WLUML Newsletter 11

In the winter 2011 issue of the WLUML newsletter, we feature an article on blasphemy laws and women’s rights in Pakistan, following the death sentence of a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, for blasphemy in November 2010 – the first conviction of its kind for a woman. We also interview Iranian activist and WLUML networker, Mahboubeh Abbasgholizadeh, who won the 2010 Johann Philipp Palm Prize for defending freedom of expression and freedom of the press, on how she is continuing her activism work outside of Iran. 

There were winners, too, amongst Muslim sportswomen from around the world – we cover the highlights from 2010.

Global action during the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence  2010 offered the Violence is Not Our Culture Campaign key opportunities for raising the profile of its concerns on ‘culture’- and gender-based discrimination and violence against women – we feature a full report. Other international items include networkers’ reports from conferences in Malaysia, Peru and Senegal; excerpts from an article on technology and gender segregation in Saudi Arabia; and an interview with the London-based leader of the Somali Women’s Media Association.

We also announce the 2010 publication of Control and Sexuality: The Revival of Zina Laws in Muslim Contexts. This joint publication from WLUML and the Violence is Not Our Culture Campaign scopes the (re)emergence of zina laws, which govern and are the basis for prosecution for sex outside of marriage, in Muslim contexts.

WLUML Newsletter 11