feminist news round-up 18.11.12
Uganda to pass bill to harshly punish homosexuality
In Uganda, homosexual sex is already considered a crime. In 2009, lawmakers with the ruling party said a stronger law was needed to protect Uganda’s children from homosexuals. People in the party said that Western homosexuals in particular ‘recruited’ young Ugandans to the ‘gay lifestyle’. The bill originally contained a measure calling for the death penalty for people found guilty of ‘aggravated homosexuality,’ defined as one of the participants being a minor, HIV-positive, disabled or a ‘serial offender’. But the death penalty has been removed and replaced with shorter prison sentences, though under certain circumstances offenders could get life sentences. Lawmakers say that the passing of this bill will be considered a ‘Christmas present’ for Ugandans.
A Breastfeeding Doll?
A new doll, called ‘the breast milk baby’ has been released. The doll comes with a shirt which allows the child pretend to breastfeed their doll, mimicking nipples (albeit flower-shaped ones). The shirt has special sensors which causes the doll to make sucking noises. While the dolls have been hailed as educational and some remark that they go towards lowering stigma surrounding breastfeeding in public, others find them… well, creepy. What do you think?
Romney: Obama won because he showered gifts on women, minorities
This week, when asked to explain his lose at the recent US Presidential election, Mitt Romney said President Barack Obama won by showering ‘gifts’ on women, African American and Hispanic supporters. Among the gifts Romney said Obama gave to his backers were ‘free contraceptives’, his healthcare reform, and amnesty for the children of illegal immigrants. Because, you know, these things are just a bit too generous, right?
Maternal Deaths Throughout the World
This week, a woman died in an Irish hospital after being denied a life-saving abortion (click for lip’s coverage of the story). Her story is incredibly tragic, but it also alerts us to maternal death around the world. According to the World Health Organization, every year, 99 per cent of the planet’s approximately half a million maternal deaths occur in developing countries. Pregnancy complication, including unsafe (and often illegal) abortions is the leading cause of death for young women aged 15-19 in developing countries. The UN has recently stated that legal and financial barriers to accessing contraception and other family planning measures are an infringement of women’s rights. Rights that are lacking world over.
Covered on lip this week
A woman dies in an Irish hospital after being denied a life-saving abortion
A sexual assault reporting app has been developed
‘Damaged women’ elect Obama (according to Steve Kates)
The toxic, misogynistic culture of St. Johns College
(Image source: 1)
