Good morning!
Solidaritas is a fortnightly newsletter about women’s rights, feminism, and gender in Asia and the Pacific, covering the entirety of this huge region: from Afghanistan and Pakistan in the west to Kiribati and Cook Islands in the east.
This issue’s header image is of the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra/Ngunnawal, which was lit up recently with the paintings of Vincent Namatjira as part of the Enlighten festival. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.
If you like Solidaritas, I’d be thrilled if you chose to support the newsletter by becoming a paid subscriber for just US$5 a month:
I wrote about the concerning growth of the anti-gender movement for CNN International’s As Equals platform last week, if that’s something you’re interested in reading about.
Special shout-out to my mum this fortnight, who always sends me articles to include in this newsletter! Thanks, mum!
In solidarity,
- Kate
Afghanistan
Small groups of Afghan women have gathered in private spaces to demand that harsh restrictions on their freedoms be lifted, despite recent Taliban crackdowns on protests that have seen activists detained.
Australia
The fastest growing form of abuse in Australia is the cyberstalking and control of current and former partners using technology, including tracking devices in toys.
In South Australia, ‘unborn child concerns’ result in some Indigenous mothers’ children being taken away from them shortly after birth. An inquiry is ongoing, and the Department for Child Protection’s deputy chief has apologised for removals.
A new national survey has found that two-thirds of women report bias or discrimination in their experiences with healthcare services.
Australia's first refuge for women and children, the Elsie Night Shelter, turns 50.
Bangladesh
What do gender data reveal about the economic struggles of women in Bangladesh?
China
From gyms to hostels, women in China are creating female-friendly spaces, in stark contrast to official spaces and elite politics.
The Chinese Communist Party views the nuclear family as the bedrock of social stability, with unmarried mothers stigmatised and largely denied benefits. But a growing number of educated women, facing unprecedented insecurity amid record youth unemployment and an economic downturn, are espousing "singleism" instead.
Related: Chinese women still suffer from considerable disadvantages in areas ranging from career development to housework burdens, as highlighted by recent survey findings and proposals submitted at last week’s “two sessions” parliamentary meetings.
Fiji
Fiji's Minister for Women Lynda Tabuya, who is in the middle of an alleged sex and drug controversy, will reportedly retain her portfolio according to the country's prime minister - a decision welcomed by civil society.
Hong Kong
Foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong say they are restricted from speaking up due to new security laws.
Radio Free Asia talks with women’s human rights defenders about how they are facing the broader crackdown.
India
After 18 years of development, India has its own affordable HPV vaccine, which could prevent up to 70,000 deaths per year:
Umesh Shaligram, an executive director at the Serum Institute of India, says the new HPV vaccine “will have a huge impact”.
“I always had a feeling that women in low- and middle-income countries are not well treated,” he says. “It’s a mother who gives you energy and power. In Indian spirituality we have prayers, we have goddesses everywhere. If you ask me whether we pass on that respect, probably not. I always felt that lack. I was very happy we could do something for that particular aspect of life.”
Indonesia
Indonesia just held simultaneous local, regional, and national elections, but one question remains: where are all the women leaders?
Online gender-based violence (OGBV) is a significant challenge for women in Indonesia. The Australian Broadcasting Commission’s Indonesia Media Development Program has been partnering with women in media to help combat OGBV.
Japan
PM Fumio Kishida has slammed a gathering of ruling party members last November that involved scantily-clad dancers. Leaked footage of the event, organised by a chapter of the Liberal Democratic Party, showed women in swimwear sitting on participants' laps, reports said. Kishida described it as "highly inappropriate and most regrettable".
A high court in Japan has ruled that the country’s ban on same-sex marriage is “unconstitutional”.
Malaysia
Malaysia will reportedly rectify a gender bias in its constitution this week, allowing foreign-born children to Malaysian mothers and their non-Malaysian spouses to automatically get Malaysian citizenship, ending years of struggle.
Mongolia
Following constitutional reform that expanded the parliament, can Mongolia boost women’s representation in its 2024 general election?
Nepal
Nepali women are keeping the art of traditional instruments alive despite their past stigma:
As a child, Shanti Chaudhari was scolded by her parents for standing too close to a group of musicians playing the naumati baja, Nepal's nine traditional instruments, because they were identified with the Damai, part of the lowest caste that was formerly known as “untouchables.”
Chaudhari, now 41, eventually overcame her family's opposition and today performs in a band of her own called Shrijanshil Mahila Sanstha, or the Self-Reliant Women’s Group. Her husband, who also was initially against her participation, now supports her musical pursuit and cooks meals when she gets home late from a performance.
New Zealand
The New Zealand government is being urged to follow Australia's footsteps and make gender pay gap reporting mandatory across workplaces.
North Korea
Surprising research shows that everyday women are making significant gains against the patriarchy in North Korea:
[One female defector] stated that women often say the patriarchy has fallen in favour of the matriarchy … And if women were once under their husband’s thumbs, men are now afraid they will be kicked out of their homes by their wives.
The Philippines
Out of 812 political prisoners in the Philippines, 163 are women:
Inside the Correctional Institute for Women, there are 11 women considered to be political prisoners. All 11 are from peasant backgrounds or are land rights activists, and all have been convicted of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, with many of them serving close to 40-year sentences. The charges stem from a particular tactic used by the military to plant evidence like bullets and bombs as supposed proof that the incarcerated were involved in insurgent activity.
Regional
Photos: International Women’s Day protests and celebrations around the world.
Why are women in East Asia having so few children? The reasons are, of course, complex, explains this demographic explorer from Al Jazeera.
Solomon Islands
Just six percent of candidates standing for election in the upcoming elections in the Solomon Islands are women. This is lower than in the 2019 election.
South Korea
Women freezing their eggs, dads taking the lead in child care, young people choosing to be single: Washington Post meets some of the changemakers in South Korea.
Tibet
In 1924, French-born Alexandra David-Neel became the first European woman to set foot in Lhasa.
Tuvalu
Tuvalu only has 10,000 people and one obstetrician, but it’s now a leader in cervical cancer screening.