UN fact-finding mission concludes death of Mahsa Amini in Iranian custody unlawful
The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFMI), mandated by the UN, concluded on Monday that the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody was unlawful and resulted from violence. The UN Human Rights Council established the mission in November 2022 to investigate alleged human rights violations in Iran. Its primary [...]
Breaking Barriers: A Global Review of Legislative Reform on Women's Rights
The plight of women’s rights in various countries reflects a complex interplay of legal, cultural and societal norms that significantly disenfranchise women and girls, threatening their human rights and dignity. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran, Yemen, Sudan, Pakistan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, and Nigeria present challenging environments where women’s rights [...]
UN report calls for UK to take 'urgent action' to combat violence against women and girls
The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem, published a statement on Wednesday calling for the UK government to take “urgent action” to end all forms of violence against women and girls. The UK government invited Alsalem to visit the country after labeling violence against women and girls a “national threat” [...]
How the Women of the World Bank Are Aiming to Combat Gender Inequality
As the World Bank advances the WBG Gender Strategy 2024-30 for global development, innovative engagement on gender equality is becoming urgent. At this critical juncture, recent stocktaking reports underscore the Bank’s commitment to gender parity and external collaboration, driving transformative change in closing gender gaps. Building on the important progress made by the World Bank, [...]
Barbados High Court decriminalizes gay sex in landmark ruling
The Barbados High Court Monday issued an oral judgement striking down two laws which effectively criminalized gay sex in the island nation. Sections 9 and 12 of the Barbados Sexual Offences Act of 1992 criminalized “buggery” and acts of “serious indency” with penalties of up to life imprisonment and ten years in prison, respectively. According [...]
Roe v. Wade to Be Overruled: Ignorance of Human Rights or a Savior for Unborn Lives?
An initial draft written by Justice Samuel Alito in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization appears to overturn the decision in the landmark case of Roe v. Wade. “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,” Justice Alito writes in the draft document. Roe was a benchmark which was set to uphold the legal and bodily [...]
Pakistan religious groups urge government to repeal 'un-Islamic' women's protection law
A conference of religious groups and political parties convened by the Jamaat-e-Islami party asked the Pakistani government on Tuesday to retract a new "un-Islamic" law that provides protections for female victims of abuse. The Women's...
