29
Sep
2009
By Mutsuko Murakami
TOKYO, Sep 29 (IPS) – “I hope to see a society where women can comfortably work and raise a family … at the same time.”
University student Eri Ochiai’s words may well echo the sentiment of many a Japanese woman, hopeful for a change that has eluded them for many years under the previous administration.
When Ochiai, 20, trooped to the polls for the first time in late August, she was resolute to give her vote to her district’s female candidate, who had pledged “to improve the social environments for women.” More »
18
Sep
2009
Guest blogger: Ann Ninan, IPS Gender Editor
A breakthrough for us as well? M. Sayagues
The UN has finally decided to stand up for women! A decision to create a new agency for women was taken by the General Assembly on September14.
Our colleague Thalif Deen, IPS bureau chief in New York, was the first and only journalist to report it for the first several hours.
But this blog is not to crow about our scoop.
I’m quite excited by the prospect of a new women’s agency with money and political power. No longer will the world’s feminists have to lobby from the outside to put their views on the table. They have now won admission to the high table.
Any one of those bright, articulate, activist women can emerge to lead the agency. The reality is likely to be less rosy. But chances are that, because it’s new, it will be less under the thumb of the old boy network.
You think I’m a romantic? What the hell, there is no harm in dreaming, is there? More »
17
Aug
2009
By Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, founding coordinator, femLINKPACIFIC
Contributing blogger
Sharon Bhagwan Rolls
Getting into GEAR! What does this really mean in a Pacific Island state, surrounded by an ocean rising rather too quickly, that some of us are thinking about getting into gear before it becomes a sink or swim situation?
Does it mean we switch from paddling our own canoes at the pace known as “Pacific time” to powering our way into the future with the assistance of fuel guzzling outboard engines?
And as we rapidly negotiate our way through the waters, will we be protected by life jackets should there be any mishaps along the way?
More »
05
May
2009
To celebrate its 30th birthday the Convention of Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is gathering stories, testimonies and reflections about how its work has helped the respect of women’s rights and the prevention of discrimination against them. More »
14
Apr
2009
By Stephen de Tarczynski
MELBOURNE, Apr 14 (IPS) Despite ongoing community concerns over the highly
secretive Pine Gap spy station in central Australia, the nation’s
parliament has moved to effectively ban protest at the joint
Australia-United States base.
More »
13
Apr
2009
By Najum Mushtaq
NAIROBI, Apr 13 (IPS) Art and fashion, environmental conservation,
poverty alleviation and fair trade come together at UniqEco’s Marula
Studios in an upscale suburb of Nairobi. A visit to its workshop and
display centre is a delight to the eyes as well as an occasion to learn
about the problem of marine pollution and its eco-friendly,
community-based and business-savvy solutions.
More »
07
Apr
2009
By Natalia Ruiz Díaz
ASUNCION, Apr 7 (IPS) The global tendency towards greater participation
by women in politics has reached Paraguay, but the pace continues to be
set by men, and there are still tough barriers to equal access to elected
posts.
More »
02
Apr
2009
By Fabiana Frayssinet
RIO DE JANEIRO, Apr 2 (IPS) How many men work in day care centres,
looking after children? How much paternity leave are men entitled to?
How many government programmes to combat domestic violence include
violent men themselves as part of the treatment?
More »
01
Apr
2009
By Thalif Deen
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 1 (IPS) – The spreading global financial crisis is
threatening to undermine another one of the U.N.’s major development and health goals: family planning.
More »
