Pakistan: Violence against women is unimportant to judiciary
November 28, 2009
Relief Web 25 November 2009: “The women of Pakistan bear the brunt of poor governance, military strife, and the 
corruption of the social, political and economic systems which surround them.”
A release from the Asian Human Rights Commission condemning the judiciaries treatment of women in Pakistan focusing on the position of women socially.
The same release however singles out advances in legislation protecting women from harassment: “In a rare show of concern for women, the National Assembly unanimously passed a bill to provide harsher punishments for those who commit sexual harassment, expanding the definition of the crime to facilitate prosecution of the perpetrators.”
Dawn.com, however, report that legislation designed to protect women’s rights in Pakistan are often thwarted.
On the same day, the Associated Press of Pakistan reports that the government is dedicated to stamping out violence against women.
“Dr. Fehmida said that according to the latest data compiled so far reveals shocking trends. Amazingly about 70% of women experience physical or sexual violence from men in their lifetime. It happens everywhere at home and at work, on streets and in schools, during peacetime and in conflict.
She said though a global issue, that trend nevertheless, had been more vehement in south Asia, including Pakistan. The growing cases of acid and stove burn victims, honor killings and harassment in general have seen a steady increase during the present decade, which surely calls for urgent preventive steps, she added.” READ MORE>>
New Zealand: Changes to ACC sensitive claims unit
October 9, 2009
Wellington 7 October 2009: New Zealand’s Accident Claims Corporation have made changes to the criteria for assessing sensitive claims – claims made by the victims of sexual abuse. They claim the changes will enhance ACC support for survivors of sexual abuse with a mental injury
New Zealand: ACC Cuts not responcible says Smith
September 30, 2009
Wellington, September 29, 2009: ACC Minister Nick Smith’s denial that he’s responsible for major delays processing claims for sexual abuse victims is contradicted by an ACC newsletter which puts the blame squarely on Government cost-cutting, says Labour’s Victim’s Rights spokesperson Lynne Pillay.
New Zealand:How W(r)ong can you get?
August 27, 2009
G-blog, New Zealand’s Green party members blog, posted some interesting points about Associate ACC Minister Pansy Wong’s interpretation of proposed changes to the ACC’s treatment guidelines for mental injury resulting from sexual abuse.
Background:
Afghanistan: ‘No sex, no food’ law passed.
August 18, 2009
Afghan women rally in support of their President despite his support of 'marital rape' law
On 18th August 2009, Wellington’s Dominion Post reported that Afghan President, Hamid Karzai has approved a law which appears to condone marital rape.
The law appears to allow husbands to deny their wives food if they will not have sex with them.
US president Obama has called the law “abhorrent” and the Afghan President has vowed to review the law in light of international pressure, but only if it is found to contravene the fledgling Afghan constitution. Read the rest of this entry »
Sexual Harassment Piglet
August 10, 2009
Bernard Chapin’s Sexual Harassment Panda: Ignorance, alive and well and disguised as a demand for gender ‘equality’.
Take a look at the charming Mr Chapin making fun of definitions in the Indiana University Southeast’s online Sexual Harassment Resource (the moment where he talks about having called feminists ‘pigs’ in the past is especially lovely):
Indiana University Southeast’s Sexual Harassment resource is here. The wording of the resource is in no way gender specific and briefly outlines the kinds of behaviour IU Southeast considers questionable. Mr Chapin, however, sees the definitions as directed specifically at curbing the ‘normal behaviour’ of any red blooded American College guy, which says a lot about Mr Chapin’s mind set and nothing at all about the careful wording of the resource.
Mr Chapin, what was it about the resource listing ‘Unwanted sexual invitations, propositions, or pressure’ as forms of sexual harassment, that immediately made you think how hard it’ll make talking to girls?
USA: Jimmy Carter does his part to end “WorldWide Epidemic” of violence against women and girls
August 5, 2009
Blogger, Ann Drake opens a discussion about US press ignoring the news that former president Jimmy Carter has left his church in protest over religious doctrine concerning the role of women:
President Carter said: “. . .the belief that women must be subjugated to the wishes of men excuses slavery, violence, forced prostitution, genital mutilation and national laws that omit rape as a crime. . .”
AnnCarolineDrake.com said: “Let’s hope the mainstream US media finds their own courage to tell this story.” READ MORE>>
Why would the US media ignore a story like this? Is it a lack of interest in the topic, or does it reflect a lack of interest in the actions of someone once described as “a better man than he was a president.”?
Japan: Report presented to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
July 27, 2009
ISRIA.com, 27th July 2009: Japan has presented it’s sixth periodic report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
In the area of violence against women, penalties had been strengthened in 2004 for rape, forced indecency and other crimes while the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women had been marked with two weeks of awareness programmes. READ MORE>>
A Western perspective on Japan’s Equal Employment Opportunity Law 1985
“Phase III” of the Japanese Equal Employment Opportunity Act
