New anti-pornography legislation passed by the Ugandan government has been criticised by activists for its impact upon women. The new legislation covers a range of issues related to pornography, including child pornography, pornographic publications and even suggestive music videos. However the main controversy to arise from the changes was the provisions surrounding dress code. According…
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In Spain, abortion has been legalised since 1985. However a current Bill being debated in the Spanish Parliament looks set to change that. The new legislation being considered bans the procedure in most cases, allowing only for exceptions regarding a mother’s health and where the pregnancy was induced as a result of rape. Serious birth…
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US Secretary of State John Kerry announced last Tuesday that the United States will ban any perpetrators of sexual violence from obtaining US visas. The ban was announced during discussions on sexual violence in war zones. As part of these talks, Secretary Kerry met with British Foreign Minister William Hague, the US Ambassador at large for…
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Controversial new ‘anti-protest’ laws have passed the Victorian lower house by one vote. The summary offences and sentencing amendment bill will now go to the upper house, the Legislative Council for approval. If the laws are passed, police will be able to issue ‘move on directions’ ordering a protesting individual or group to leave an…
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Findings submitted to the Australian Human Rights Commission demonstrate that pregnant women and new parents are still being discriminated against in the Australian workplace. In June 2013, the Attorney General’s Department asked the Commission to conduct a national review on the ‘prevalence, nature and consequences of discrimination in relation to pregnancy at work and return…
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NB: Some sites linked to within this article refer to sexually explicit adult material that may not be suitable for work. Earlier in the year I went to a live art installation project that featured some nude displays (both male and female). The event was quite an upmarket artistic event and there was nothing gratuitous…
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The interview had been taking its predicted turns. What were my strongest attributes? What did I think needed a bit more work? Where did I see myself professionally in five years? I gave all the expected answers: ‘I really want to learn and take this opportunity to grow within the company… I genuinely feel this…
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Pick up any magazine or news tabloid or stroll across a website and there will be the latest gossip on which star is pregnant, may be pregnant, or trying cover up pregnancy. Society loves famous people having famous babies. Then the famous babies are born, are often given unusual names, and are set for a…
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As the US Government effectively re-opens for business, it provides a useful time to reflect on the role of women during the shut down. In particular, the relationships that have forged between female Senators across the partisan divide provide an interesting and inspiring example of not only strong female politicians, but also on how the…
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Earlier this week, 82 year old Canadian author Alice Munro was awarded the coveted Nobel Prize for Literature. Munro was commended by the Nobel Prize Committee for being the ‘master of the short story’, with her tales based around what she calls more ‘every day heroines’ of Canada. The decision of the Committee has been…
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The New South Wales Parliament is currently debating a Bill which, if passed, would alter the way the criminal law considers a foetus. The Bill (commonly referred to as ‘Zoe’s Law’) is named after the stillborn daughter of Ms Brodie Donegan, who suffered injuries as a result of a car accident in 2009, which resulted…
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As we head into spring, it may appear a slightly odd time of year to consider picking up some knitting needles, but Save the Children charity is giving you a very good reason to consider doing so. Partnering up with Guardian pharmacies, Save the Children are again organising their “Guardian Angel Knitting Program”, which encourages…
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In his address to the African Union Summit in Ethiopia in January earlier this year, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon called on States to renew their commitment to the Millennium Development Goals. ‘We have 1,000 days to reach our Millennium Development Goals,’ he said, ‘Now is the time to finish the job…
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In June earlier this year, then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivered a harrowing speech, warning Australians of the implications for women’s rights regarding abortion if Tony Abbott was to become Prime Minister. Cautioning Australians about voting for Mr Abbott, Ms Gillard stated that women risked effectively losing their autonomy over the abortion issue, saying ‘We don’t…
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