Afghan War Commission Should Examine US Role on Women’s Rights
Human Rights Watch , 06 Sep 2022
The US “Afghanistan War Commission,” created in December 2021 to examine “key strategic, diplomatic, and operational decisions” the US made in Afghanistan, and to develop “lessons learned and recommendations for the way forward,” is beginning its work. One priority should be to examine US government pledges on women’s and girls’ rights in Afghanistan. The problem: none of the 14 men and 2 women appointed as commissioners are experts on women’s rights, and none are Afghan or from the Afghan diaspora.
‘Not a Win for Women’: Truss Will be UK’s Third PM – But How Does Britain’s Record on Women’s Rights Fare Globally?
The Independent, 05 Sep 2022
Liz Truss has become the third female prime minister in British history – placing the country ahead of the curve on female leaders, but not necessarily on women’s rights. Ms Truss, who beat her rival Rishi Sunak to become the new Conservative Party leader, succeeds Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May. But campaigners have raised questions over whether the former foreign secretary will tackle gender inequality, with warnings the result will not “guarantee progress for women” in comparison to the rest of the world.
Saudi Arabia: Record 45-Year Sentence Stokes Women’s Rights Fears
Indian Express, 04 Sep 2022
The past month may have marked the beginning of a new, dark era for women’s rights activists in Saudi Arabia. Following the 34-year-sentence of Salma al-Shehab earlier in August, Riyadh’s specialized criminal court this week sentenced Nourah bint Saeed al-Qahtani to a new record sentence of 45 years in prison. The cases bear several parallels, as both women were convicted under laws against counterterrorism and cybercrime for liking and retweeting articles on social media that supported human rights and women’s rights, as well as the fact that none of the women were particularly outspoken or known to the public.
Chile Says ‘No’ to Left Leaning Constitution After 3 Years of Debate
NY Times, 04 Sep 2022
The rejected constitution would have legalized abortion, adopted universal health care and enshrined more than 100 constitutional rights, a global record.
School Related Sexual Violence Cases at Alarming Levels in Ecuador
Human Rights Watch , 02 Sep 2022
Ecuador’s protocols provide unequivocal instructions to confidentially report all cases and adopt immediate measures to protect students. Yet it is still too common in cases involving sexual violence at school, including many documented by Human Rights Watch, for school authorities to fail to fulfil this duty.
