World Breastfeeding Week was kicked off Monday with the passing of a historical extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Obama Administration. The guidelines of this heavily-debated policy expands on last year’s passed reforms in healthcare regarding free-of-charge preventative services such as …
Tag: women’s rights
Jul 29
Women in War and Peace
“For it isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” –Eleanor Roosevelt It is more dangerous in most conflict-stricken areas to be a woman than to be a soldier. Yet, women’s experiences during times of war are often ignored …
Jul 27
Understanding Buyers of Sex
Eliminating Commercial Sexual Exploitation In order to eliminate the problem of commercial sexual exploitation, we must look at the demand side of the problem. After all, without buyers of sex, there would be no sex industry. By understanding the who, what, where, when, and how of sex buyers, strategies can be implemented to decrease the …
Jul 20
Violence against Women with Disabilities II
In my previous post, I raised the issue of violence against women with disabilities. Research and statistics have helped to raise awareness in our society about domestic and gender-based violence. However, as I discussed previously, the link between violence and disability is still very under-researched, and the consequence is that many women with disabilities are …
Jul 15
Ugandan Sex Workers Ward off Police Rape
It should come as no surprise that prostitution is a dangerous, yet pervasive, profession for individuals around the globe. Whether involvement is due to free-will or force the consequences can be detrimental or deadly. It exists in many forms and individuals, most of the time women and children, enter this lifestyle for a variety of …
Jul 08
Gender Inequality in the Workplace
Gender inequality is a deplorable reality that runs rampant across the globe. Women are vulnerable to injustice at home, work and in their communities. Socially, economically, politically and culturally, women have been treated as second class citizens throughout history. In the workplace, women earn less money on average than their male counterparts and face a …
Jul 07
How Can Sustainability Come out of Controversy?
The issue of modern day slavery, particularly as it pertains to the trafficking of individuals for commercial sexual exploitation, has been getting increased attention. With more and more awareness of the severity of the problem, it has become a hot topic that encompasses much controversy. Agencies, advocates and policymakers have been exploring the issue of …
Jul 04
Violence against Women with Disabilities
Although statistics vary widely from disability to disability, women with disabilities (WWDs) in general are more likely to experience physical, sexual, and emotional abuse for longer periods of time than women without disabilities. One of the biggest obstacles to understanding the prevalence and effects of violence against women with disabilities is the dearth of research …
Jul 04
A Closer Look at the MDGs
In September 2000, the United Nations established eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in hopes of improving social and economic conditions in the world’s poorest countries. The MDGs have caused governments around the world to rally together in a global partnership to make significant progress in some of the most challenging areas in the developing world. The …
Jul 01
‘Daughters of the Sex Workers’ Seek Dignity and Respect
Yesterday I facilitated a webinar on Culture, Conflict and Violence against Women: A Focus Sex Trafficking. I raised several issues regarding the vast differences experienced by victims of the sex trafficking industry, particularly as it pertains to culture, gender dynamics and power differentials. I recommended that governmental bodies and non-profit agencies reevaluate motives, revise legislation …