Around the World in 5 is an ongoing series that highlights news related to women in five countries, updated every week. This week’s post covers November 27 to December 3.
Nepal
In a groundbreaking moment for Nepal, an LGBTQ+ couple has officially registered the country’s first same-sex marriage, following a landmark Supreme Court ruling four months ago.
Despite initial challenges, including rejections from a District Court and a High Court, Surendra Pandey and Maya Gurung triumphed in obtaining official same-sex marriage status at the Dorje village council office near Kathmandu.
LGBTQ+ rights activist Sunil Babu Pant highlighted recent changes by the Home Ministry, allowing local administration offices to register same-sex marriages.
Canada
The Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability reveals a stark reality: a woman or girl is violently killed every two days in Canada, predominantly by men, solely because of their gender.
Pink body bags are deployed in a Toronto campaign by grassroots organization Aura Freedom. As part of their “For Her” campaign, unveiled a day before the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, this pop-up activation in Toronto urges the federal government to declare femicide a national emergency, shedding light on the issue across Canada.
Uganda
In Uganda, women and girls with disabilities encounter hurdles in accessing education, employment, and healthcare, exacerbating their vulnerability.
Angela Muhindo, a Ugandan advocate, champions the rights of women, particularly those with disabilities, who often grapple with violence and exclusion..
Following her parents’ passing, Muhindo found herself entangled in a property inheritance dispute—a situation common in Uganda, where land disputes can escalate into gender-based violence. Widows and children frequently face eviction from their homes after the head of the family passes away, extending beyond residences to affect women and children who may also be expelled from their land and farms.
Muhindo’s personal journey has been marked by pain, highlighting the norm of reduced power for women in her community, further compounded for those with disabilities, making them susceptible to exploitation.
Indonesia
In Indonesia’s Aceh Province, women rangers are at the forefront of a successful campaign to preserve local village forests threatened by deforestation.
Breaking gender norms, these women lead efforts to engage and de-escalate situations where people encroach on the forest, prioritizing peaceful solutions.
Despite the patriarchal culture that often reserves ranger roles for men, women in the village of Damaran Baru obtained a permit in 2019, allowing them to manage and protect the surrounding forest.
Sudan
Sudanese women of various backgrounds recently gathered in Nairobi to discuss the brutal war that has ravaged their country the past seven months. With no end in sight, they feel their voices have been silenced and they yearn to contribute to resolving the conflict that has killed thousands and displaced millions since April 15.
