Around The World In 5
Around the World In 5 is an ongoing weekly series that highlights news related to women in five countries. This week's post covers April 22 - April 28.
Nigeria
TechHer and Education as a Vaccine (EVA) are launching an Emergency Response Fund to assist survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. This Fund offers a maximum of N200,000, which can be disbursed within 30 hours of approval by a five-person committee.
The Emergency Response Fund is a pilot initiative focused on providing emergency support to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Nigeria. Its goal is to ensure that survivors receive a decision within 24 hours of applying for assistance.
Honduras
Honduras faces its first-ever challenge before a global human rights body due to its complete ban on abortion. Advocates argue that this law violates women's fundamental rights and the nation's international obligations.
The Center for Reproductive Rights and the Honduras-based Centro de Derechos de la Mujer (Center for Women’s Rights, CDM) submitted a petition to the UN human rights committee this month on behalf of a woman named Fausia. She was subjected to a forced pregnancy after being raped and denied an abortion under Honduras’ stringent laws.
Europe
This week, members of the European Parliament, under the leadership of President Roberta Metsola, wrapped up two years of negotiations by adopting a directive aimed at combating violence against women.
The legislation, which received 522 votes in favor, 27 against, and 72 abstentions, sets forth a unified definition of specific crimes and aligns penalties across all 27 member states of the European Parliament.
Importantly, the directive explicitly outlaws female genital mutilation and forced marriage, and it introduces new provisions to address online crimes and cyberviolence.
United States of America
The Justice Department has agreed to a settlement of $138.7 million to compensate women and girls who were sexually assaulted by Lawrence G. Nassar, the former team physician for U.S. Gymnastics.
This settlement follows revelations that the FBI neglected to investigate numerous allegations from hundreds of young women who had been treated by Nassar.
Key figures in the fight for justice included top female gymnasts like Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, and Aly Raisman. Lawyer Mick Grewal emphasized that no amount of money can fully restore these women after the harm caused by the FBI's failures.
Japan
Tokyo's Pride celebration has since grown into one of Asia's largest, with attendance numbers continuing to rise each year.
During Tokyo Rainbow Pride events this weekend, rainbow flags were proudly displayed in Tokyo's bustling Shibuya and Harajuku areas, with approximately 15,000 individuals marching through the streets on Sunday.
This year is significant as it marks the 30th anniversary since Japan's first Pride parade in August 1994, which initially involved a few hundred participants starting from Shinjuku's Chuo Park and converging at Shibuya's Miyashita Park, totaling around 1,100 attendees.