Around The World In 5
Around the World in 5 is an ongoing series that highlights news related to women. This week’s post covers July 29 to August 4.
Cameroon
On Monday, women and activists marched in Yaoundé, calling for an end to the country’s separatist crisis and on the government to reduce the high cost of living.
The march was part of activities marking the annual observance of Pan African Women’s Day.
Anne Anaba, one of the coordinators of the march, told VOA that women are the most affected by the separatist crisis which has killed about 6,000 people and displaced 700,000 others.
Nigeria
Three people have been arrested in connection to the death of Dr Vware Diaso at the General Hospital in Lagos.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest on Saturday to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Lagos State Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu directed a 48-hour probe into the elevator accident at the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos.
Document Women reported on Wednesday that the Nigerian Medical Association and related groups called for a thorough probe following the hospital elevator crash.
Israel
This week, Israel's parliament—the Knesset—passed a law that makes terrorist, nationalist, or racist motivations an aggravating factor in crimes of sexual harassment and sexual assault.
This legislation passed with bipartisan support, with a 39-7 vote. Under the legislation, those accused of these crimes will face punishments that are twice what they are for sexual harassment and sexual assault.
Groups, like the Association of Rape Crisis Centers, have kicked against this law.
Orit Soliciano, who heads the association said; “We think there is an epidemic of sexual violence in Israel; many women, girls and boys suffer. The perpetrators should be harshly punished, and it doesn’t always happen in Israel. But to declare one rape is more horrible than another rape — we do not support [this]."
United States of America
This week, 26 year old Anthony Gonzales was arrested for breaking and entering into women’s homes and rubbing their feet while they slept.
According to Douglas County Sheriff's Department in Nevada, Gonzales—nicknamed the Lake Tahoe Foot Fondler—has also been accused of committing similar crimes in the past. He is accused of standing at the foot of the two women's beds and rubbing their feet.
Read more here.
Rising Temperatures
A new report by the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center has highlighted the disproportionate impact that extreme heat and rising temperature is having on women in the United States of America, India, and Nigeria.
An estimated $120 billion is currently being lost annually across the mentioned countries due to the effect of extreme heat on women’s paid labor; the study added that the losses could increase to up to $500 billion per year if no action is taken.