Women: Leading the Way
Sunday, November 08, 2009   01:26 GMT    
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MEXICO: Women Package the Sweet Taste of Nostalgia
By Emilio Godoy
AYOQUEZCO, Mexico - Years ago, when Catalina Sánchez saw an opportunity to earn an income and improve her family’s living conditions by growing and selling nopales - an edible cactus native to Mexico - she probably never imagined that her idea would spawn three businesses.
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Q&A: Put the New Women's Agency in Africa
Suzanne Hoeksema interviews NAISOLA LIKIMANI, advocacy officer of FEMNET*
UNITED NATIONS - On Sep. 14, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution that gave the green light to the creation of a new U.N. agency for women.
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HEALTH: New Task Force Targets Poor in Breast Cancer Fight
By Chryso D'Angelo
NEW YORK - The rate of breast cancer in developing countries is on the rise, according to the Harvard School of Public Health, which estimates that the poor will account for more than 55 percent of breast cancer deaths this year.
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RIGHTS-CAMEROON: The Reverend Raped Me

By Ngala Killian Chimtom

YAOUNDE - A countrywide survey of the incidence of rape in Cameroon has returned disturbing statistics: 20 percent of the nearly 38,000 women surveyed reported having been raped; another 14 percent said they had escaped a rape attempt.
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PERU: Cuzco Women Stand Up to Violence
By Milagros Salazar
CUZCO, Peru - For tourists and other visitors, Cuzco has a special fascination as the ancient capital of the Inca empire. But social scientists know it as one of the areas in the world with the highest rates of violence against women.
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SIERRA LEONE: New Dawn for Small Farmers?
By Mohamed Fofanah
KAMBIA DISTRICT, Sierra Leone - They call her "Marie Nerica", after a new breed of rice.
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CHILE: Women in Arms
By Daniela Estrada
SANTIAGO - The official version of Chilean history renders women’s political participation "invisible" and relegates them to a secondary or anecdotal role, says journalist Cherie Zalaquett, author of a new book, "Chilenas en armas" (Chilean Women in Arms).
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CHILE: Teen Pregnancy, a Problem That Won’t Go Away
By Daniela Estrada
SANTIAGO - Chile currently stands out for its spectacular progress in a number of health indicators, including maternal and child mortality and chronic malnutrition. But these successes obscure an acute social problem that refuses to yield: the steady rise in the number of teenage mothers.
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Q&A: "Guardian Angel" of Gulf Transsexuals
Suad Hamada interviews Bahraini lawyer FAWZIYA JANAHI
MANAMA - Transsexuals in the Gulf call Bahraini lawyer Fawziya Janahi "guardian angel". She is the Arab world's only female lawyer who takes up cases on behalf of clients who want to change their sex.
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RIGHTS: Rising China Poses Danger to Peace, Say Nobel Laureates
By Ranjit Devraj
NEW DELHI - An ascendant China that ignores human rights in Tibet and Xinjiang, poses a danger to world peace, say Nobel laureates Mairead Corrigan Maguire and Jody Williams.
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AGRICULTURE-KENYA: Finally, a Windfall for Tea Farmers
By Suleiman Mbatiah
NAIROBI - Despite the sweltering sun and with a heavy load on her back Mary Muthoni strides to the tea buying centre with joy and pride painted on her face. "This is a different year," she smiles, hurriedly greeting other women farmers at the centre. For them, the story is the same: blessings in times of calamity.
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HEALTH: U.S. Urged to Double Aid to Global Projects
By Matthew Berger
WASHINGTON - As the effort to achieve universal health coverage within the U.S. crawls forward in Washington, a new report by a coalition of global health organisations details how the U.S. can "help lead the world to universal access to comprehensive health care in developing countries".
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Q&A: "We Refuse to Be Held to Ransom By Terrorism"
Beena Sarwar interviews VEENA MASUD, Pakistan Women’s Swimming Association
KARACHI - Karachi-based, Trinidad-born and educated Veena Masud is a school principal who wants to see Pakistani women shine in the international sports arena.
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CLIMATE CHANGE-BOLIVIA: Climbing a 'Dead' Glacier
By Franz Chávez
CHACALTAYA, Bolivia - The rapid disappearance of glaciers and the subsequent exhaustion of water sources are pushing indigenous communities in the Bolivian highlands even further into poverty, Bolivian experts told IPS, adding that an increase in awareness about climate change is desperately needed.
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PHILIPPINES: Women's Rights Laws in Place
By Stephen de Tarczynski
MANILA - Although the enacting in August of the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) - a major law aiming to end discrimination against women across the archipelago - was well-received here, there remain concerns about whether the legislation will be fully implemented.
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BOLIVIA: Politics, a Risky Business for Women
By Franz Chávez
LA PAZ - Taking an active part in politics in Bolivia can be a hazardous undertaking. Hundreds of reports of violence against women participating in politics attest to the risk. And while attacks go unpunished, a bill designed to protect the rights of women occupying public office has spent almost a decade in Congress waiting to be approved.
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KENYA

: Practical Measures Needed on Teen Sexual Education
By Susan Anyangu
MOMBASA - Kenyan teenagers are having sex. And they appear to have no clue how to go about it.
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RIGHTS: Women Still Sidelined in Economic Decision-Making
By Suzanne Hoeksema
UNITED NATIONS - Gender equality contributes to economic growth, but economic growth does not always contribute to gender equality, says the United Nations World Survey on the Role of Women in Development launched Tuesday, a message well timed in the context of the current financial crisis.
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SRI LANKA: 25 Years On, Women Still Struggle for Their Rights
By Feizal Samath
COLOMBO - When Thamalini, leader of the women’s wing of Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger guerrillas, entertained guests at the women’s political wing office in northern areas once controlled by the rebels, the visitors were served tea and other refreshments by male aides.
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URUGUAY: Next President to Emerge from November Runoff
By Diana Cariboni
MONTEVIDEO - Uruguay's Electoral Court announced Monday that the governing Broad Front (FA) candidate José Mujica took 48 percent of the vote in Sunday's elections, which means he will face off with former conservative president Luis Alberto Lacalle of the National Party (PN) in a second round on Nov. 29.
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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Protests Surround New Constitution
By Elizabeth Eames Roebling
SANTO DOMINGO - The Dominican Republic passed the 38th version of its constitution Thursday evening, amending more than 40 articles that drew public protests and opposition from civil society groups and many average Dominicans.
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Q&A: "Women Will Benefit From Secularism"
Cam McGrath interviews Egyptian feminist author NAWAL EL-SAADAWI
CAIRO - Controversy stalks dissident writer Nawal El-Saadawi, whose views on women and religion have put her at odds with Egyptian conservatives.
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HEALTH-AFRICA: Fresh Campaign Against Paediatric AIDS
By Nalisha Kalideen
JOHANNESBURG - Eleven years ago, Raloke Odetoyinbo had been married for two years and a month when she found out she was HIV positive.
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UGANDA: Lifting Silence on Menstruation to Keep Girls in School
By Joshua Kyalimpa
KAMPALA - More than half of Ugandan girls who enrol in grade one drop out before sitting for their primary school-leaving examinations.
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INDIA: Single Women Break Their Silence, Challenge Societal Norms
By Nitin Jugran Bahuguna
NEW DELHI - It has been more than eight years since the January 2001 earthquake struck the Indian state of Gujarat, but Hansa Rathore still cannot quite shake off memories of that not too distant past — all because it left her a widow.
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AFRICA: Counting on Media for Good Governance
By Charles Mpaka
LILONGWE - While campaigning in the last election, Margaret Roka Mauwa, Member of the Malawian Parliament, did not promise her voters that when she won she would buy them coffins.
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COLOMBIA: Sexual Violence as Weapon of War
By Helda Martínez
BOGOTA - Sexual violence is used as a weapon of war in Colombia by all parties in the country’s longstanding armed conflict, and its main victims are women and girls, states a report recently released by Intermón Oxfam, backing up claims made repeatedly by national and international human rights groups.
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Q&A: Italian Women At A Loss
Miren Gutierrez* and Oriana Boselli interview IVANKA CORTI, former president of the CEDAW Committee
ROME - On the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Italy is far from attaining gender equality.
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Women's in RSS IPS wants to redress a huge imbalance that exists today: only 22% of the voices you hear and read in the news today are women's. Elections, health, education, armed conflicts, corruption, laws, trade, climate change, the global financial and food crises, and natural disasters. IPS covers these frontline issues asking an often forgotten question: what does it mean for women and girls?

In December 2009 the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, CEDAW, celebrates its 30th anniversary. In partnership with UNIFEM IPS is looking at where and how this international bill of rights has helped to realise equality between men and women.

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WOMEN'S HEALTH - A SMART INVESTMENT IN TROUBLED TIMES
By Thoraya Ahmed Obaid
The financial crisis that started in rich countries has deepened into a global economic crisis that threatens to reverse hard-won gains in education and health in developing countries, and women and children are among those hardest hit. That is why the theme of this year's World Population Day, 11 July, focuses on increased investments for girls and women to boost economic recovery and long-term equitable growth, writes Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
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WORLD MUST KEEP UP PRESSURE ON AFGHAN LAW AGAINST WOMEN
By Emma Bonino
The new Shi'ite Personal Status Law recently passed in Afghanistan legalises rape within marriage and officially relegates women to second class citizens; it is a barefaced denial of human rights that needs to be condemned loudly, unequivocally and universally, writes Emma Bonino, vice-president of the Italian Senate.
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GLOBAL CRISIS: WOMEN WORKERS WILL BE HIT HARDEST
By Supachai Panitchpakdi
As the global economic crisis continues to unfold, it is having severe effects on international trade. UNCTAD estimates that merchandise exports from developing countries could decline by 15.5% this year. At the regional level, we expect export growth to shrink by 16.8% in Asia, 12.5% in Africa, and 10% in Latin America, writes Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
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RETIREMENT ITALIAN STYLE - WOMEN AND THE PENSION TABOO
By Emma Bonino
The difference in retirement age between men and women -65 and 60, respectively- in Italy lies at the intersection of two major national problems: pension reform and the unequal treatment of women in the labour market.
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HEALTH-SWAZILAND: 'Role Models in the Community'
Mantoe Phakathi interviews SYLVIA KHUZWAYO, expert client
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GLOBAL HEALTH SYSTEM IN STATE OF ALARM
By Margaret Chan
The current economic crisis poses an enormous challenge to global health but also offers opportunities to lay the foundations for more equitable and effective health systems in the future, and to rationalise and improve the way that international organisations work for the health of people throughout the world.
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Q&A: 'Women Are Not Equals in Our Society'
Mel Frykberg interviews MASHOOR BASISSY, director of the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA).
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Q&A: Women's Special Water Needs Find Voice
Hilmi Toros interviews JOKE MUYLWIJK, executive director of Gender and Water Alliance
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DEVELOPMENT FINANCING CONFERENCE: THE INEQUALITY-POVERTY NEXUS
By Cecilia Alemany and Anne Schoenstein
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A LIFE FREE OF VIOLENCE IS EVERY WOMAN'S RIGHT
By Nicole Kidman
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FINANCING GENDER EQUALITY: A CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE
by Ines Alberdi
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INDIA : PUSHING FOR CHANGE
Syeda Hameed
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  UNIFEM
  U.N. Instraw
  30 YEARS - United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women - CEDAW
  Equality Now
  U.N. Women Watch
  Earthscan
  International Women’s Day
  International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics
  WEF Global Gender Gap 2009

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This page includes independent IPS news coverage financed through the Dutch Government's MDG3 Fund: Investing in Equality, and through the United Nations Development Fund for Women, UNIFEM.