Solidaritas #34
Women stand for election in Vanuatu and fight climate change in Bangladesh, plus COVID-19's impact on women
Hello everyone. As I mentioned on Twitter, there was no newsletter last fortnight because we were all overwhelmed with the COVID-19 infodemic. I'm slowly becoming able to focus on other things now, and I hope you are, too. It's so important that we continue to fight for gender justice, climate justice, and social justice during this time, even if it all feels a bit futile at points. Semangat and stay strong!
Afghanistan
One of my favourite articles from the last month: Sahar Ghumkhor on why skateboarding won't 'save' Afghan girls and why Westerners love feel-good stories about girls doing 'brave' things.
Australia
The murders of Hannah Clarke and her children show how broken Australia's family law system is.
Meet the women of Darwin Correctional Centre in their new podcast.
In Victoria's north-east, an all-Aboriginal and female-led Country Fire Authority unit has been taking the lead in protecting their community.
Bangladesh
A series of photos about the Women's Squad, a group of women fighting climate change in Bangladesh.
Cambodia
A woman has been arrested for being 'sexy' while selling products online. Her family are worried about how they will cope with the loss of her income.
As many as 80,000 jobs have been lost in Cambodia due to COVID-19 shutdowns so far, and thousands of women who previously worked in cities' karaoke bars and beer gardens are heading back to their villages.
China
Domestic violence cases surged during COVID-19 lockdowns in China, Sixth Tone reports.
India
Four of the men found guilty of the 2012 rape and murder of Nirbhaya were hanged this month.
Indonesia
NYT's Overlooked obituaries take a look at the life of Ni Gusti Ayu Raka Rasmi, the first globally famous Balinese dancer. She performed in the US and Europe in 1952 at the age of just 12; she died in March 2018.
Indonesian women have long been fans of soccer. Now, they're starting their own national league.
Meet the Indonesian women speaking out about abuses in West Papua, whatever the cost.
Japan
What's the state of the feminist movement in Japan?
Malaysia
Women's groups are not happy with Malaysia's new minister and deputy minister for women, saying their history of failing to advocate for women's rights does "not inspire confidence".
Nepal
Illegal orphanages in Nepal are taking children away from their parents, and while the children can be rescued, the families can find it hard to resume live as it was before.
New Zealand
Abortion is finally no longer a crime in NZ!
Pakistan
On Pakistan's Aurat March (Women's March): why young women feel it's important for them, and how the rest of Pakistan feels about it. Rafia Zakaria rightly says that men are spending too much time fretting about Aurat March and should focus on other things.
Regional
Jess Hill on how socialisation underpins male abuse of women.
What would a pro-poor, pro-women response to the COVID-19 pandemic look like?
COVID-19 is a disaster for feminism, argues Helen Lewis in The Atlantic.
Men may be physically more affected by COVID-19, but women are bearing the brunt of shutdowns and care work.
Sex workers are workers too, and they need more support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
South Korea
South Korea launched its first feminist political party on IWD.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu has not had any female members of parliament since 2008. The country went to the polls in mid-March: meet the women hoping to be elected.
Did I miss something?
Think I overlooked a great article, or want to promote your own work/an upcoming event? Hit me up on Twitter or via email: katewalton.au@gmail.com
Thanks for reading!