Around the World in 5
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 January 1 to January 6.
Nigeria
Funke Akindele's latest Nollywood movie, “A Tribe Called Judah," has generated N1 billion at the box office, making it the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time.
The previous two of her films, “Battle on Buka Street”(which earned N668.4 million) and “Omo Ghetto: The Saga” (which earned over N636.1 million), are presently ranked second and third, respectively, among the highest-grossing films in Nigeria, behind this achievement.
United States of America
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a decision supporting Texas, asserting that doctors and hospitals are not obligated to carry out emergency abortions as mandated by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).
The Biden Administration had invoked the EMTALA, a law dating back to 1986, in response to the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. The law requires physicians to address emergency medical conditions or face fines, legal actions, and potential exclusion from federal health programs.
In retaliation, Texas filed a lawsuit, contending that it infringed on the state's right to regulate abortion and emphasizing that existing medical exceptions adequately consider potential conflicts between the health of the mother and the unborn child.
Presently, Texas laws prohibit all abortions after detecting a heartbeat or after six weeks of pregnancy, with some exceptions in cases of medical emergencies, though many doctors express concerns about unintentionally violating the law.
Spain
Jenni Hermoso, Spanish World Cup winner, has testified against former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales in court after he kissed her on the lips without her consent following the team's victory over England at the 2023 Women's World Cup.
Despite Rubiales describing the kiss as "consensual," Hermoso claims it was "unexpected and at no time consensual." In response to the incident, Rubiales resigned as the president of Spain's football federation.
The court is reviewing Hermoso's testimony and CCTV footage to determine whether to proceed with charges of sexual assault and coercion against Rubiales. Hermoso commented to reporters, "All is in the hands of justice, that’s all I can say."
Ireland
Ireland's Department of Health has expanded its free contraception program, initially launched in September 2022, to include women up to the age of thirty-one. Initially covering those aged seventeen to twenty-five, the program now encompasses women, girls, transgender, and gender non-conforming residents of Ireland who possess a prescription for contraceptive medication from their healthcare providers.
The program covers various costs related to family planning, consultations, and contraceptives, ranging from oral pills to emergency contraception and long-acting reversible contraception.
Ukraine
Ukrainian refugee Lora Arkhypenko, displaced from Kyiv due to the Russian invasion in February 2022, has crafted a documentary showcasing the resilience of women impacted by the war.
Initially sheltered by a family in Chirbury, Shropshire, before relocating to Wales, the film-making student embarked on the project named "Women" after completing her studies. Shropshire Council, with support from Robert Macey, the authority's cabinet member for culture, backed the film, viewing it as an opportunity to gain insights into those affected by the ongoing conflict.