There are calls for New South Wales primary schools to introduce lessons to identify and stop sexism and domestic violence in its tracks. Domestic Violence NSW chief executive, Tracey Howe told the Sydney Morning Herald there are wider social issues to be tackled in the community, but the earlier they are targeted the better. ‘We…
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An anonymous nun has apologised to the trans* community for the damage done to them by the catholic church. Known throughout the media as Sister Monica (her real name can’t be used at the request of her congregation), the nun is a minister for trans communities worldwide. Like many women under scrutiny by the catholic…
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A Kenyan pastor has banned women from wearing underwear in his church, as he believes it prohibits them from feeling close to god. According to the Kenyan Post, Reverend Njohi said that women attending his services are forbidden from wearing bras and underwear. He believes that those attending The Lord’s Propeller Redemption Church in Nairobi…
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A Brisbane man has been charged for protesting outside a Hobart abortion clinic. The man has become the first person to be charged in connection with the new anti-protest provisions of Tasmania’s Reproductive Health (Access to Terminations) Act, passed in November last year. Under the act, it is now an offence to conduct a protest…
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A recent study has shown men’s aggressive behaviour is not influenced by their own drunkenness. The joint research by University of Toronto and University of Washington trained and hired 140 young people to document incidents of aggression in Toronto bars. The study, published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, found that while alcohol was no…
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During the International Women’s Day Breakfast in Canberra yesterday, Tony Abbott claimed that his wife and three daughters have helped him become a feminist. ‘My views on policy towards women have changed and evolved in response to watching friends of mine, watching colleagues of mine and in particular looking at my daughters grow up and…
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Saudi Arabia imposes a strict interpretation of Islamic Law, particularly concerning women citizens and their rights. This law forbids women to work or travel without the authorisation of their male guardians. It is also the only country in the world which bans women from driving, and a woman cannot obtain an identification card without the…
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Lupita Nyong’o, winner of the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 12 Years a Slave, has spoken powerfully at the annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon organised by Essence, about the intersections of race and beauty. Nyong’o, in addition to her acclaimed role in 12 Years a Slave, has also nabbed…
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Deputy Leader for the Opposition, Tanya Plibersek, introduced a private members’ bill last Tuesday morning aimed at legalising gay marriage in Australia. This bill was an effort designed to pressure Prime Minister Tony Abbott into deciding on whether Government MPs will be allowed a conscience vote. A conscience vote (or free vote) is where legislators…
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One of the creative innovations Google has created is the ‘Google Doodle.’ These ‘doodles’ are pictorial spin offs of the Google logo in accordance to a historical day, event, or period in the world at any given time. Ever remember Googling something on Christmas and seeing maybe a wreath around the Google logo? It’s something to…
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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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An injunction has been issued in the American state of Texas to stop a law banning gay marriage from coming into effect. The voter-driven ban has been deemed unconstitutional by US District judge Orlando Garcia, who wrote that its ‘state-imposed inequality can find no refuge in [the] United States Constitution’. ‘These Texas laws deny Plaintiffs…
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