2013 Gender Gap Report Ranks America as 23rd Best Place for Women (Out of 136 Countries)

Well, the 2013 Gender Gap Report is out, and the United States ranks #23 out of 136 countries as far as the status of women is concerned. And the U.S. has NOT made relative progress; it has actually fallen one place in the rankings since last year. Perhaps we (as in the U.S.) have not actually fallen backwards but rather have stagnated as the status of women in other countries has improved slightly. Either way, we have a long way to go. But naturally, this is only a relative measure with other countries; the relative rankings don't measure the absolute progress being made in each country. Hopefully, there have been improvements across the board. But broadly speaking, as you can see from the rankings table on pages 9-10 of the report, Scandinavia seems to be the best place to be a woman right now, and the Middle East seems to be the worst.

Gender Gap Report 2013 - World Economic Forum

 

12 Amazing Women from Nepal

Here is a really nice collection of photos and biographies of some very amazing and powerful women from Nepal. Among these women are the first female Nepali elephant rider, the first female Nepali mountain guide, and the first female Nepali pilot. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Women Who Broke The Rules In Nepal - NPR

Hold Onto Your Ovaries Before You Get Behind That Wheel! Holy Ovaries, These Women Want to Drive Cars!

This is hilarious. But I think the title of the article conveys that pretty well already. Note that this man is NOT a doctor of any kind and of course has absolutely no scientific evidence whatsoever for his claim that women in Saudi Arabia will damage their ovaries if they start driving cars. WHAT?! Uh . . . mm-kay. He is a cleric--as in, member of the church. I wonder whether, under this theory he has seemingly pulled out of his you-know-what, opening bank accounts, traveling, working, or getting an education without express permission from one's male guardian (all of which are also still outlawed for women in Saudi Arabia), will also cause damage to the ovaries?? And I wonder whether all of this ovarian damage is occurring to women engaging in these activities all over the world, or whether it is something specific to Saudi ovaries?? I wish we knew about this riveting (NOT) theory.

Saudi Cleric Warns Driving Could Damage Women's Ovaries - CNN

8-Year-Old Girl in Yemen Raped and Murdered in the Name of "Marriage"

I try to keep it positive here on Lady Justice Law Blog, BUT this story is definitely an exception. In fact, it's so NOT positive that it made me sick to my stomach. Still, it's worth raising awareness. What is it REALLY going to take to put a stop to child rape and murder which is done, sanctioned, and perpetuated all in the name of culture and tradition? I'm all for culture and tradition, but some things are just WRONG no matter who or where you are. YUCK.

Bride Aged 8 Dies After Suffering Internal Sexual Injuries During Wedding Night With Man, 40 - Huffington Post UK

New Program, "Increasing Women's Political Participation and Dialogue Opportunities in Afghanistan," Aims to Increase Female Voter Turnout and Encourage Women to Run for Office in Afghanistan

The Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the Asia Foundation are sponsoring this promising new political program for women in Afghanistan, and the UK is funding it. This is fantastic news, but will it actually work? I hope so.

Asia Foundation and Independent Election Commission (IEC) Launch “Increasing Women’s Political Participation and Dialogue Opportunities in Afghanistan” - The Asia Foundation

Multi-Million Dollar Program Announced to Support Afghan Women's Political Participation - Feminist Majority Foundation

Multi-Million Dollar Program Announced to Support Afghan Women's Political Participation - Ms. Magazine

Surprisingly though, about 39% of the voters in the 2010 Afghan Parliamentary election were women, and women already hold 28% of the Parliamentary seats! These stats are better than America's! To wit: Women hold about 18% of Congressional seats and 20% of Senate seats in the U.S.

Facts on Women in Congress - Rutgers University

(Takeaway: Don't believe the hype.?)

Rivers Executive Philip Goodman Settles Sexual Harassment Case in Australia

In a sexual harassment suit brought against Philip Goodman of Melbourne, Australia by one of his female subordinate employees, Goodman just decided to settle in the middle of trial, right before two additional female subordinate employees were about to testify against him by talking about how he did basically the same thing to them. Good looking out, ladies!

Rivers Boss Philip Goodman Settles Sexual Harassment Case - Melbourne Herald Sun

New Mobile Apps for Reporting Sexual Harassment

So there is a new mobile app in India called Safetipin that allows people to report sexual harassment with the simple touch of an icon. It sounds like it's being piloted by female students at Jamia Millia Islamia (University). Interesting idea, but as a practical matter, how does it work logistically, and what does it accomplish? Perhaps the thinking is that it will increase the rate of reporting because people will be able to report in privacy and not face the fear or shame of talking to someone face to face? But eventually, they would still have to talk to someone about it, right? During an investigation? And who would they be reporting it to, and what would that person or entity do about it?

It also allows witnesses to report harassment or assaults, but if a criminal assault occurred, then wouldn't the witnesses just call the police? Isn't that who would be receiving the mobile app reports in the first place? I don't know, I'm kinda confused by this. It does look like the app provides a variety of neighborhood and community information and resources, which could be helpful, especially if a victim of harassment was afraid to ask someone for help. Maybe they're onto something! Perhaps this is just a desperate plea for better P.R. in India after all the recent rape debacles. If it proves effective though, I wonder if such an app will make its way to the U.S. and elsewhere.

Mobile App to Help Girls Report Sexual Harassment - Jagran Post

Mobile App to Help Girls Facing Sexual Threats - DNA India

Ah, okay, this article below says a similar app was already launched in New York 10-12 days earlier:

Now, Smartphone App to Report Sexual Harassment - The Indian Express

And here is the scoop on the American app now available in New York City only, called Hollaback, which was released by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, as part of her campaign for mayor:

Christine Quinn unveils Smartphone App Hollaback That Allows Sexual Harassment Victims to Report Incidents - New York Daily News

This article says the reports go to the City Council and the mayor. It will be interesting to see if these apps actually increase the rate of reporting, the rate of accountability, or reduce or prevent harassment in the future.

British Feminist Comedian Wins Award

Congratulations to Bridget Christie, British feminist stand-up comedian, who won the UK's most prestigious comedy award, the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award, for her feminist comedy show. This is especially significant because professional stand-up comedy has long been a male-dominated profession. Christie is the third woman ever to win this award.

Feminist Wins Edinburgh Comedy Award with Show Poking Fun at Sexism - The Guardian

Domestic Violence Outlawed in Saudi Arabia

Just yesterday, domestic violence was declared illegal for the first time ever in Saudi Arabia. Finally, some good news from Saudi Arabia--a country where women are still not allowed to vote! In fact, it is the only country left in the entire world where women are still not allowed to vote (except for, um, maybe the Vatican). But don't worry, King Abdullah promises voting IS on the agenda . . . in 2015. Now, for that pesky ban in Saudi Arabia against women driving cars . . . .

Saudi Arabia Passes Domestic Abuse Ban For First Time - Huffington Post

Saudi Arabia's Domestic Violence Law is a First Step to Changing Attitudes - The Guardian