6th December is the anniversary of the Montréal Massacre

8 December 2010 in Campaign, Global, North America, Violence Against Women

The Montréal Massacre of December 6, 1989, in which 14 women students at the École Polytechnique were systematically killed and 13 other students wounded by a lone gunman, is indelibly imprinted on the minds of Quebeckers and others who struggled to comprehend the worst single-day massacre in Canadian history. Since the beginning of Québec’s “Quiet [...]

Gender-based violence has played a major role in the spread of HIV/Aids in the province, leaving women and young girls powerless to avoid infection

8 December 2010 in Africa, HIV/AIDS, Violence Against Women, Women's Group

Bullied by partners, relatives and other male contacts, some of the women succumb to the sexual advances of men, even when they knew they would be compromising their health, according to Ikhwezi Lokusa Wellness Centre’s programme director, Kazeka Somhlahlo. She said some women were abused under the banner of cultural and traditional practices, being forced [...]

Social inequity behind female HIV prevalence

8 December 2010 in Africa, Equality, HIV/AIDS, Opinion Comment

The disproportionate burden of HIV/Aids borne by women and girls in most developing countries requires urgent attention. At the heart of the problem is profound gender inequality and inequity, coupled with the systematic disempowerment of women, condoned by society for generations. Although a global problem, it is particularly evident in developing countries and the HIV/Aids [...]

WHO in Manila lauds Pope on condom stand

8 December 2010 in Asia, Faith, Health, HIV/AIDS, Opinion Comment

The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomed the relaxation of the Vatican’s stance against condom use. Pope Benedict XVI said the use of condoms is acceptable to help prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. “The Pope’s statement is in line with evidence that condoms are highly effective in preventing infection with the HIV virus. If [...]

1st December was World Aids Day

8 December 2010 in Campaign, Global, HIV/AIDS

World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. It is common to hold memorials to honor persons who have died from HIV/AIDS on this day. Government and health officials also observe the event, often with speeches or forums on [...]

More than half of about 100 rape reports that Baltimore police had originally discarded as false have been reclassified as crimes

8 December 2010 in Legal Police, Media, North America, Rape and Sexual Assault

This is the result of a review by police following articles in a local paper that found a sharp drop in rapes in Baltimore – disproportionate to that of other cities – was a result of police too quickly dismissing complaints from women. After the stories, city officials launched their own investigation and the results [...]

NGO demands Israeli government form program to fight sexual violence

8 December 2010 in Government, Middle East, Rape and Sexual Assault, Women's Group

Legislators call for parliamentary inquiry as data shows a significant increase in sex crimes within families. The Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel (ARCCI) called on the government to create a national program for tackling the increasing levels of sexual violence in Israeli society, especially cases of incest and sexual molestation within the family. [...]

One in three South African men admit to rape, survey finds

8 December 2010 in Africa, Rape and Sexual Assault, Research

More than one in three South African men questioned in a survey admitted to rape, the latest evidence in the country of a violent culture of patriarchy. Researchers found that more than three in four men said they had perpetrated violence against women. Nearly nine in 10 men believe that a woman should obey her [...]

34.7 percent of Chinese families report incidents of domestic abuse

8 December 2010 in Asia, Legal Police, Violence Against Women, Women's Group

Chinese marriage law experts have called for legislation on domestic violence. “National legislation to combat domestic violence is badly in need, because existing articles of law do not provide a sufficient legal basis for timely and effective judicial intervention,” Li Mingshun, deputy head of the marriage and family board of the China Law Society, said [...]

Immigration officers barred from women’s shelters in parts of Canada

8 December 2010 in Government, Legal Police, North America, Violence Against Women, Women's Group

Women fleeing domestic violence will be able to use shelters in the GTA without worry of being targeted by immigration officers, a Toronto activist group says. The Greater Toronto Enforcement Centre, a branch of the Canada Border Services Agency, will issue a directive barring officers from entering or waiting outside facilities serving women surviving violence, [...]

“1 in 3″ campaign launched in the Maldives to break domestic violence taboo

8 December 2010 in Asia, Government, Violence Against Women

A nationwide campaign against domestic violence dubbed “1 in 3” was launched Thursday by the Maldivian Network on Violence Against Women, a loose coalition of NGOs and individuals who came together to advocate for pioneering legislation on domestic violence (DV) currently before parliament. The campaign title reflects the findings of a milestone 2007 study on [...]

Statement from CEM-H to commemorate 25th November

8 December 2010 in Campaign, South America, Violence Against Women, Women's Group

CEM-H is based in Honduras and is a partner organisation of UK based Central American Women’s Network. To commenorate the International Day for The Elimination of Male Violence Against Women CEM-H have released the following statement to the international community. November 25, International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women Political Positioning Of Feminists [...]