Good morning. It’s starting to feel a bit spring-like in Canberra and it’s glorious.
I’d like to make a newsletter recommendation this week: WomenLead. WomenLead gives weekly updates on female leaders around the world and aims to amplify their work and voices while also sensitising readers to the many obstacles (both glaring and nuanced, the blatant and invisible) that women have to negotiate in routine ways across different layers in politics. WomenLead is free, so sign up here.
I’d also like to point your attention to a crowdfunding campaign for a veteran transgender rights activist in Indonesia. Ibu Nancy has been fighting for trans rights since 1974; she’s now 66 and needs our help with medical bills and living costs.
As always, if you’re enjoying Solidaritas, paid subscriptions are available for US$5/month or much cheaper at US$40/year. Thank you so much for your support!
-Kate
Afghanistan
Foroozan was jailed for killing her abusive husband. Now, thanks to coronavirus, she’s been freed.
Politician and women’s rights activist Fawzia Koofi was shot two weeks ago in an attempt on her life. Now, as she recovers in hospital, she asks: why was she targeted?
Another assassination attempt: Afghanistan's first female film director Saba Sahar has been taken to hospital after being shot in Kabul.
Read an open letter from Afghan women to the Taliban.
How can Afghanistan work to improve its maternal health system while also struggling with COVID-19 and a fragile peace process?
Australia
A really fascinating organisation called Waminda has been assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to give birth on country in the Illawarra region.
Survivors of sexual assault in Victoria have slammed new laws which stop them from publicly sharing their stories using their real names.
Are male victims of violence struggling to reach support services in Australia?
Sexual harassment claims at financial services company AMP are leading to more questions about whether large companies are really doing enough.
Bangladesh
As in other countries around the world, Bangladesh’s female sports players are demanding better pay. In this case: cricketers.
Burma
71-year-old veteran Muslim activist and former political prisoner Win Mya Mya stood for election with the NLD this year after previously being denied the opportunity because of her religious identity.
Cambodia
Protests against a proposed law that would regulate women’s clothing are continuing in Cambodia.
China
Cheng Lei, an Australian news anchor for China’s English-language state television network CGTN, has been detained and placed under house observation in Beijing. Her profile has also been scrubbed from the CGTN website, leading to concerns about her safety.
A strange video has been circulating on Douyin, urgently encouraging Uighur women to marry Han men. It’s assumed to be government propaganda.
India
Over one million female Accredited Social Health Activists or ASHA workers provide vital health services across India, and are often patients’ first point of contact in rural areas. Recently, they went on strike to demand better pay, proper job recognition, and adequate personal protective equipment. Many earn just US$50 a month and are working harder than ever before during COVID-19.
Zomato offers female employees 10 days of period leave, sparking a debate on whether such leave is necessary.
Indonesia
Another piece on Indonesia’s first transgender public official, Hendrika Kelan, looking at how she worked within the Catholic Church to change people’s mindsets about trans women.
How women are reorganising local food networks with technology in Jakarta.
Malaysia
Women’s advocates are calling for government action on anti-stalking legislation in Malaysia, saying the issue has become crucial.
Maldives
Efforts are underway to introduce one day of paid period leave per month in the Maldives.
111 cases of GBV were reported between April and June in the Maldives; 70% were against women.
Pakistan
The hashtag #JusticeforNasreenAdvocate has led to public awareness of the abduction and rape of Irshad Nasreen, a female lawyer and mother of six. She was reportedly kidnapped by three men and found 200km away from her home four days later.
Papua New Guinea
Tania Areori is set to become PNG’s first female vet after graduating from six years of studies in Australia.
PNG-Australian Lydia Gah has written a book about her struggles as a domestic violence survivor, aiming to encourage others to speak out.
The Philippines
The terrorist attacks in Jolo last week are now believed to have been carried out by two women.
Regional
Asia’s prisons are filling up with women, many of whom are victims of the region’s war on drugs.
Do ride-hailing and food delivery services in Asia have a sexual harassment problem?
Are women leaders really doing better on handling COVID-19? Data says yes.
Singapore
Activists are accusing Singapore of not being tough enough on sexual harassment and assaults against women. Recently, a 23-year-old spent just 12 days behind bars after he tried to strangle his ex-girlfriend during a vicious assault, while marital rape was only criminalised earlier this year.
Solomon Islands
Women’s empowerment work in rural areas is hard but worth it, say local activists.
South Korea
Former Seoul mayor Park Won-soon appeared to be a champion of women’s rights, yet recently committed suicide after sexual harassment allegations emerged. Activists are now trying to make sense of his legacy.
Sri Lanka
A new report shows that domestic violence increased during Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 lockdown.
Women remain deprived of political power in Sri Lanka.
Taiwan
A 10-year minimum jail term for a YouTuber convicted of revenge porn has been upheld.
Vanuatu
How did women fare in this year’s elections?
Vietnam
Vietnamese factories are increasingly aware of the need for high quality childcare services for their employees.