Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington declared that the new 1937 Irish constitution was based on a “fascist model, in which women would be relegated to permanent inferiority”. Several clauses were labelled “sinister and retrogressive” by women’s groups who feared gender bias embedded within the constitution would restrict Irish women to their domestic roles as wives […] todayFebruary 7, 2024 10
insert_link World According to Ireland’s constitution, a woman’s duties are in the home – but a referendum could be about to change its sexist wording Shutterstock/Everett Collection Laura Cahillane, University of Limerick On March 8 – International Women’s Day – Irish citizens will vote in a referendum on whether or not to replace the so-called “woman in the home” clause in the Irish constitution. This clause, which dates from 1937, specifies that: “The State recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot […] todayFebruary 7, 2024 6
insert_link South Africa South African marriage ruling is a win for divorcees and surviving spouses: it guides the sharing of their assets By Waheeda Amien, University of Cape Town South Africa’s Constitutional Court has fundamentally changed the country’s marriage law, making it fairer to people who are married “out of community of property” when their marriages end. In these marriages, the estates of spouses are kept separate. They do not combine what they own into a joint estate. The change applies to people who got married after 1 November […] todayFebruary 5, 2024 7
insert_link Africa Burundi’s quota for women in politics has had mixed results, but that’s no reason to scrap it By Reginas Ndayiragije, University of Antwerp; Petra Meier, University of Antwerp, and Stef Vandeginste, University of Antwerp Since 2005, Burundi has set quotas to ensure that the country’s three ethnic groups (Hutu, Tutsi and Twa), as well as women, are represented in its parliament, central government and municipal administrations. Its constitution states that women should make up at least 30% of these institutions. The senate, Burundi’s highest chamber […] todayJanuary 31, 2024 5
insert_link Africa Women’s Rights’ Coalition issues a strong appeal to African Governments for swift action against continued women’s rights violations In a firm and unequivocal declaration, the SOAWR Coalition, a consortium of over 70 women's rights organizations in 33 African countries dedicated to advocating for women’s rights in Africa, launched a Call for Action and Accountability in harmony with the objectives of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. The Coalition expresses profound concern about the delayed realization of the promise of gender equality made to African women and girls by the AU […] todayDecember 4, 2023 6
insert_link Namibia EU remains committed to protecting women and girls: Martins The European Union (EU) will remain at the forefront of the international effort to defend the rights of every woman and for every girl to live free and safe. This was stated by the head of the EU delegation to Namibia, Beatriz Martins, here on Wednesday. Martins said the EU has a policy that promotes the rights of women and children, as well as economic, social, and cultural rights. She […] todayNovember 30, 2023 11
Paying it forward: Kenyan coastal doctor Bashrahil Mohammed Mafudh has made it his life’s work to care for the most vulnerable in his community, at no cost.
