Empowerment

Ending 2017 on a Good Note

The following article can be found on https://www.freewomenwriters.org, a sister organisation run by WLUML networker Noorjahan Akbar. Free Women Writers works to improve the lives of Afghan women through advocacy, storytelling, and education.

Dear readers,

The year is almost at its end. We want to take some time to thank each and every one of you for your support and solidarity throughout 2017 and share some of the year’s highlights with you.

Iran protests latest: Pictures showing Tehran woman removing hijab during anti-government rally hailed as symbol of defiance

An Iranian woman pictured removing her hijab in an apparent protest against the country's mandatory Islamic dress code has been hailed as a "hero".

The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, requests judicial authorisation to commence an investigation into the Situation in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

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Today, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or "the Court"), Fatou Bensouda, requested authorisation from the Court's Judges to initiate an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed in the context of the ongoing armed conflict in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ("Afghanistan").

Thematic report on article 16, Muslim Family Law and Muslim Women's Rights in Singapore

This report examines Singaporean laws and practices that enforce de jure and de facto discrimination against women in the following areas: reform of Muslim family law to guarantee equality for Muslim women, male-only positions under AMLA, women’s equal capacity to enter into marriage, child and early marriage, polygamy and divorce rights.

Saudi Arabia: As Women’s Driving Ban Ends, Provide Parity

(Beirut) – Saudi authorities, in ending the ban on women driving, should not impose any additional restrictions that it does not impose on men, Human Rights Watch said today. Saudi authorities announced on September 26, 2017, that the government would end the longstanding ban on women driving cars in Saudi Arabia.

Building Civil Societies

The building of a civil society rests upon public participation, on the way society is currently being run, on the values being promoted, and on how resources are currently being distributed.

However, governments, politicians, elites, often give the false impression that only they are qualified for political and social participation and that ordinary people have little to contribute besides electing them to the office. Such attitudes have silenced many voices form expressing their concerns.

Hijab Day’ in Paris 2016

‘Hijab Day’ in Paris 2016

by Lalia Ducos and Zazi Sadou, Algerian feminists

Introduction by Marieme Helie Lucas

April 24, 2016

Iranians Love Volleyball, But Half The Population Can't Attend Matches

"The reality for Iranian women is that the signs effectively say 'Men Only.'"

11/10/2015 07:31 am ET | Updated Nov 12, 2015

Tunisia's single mothers still struggle to overcome stigma

Author: Perrine MassyPosted February 2, 2016

The situation of unmarried mothers, faced with a delicate dilemma and deprived of rights, makes a telling allegory for modern Tunisia — a country increasingly liberated but that still promotes conservative values.

برلمان جديد في الصومال ثلثه من النساء

أشاد الامين العام للامم المتحدة بان كي مون الخميس بقرار الحكومة الصومالية تشكيل برلمان جديد هذه السنة يتألف من مجلسين تشغل النساء 30% من مقاعدهما.

وقال بان في بيان ان هذا القرار "يمهد الطريق امام عملية انتقالية نحو نهاية ولاية المؤسسات الراهنة".

واضاف ان البرلمان الجديد لن ينبثق عن انتخابات عامة مباشرة بل عن انتخابات ستجري "على أساس شمولي وتمثيلي" لجميع اطياف المجتمع بما في ذلك النساء اللواتي "سيشغلن 30% من هذا البرلمان الجديد".