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| News February 2008 |
News February 2008
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BRISBANE FEMINISM ONLINE – FEBRUARY 2008
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Hi People
A big welcome to all our new subscribers and may 2008, the year of the rat, be a good one.
As usual, the month ahead is packed with feminist and woman centred talks, seminars, performances and activities. The month kicks off with the pro choice rally on Saturday and ends with the lead up to International Women’s Day on the 8th March. There are also a number of job vacancies available for those on the hunt.
Get involved and spread the word …
Best regards
Kitty and Andrea
Brisbane Feminism Online 2008 Editors
Feedback welcome to editor@brisbanefeminismonline.net
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IN THIS ISSUE
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LOCAL NEWS
1. CHINESE NEW YEAR 2008 IN CHINATOWN
2. REAL ADVENTURE WOMEN
3. WOMEN’S HEALTH PROGRAM
4. CEDAW CONSULTATION BRISBANE
5. PRO-CHOICE RALLY
6. CHILDBIRTH CHOICES INFORMATION SEMINARS
7. SORRY CELEBRATIONS
8. A MOUTHFUL OF PINS
9. WANT TO VOLUNTEER AT 4ZZZ?
10. TAEKWONDO CLASSES FOR GIRLS & WOMEN
11. RHIZOMES IV: POWER VIOLENCE LANGUAGE
12. VULCANA WOMEN’S CIRCUS TERM 1
13. INDIGENOUS WOMEN IN BUSINESS
14. WOMEN, FAITH AND A CULTURE OF PEACE SYMPOSIUM
15. WONDER WOMEN EXHIBITION
16. FEMINIST DISCUSSION NIGHT
17. CAMILLE: LA FILLE DU CIRQUE
18. KATHY BLACK PUBLIC LECTURE
19. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY - CALENDAR OF EVENTS
20. RALLY AND FESTIVAL FOR IWD DAY
21. WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH CONGRESS MELBOURNE
22. WOMEN’S WORLDS CONGRESS SPAIN
JOB VACANCIES
INTERESTING ORGANISATIONS
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
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LOCAL NEWS
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1. CHINESE NEW YEAR 2008 IN CHINATOWN
6 – 12 Feb
Fortitude Valley's Chinatown Mall will be the centre of the official Chinese New Year celebrations. The entertainment program kicks off on 6 February and finishes on 12 February. This week-long, free, family-friendly festival includes displays, entertainment, traditional firecrackers, food, fashion parades, markets and lion and dragon dancing. On Sunday 10 February official celebrations will take place in Wickham Street from 4-6pm. Displays, entertainment, traditional firecrackers and lion and dragon dancing will be followed by an official dinner at the Golden Palace Restaurant in Chinatown. See some of Australia’s and China’s 2008 Olympic women’s water polo hopefuls in action at the Valley Pool on Sunday 17 February at 5.30pm.
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/whatson/chinesenewyear/chinatown/
2. REAL ADVENTURE WOMEN
February
RAW is an exciting women's outdoor activity program offered by Brisbane City Council. RAW aims to give women aged 16 years and over the opportunity to experience sporting and recreational activities in a friendly environment. The program of activities is designed to suit both beginners and those with more experience. Through the RAW program, women living in Brisbane can meet new friends while learning some great new skills. The list of activities varies between programs. It includes a range of indoor, outdoor and water sports; from archery to power boating to tai chi. A range of specialist providers runs each activity so you know you're receiving expert instruction.
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:WHATSON::in_type=eevent,in_search2=46
3. WOMEN’S HEALTH PROGRAM
6th February
"Womanhood" is a safe and supportive 7 week Women’s program run in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Byron Bay presented by Women’s Wellbeing Association Inc.
http://www.womenswellbeing.org/courses.php
4. CEDAW CONSULTATION BRISBANE
Friday 8 February 2008
Australia's next report under the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is due to be lodged in August 2008. The Australian Government Office for Women in conjunction with the QLD Office for Women is conducting a consultation session regarding this report in Brisbane on Friday 8 February 2008 at 80 George Street Brisbane. CEDAW's provisions cover all areas of women's lives including: law and policy; attitudes, prejudice and stereotypes; exploitation; politics and public life; nationality; education and training; employment; health; economic life, sport and culture; equality before the law; and, family matters.
http://www.yanq.org.au/content/view/806/32/
5. PRO-CHOICE RALLY
9th Feb
Repeal all anti-abortion laws! Free, safe, accessible abortion on demand. Rally: February 9, 12:30 at Brisbane Square (George St, top of Queen St Mall). Late in 2007, ALP member for Aspley, Bonny Barry announced that she would introduce a private member's bill to decriminalise abortion to the QLD Parliament sometime this year. It is important for all supporters of a woman's right to choose to show their support for this move and demand nothing less than the total repeal of all anti-abortion laws. Abortion was removed from the Crimes Act in the ACT in 2002 and it is high time that the QLD Government did the same.
6. CHILDBIRTH CHOICES INFORMATION SEMINARS
10th and 24th Feb
Are you pregnant? Or thinking about pregnancy? Want to know about your choices in childbirth? Maternity service providers, childbirth experts, mums and dads present real information about where and how you can choose to birth. You'll be given starting points for how you can make your own decisions about your birthing journey. Cost: $20 per couple, $15 single Concessions available. All proceeds donated to the Childbirth Education Association (Brisbane). South Brisbane Sunday 10th February, 2:30-5:30pm Jagera Arts Centre, 121 Cordelia St. -Or- Mount Gravatt Sunday 24th February, 3:00-6:00pm Mt Gravatt Progress Hall, 1873 Logan Rd. Bookings (07) 3285 8233 More information Shay Collins (Earlybird Childbirth Choices Project Worker) Email: childbirth_choices@ceabrisbane.asn.au Web: www.ceabrisbane.asn.au Phone: 0424 884 918
7. SORRY CELEBRATIONS
Wednesday 13th February
Celebrate the government saying Sorry to the stolen generations. On Wednesday 13th of February the Rudd government is scheduled to make an official apology to the stolen generation and to celebrate ANTaR in cooperation with Community Elders and Musgrave Park Community Centre is holding a lunch at the Jagera Arts Centre in Musgrave Park, South Brisbane (entrance via Cordelia Street) from 11.45 am to 1.30pm. Everybody is welcome and please RSVP for catering purposes to ANTaR Qld on 3844 9800 and let us know if you can help out with preparing and serving lunch. PH 3844 9800
8. A MOUTHFUL OF PINS
13th – 16th February
From the creators of the award-winning play, The Knowing of Mary Poppins, comes this intriguing show about truth, illusion and the ‘romance’ of melancholia.
http://www.mytickets.com.au/a-mouthful-of-pins/1-144434/view.aspx
9. WANT TO VOLUNTEER AT 4ZZZ?
16th Feb
The next info session is tentatively scheduled for Saturday February 16th at 12 noon at the 4ZzZfm station, 264 Barry Pde Fortitude Valley. To find out more go to our volunteering info page : http://www.4zzzfm.org.au/contactus/index.cfm?action=dsp_content&contentID=14
If you're keen on volunteering, the first thing you need to do is subscribe to 4ZzZfm. Everyone at 4ZzZfm (including staff, announcers and all volunteers) are required to be subscribers at all times. Then come into the station and fill out a volunteer application form or download the one provided on the volunteer info page (see the link above) and post or email it to the station.
http://www.4zzzfm.org.au/services/index.cfm?action=dsp_community
10. TAEKWONDO CLASSES FOR GIRLS & WOMEN
February
Free tryout Fun and friendly Taekwondo classes for girls and women every Monday and Wednesday night at Toowong Senior Citizen Centre. No fitness is needed to start, there's no risk of embarassment and it's totally safe - no contact, no throwing or grappling! Taekwondo is made up of kicks, blocks and punches so you stay on your feet at all times!The first 3 lessons are free - no pressure to join, just enjoy the training. The training builds fitness, encourages confidence and teaches effective self defense skills. Give it a try, martial art training is excellent for girls and our friendly female instructors make it easy to understand, you'll be amazed by what you can do when you try. Girls aged 8years to 12 years train from 5.30-6.30pm Older girls from 13 years to 40+ years train from 6.30-7.30pm. Mothers and daughters welcome to train together. Toowong Senior Citizen Centre, 9 Maryvale Street, Toowong, TOOWONG 4066, when:, Every Week on Monday, 4th February 2008, 6:30pm till 7:30pm, who:, Contact Margaret on 32636557 or email: marg@pitkd.com, Web: www.pitkd.com
http://www.whereilive.com.au/events/brisbane-4000/20080204/105855/free-taekwondo-try-out-classes-for-girls-and-women-toowong
11. RHIZOMES IV: POWER VIOLENCE LANGUAGE
14 – 15 February 2008
A Conference for Postgraduates and Early-Career Researchers The University of Queensland’s School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies invites you to participate in the School’s annual postgraduate conference Rhizomes - designed by and for postgraduate students and early career researchers. The aim of Rhizomes is to provide an opportunity for scholars working within the Humanities and Social Sciences to engage in an interdisciplinary dialogue. The theme of this year’s Rhizomes conference is Power Violence Language. This conference encourages the elaboration of varied perspectives on one or more of the theme’s areas from a range of disciplines in the Humanities and Social Sciences in order to offer an opportunity for in-depth collective discussion of issues, questions and outlooks.
http://www.uq.edu.au/rhizomes/
12. VULCANA WOMEN’S CIRCUS TERM 1
19 Feb on
Come and try your hand and something dangerous with Vulcana Women’s Circus. Classes to suit everybody.
http://www.vulcana.org.au/WS-current.htm
13. INDIGENOUS WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
5:30 pm, Shafston Hotel, 3 Lytton Rd, East Brisbane, Qld, South East Queensland Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (SEQICC) first networking event for 2008 will have the theme "Indigenous Women In Business", a great opportunity to connect with members of the Indigenous business community, info phone 073404 3934 or email info@seqicc.com.au or see the website.
http://seqicc.com.au/process/myevents/eventDetails.html?evId=976
14. WOMEN, FAITH AND A CULTURE OF PEACE SYMPOSIUM
23-25 February 2008
The Multi-Faith Centre (MFC) of Griffith University and Believing Women for a Culture of Peace (BWCP) presents the Asia-Pacific Interfaith Symposium on Women, Faith and a Culture of Peace, scheduled to be held 23-25 February 2008 in Brisbane. The symposium will provide a unique opportunity to recognise the contributions of women of diverse faith communities to the contemporary interfaith movement and explore ways to strengthen their efforts to transform conflict and foster peace. For more information email Professor Toh Swee-Hin, Director, Multi-Faith Centre, Griffith University or Wendy Flannery, Coordinator, Believing Women for a Culture of Peace or go to the Believing Women for a Culture of Peace website.
http://sao.clriq.org.au/peace.html
15. WONDER WOMEN EXHIBITION
until 26 February 2008
This Museum of Brisbane exhibition celebrates the inspirational sportswomen of Brisbane, both past and present. In the Museum's Story Hall from 8 November 2007 – 26 February 2008 see specially commissioned portraits of each wonder woman, presented along side historical photographs of them in action. All of the wonder women featured in this exhibition have amazing stories to tell – both as women and sporting achievers. Some of their stories celebrate important sporting triumphs, while others tell of their ongoing support for aspiring wonder women through their work as coaches, sports administrators and positive role models.
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/whatson/features/wonder-women.htm
16. CAMILLE: LA FILLE DU CIRQUE
27th February 2008
After selling out seasons in New York, Edinburgh, Sydney and Melbourne, multi-award winning chanteuse Camille, of La Clique fame, visits Brisbane for the first time. Sexy, passionate, amusing and mesmerising, French-Irish singer Camille performs the dramatic music of Nick Cave, Jacques Brel, Tom Waits and Bowie in La Fille Du Cirque. Selling out three weeks at the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and returning by popular demand to Sydney Opera House, La Fille Du Cirque is not to be missed.
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/whatson/performingarts/partner_events.php?eid=95229&sd=2008-02-05&s=3,5
17. FEMINIST DISCUSSION NIGHT
Thursday 28th Feb
If you have the urge/ need / desire to discuss feminism with other feminists then this is you opportunity. The monthly discussion nights have been running since 2003 and invite women from all feminisms, all sexualities, all backgrounds and all ages to come and share your passions and insights around particular topics. Contact kitty at kitty@brisbanefeminismonline.net for details on topic and venue.
www.brisbanefeminismonline.net
18. KATHY BLACK PUBLIC LECTURE
Sat March 1, 2pm
Katherine Black , one of the six national co-convenors of US Labor Against the War, and a longtime activist in the anti-war, workers/union rights, women's rights and other campaigns. She will be speaking in Brisbane between 1 – 3 March. CEPU Auditorium, 41 Peel St (Cnr Peel & Merivale Sts), South Brisbane For more details contact Paul Benedek 0410 629 088; Rob Nicholas 0424 265 730 from the Stop the War Collective
19. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY - CALENDAR OF EVENTS
6th March
This calendar highlights some of the events being staged for International Women’s Day in 2008. It’s based on information sent to us by organisations across Queensland, so it’s a good place to start if you are looking for a way of celebrating International Women’s Day this year.
http://services.women.qld.gov.au/iwdcalendar/
20. RALLY AND FESTIVAL FOR IWD DAY
Saturday 8th March
More details online:
www.brisbanefeminismonline.net
21. WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH CONGRESS MELBOURNE
16th – 20th March
We warmly welcome you to participate in the 3rd International Congress on Women’s Mental Health, to be held Sunday 16 – Thursday 20 March 2008 in Melbourne, Australia. Building on the success of the two previous Congress' held in Berlin (2000) and Washington (2004), this multidisciplinary Congress is expected to attract in excess of 1000 mental health professionals, researchers, educators, healthcare workers, administrators, policy makers, academics, consumers, carers and field workers from across the globe.
http://www.iawmhcongress2008.com.au/letter-of-invitation
22. WOMEN’S WORLDS CONGRESS SPAIN
3 – 9 July 2008
The 10th International Interdisciplinary Congress on Women, Women’s Worlds / Mundos de Mujeres 2008 will be held in Madrid, Spain July 3-9, at the Complutense University. The motto of the Congress is “Equality: no Utopia” and the general theme “New Frontiers: Dares, Challenges and Changes”. Violence and migrations will be part of the central themes. Please, visit the Congress website at: http://www.mmww08.org/ We invite individuals or groups of people, as well as public and private organizations interested in the Congress themes to submit their proposals (in English or Spanish). WWMM08 will be an international platform, a global forum for researchers, scholars, activists and other participants. The Congress program includes thirteen major theme areas and a total of almost one hundred subthemes. Deadline 28th February
http://www.mmww08.org/archivos/File/CALLFORPAPERSENGLISH_1.pdf
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JOBS
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Position Vacant - Manager
Due 18th Feb
About the organisation Women’s Health Queensland Wide Inc (Women’s Health) is a statewide, not-for-profit women’s health information and education service, based in Brisbane. Our vision is that every woman in Queensland, irrespective of her circumstances, experiences better health and wellbeing through access to quality health information. About the position The Manager provides leadership in an effective and dynamic organisation and facilitates compliance and good governance to support the delivery of client oriented services.
It is a genuine occupational requirement that all applicants be female. Remuneration The position attracts a salary package up to $71,239 including salary sacrificing, 9% super, 7 weeks paid annual leave (with 4 weeks leave loading) and study and parental leave.
http://www.womhealth.org.au/positionsvacant/Manager.htm
POSITION VACANT - BRISSC
18th Feb
BRISSC is seeking suitable candidates for the position of Sexual Assault Support/Group/Community Education Worker. We are a unique organisation that utilises a radical feminist framework , from the direct support work we do with women survivors to our collective management structure, working towards empowerment of all women. This position offers an opportunity to learn alternative ways of organising that challenge the power structures of traditional hierarchical organisations and provide opportunities for shared leadership. Women interested in the position may request a position description and selection criteria by calling BRISSC on 3391 2573 or email heidib@brissc.com.au BRISSC is a women’s only service and it is a genuine occupational requirement that workers be women (as permitted under Sections 25 and 104 of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act 1991). Applications close at COB Monday 18 February 2008.
http://www.brissc.com.au/brissc/news.php
Eating Issues Therapeutic Support Worker
Isis - Centre for Women’s Action on Eating Issues is seeking a counsellor/group worker- 34.25 hours p/week. Isis is a feminist community organisation working with women who have serious eating issues including anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating. Salary Package equivalent to S.A.C.S Level 5. For position description and selection criteria please email: info@isis.org.au. Applications close COB Monday 18 Feb 2008.
Administration and Finance Officer
The Global Learning Centre's Administration and Finance Officer position will become vacant in late February and we are looking for a suitable person to fill the position. Could you please circulate the following information (please click on link below) amongst your networks and encourage suitable people to apply for the position by the 8th of February 2008.
http://www.glc.edu.au/
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INTERESTING ORGANISATIONS
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Hecate is an interdisciplinary journal of women's liberation, edited by Carole Ferrier now in its 33rd year. It is published by Hecate Press, in association with the WGCSC Centre, in the School of EMSAH at the University of Queensland. AWBR: Australian Womens' Book Review following its alliance with Hecate, has now reached its 19th year of publication of reviews, by women, of new publications by women mainly in Australia and the pacific region. You can read current and past issues of the Review on this site.
http://www.emsah.uq.edu.au/awsr/Home/home.htm
Women for Wik
Indigenous Woman and ChildWomen for Wik, a group of prominent Australian women, including Lady Deane, Tamie Fraser, Lowitja O’Donoghue, Helen Caldicott and Faith Bandler, have re-united to monitor the Federal Action in the NT. Individuals and organisations are encouraged to endorse their action through the Women for Wik website.
http://www.womenforwik.org/endorsements.html
Brisbane Women’s Club
2008 is the year for celebrating the Brisbane Women’s Club’s Centenary. This year we will reflect on the achievements of past members and move ahead with great fellowship, providing a social and cultural centre with a philanthropic charter. Throughout the year a number of activities have been planned to entertain and educate members and friends and support a number of charities. Amongst the events, a tribute will be paid to the founder of the Club, Margaret Ogg.
http://www.bwc.org.au/
Women's Wellbeing Association
Women's Wellbeing Association Inc is a Not For Profit, self-funded, voluntary organisation (Incorporated 18.8.3, Regn. IA32609). WWA is dedicated to initiating education, consciousness and empowerment raising activities for the health and wellbeing of women. We create a safe, supportive space for meeting, greeting, friendship, sisterhood, sharing and learning with like-hearted women through our programmes, circles, events and festivals.
http://www.womenswellbeing.org/about.php
CAPERS Bookstore
CAPERS Bookstore specialises in books on women's health issues, pregnancy and birth, women's health, childbirth alternatives, fertility issues, midwifery, breastfeeding, parenting and grief, and teaching resources for midwifery and childbirth education. We have provided a world-wide mail-order service since 1988.
http://www.capersbookstore.com.au/
sphinxx
sphinxx is a movement dedicated to advancing women in leadership. This web portal was developed to provide business women with an environment where - for a rare change - they are the majority and can freely voice their ideas, opinions and experiences. This site is full of recommendations on products, services, information and events - all intended to help career women to succeed by saving time, maintaining strong professional awareness and developing powerful alliances. sphinxx is also home to Australia's only online national networking calendar for women and directory of women oriented organisations - making it a one stop shop for connecting effectively with likeminded women and influential leaders.
http://www.sphinxx.org/aboutus.php
Spinifex Press
Spinifex is an independent feminist press publishing innovative and controversial feminist books with an optimistic edge. Spinifex is an Australian desert grass that holds the earth together. Please check our latest venture Spinifex eBooks, where you can find fiction, poetry and a wide range of non-fiction titles by authors from every continent.
http://spinifex.acp.dpsl.co.in/Home/html_spinifex/index.asp
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
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Bhutto, they are trying to kill me
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/01/06/america/NA-GEN-US-Bhutto-Magazine-Cover.php
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was featured on Parade magazine's cover Sunday, 10 days after her assassination, and in the accompanying story she warned that her enemies wanted her dead. "I am what terrorists most fear, a female political leader fighting to bring modernity to Pakistan," Bhutto told author Gail Sheehy, who interviewed her weeks earlier in her hometown of Larkana. "Now they're trying to kill me." (01/07/08)
Pornographers thinking small
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-porn31jan31,1,1402665.story?track=rss&ctrack=1&cset=true
If the adult entertainment industry has its way, Americans will soon get a choice of free porn on cellphones, or at least some photographs of good-looking girls in bikinis. Unlike in Europe, mobile porn has yet to take off in North America as carriers have been afraid of offending political and religious groups and parents concerned about children being exposed to adult content. That might change this year as phone companies plan to relax control on their networks to allow a wider variety of gadgets and services, while introducing tools to shield minors. More advanced phones with better Web browsers like Apple Inc's iPhone also offer higher quality pictures and video. (01/31/08)
Afghan journalist sentenced to death
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=511423&in_page_id=1770
A 23-year old has been sentenced to death for downloading information about women's rights in Afghanistan. Journalist Pervez Kambaksh was reading about the role of women in Islamic socieites. But he was accused of blasphemy after he downloaded a report from a Farsi website which stated that Muslim fundamentalists who claimed the Koran justified the oppression of women had misrepresented the views of the prophet Mohamed. (01/31/08)
Afghan women protest American's kidnapping
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,326425,00.html
About 500 Afghan women gathered in a rare mass protest Tuesday against the kidnapping of an American aid worker. The women, many wearing burqas, called on officials to find the captive American and urged the kidnappers to release her. (01/29/08)
Canada, Muslim women cry foul
http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080118/CULTURE/225250584/1015
Three Muslim women in Canada have filed a human rights complaint against Syed Soharwardy, the Alberta-based imam who brought publisher Ezra Levant before the Alberta Human Rights Commission after Mr. Levant's magazine republished the Danish Muhammad cartoons. Qasira Shaheen, Robina Butt and Shugufta Iftikhar filed their complaint, dated Dec. 28, with the Canadian Human Rights Commission, saying they "were treated differently from men in the following manner (01/18/08)
UK, White men banned
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/32782/White-men-are-banned
FIRE chiefs were accused last night of discrimination by trying to ban white men from joining up. They were condemned after barring white males from recruitment sessions in an attempt to boost ethnic minority and women applicants. The bosses held five open days to attract new recruits – with four strictly limited to either women, ethnic minorities or both. They insisted they had acted lawfully. But the move sparked outrage among MPs, serving firefighters and racial equality groups. (01/26/08)
Mexico City starts women-only buses
http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=873226
Groping and verbal harassment is an exasperating reality for women using public transportation in this sprawling capital, where 22 million passengers cram onto subways and buses each day. Some men treat women so badly that the subway system has long had ladies-only cars during rush hour, with police segregating the sexes on the platforms. Acting on complaints from women's groups, the city rolled out "ladies only" buses, complete with pink signs in the windshields to wave off the men (01/25/08)
Clinton, race & gender key in SC
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080124/ap_on_el_pr/obama;_ylt=AqK.K__jPNzL3SnK_Pnt7GSs0NUE
Bill Clinton said Wednesday he expects blacks to vote for Barack Obama and women to vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton, and the dynamic may cause his wife to lose the South Carolina Democratic presidential primary Saturday. The comments by the former president — who also lashed out at Obama and the news media — mark one of the starkest commentaries yet on the possible role of race, although it has been a subtext of the Obama-Clinton rivalry for months. (01/23/08)
EU, lesbian wins adoption case
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/01/22/europe/EU-GEN-France-Lesbian-Adoption.php
A French lesbian woman was discriminated against when authorities refused to allow her to adopt a child, Europe's human right court ruled Tuesday. (01/22/08)
35 years after Roe
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/21/scotus.roevwade/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
Thirty-five years since Roe v. Wade, and little, it seems, has changed. (01/21/08)
Saudis ease a restriction on women
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695246079,00.html
Women in Saudi Arabia can now stay in a hotel or a furnished apartment without a male guardian, according to a government decision that comes as the country faces increasing criticism for its severe restrictions on women. The daily Al-Watan, which is deemed close to the Saudi government, reported Monday that the ministry issued a circular to hotels asking them to accept lone women — as long as their information is sent to a local police station. (01/22/08)
Experts call for rethinking AIDS money
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/health/story/250234.html
In the two decades since AIDS began sweeping the globe, it has often been labeled as the biggest threat to international health. But with revised numbers downsizing the pandemic - along with an admission that AIDS peaked in the late 1990s - some AIDS experts are now wondering if it might be wise to shift some of the billions of dollars of AIDS money to basic health problems like clean water, family planning or diarrhea. (01/18/08)
Saudi couple divorced in absentia remain apart
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/01/20/africa/ME-GEN-Saudi-Forced-Divorce.php
2 years ago, a knock on Fatima and Mansour al-Timani's door shattered their lives. It was the police, delivering news that a judge had annulled their marriage in absentia after some of Fatima's relatives sought the divorce on grounds she had married beneath her. That was just the beginning of an ordeal for a couple who — under Saudi Arabia's strict segregation rules — can no longer live together. They sued to reverse the ruling, publicized their story and sought help from a Saudi human rights group. (01/20/08)
US abortions lowest since 1974
http://www.newsobserver.com/2188/story/890330.html
The number of abortions in the United States fell to 1.2 million in 2005, down 25 percent from the all-time high of 1.6 million in 1990 and dropping the abortion rate to its lowest level since 1974, according to report issued Thursday. The Guttmacher Institute, which surveyed abortion providers nationwide, said there likely were several reasons for the decline, including more effective use of contraceptives, lower levels of unintended pregnancy and greater difficulty obtaining abortions in some parts of the country. (01/19/08)
Gaza, Muslim policewomen
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/17/africa/gaza.php
The policemen of Hamas now have company: Since the Islamic group took over here last June it has been recruiting policewomen as well. Since mid-August, 60 women have been accepted into the force. Unlike policemen, the women have not played any role resisting the latest Israeli incursions, instead working mostly on gender-sensitive cases of drugs and prostitution and helping out at police headquarters and the central jail. (01/17/08)
CA Lesbian can proceed in minister bid
http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_7995831?source=rss&nclick_check=1
APresbyterian deacon who has twice been denied ordination because of her sexual orientation can move forward with her bid to join the clergy, after a regional governing body narrowly approved her candidacy. (01/17/08)
Italy, sex films of unwitting partner OK
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080115/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_italy_sex_video_1
Recording secret videos of sex with your partner is not illegal, Italy's supreme court has ruled. Rome's highest appeals acquitted a 49-year-old man who, unbeknown to his girlfriend, had recorded and kept films of them having sex. It overruled two previous verdicts which had given him a four-month jail sentence. (01/15/08)
Congo, War against women
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/11/60minutes/main3701249.shtml
Right now there's a war taking place in the heart of Africa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and more people have died there than in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Darfur combined. As Cooper and a 60 Minutes team found when they went there a few months ago, the most frequent targets of this hidden war are women. It is, in fact, a war against women, and the weapon used to destroy them, their families and whole communities, is rape. (01/13/08)
Spanish election showdown over abortion, gay marriage
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,3053802,00.html?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
With national elections looming, Spain's politicians have been sidestepping controversial issues such as gay marriage and abortion. Yet recent mass demonstrations and strikes show the issues aren't going away. (01/14/08)
Some women pursue rights despite pressure in Iran
http://africa.reuters.com/world/news/usnDAH021170.html
Nahid Keshavarz says two weeks in an Iranian jail didn't deter her from helping try to collect one million signatures for a petition urging more women's rights and, if anything, prison showed the cause was worth fighting for. "No one wants to go to prison. But if we have to pay a price then we will, like women have all over the world," said the 34-year-old, who was held on security-related charges after collecting signatures in Tehran. (01/14/08)
N.H. civil union count nears 100
http://www.ifeminists.net/e107_plugins/enews/enews.php?item.8784
Less than two weeks into the new year, nearly 100 same-sex couples have sought civil unions in New Hampshire. Civil unions for gay and lesbian couples became legal on Jan. 1. Since then, at least 95 ceremonies have taken place, according to New Hampshire's Division of Vital Records. The vast majority of those ceremonies -- 63 -- happened on Jan. 1. (01/12/08)
Greece: women protest in monk sanctuary
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ikKQ5ybisEQfamwHcvtqMvZh0Y-gD8U2HV280
A group of female protesters locked in a land dispute with the Greek Orthodox Church defied a 1,000-year-old ban and entered the all-male Mount Athos monastic sanctuary in northern Greece...A police spokesman said on customary condition of anonymity that the small group of nearby villagers, including at least six women, climbed over a fence Tuesday and briefly entered the self-governing peninsula, where women are strictly forbidden. Parliament member Litsa Amanatidou Paschalidou was among the women who entered the sanctuary. She called it a "purely symbolic act," which was meant to send a message to the church to "pursue policies which serve the public and not its financial interest." (01/10/08)
UK, Parted-at-birth twins 'married'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7182817.stm
A pair of twins who were adopted by separate families as babies got married without knowing they were brother and sister, a peer told the House of Lords. A court annulled the British couple's union after they discovered their true relationship, Lord Alton said. The peer - who heard of the case from a judge who was involved - said the twins felt an "inevitable attraction". He said the case showed how important it was for children to be able to find out about their biological parents. (01/11/08)
Anti-gay shirt fight continues
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/bolingbrooksun/news/735134,6_1_NA11_TSHIRT_S1.article
Attorneys for a Neuqua Valley High School student from Bolingbrook fighting the school's ruling that he cannot wear an anti-gay T-shirt are hoping the third time will be the charm. Twice, Neuqua sophomore Alexander Nuxoll of Bolingbrook has filed for an injunction that would suspend "the school's policy that allows speech in favor of homosexual conduct, but bans speech critical of homosexual conduct," said his attorney, the Alliance Defense Fund's Jonathan Scruggs01/11/08)
UK, Fury over new gay hate laws
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=506713&in_page_id=1770
A coalition of MPs is hoping to halt a gay hate law which will stop Christians pronouncing their beliefs about marriage and family life. Miss Widdecombe said the amendment was vital to stop the further erosion of the right to free speech. "For the first time in our history you can have a policeman knocking on your door not for something you have done but for an opinion you have expressed and that should be totally contrary to the British way of life," she said. (01/07/08)
Study of Chicago sex trade
http://www.dekalb-chronicle.com/articles/2008/01/11/ap-state-il/d8u3j9000.txt
Researchers have concluded in a yet to be published study of the economics of prostitution in Chicago that the women were forced to service police officers, worked more on holidays and varied pricing based on race. Prostitutes taking part in the study _ who were paid $150 a week _ reported that about 3 percent of the sex acts they performed were "freebies" given to Chicago police officers to avoid arrest (01/11/08)
Britain eyes Swedish law on sex workers
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20080110/wl_csm/oprostitution_1
Britain is seriously considering adopting a controversial approach to prostitution pioneered in Sweden that targets the customer instead of the sex worker, making it a crime to buy – but not to sell – sex. Sex workers argue that the law has made life more dangerous and precarious for them. Swedish prostitutes say that rather than reducing prostitution it has merely driven it underground; their British counterparts say importing the law would be disastrous. (01/10/08)
Canada, Feds to support women ski jumpers
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080107/skijump_update_080107/20080107?hub=Canada
In a major leap for women ski jumpers barred from competing at the 2010 Winter Olympics, the federal government has agreed to fully support their quest to participate in the Games. CTV News has learned the decision comes after the athletes filed a formal complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. (01/07/08)
Spain, Abortion clinics strike in protest
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/01/08/spanish.abortion.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch
Spain's main private abortion clinics began a five-day strike Tuesday to protest a crackdown on centers accused of carrying out illegal operations. The strike, backed by some 50 clinics that conduct more than 90 percent of the abortions in Spain, is a response to raids late last year of clinics in Barcelona and Madrid in which more than a dozen people were arrested. (01/08/08)
500 officials forced out in China over 1 child policy
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/07/AR2008010701062.html?hpid=sec-world
Officials in China's central Hubei province have expelled 500 people from the Communist Party for violating the country's one-child-per-family policy, state media reported Monday. Of the 93,084 people who had more children than allowed last year, 1,678 were officials or party members, the New China News Agency reported. Among the violators were seven national or local legislators and political advisers, all of whom were stripped of their political status. Another 395 offenders lost their jobs. (01/07/08)
UK, assertiveness courses for Muslim women resist Al Qaeda?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=506508&in_page_id=1770
Muslim women should be sent on assertiveness training courses as part of the fight against extremism, say government ministers. Lessons in confidence building and communication will help them resist intimidation or recruitment by Al Qaeda or other violent or hardline groups, they believe. (01/07/08)
China, woman in legal 1st over abortion case
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/01/07/wchina107.xml
A Chinese woman who was forced to have an abortion despite being nine months pregnant is suing the authorities for their actions. Jin Yani's waters had already broken when China's abortion police came for her. They took her to a nearby abortion centre, injected her unborn baby girl and removed the body two days later. Mrs Jin's crime was to have become pregnant by her fiance five months before she married him at the age of 20, the legal minimum. (01/07/08)
UK, Registrar sues council over gay marriages
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=506344&in_page_id=1770
A marriage registrar has sparked a major legal challenge to the acceptance of gay weddings by refusing to carry out the controversial ceremonies. The woman, a devout Christian, is taking action against Islington Council, saying the civil partnership ceremonies she has been asked to perform are against her religious beliefs. (01/06/08)
Iraqis resort to selling children
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/F22B4D85-59F6-4778-8E9F-C15E7F1CDB40.htm
Abu Muhammad, a Baghdad resident, found it difficult to let go of his daughter's hand but he had already convinced himself that selling her to a family outside Iraq would provide her with a better future. By mid-2007, conditions for his family had become desperate and his children, once healthy and bubbling with life, had become gaunt and lethargic. It was then that a translator and a Swedish couple claiming to be part of an international NGO arrived in the makeshift refugee camp. (01/04/08)
Egypt, Wife takes divorce by text to court
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article3129013.ece
A woman is seeking clarification from a court on whether her husband’s declaration of divorce by text message is legally valid. After missing a call from her husband on her mobile phone Iqbal Abul Nasr received a text message from him which read: “I divorce you because you didn’t answer your husband,” it was reported in the state-run daily newspaper al-Akhbar. (01/04/08)
Sperm donor wins child support battle
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22488113/
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that a woman who promised a sperm donor he would not have to pay child support cannot renege on the deal. The 3-2 decision overturns lower court rulings under which Joel L. McKiernan had been paying up to $1,500 a month to support twin boys born in August 1994 to Ivonne V. Ferguson, his former girlfriend and co-worker. (01/03/08)
Death penalty for child rape?
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aY88O7kz5pfE&refer=us
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to decide whether a Louisiana man can be executed for raping his 8- year-old stepdaughter in a case that tests the constitutionality of the death penalty for crimes other than murder.
Sex assault case not tried 3rd time
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gwdiHw7JjXGW3MUKAXekUJTlqXBgD8TVBG600
Prosecutors have decided not to pursue a third trial in a sexual assault case that gained national attention because the judge barred the words "rape" and "victim" in court. The first two trials of Pamir Safi ended in mistrials. He claimed he met Tory Bowen in a bar in October 2004 and had consensual sex with her, but she said she was too intoxicated to give consent and he knew it. (01/04/08)
Two Iranian cyberfeminists freed on bail
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=24933
Reporters Without Borders welcomes the release of two women’s rights activists who had been held for more than a month in Tehran’s Evin prison for exercising their right to online free expression. Maryam Hosseinkhah and Jelveh Javaheri were freed on bail yesterday after the authorities reduced the large amounts of bail being demanded for their release. (01/03/08)
UK, FGM destroying lives
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=505796&in_page_id=1879
It is known by a variety of names, the most common of which are female genital mutilation (FGM), female circumcision, or simply "cutting" - a word which somehow conveys the raw pain its prepubescent victims suffer. By conservative estimates, 66,000 women and girls living in Britain have been mutilated. This figure, accepted by the Metropolitan Police, came in a report by a volunteer organisation funded by the Department of Health and carried out with academics from the London School of Tropical Hygiene and the City University. And thousands more girls are at imminent risk as families club together to fly professional "cutters" from Africa to Britain. (01/03/08)
Same-sex divorce following marriage
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/01/02/same-sex_divorce_following_marriage/2900/
The legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts and civil unions in other states has led to confusion over a new phenomenon -- same-sex divorce. Gay couples have many of the same problems splitting up that straight ones do, like dividing assets and settling child custody and care. But the issues can become more complicated, and courts are uncertain how to proceed when there are no precedents, The Washington Post reported Wednesday. (01/02/08)
UK prostitutes imprisoned if refuse counselling
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1298929,00.html
Thousands of prostitutes face up to 72 hours in jail if they fail to comply with counselling sessions under proposed new laws, it has been claimed. The Criminal Justice & Immigration Bill could see women convicted of loitering and soliciting being ordered to attend three one-hour sessions or suffer three days in detention. (01/02/08)
Al-Azhar, rape pregnancies must be aborted
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=341031
Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's highest seat of learning, Sunday declared that any woman pregnant by rape must abort the baby immediately in order to maintain "social stability". According to the independent Egyptian Centre for Women's Rights (ECWR), two women are raped every hour in this country of 76 million. (12/31/08)
UK, parents pull Lolita bed
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02/01/woolworths_bed_outrage/
Woolworths has withdrawn a kids' bed from its online tenctacle after campaigning parents objected to the fact it was rather unfortunately called the "Lolita Midsleeper Combi". The outrage was spotted earlier this week by the editor of Raisingkids.co.uk, Catherine Hanly, who promptly asked in the site's forums: "Am I being particularly sensitive, or does anyone else out there think it's bad taste for Woolies to have a kiddy bed range named 'Lolita'?" (02/01/08)
Swiss change safe sex message on HIV
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080201/ap_on_he_me/switzerland_aids_3
Swiss AIDS experts said Thursday that some people with HIV who meet strict conditions and are under treatment can safely have unprotected sex with non-infected partners. The proposal astonished AIDS researchers in Europe and North America who have long argued that safe sex with a condom is the single most effective way of preventing the spread of the disease — apart from abstinence. (01/31/08)
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Brisbane Feminism Online (BFO) is a not for profit newsletter service aimed at bringing together the feminist community and strengthening the collective power of the feminist movement in our home city of Brisbane, Australia. Input and feedback is welcome.
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