Stories about Women & Gender from August, 2008
Pakistan: On the Hijab
Degrowchyowl from Pakistan on the intricacies of wearing a hijab – as an assertion of identity or as a reminder of one's faith.
Saudi Arabia: Independent women
While there are no doubt restrictions for women living in Saudi Arabia, they do not necessarily match the oppressive image that many foreigners have of the country. In this post we have advice for women wanting to visit Jeddah alone, a review of a women-only hotel in Riyadh, and a plea to those foreigners who feel they want to speak on behalf of oppressed Saudi women.
Kenya: Reproductive Rights Bill Sparks Abortion Debate
A bill proposed by Kenyan women's rights groups, which would make it easier to have an abortion, has re-sparked the debate about legalizing abortion. The procedure is currently illegal in Kenya, unless the pregnant woman's life is in danger. Many religious leaders and politicians in the country have spoken out...
Pakistan: Women and Sports
Degrowchyowl has an insightful post on sports and women in the context of Islam.
Saudi Arabia: Off the road
Desert Flower, an American Muslim living in Saudi Arabia, is tired of not being permitted to drive: ‘…it gets down right stupid when you have to schedule an appointment to go grocery shopping or to get to the pharmacy or the doctor for that matter.’
Korea: Can a brassiere be a dangerous product?
On the 15th of August, the 815 Liberation Day led people to gather together and to have a 100th candlelight vigil. While they marched on the street, some of them were taken to the police station. A scandal emerged when it was discovered that in a police station in Seoul...
Ukraine: “Gender Equality and Genuine Democracy”
Mayia guestblogs at The 8th Circle about “gender and democracy” in Ukraine.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Rapist at Large
The women of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are under siege by a serial rapist and Abeni is “very uneasy about the whole scenario…I have now developed an intense hatred for the rapist or rapists who have turned women into prisoners in their own homes. Is it too much to...
Saudi Arabia: Where are the women sport heroes?
Saudi girls deserve sport heroes too, says Jillian, at a post on women in the Olympics at Kabobfest. “Little girls in Saudi Arabia (which I will use as an example from now on, given that Qatar's population equals that of Boston) deserve to have strong heroes too,” she notes.
MENA: Veiled Athletes in Beijing
Despite the Saudi Arabia's decision to ban Saudi women from taking part in the Olympics this year, Blogger Dilshad D. Ali writes about the emergence of hijab (veil) at the Beijing Olympics. Blogger Jana, also lists the 12 veiled Muslim athletes who competed this year in Beijing.
Cape Verde: Counting the Olympic medals for Africa
Cape Verdean blogger Jorge Tolentino [pt] details the medals that the African countries brought back home from China and highlights: “In an overall total of 40 medals for the continent, 17 were won by women.”
Arabeyes: The Olympics, Pride, Equality and Hope
Millions around the world were glued to their television screens watching their favourite athletes at this year's Beijing Olympics, which just closed. What did Arab bloggers have to say about the world's premier sporting event and their country teams? Following are a few reactions.
Breastfeeding in Thailand
absolutelybangkok.com is worried that Thailand has the lowest exclusive breastfeeding rate in Asia and one of the lowest in the world.
Bahrain: Eyes on Ruqaya Al Ghasra
She may have placed sixth in the qualifying heats and her dreams of becoming the first Gulf Arab woman to run in an Olympic final may be dashed, but Bahrain's Golden runner Ruqaya Al Ghasra has sure created a stir online. A rough start meant that Ghasra, who was Bahrain's flag bearer at the opening ceremony, was eliminated from the women's 200 metres race - but for tens of thousands of Arab and Muslim women - and men - out there, running her heart out fully covered has brought her more than just gold medals.
Egypt: Taking Down Sexual Harassment
A national campaign to fight sexual harassment in Egypt is making waves. Lasto Adri reflects on a post by a female blogger who feels that harassment has to stop.
Algeria: Closer Look at Mauritania's Former First Lady
Algerian blogger The Moor Next Door takes a closer look at Khatou mint El Boukhari, the wife of Mauritania’s former president, has been blamed by many for her husband’s downfall.
Indonesia: Reflections on Independence Day
Indonesian bloggers therrysays and Rima Fauzi ponders about the essence of independence (or the lack of it) in contemporary Indonesian society.
China: Victims of Sport
Xueyong traced the fate of two sportswomen, Guo ping and Zhou Chun-Lai, both were medal carriers and suffered from hardship after their retirement in early age. According to statistic, 40% of the retired sportsman couldn't find a second job.
Iran: Iran bans a top actress from leaving for Hollywood
Golshifteh Farahani, an Iranian actress who recently palyed in Ridley Scott's latest movie “Body of Lies”, was banned from leaving Iran. Iranian blogger, Atighe says[Fa] that she is our national pride.[Update: She left Iran in early October to present the film in New York. Watch her photos]
Kuwait: Why People Neglect Each Other?
Fajr Al Layaly from Kuwait wonders why people neglect each other. “It is an amazing thing what neglect does to people..You know when you see those couples or in families you see people being nasty to one another. I always used to wonder why?” she writes.
Russia: What Women Want
Anna Ershova uses Google to find out what Russian, Ukrainian, Mongolian, Finnish and American women aspire for.
