Around The World In 5
It's Pride Month and we'll continue to love who we love and how we love them. This week, Document Women has gathered five stories from around the world focused on one thing; Women fighting for what they love.
India
On Wednesday, the Students Federation of India (SFI) organised a "Pride Parade" at the Arts Faculty at Delhi University. The march urges all marginalised communities to join hands to fight for their rights.
"History suggests that gay and lesbian communities have always been there. They did not appear all of a sudden. These communities have always been oppressed and the present day Right-wing politics wants to continue with it. Through this march, we are saying that this is not acceptable," Komal, a student at Delhi School of Journalism said.
Read more here.
Belgium
This week, Belgium became the first country in Europe to decriminalize sex work, with a law that would allow sex workers to set their terms. It is expected to reduce exploitation and violence and make it easier for them to access medical services.
"It's the freedom to be me ... the freedom to decide the conditions of my work, to refuse a client." - Trans sex worker
Read more here.
Nicaragua
This week, feminist groups in Nicaragua were banned and have been labelled “foreign agents” by the government, meaning they can no longer operate.
These groups cover reproductive healthcare services, shelters for survivors of gender-based violence, loan facilities and training for women.
President Daniel Ortega’s regime has outlawed 267 NGOs since 2018, including 40 women’s groups serving vulnerable groups, according to the Mesoamerican Women Human Rights Defenders Initiative.
Read more here.
Nigeria
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, has been appointed by the United Nations Office on Prevention of Genocide to lead its Global Committee on Prevention of Genocide and Atrocity from the perspective of women.
Mrs Tallen will be taking on a special advisory role to the Secretary-General of the UN to advance national and international steps to protect people from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and incitements.
Read more here.
Canada
A new report on sexual violence in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has revealed that women in Canada’s military face greater harm from their comrades than from the enemy.
The 404-page "Arbour Report" identifies the many failures of the CAF over the years to address misogyny, discrimination, sexual violence and trauma suffered largely by female members of the military.
Read more here.