feminist news round-up 27.11.11

uk women march against government cuts.

Earlier in the week, UK women (and men) donned 1950s garb and hit the streets in protest over government cuts to women’s employment. Unemployment in the UK is currently at an all-time high, with 2.62 million people out of work. The number of women out of work increased by 43,000 to 1.09 million, which is the highest it’s been since 1988. The ‘Don’t Turn Back Time’ on women’s equality marches highlighted the fact that the majority of cuts to benefits are coming from women’s pockets. Read more here and here.

UN urges maldives to stop flogging women for extra-marital sex

The UN High Commissioner for human rights told Parliament on Thursday that the practice of flogging women for having sex outside of marriage is one of the most degrading forms of violence that should have no place in a democratic nation. While numbers on just how many women are flogged for the offence are unknown, the 30 lashes are often carried out in public by village chiefs. Read more here.

white ribbon day

The true nature of sexual, domestic  and other forms of violence against women is often hidden, and the annual White Ribbon Day campaign, held on the 25^th November,  aims to change the attitudes and behaviours that lead to men’s violence against women. It is Australia’s only male-led violence prevention campaign. Read more here and here.

maryland us healthcare expansion for low-income women

A new law passed in the US state of Maryland will see 35,000 low-income earning women eligible for a variety of free services including family planning, breast and reproductive cancer screenings, pelvic exams, STD testing, pregnancy counselling and contraception. The expansion of the health services will help the State reverse the high rates of infant mortality and low birth rates, and reduce the number of abortions. Read more here.

childless australian women risk poor health

A recent Deakin University study found that childless women may experience poorer health than the general Australian female population. The physical and mental health and wellbeing of 50 childless women was examined and compared to the rest of the female population, including women with and without children. Despite the findings, researcher Dr Melissa Graham explained: ‘While the results of our study do not paint a rosy picture, they do not mean that childlessness is a health hazard for women. Poorer health among childless women may mean they are less likely to have children, rather than their poor health being a result of their childlessness.’  Read more here. Results from the study can be found here.

greer: a woman with a fat bottom thinks she’s a loser

Love her or hate her, it’s impossible to deny that Germaine Greer is one of the most influential feminist thinkers of our time. In a recent interview in India, she fielded questions on women’s issues in India, rape, the politics of lesbianism, and her liberal use of the “C” word. Read a transcript excerpt here.

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