<p>Women in Pakistan have been mistreated for the longest. This year, within eight months (January-August) over 15,000 complaints for abuse were registered making it the most number of cases registered.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Punjab (Pakistan), 15,750 cases of harassment, kidnapping, and murder were reported, the New International reported. Most of the complaints were registered in light of employment or health-related issues.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/woman-in-afghanistan-commits-suicide-before-taliban-could-stone-her-report-526120"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Woman in Afghanistan commits suicide before Taliban could stone her: Report</strong></a></p>

<p>Among these 15,000 complaints, 7,000 complaints were made for sexual harassment on social media, and workplaces and included complaints of domestic violence as well.&nbsp;350 women complained about kidnapping and rape. Furthermore, 1,424 complaints were made related to property matters. Complaints regarding family issues like divorce stood at 1,050.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Punjab Helpline 2021 received 24,296 and 22,947 complaints in the year 2020 of rape, misconduct, employment and kidnapping.</p>

<p>According to the 2021 annual report by the Sindh Suhai organisation, which works for women and girls who face abuse stated that 6,842 women were reported to be victims of violence and over 100 were raped.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Not just Punjab, the Sindh province in the South Asian country has been known for the escalated killing of women. In 2021, 111 women were killed, and so far in these eight months, 88 women have been killed.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-imran-khans-pti-wins-six-seats-in-national-assembly-in-by-elections-upsets-ruling-government-525974"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Pakistan by-elections: Imran Khan-led PTI wins most seats in upset for ruling coalition</strong></a></p>

<p>In Sindh, 12 were killed in Ghotki Sindh, 40 in Dosri Izla and 11 women were killed in Kashmore in the name of honour. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The National Helpline received over 700 complaints regarding several issues.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It's the 21st century and women still struggle to lead a normal, free life. Will this get worse or a change will come?&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Women in Pakistan have been mistreated for the longest. This year, within eight months (January-August) over 15,000 complaints for abuse were registered making it the most number of cases registered.

Women in Pakistan have been mistreated for the longest. This year, within eight months (January-August) over 15,000 complaints for abuse were registered making it the most number of cases registered. In Punjab (Pakistan), 15,750 cases of harassment, kidnapping, and murder were reported, the New International reported. Most of the complaints were registered in light of employment or health-related issues. Also read | Woman in Afghanistan commits suicide before Taliban could stone her: Report Among these 15,000 complaints, 7,000 complaints were made for sexual harassment on social media, and workplaces and included complaints of domestic violence as well. 350 women complained about kidnapping and rape. Furthermore, 1,424 complaints were made related to property matters. Complaints regarding family issues like divorce stood at 1,050. The Punjab Helpline 2021 received 24,296 and 22,947 complaints in the year 2020 of rape, misconduct, employment and kidnapping. According to the 2021 annual report by the Sindh Suhai organisation, which works for women and girls who face abuse stated that 6,842 women were reported to be victims of violence and over 100 were raped. Not just Punjab, the Sindh province in the South Asian country has been known for the escalated killing of women. In 2021, 111 women were killed, and so far in these eight months, 88 women have been killed. Also read | Pakistan by-elections: Imran Khan-led PTI wins most seats in upset for ruling coalition In Sindh, 12 were killed in Ghotki Sindh, 40 in Dosri Izla and 11 women were killed in Kashmore in the name of honour. The National Helpline received over 700 complaints regarding several issues. It's the 21st century and women still struggle to lead a normal, free life. Will this get worse or a change will come? (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pakistan: Over 15,000 complaints registered by women for harassment, rape and family issues, Punjab at top 

<p>Responding to a report that he had mishandled four cases involving the sexual abuse of minors while he was an archbishop in Germany decades ago, retired Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged Tuesday that “abuses and errors” had taken place under his watch, and asked for forgiveness, although he denied any misconduct.</p>

<p>“I have had great responsibilities in the Catholic Church,” Benedict said in a written response to the findings in the report commissioned by the Roman Catholic Church in Munich. “All the greater is my pain for the abuses and the errors that occurred in those different places during the time of my mandate,” he said in the response made public by the Vatican. “Each individual case of sexual abuse is appalling and irreparable.”</p>

<p>The report, and the accusations by investigators that Benedict had misled them, sent shocks through a Roman Catholic Church that has for a quarter century been devastated by revelations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The allegations related to Benedict’s time in Munich reached the very top of the church hierarchy, and they came not long after a separate report commissioned by the Vatican itself cast a shadow over Benedict’s predecessor, John Paul II, for failing to root out abusers in his church.</p>

<p>Benedict, whose backers point out that as pope he did much to throw abusers out of the church, has sought to put himself in a better light. But critics have found his answers more legalistic than pastoral and short of what many victims of abuse and their advocates long to hear from the former head of the church.</p>

<p>“He is repeating words of apology that have fallen on deaf ears for decades,” said Mike McDonnell, communications manager with Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, a global association known as SNAP.</p>

<p>“True apologies are followed by true amends, and that is a concept that the church doesn’t seem able to grasp,” he said, adding that the letter issued Tuesday followed a pattern of abuse, institutional acknowledgement and lack of action that victims have long complained about.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, Benedict recalled again that he had met with dozens of abuse victims during his eight-year papacy and over many apostolic trips. He had, he said, “seen at first hand the effects of a most grievous fault.”</p>

<p>Benedict, 94, also expressed indignation that the Munich law firm that conducted the investigation had accused him of being less than honest in his initial answers, which he had provided in 82 written pages.</p>

<p>The lawyers had presented evidence in a news conference that the pontiff had participated in a meeting about the transfer of an abusive priest to his diocese for therapy, though he had claimed not to have attended. The discrepancy, Benedict insisted in the new response, was an honest mistake that emerged from the editing process of his answer.</p>

<p>“To me it proved deeply hurtful that this oversight was used to cast doubt on my truthfulness, and even to label me a liar,” Benedict said.</p>

<p>That defensive tone also ran through an analysis accompanying the letter by four legal experts who had assisted the retired pope. They wrote that the report “contains no evidence for an allegation of misconduct or conspiracy in any cover-up” on the part of Benedict.</p>

<p>Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, an advocacy group for victims, said Benedict’s response — which she described as “boilerplate” — was a “deep disappointment and missed opportunity.”</p>

<p>Instead, Benedict “conceded nothing,” Doyle said in a statement, and did not take meaningful responsibility for the abuse and a cover-up. “The church is poorer for it,” she added.</p>

<p>The report was commissioned by the German archdiocese that investigated how the church had handled cases of sexual abuse between 1945 and 2019. Benedict, at the time Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was archbishop of Munich and Freising from 1977 to 1982.</p>

<p>The report said at least 497 victims of abuse had been identified over the 74-year period it examined, and found that Benedict had mishandled four cases during his nearly five years as archbishop. Benedict’s legal experts said in their analysis that the investigators had not shown that Benedict knew of the criminal history of any of the four priests in question.</p>

<p>The investigators had previously expressed doubt about that assertion.</p>

<p>Days after the report was issued, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Benedict’s personal secretary, admitted Benedict was at the meeting about moving the abusive priest. But Benedict has maintained he did not know why the priest was being transferred to his diocese, only that he needed therapy.</p>


Responding to a report that he had mishandled four cases involving the sexual abuse of minors while he was an archbishop in Germany decades ago, retired Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged Tuesday that “abuses and errors” had taken place under his watch, and asked for forgiveness, although he denied any misconduct.

Responding to a report that he had mishandled four cases involving the sexual abuse of minors while he was an archbishop in Germany decades ago, retired Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged Tuesday that “abuses and errors” had taken place under his watch, and asked for forgiveness, although he denied any misconduct. “I have had great responsibilities in the Catholic Church,” Benedict said in a written response to the findings in the report commissioned by the Roman Catholic Church in Munich. “All the greater is my pain for the abuses and the errors that occurred in those different places during the time of my mandate,” he said in the response made public by the Vatican. “Each individual case of sexual abuse is appalling and irreparable.” The report, and the accusations by investigators that Benedict had misled them, sent shocks through a Roman Catholic Church that has for a quarter century been devastated by revelations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The allegations related to Benedict’s time in Munich reached the very top of the church hierarchy, and they came not long after a separate report commissioned by the Vatican itself cast a shadow over Benedict’s predecessor, John Paul II, for failing to root out abusers in his church. Benedict, whose backers point out that as pope he did much to throw abusers out of the church, has sought to put himself in a better light. But critics have found his answers more legalistic than pastoral and short of what many victims of abuse and their advocates long to hear from the former head of the church. “He is repeating words of apology that have fallen on deaf ears for decades,” said Mike McDonnell, communications manager with Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, a global association known as SNAP. “True apologies are followed by true amends, and that is a concept that the church doesn’t seem able to grasp,” he said, adding that the letter issued Tuesday followed a pattern of abuse, institutional acknowledgement and lack of action that victims have long complained about. On Tuesday, Benedict recalled again that he had met with dozens of abuse victims during his eight-year papacy and over many apostolic trips. He had, he said, “seen at first hand the effects of a most grievous fault.” Benedict, 94, also expressed indignation that the Munich law firm that conducted the investigation had accused him of being less than honest in his initial answers, which he had provided in 82 written pages. The lawyers had presented evidence in a news conference that the pontiff had participated in a meeting about the transfer of an abusive priest to his diocese for therapy, though he had claimed not to have attended. The discrepancy, Benedict insisted in the new response, was an honest mistake that emerged from the editing process of his answer. “To me it proved deeply hurtful that this oversight was used to cast doubt on my truthfulness, and even to label me a liar,” Benedict said. That defensive tone also ran through an analysis accompanying the letter by four legal experts who had assisted the retired pope. They wrote that the report “contains no evidence for an allegation of misconduct or conspiracy in any cover-up” on the part of Benedict. Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, an advocacy group for victims, said Benedict’s response — which she described as “boilerplate” — was a “deep disappointment and missed opportunity.” Instead, Benedict “conceded nothing,” Doyle said in a statement, and did not take meaningful responsibility for the abuse and a cover-up. “The church is poorer for it,” she added. The report was commissioned by the German archdiocese that investigated how the church had handled cases of sexual abuse between 1945 and 2019. Benedict, at the time Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was archbishop of Munich and Freising from 1977 to 1982. The report said at least 497 victims of abuse had been identified over the 74-year period it examined, and found that Benedict had mishandled four cases during his nearly five years as archbishop. Benedict’s legal experts said in their analysis that the investigators had not shown that Benedict knew of the criminal history of any of the four priests in question. The investigators had previously expressed doubt about that assertion. Days after the report was issued, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Benedict’s personal secretary, admitted Benedict was at the meeting about moving the abusive priest. But Benedict has maintained he did not know why the priest was being transferred to his diocese, only that he needed therapy.

Retired Pope Benedict XVI asks forgiveness over handling of abuse cases

<p>Three people have been arrested following an investigation into an app that apparently seemed to demean Muslim women by using their morphed pictures for an online fake auction.</p>

<p>While there was no actual ‘auction’ or ‘sale’ taking, the purpose of the app seemed to be to humiliate and intimidate the targeted women, many of whom are active social media users.</p>

<p>The action was taken following multiple complaints from prominent women who claimed that their morphed photos were used on an open source app called GitHub platform.</p>

<p>The app was called Bulli Bai, a derogatory term to describe Muslim women.</p>

<p>Ismat Ara, a journalist targeted by the app, said in a police complaint filed on Sunday that it was an attempt to harass Muslim women.</p>

<p>“The said ‘GitHub’ is violent, threatening and intending to create a feeling of fear and shame in my mind, as well as in the minds of women in general, and the Muslim community whose women are being targeted in this hateful manner," said the complaint, which Ara posted on social media.</p>

<p>Women victims had demanded the arrest of those behind such an act and Shiv Sena party MP Priyanka Chaturvedi had also made a complaint to Mumbai Police's cyber wing.</p>

<p>Following the outrage, three people were arrested. The first arrest was made from India’s southern Bengaluru city where a 21-year-old engineering student, Vishal Jha, was taken into custody.</p>

<p>The second arrest was of a 19-year-old woman, Shweta Singh, from Uttarakhand state. According to the police, the girl was said to be the main culprit in the case.</p>

<p>Then in the early hours of Wednesday, another person, Mayank Rawal (21), was arrested.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, a similar case emerged on Thursday where the focus of the target veered towards the Hindu women.</p>

<p>A channel created on the cross-platform Telegram, showcases morphed photos of Hindu women.</p>

<p>Information and Technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Twitter said, “Channel blocked. Government of India coordinating with police authorities of states for action.”</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


Three people have been arrested following an investigation into an app that apparently seemed to demean Muslim women by using their morphed pictures for an online fake auction.

Three people have been arrested following an investigation into an app that apparently seemed to demean Muslim women by using their morphed pictures for an online fake auction. While there was no actual ‘auction’ or ‘sale’ taking, the purpose of the app seemed to be to humiliate and intimidate the targeted women, many of whom are active social media users. The action was taken following multiple complaints from prominent women who claimed that their morphed photos were used on an open source app called GitHub platform. The app was called Bulli Bai, a derogatory term to describe Muslim women. Ismat Ara, a journalist targeted by the app, said in a police complaint filed on Sunday that it was an attempt to harass Muslim women. “The said ‘GitHub’ is violent, threatening and intending to create a feeling of fear and shame in my mind, as well as in the minds of women in general, and the Muslim community whose women are being targeted in this hateful manner," said the complaint, which Ara posted on social media. Women victims had demanded the arrest of those behind such an act and Shiv Sena party MP Priyanka Chaturvedi had also made a complaint to Mumbai Police's cyber wing. Following the outrage, three people were arrested. The first arrest was made from India’s southern Bengaluru city where a 21-year-old engineering student, Vishal Jha, was taken into custody. The second arrest was of a 19-year-old woman, Shweta Singh, from Uttarakhand state. According to the police, the girl was said to be the main culprit in the case. Then in the early hours of Wednesday, another person, Mayank Rawal (21), was arrested. Meanwhile, a similar case emerged on Thursday where the focus of the target veered towards the Hindu women. A channel created on the cross-platform Telegram, showcases morphed photos of Hindu women. Information and Technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Twitter said, “Channel blocked. Government of India coordinating with police authorities of states for action.” (With inputs from agencies)

Bully Bai app case: Three arrested for online abuse of women in India

<p class="MsoNormal">As more and more reports come out about increasing domestic violence against women in Italy, Pope Francis has raised strong message against it.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Pope Francis made these comments during a programme being broadcasted on Sunday night on Italy’s famous TG5 network. While talking to three women belonging to different backgrounds and who have been victims of domestic violence, the Pope condemned such actions of men.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-an-example-and-role-model-for-religious-harmony-says-dalai-lama-438177">India an example and role model for religious harmony, says Dalai Lama</a></strong></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"The number of women who are beaten and abused in their homes, even by their husbands, is very, very high," he said. "The problem is that, for me, it is almost satanic because it is taking advantage of a person who cannot defend herself, who can only [try to] block the blows."<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Pope made this strong-worded statement after a domestic violence survivor, Giovanna, had asked him a related question. The lady had revealed that she had recently escaped an abusive home and now has four children to care for in these tough times.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Motivating Giovanna and several others like her to live their life in a free and safe world, the Pope said, "I see dignity in you because if you didn’t have dignity, you wouldn’t be here."<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">This statement comes at a time when just a month ago the local police had released figures about rising domestic violence in Italy, especially during the Covid years — owing to the repeated coronavirus lockdowns.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">As per the official figures, there have been nearly 90 episodes of violence against women in Italy on a daily basis, out of which 62 per cent are cases of domestic violence.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">He also talked to some other people going through different struggles in their life such as homelessness and living on streets.<o:p></o:p></p>


As more and more reports come out about increasing domestic violence against women in Italy, Pope Francis has raised strong message against it. Pope Francis made these comments during a programme being broadcasted on Sunday night on Italy’s famous TG5 network.

As more and more reports come out about increasing domestic violence against women in Italy, Pope Francis has raised strong message against it. Pope Francis made these comments during a programme being broadcasted on Sunday night on Italy’s famous TG5 network. While talking to three women belonging to different backgrounds and who have been victims of domestic violence, the Pope condemned such actions of men. Also read | India an example and role model for religious harmony, says Dalai Lama "The number of women who are beaten and abused in their homes, even by their husbands, is very, very high," he said. "The problem is that, for me, it is almost satanic because it is taking advantage of a person who cannot defend herself, who can only [try to] block the blows." Pope made this strong-worded statement after a domestic violence survivor, Giovanna, had asked him a related question. The lady had revealed that she had recently escaped an abusive home and now has four children to care for in these tough times. Motivating Giovanna and several others like her to live their life in a free and safe world, the Pope said, "I see dignity in you because if you didn’t have dignity, you wouldn’t be here." This statement comes at a time when just a month ago the local police had released figures about rising domestic violence in Italy, especially during the Covid years — owing to the repeated coronavirus lockdowns. As per the official figures, there have been nearly 90 episodes of violence against women in Italy on a daily basis, out of which 62 per cent are cases of domestic violence. He also talked to some other people going through different struggles in their life such as homelessness and living on streets.

'Almost satanic': Pope Francis condemns rising violence against women

<p class="MsoNormal">The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on the daily lifestyle of people all around the world but a recent study reveals that women have been the worst affected population.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">A recent Lancet study reported that cases of depression and anxiety have increased by more than a quarter in just the initial year of coronavirus pandemic.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">While the rise in cases has sounded an alarm for medical experts all around the world, the fact that a lot of these cases were of women has the experts worried.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eco-anxiety-fear-of-environmental-damage-affecting-mental-health-of-people-418987">‘Eco-anxiety’: Fear of environmental damage affecting mental health of people</a></strong></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">There have been 374 million cases of anxiety disorders around the world in 2020. Out of these, nearly 76 million&nbsp;were new cases caused by the coronavirus pandemic.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">From this figure of 76 million, nearly 52 million additional cases were in women, while men only constituted 24 million.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Another study that emerged in the Headway 2023&nbsp;Mental Health Index has revealed that 83 per cent of women have reported mental health issues during the pandemic years.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Women experiencing traumas such as miscarriage or an abusive relationship, pregnant women or those in postpartum period have been most vulnerable to slipping into depressive phase and anxiety attacks.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/14-per-cent-youngsters-depressed-in-india-due-to-covid-19-unicef-418891">14 per cent youngsters depressed in India due to COVID-19: UNICEF</a></strong></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">One another major reason behind the increase in mental health issues in women has been the extra burden of household chores and childcare. During the pandemic, families came under lockdown and the pressure of running a household along with keeping their office life on track became mentally draining for women. In a lot of households, it was also reported that a very less percentage of men had come forward to help women. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Nearly 44 per cent of women with children under the age of 12 reported that they were struggling to maintain a balance between their professional and personal life, while taking care of their mental health.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many existing inequalities, and social determinants of mental health disorders, and the underpinning mechanisms to improve mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic globally," said Alize Ferrari, from the University of Queensland.&nbsp;"It is crucial that policymakers take underlying factors such as these into account as part of measures to strengthen mental health services."<o:p></o:p></p>


The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on the daily lifestyle of people all around the world but a recent study reveals that women have been the worst affected population.

The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on the daily lifestyle of people all around the world but a recent study reveals that women have been the worst affected population. A recent Lancet study reported that cases of depression and anxiety have increased by more than a quarter in just the initial year of coronavirus pandemic. While the rise in cases has sounded an alarm for medical experts all around the world, the fact that a lot of these cases were of women has the experts worried. Also read | ‘Eco-anxiety’: Fear of environmental damage affecting mental health of people There have been 374 million cases of anxiety disorders around the world in 2020. Out of these, nearly 76 million were new cases caused by the coronavirus pandemic. From this figure of 76 million, nearly 52 million additional cases were in women, while men only constituted 24 million. Another study that emerged in the Headway 2023 Mental Health Index has revealed that 83 per cent of women have reported mental health issues during the pandemic years. Women experiencing traumas such as miscarriage or an abusive relationship, pregnant women or those in postpartum period have been most vulnerable to slipping into depressive phase and anxiety attacks. Also read | 14 per cent youngsters depressed in India due to COVID-19: UNICEF One another major reason behind the increase in mental health issues in women has been the extra burden of household chores and childcare. During the pandemic, families came under lockdown and the pressure of running a household along with keeping their office life on track became mentally draining for women. In a lot of households, it was also reported that a very less percentage of men had come forward to help women. Nearly 44 per cent of women with children under the age of 12 reported that they were struggling to maintain a balance between their professional and personal life, while taking care of their mental health. "The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many existing inequalities, and social determinants of mental health disorders, and the underpinning mechanisms to improve mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic globally," said Alize Ferrari, from the University of Queensland. "It is crucial that policymakers take underlying factors such as these into account as part of measures to strengthen mental health services."

Women's mental health deteriorated more in Covid pandemic: Study

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="3">Afghanistan seems to be going back in time. Since coming back to power, the Taliban have been undoing the decades of progress made by the then-elected government. The Afghan women seem to be facing the brunt of it.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="5">The ban on the education of girls, the closure of driving classes for women, and the fresh diktat on dress codes, these are some of the areas where the Taliban seem to be controlling every aspect of women’s lives.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="6">Nilab Durrani established the first driving school in the country for women about a year ago to support several other women who wanted to learn driving. But it has been closed ever since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="7">Durrani said, "Since the previous government collapsed, we have not registered a new student till now, and also no one has contacted us to get registration."&nbsp;</p>

<p>A young cyclist had dreams of representing her country on the global stage, but her hopes were dashed after the Taliban came to power.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: WION captures the plight of Afghan women</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-captures-the-plight-of-afghan-women-416722/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="9">She said, "When I was young, I was interested in cycling,&nbsp;and I had gotten quite good at it recently. But unfortunately, ever since the Taliban came to power, all my dreams related to cycling have been quashed. I have lost all hope to compete abroad."</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="9">These are just a few examples of Afghan women who have been forced to give up their dreams.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="11">On September 18, the new Taliban education ministry issued a new order stating that the secondary schools would re-open only for boys, effectively banning girl students from getting education.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="11">Apart from that, the Taliban also announced a strict gender segregation policy across the universities.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="13">The Taliban’s regressive policies came on full display after it announced that public executions and amputations as forms of punishment would return to Afghanistan.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="14">The Taliban's co-founder, Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, had also warned against any outside interference in their Islamic rules.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="15">"Everyone criticised us for the punishments in the stadium, but we have never said anything about their laws and their punishments," he said.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="16">Immediately after the announcement, the Taliban hanged four dead bodies in public for allegedly stealing.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="17">In Helmand province, the Taliban banned hairdressers from shaving or trimming beards, saying that it is against their version of Islamic law. They also instructed the salons not to play any music.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="18">Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob, the defence minister of Taliban, had warned foot soldiers against taking selfies and wearing stylish clothes. He also asked them to improve their appearance and ensure that their beards, hair and clothes are in line with Islamic rules.</p>


Afghanistan seems to be going back in time. Since coming back to power, the Taliban have been undoing the decades of progress made by the then-elected government.

Afghanistan seems to be going back in time. Since coming back to power, the Taliban have been undoing the decades of progress made by the then-elected government. The Afghan women seem to be facing the brunt of it. The ban on the education of girls, the closure of driving classes for women, and the fresh diktat on dress codes, these are some of the areas where the Taliban seem to be controlling every aspect of women’s lives. Nilab Durrani established the first driving school in the country for women about a year ago to support several other women who wanted to learn driving. But it has been closed ever since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Durrani said, "Since the previous government collapsed, we have not registered a new student till now, and also no one has contacted us to get registration." A young cyclist had dreams of representing her country on the global stage, but her hopes were dashed after the Taliban came to power. Watch: WION captures the plight of Afghan women She said, "When I was young, I was interested in cycling, and I had gotten quite good at it recently. But unfortunately, ever since the Taliban came to power, all my dreams related to cycling have been quashed. I have lost all hope to compete abroad." These are just a few examples of Afghan women who have been forced to give up their dreams. On September 18, the new Taliban education ministry issued a new order stating that the secondary schools would re-open only for boys, effectively banning girl students from getting education. Apart from that, the Taliban also announced a strict gender segregation policy across the universities. The Taliban’s regressive policies came on full display after it announced that public executions and amputations as forms of punishment would return to Afghanistan. The Taliban's co-founder, Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, had also warned against any outside interference in their Islamic rules. "Everyone criticised us for the punishments in the stadium, but we have never said anything about their laws and their punishments," he said. Immediately after the announcement, the Taliban hanged four dead bodies in public for allegedly stealing. In Helmand province, the Taliban banned hairdressers from shaving or trimming beards, saying that it is against their version of Islamic law. They also instructed the salons not to play any music. Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob, the defence minister of Taliban, had warned foot soldiers against taking selfies and wearing stylish clothes. He also asked them to improve their appearance and ensure that their beards, hair and clothes are in line with Islamic rules.

Ban on saloon, girls’ education & return of public executions: Is Afghanistan going back in time?

Woman's murder by alleged harasser in Kuwait sparks protest, outrage

<p>Angelina Jolie had powerful advice for women who fear being abused over the holidays. As part of her Special Envoy duties with United Nation's for its 16 Days of Activism campaign, the actress told Harper's Bazaar that women should 'talk to someone, try to find allies and be connected for emergencies' in an effort to safeguard themselves and their children amid potentially-violent situations.</p>

<p>"For example, you can agree on a code word with a friend or family member, which tells them if you are facing an emergency,' Jolie said. 'Begin to build a network and gain knowledge."<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-news-angelina-jolie-donates-1-million-to-charity-for-kids-who-are-missing-meals-as-schools-are-shut-288580" hreflang="en">Angelina Jolie donates $1 million to charity for kids who are missing meals as schools are shut</a></p>

<p>The actress noted that people in a person's immediate circle, unfortunately, might not always be the quickest to aid. "It’s sad to say, but you can’t assume all friends and family will always want to believe and support you. Often it will be strangers who help. Or other victims, support groups, or faith groups."</p>

<p>Jolie stressed that ' women need to 'be careful' depending on the situation they are in.</p>

<p>"Only you really know the danger you are in, and until you find your support outside, you may feel quite alone,"&nbsp; she said&nbsp;</p>

<p>The actress also added that people who are confided in about abuse, people should 'take it seriously and stand by them, listen to them' and not 'judge them.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/happy-birthday-angelina-jolie-some-lesser-known-facts-about-her-303276" hreflang="en">Some lesser-known facts about Angelina Jolie</a></p>

<p>"Try to understand the huge emotional, financial and legal pressures they are likely facing, including the pressure to stay silent about what has happened to them. And be aware that they may well be suffering trauma and PTSD."</p>

<p>She also shared insights to help people who suspect a friend, relative or child might be a victim of domestic abuse.</p>

<p>"If it has even crossed your mind that someone you know might be vulnerable in this way, try to stay close and present in their lives," Jolie said. "Make it clear that you are there for them."</p>

<p>'Another thing we can all do is educate ourselves. Learn about domestic violence. Learn how trauma affects our health and can lead to biological changes, particularly in children. Take these issues seriously.'</p>

<p>Jolie last month spoke in Seoul at the Second International Conference on Action with Women and Peace for the UNHCR.</p>

<p>She said 'that domestic violence has grown sharply worse during the pandemic; and that the number of people displaced by conflict and persecution - over half of them women and children - has doubled in a decade.'</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Angelina Jolie had powerful advice for women who fear being abused over the holidays. As part of her Special Envoy duties with United Nation's for its 16 Days of Activism campaign, the actress told Harper's Bazaar that women should 'talk to someone, try to find allies and be connected for emergencies' in an effort to safeguard themselves and their children amid potentially-violent situations.

Angelina Jolie had powerful advice for women who fear being abused over the holidays. As part of her Special Envoy duties with United Nation's for its 16 Days of Activism campaign, the actress told Harper's Bazaar that women should 'talk to someone, try to find allies and be connected for emergencies' in an effort to safeguard themselves and their children amid potentially-violent situations. "For example, you can agree on a code word with a friend or family member, which tells them if you are facing an emergency,' Jolie said. 'Begin to build a network and gain knowledge." Angelina Jolie donates $1 million to charity for kids who are missing meals as schools are shut The actress noted that people in a person's immediate circle, unfortunately, might not always be the quickest to aid. "It’s sad to say, but you can’t assume all friends and family will always want to believe and support you. Often it will be strangers who help. Or other victims, support groups, or faith groups." Jolie stressed that ' women need to 'be careful' depending on the situation they are in. "Only you really know the danger you are in, and until you find your support outside, you may feel quite alone," she said The actress also added that people who are confided in about abuse, people should 'take it seriously and stand by them, listen to them' and not 'judge them. Some lesser-known facts about Angelina Jolie "Try to understand the huge emotional, financial and legal pressures they are likely facing, including the pressure to stay silent about what has happened to them. And be aware that they may well be suffering trauma and PTSD." She also shared insights to help people who suspect a friend, relative or child might be a victim of domestic abuse. "If it has even crossed your mind that someone you know might be vulnerable in this way, try to stay close and present in their lives," Jolie said. "Make it clear that you are there for them." 'Another thing we can all do is educate ourselves. Learn about domestic violence. Learn how trauma affects our health and can lead to biological changes, particularly in children. Take these issues seriously.' Jolie last month spoke in Seoul at the Second International Conference on Action with Women and Peace for the UNHCR. She said 'that domestic violence has grown sharply worse during the pandemic; and that the number of people displaced by conflict and persecution - over half of them women and children - has doubled in a decade.'

Angelina Jolie shares a powerful message for women who fear being abused over holidays

<p>As per a report by the United Nations, called "Stacked odds", close to 29 million women and young girls are victims of 'modern slavery' — including practises such as debt-bondage and domestic servitude.</p>

<p>This report has come as an eye-opener for the world where women and young girls are ill-treated on a daily basis in various countries.</p>

<p>According to this report,&nbsp;one in every 130 women and girls are subjected to forced labor, forced marriage, debt-bondage and domestic servitude on a daily basis.</p>

<p>This number is&nbsp;more than the population of Australia.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-stillbirth-every-16-seconds-and-this-could-get-worse-due-to-covid-19-pandemic-333385"><strong>Also read|&nbsp;One stillbirth every 16 seconds and this could get worse due to COVID-19 pandemic</strong></a></p>

<p>"The reality is that there are more people living in slavery today than any other time in human history,”&nbsp;Grace Forrest, the co-founder of the Walk Free anti-slavery organization said in a UN press conference.</p>

<p>Modern slavery is defined&nbsp;as "the systematic removal of a person’s freedom, where one person is exploited by another for personal or financial gain,” Forrest explained.</p>

<p>This report has been combined with observations, data and studies conducted by&nbsp;Walk Free, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-ngos-shaken-by-dr-congo-sex-abuse-claims-332143"><strong>Also read|&nbsp;UN, NGOs shaken by DR Congo sex abuse claims</strong></a></p>

<p>As per the report, 99 per cent of the victims of forced sexual exploitation are women. Additionally, 84 per cent&nbsp;of all victims of forced marriage and 58 per cent of all victims of forced labor are also women.</p>

<p>What is more saddening is that the researchers found out that this exploitation is slowly becoming a normalised concept and the pandemic is only making things worse for these victims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We’re seeing normalized exploitation in our economy in transnational supply chains and also in migration pathways,” Forrest said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beirut-blast-has-caused-trauma-to-600000-children-says-unicef-325388"><strong>Also read|&nbsp;Beirut blast has caused trauma to 600,000 children, says Unicef</strong></a></p>

<p>However, she explained that the report does not have the values of the year of pandemic, but the exploitation of women and young girls in the onademic has increased.&nbsp;"The world’s most vulnerable people have been pushed even further into this practice of modern slavery because of COVID-19.”</p>

<p>In order to help the ailing women and bring global attention towards this issue,&nbsp;Walk Free and the U.N.’s Every Woman Every Child program are launching a global campaign.</p>

<p>One of the main motives of this campaign will be to urge governments around the world to criminalise child and forced marriage — practises that are yet popular and decrimnalised in nearly 136 countries.</p>

<p>Forrest also aims to completely eliminate the practice of&nbsp;kefala — a bondage programme that legally binds a migrant worker to an employer or sponsor&nbsp;for the period of their contract.</p>

<p>She has also urged people to turn towards the exploitation-free products, rather than buying the products which are made by forced labour.&nbsp;"We know that women and girls are experiencing unprecedented levels of exploitation and forced labor in supply chains of the goods we buy and use every day – clothing, coffee, technology," Forest said.</p>


As per a report by the United Nations, called "Stacked odds", close to 29 million women and young girls are victims of 'modern slavery' — including practises such as debt-bondage and domestic servitude.

As per a report by the United Nations, called "Stacked odds", close to 29 million women and young girls are victims of 'modern slavery' — including practises such as debt-bondage and domestic servitude. This report has come as an eye-opener for the world where women and young girls are ill-treated on a daily basis in various countries. According to this report, one in every 130 women and girls are subjected to forced labor, forced marriage, debt-bondage and domestic servitude on a daily basis. This number is more than the population of Australia. Also read| One stillbirth every 16 seconds and this could get worse due to COVID-19 pandemic "The reality is that there are more people living in slavery today than any other time in human history,” Grace Forrest, the co-founder of the Walk Free anti-slavery organization said in a UN press conference. Modern slavery is defined as "the systematic removal of a person’s freedom, where one person is exploited by another for personal or financial gain,” Forrest explained. This report has been combined with observations, data and studies conducted by Walk Free, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Also read| UN, NGOs shaken by DR Congo sex abuse claims As per the report, 99 per cent of the victims of forced sexual exploitation are women. Additionally, 84 per cent of all victims of forced marriage and 58 per cent of all victims of forced labor are also women. What is more saddening is that the researchers found out that this exploitation is slowly becoming a normalised concept and the pandemic is only making things worse for these victims. "We’re seeing normalized exploitation in our economy in transnational supply chains and also in migration pathways,” Forrest said. Also read| Beirut blast has caused trauma to 600,000 children, says Unicef However, she explained that the report does not have the values of the year of pandemic, but the exploitation of women and young girls in the onademic has increased. "The world’s most vulnerable people have been pushed even further into this practice of modern slavery because of COVID-19.” In order to help the ailing women and bring global attention towards this issue, Walk Free and the U.N.’s Every Woman Every Child program are launching a global campaign. One of the main motives of this campaign will be to urge governments around the world to criminalise child and forced marriage — practises that are yet popular and decrimnalised in nearly 136 countries. Forrest also aims to completely eliminate the practice of kefala — a bondage programme that legally binds a migrant worker to an employer or sponsor for the period of their contract. She has also urged people to turn towards the exploitation-free products, rather than buying the products which are made by forced labour. "We know that women and girls are experiencing unprecedented levels of exploitation and forced labor in supply chains of the goods we buy and use every day – clothing, coffee, technology," Forest said.

Around 29 million women and girls victims of modern slavery: UN report

<p>Mexico has accused the US of forcing women to undergo surgeries at the US immigration detention centres. The allegation has been made directly by the Mexican foreign ministry.</p>

<p>The accusation was made through a statement on Saturday in which the foreign ministry claimed that their consulate in Atlanta has identified cases of a privately run detention centre in the state of Georgia. This centre allegedly is run in very bad conditions including&nbsp;irregularities related to sterilizations.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-asks-pope-to-apologise-for-atrocities-during-spanish-conquests-334378/amp"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Mexico asks Pope to apologise for atrocities during Spanish conquests</strong></a></p>

<p>In the accusation, it has been stated that at least two women were forced to undergo a surgery without her consent. Allegedly one woman at the centre in Georgia had undergone "a surgical intervention" — but not a hysterectomy — and had not even received any post-operative care.</p>

<p>"The consulate general requested the opinion of a medical specialist who, after an exhaustive review of the file, considers that there are irregularities or anomalies in the medical procedure," the document read.</p>

<p>The second case is also of a woman from the same centre in Georgia who could have&nbsp;"undergone gynecological surgery without her full consent, without having received an explanation in Spanish of the medical diagnosis or the nature of the medical procedures that would be performed."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-men-on-trial-over-death-of-39-vietnamese-migrants-in-uk-truck-container-333250"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Four men on trial over death of 39 Vietnamese migrants in UK truck container</strong></a></p>

<p>This allegation has come almost a month after the Mexican government started investigating&nbsp;whether six of its citizens were sterilized without their consent at the immigration detention center in Irwin County.</p>

<p>These cases came to light after a nurse from the centre explained the conditions the detainees are kept in. She particularly talked about the ill living conditions of the people who are detained under the&nbsp;Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. She explained how the women detainees were forced to undergo this operation without them understanding the procedure due to the barrier of language.</p>


Mexico has accused the US of forcing women to undergo surgeries at the US immigration detention centres. The allegation has been made directly by the Mexican foreign ministry.

Mexico has accused the US of forcing women to undergo surgeries at the US immigration detention centres. The allegation has been made directly by the Mexican foreign ministry. The accusation was made through a statement on Saturday in which the foreign ministry claimed that their consulate in Atlanta has identified cases of a privately run detention centre in the state of Georgia. This centre allegedly is run in very bad conditions including irregularities related to sterilizations. Also read: Mexico asks Pope to apologise for atrocities during Spanish conquests In the accusation, it has been stated that at least two women were forced to undergo a surgery without her consent. Allegedly one woman at the centre in Georgia had undergone "a surgical intervention" — but not a hysterectomy — and had not even received any post-operative care. "The consulate general requested the opinion of a medical specialist who, after an exhaustive review of the file, considers that there are irregularities or anomalies in the medical procedure," the document read. The second case is also of a woman from the same centre in Georgia who could have "undergone gynecological surgery without her full consent, without having received an explanation in Spanish of the medical diagnosis or the nature of the medical procedures that would be performed." Also read: Four men on trial over death of 39 Vietnamese migrants in UK truck container This allegation has come almost a month after the Mexican government started investigating whether six of its citizens were sterilized without their consent at the immigration detention center in Irwin County. These cases came to light after a nurse from the centre explained the conditions the detainees are kept in. She particularly talked about the ill living conditions of the people who are detained under the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. She explained how the women detainees were forced to undergo this operation without them understanding the procedure due to the barrier of language.

Mexico accuses US of performing surgeries on women without consent

<p>Pakistan's top cleric Tariq Jamil, who commented that women's dressing sense has brought the wrath of coronavirus upon the country on live television has come out to apologize for the statements.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-top-cleric-tariq-jamil-claims-women-caused-covid-19-294965">Pakistan's top cleric Tariq Jamil claims women caused COVID-19</a></p>

<p>The cleric took to Twitter to clarify and apologise for what he said: "Recently I made some comments that I wish to clarify. My aim was to point out that WE are all to blame for our current state. It was meant to be a general remark not targeting any specific men, women, persons or gender, but as a reminder to get closer to what Allah teaches us."</p>

<p>Jamil also said that his sole aim was to remind everyone to be "spiritual" and to stay away from the "desires and the materialistic". He said: My goal was to remind us all to focus on the spiritual and away from our desires and the materialistic. I am the first to admit as I have taught over the years, that there is no excuse for making any hurtful comments about anyone or making anyone feel uncomfortable."&nbsp;</p>

<p>He apologised for the statements he made: For which I sincerely apologize to anyone who may been inadvertently hurt. I pray that Allah accept our good deeds and forgive our shortcomings.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Recently I made some comments that I wish to clarify<br />
My aim was to point out that WE are all to blame for our current state. It was meant to be a general remark not targeting any specific men, women, persons or gender, but as a reminder to get closer to what Allah teaches us.</p>
— Tariq Jamil (@TariqJamilOFCL) <a href="https://twitter.com/TariqJamilOFCL/status/1254906518832635905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">For which I sincerely apologize to anyone who may been inadvertently hurt.<br />
I pray that Allah accept our good deeds and forgive our shortcomings.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tariqjamil?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tariqjamil</a></p>
— Tariq Jamil (@TariqJamilOFCL) <a href="https://twitter.com/TariqJamilOFCL/status/1254907765451034625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The cleric blamed the pandemic on the women calling it a "wrongdoing of women". According to Jameel, women who "often scantily" dress were the reason for an outbreak in the country. He condemned the women and said their behaviour has put the country in jeopardy. &nbsp;These comments were made during the Ehsaas Telethon fundraising event on live television in the presence of Prime Minister Imran Khan.</p>


Pakistan's top cleric Tariq Jamil, who commented that women's dressing sense has brought the wrath of coronavirus upon the country on live television has come out to apologize for the statements.

Pakistan's top cleric Tariq Jamil, who commented that women's dressing sense has brought the wrath of coronavirus upon the country on live television has come out to apologize for the statements. Also read: Pakistan's top cleric Tariq Jamil claims women caused COVID-19 The cleric took to Twitter to clarify and apologise for what he said: "Recently I made some comments that I wish to clarify. My aim was to point out that WE are all to blame for our current state. It was meant to be a general remark not targeting any specific men, women, persons or gender, but as a reminder to get closer to what Allah teaches us." Jamil also said that his sole aim was to remind everyone to be "spiritual" and to stay away from the "desires and the materialistic". He said: My goal was to remind us all to focus on the spiritual and away from our desires and the materialistic. I am the first to admit as I have taught over the years, that there is no excuse for making any hurtful comments about anyone or making anyone feel uncomfortable." He apologised for the statements he made: For which I sincerely apologize to anyone who may been inadvertently hurt. I pray that Allah accept our good deeds and forgive our shortcomings. Recently I made some comments that I wish to clarify My aim was to point out that WE are all to blame for our current state. It was meant to be a general remark not targeting any specific men, women, persons or gender, but as a reminder to get closer to what Allah teaches us. — Tariq Jamil (@TariqJamilOFCL) April 27, 2020 × For which I sincerely apologize to anyone who may been inadvertently hurt. I pray that Allah accept our good deeds and forgive our shortcomings.#tariqjamil — Tariq Jamil (@TariqJamilOFCL) April 27, 2020 × The cleric blamed the pandemic on the women calling it a "wrongdoing of women". According to Jameel, women who "often scantily" dress were the reason for an outbreak in the country. He condemned the women and said their behaviour has put the country in jeopardy. These comments were made during the Ehsaas Telethon fundraising event on live television in the presence of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Pakistan cleric Tariq  Jamil apologises for his remarks claiming women caused COVID-19

<p>Pakistan's well-known cleric Maulana Tariq Jameel has said that women are the cause of coronavirus pandemic. These comments were made during the Ehsaas Telethon fundraising event on live television in the presence of Prime Minister Imran Khan.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/people-say-i-am-the-hardest-working-president-says-trump-in-a-twitter-tirade-against-media-294940" hreflang="en">People say I am the hardest-working president, says Donald Trump</a></p>

<p>The cleric called it "wrongdoing of women". According to Jameel, women who "often scantily" dress were the reason for an outbreak in the country. He condemned the women and said their behaviour has put the country in jeopardy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jameel went on to lash out on media and accused them of spreading lies. He said: "This is not just restricted to Pakistani media. Foreign media are also liars." But he later on apologised by calling it a "slip of tongue".&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the cleric has yet not apologised for his sexist take on the cause of coronavirus pandemic. Pakistan's newspaper Dawn posted an editorial calling it a "shame" that the cleric was not questioned for such remarks and these comments were passed on live television from a platform that involved the country's top brass.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Human Right Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has questioned the cleric for his remarks on women, calling it "blatant objectification". The commission took to Twitter to condemn the cleric's statement.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">HRCP is appalled at Maulana <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TariqJamil?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TariqJamil</a>'s recent statement inexplicably correlating women's 'modesty' to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Covid19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Covid19</a> pandemic. Such blatant objectification is unacceptable and, when aired on public television, only compounds the misogyny entrenched in society.</p>
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) <a href="https://twitter.com/HRCP87/status/1253622000012099584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Coronavirus pandemic has spiked the cases of domestic abuse across the globe. This has happened due to extended lockdowns forcing them to stay at home.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistan has crossed the 10,000 mark in the coronavirus cases. The cases currently stand at 11,940 with 253 death across the nation.</p>


Pakistan's well-known cleric Maulana Tariq Jameel has said that women are the cause of coronavirus pandemic. These comments were made during the Ehsaas Telethon fundraising event on live television in the presence of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Pakistan's well-known cleric Maulana Tariq Jameel has said that women are the cause of coronavirus pandemic. These comments were made during the Ehsaas Telethon fundraising event on live television in the presence of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Also read: People say I am the hardest-working president, says Donald Trump The cleric called it "wrongdoing of women". According to Jameel, women who "often scantily" dress were the reason for an outbreak in the country. He condemned the women and said their behaviour has put the country in jeopardy. Jameel went on to lash out on media and accused them of spreading lies. He said: "This is not just restricted to Pakistani media. Foreign media are also liars." But he later on apologised by calling it a "slip of tongue". But the cleric has yet not apologised for his sexist take on the cause of coronavirus pandemic. Pakistan's newspaper Dawn posted an editorial calling it a "shame" that the cleric was not questioned for such remarks and these comments were passed on live television from a platform that involved the country's top brass. Human Right Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has questioned the cleric for his remarks on women, calling it "blatant objectification". The commission took to Twitter to condemn the cleric's statement. HRCP is appalled at Maulana #TariqJamil's recent statement inexplicably correlating women's 'modesty' to the #Covid19 pandemic. Such blatant objectification is unacceptable and, when aired on public television, only compounds the misogyny entrenched in society. — Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) April 24, 2020 × Coronavirus pandemic has spiked the cases of domestic abuse across the globe. This has happened due to extended lockdowns forcing them to stay at home. Pakistan has crossed the 10,000 mark in the coronavirus cases. The cases currently stand at 11,940 with 253 death across the nation.

Pakistan's top cleric Tariq Jamil claims women caused COVID-19

<p>"The web is not working for women and girls," were the words of Tim Berners-Lee, who created the world wide web on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Berners-Lee made these remarks in an assessment published on the World Wide Web Foundation, an initiative by him that fights for free and open web for everyone. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;UN Study: 90% of people are biased against women&nbsp;</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/un-study-90-of-people-are-biased-against-women-gravitas-284862/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>He also said that a "dangerous trend" of abuse threatens the progress made towards achieving gender equality.</p>

<p>"The world has made important progress on gender equality thanks to the unceasing drive of committed champions everywhere," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"But I am seriously concerned that online harms facing women and girls -- especially those of colour, from LGBTQ+ communities and other marginalised groups -- threaten that progress."</p>

<p>Berners-Lee also said that the abuse was so extensive that "over half of young women surveyed have experienced violence online", citing a report from the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.</p>

<p>The internet founder also highlighted that discrimination gets further triggered as a lot of women could not get the access to the internet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also said that men are 21 per cent more likely to be online, increasing to 52 per cent in the world's least developed countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Berners-Lee said such inequalities brings the risks of "Contract for the Web", a global action plan he initiated a year ago to prevent the web becoming a "digital dystopia".</p>

<p><em>(With AFP inputs)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


"The web is not working for women and girls," were the words of Tim Berners-Lee, who created the world wide web on Thursday. Berners-Lee made these remarks in an assessment published on the World Wide Web Foundation, an initiative by him that fights for free and open web for everyone.

"The web is not working for women and girls," were the words of Tim Berners-Lee, who created the world wide web on Thursday. Berners-Lee made these remarks in an assessment published on the World Wide Web Foundation, an initiative by him that fights for free and open web for everyone. Watch | UN Study: 90% of people are biased against women He also said that a "dangerous trend" of abuse threatens the progress made towards achieving gender equality. "The world has made important progress on gender equality thanks to the unceasing drive of committed champions everywhere," he said. "But I am seriously concerned that online harms facing women and girls -- especially those of colour, from LGBTQ+ communities and other marginalised groups -- threaten that progress." Berners-Lee also said that the abuse was so extensive that "over half of young women surveyed have experienced violence online", citing a report from the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. The internet founder also highlighted that discrimination gets further triggered as a lot of women could not get the access to the internet. He also said that men are 21 per cent more likely to be online, increasing to 52 per cent in the world's least developed countries. Berners-Lee said such inequalities brings the risks of "Contract for the Web", a global action plan he initiated a year ago to prevent the web becoming a "digital dystopia". (With AFP inputs)

Web is not working for women, girls: Internet founder

From 'Agni Sakshi' to 'Thappad', films that have dealt with domestic violence

<p>Kovind recalled how women scientists played a critical role in the ISRO's Mars orbiter mission, known as Mangalyaan.</p>

<p>President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday rued the lower number of women in the area of science and technology, and said they comprise only 15 per cent of the workforce in research and development.</p>

<p>Kovind recalled how women scientists played a critical role in the ISRO's Mars orbiter mission, known as Mangalyaan.</p>

<p>"Despite presence of highly-motivated women scientists, India's R&amp;D workforce has less than 15 per cent women compared to the global average of 30 per cent, according our National Task Force report," Kovind said.</p>

<p>The President was addressing scientists on the occasion of National Science Day.</p>

<p>"Numbers are no different in science and technology teaching institutions," he said. "Only a small percentage of women who study science go on to make a successful career and continue with this field."</p>

<p>Kovind added that in order to encourage women to take to higher studies in science, he had substantially enhanced the representation of women in central universities.</p>

<p>National Science Day marks the discovery of the 'Raman Effect' by physicist C V Raman on this day in 1928.&nbsp;</p>


Kovind recalled how women scientists played a critical role in the ISRO's Mars orbiter mission, known as Mangalyaan. President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday rued the lower number of women in the area of science and technology, and said they comprise only 15 per cent of the workforce in research and development.

Kovind recalled how women scientists played a critical role in the ISRO's Mars orbiter mission, known as Mangalyaan. President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday rued the lower number of women in the area of science and technology, and said they comprise only 15 per cent of the workforce in research and development. Kovind recalled how women scientists played a critical role in the ISRO's Mars orbiter mission, known as Mangalyaan. "Despite presence of highly-motivated women scientists, India's R&D workforce has less than 15 per cent women compared to the global average of 30 per cent, according our National Task Force report," Kovind said. The President was addressing scientists on the occasion of National Science Day. "Numbers are no different in science and technology teaching institutions," he said. "Only a small percentage of women who study science go on to make a successful career and continue with this field." Kovind added that in order to encourage women to take to higher studies in science, he had substantially enhanced the representation of women in central universities. National Science Day marks the discovery of the 'Raman Effect' by physicist C V Raman on this day in 1928.

India's R&D workforce has less than 15% women compared to global average of 30%: President Kovind

<p>American actor and singer Mellisa Benoist is receiving massive support after her confession of past domestic abuse. Benoist's husband and American actor Chris Wood has also come in the support which has now extended to an online hashtag, #IStandWIthMelissa.<br />
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He also has made this a challenge and asked his online followers, "How do YOU show love?"Earlier this week, Benoist confessed publicly that she is a domestic abuse survivor. She did not name her abuser, but Wood is her second husband of just a few months, whom she wed in September, reported a magazine.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Happy Thanksgiving! I’m going to kiss my wife and hold her tenderly. All day. And every day. How do YOU show love? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IStandWithMelissa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IStandWithMelissa</a></p>
— Chris Wood (@CHRIStophrWOOD) <a href="https://twitter.com/CHRIStophrWOOD/status/1200095868222763008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>On Thursday,&nbsp;Wood used the viral hashtag #IStandWithMelissa in a tweet to wish followers a happy Thanksgiving."Happy Thanksgiving!" He tweeted, "I'm going to kiss my wife and hold her tenderly, All day. And every day. How do YOU show love?".&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The 'Supergirl'&nbsp;actor raised her domestic abuse allegations in an emotional video on Instagram on Wednesday. She claimed that she was a survivor of domestic violence, enduring months of abuse from a romantic partner.&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B5YXu8oHkzn/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">The long and winding road of healing and reconciliation has brought me to this moment where I feel strong enough to talk about my experience openly, honestly and without shame. By sharing my story, hopefully I can empower others to seek help and extricate themselves from abusive relationships. Everyone deserves to be loved void of violence, fear and physical harm. @futureswithoutviolence</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissabenoist/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Melissa Benoist</a> (@melissabenoist) on <time datetime="2019-11-27T19:34:52+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Nov 27, 2019 at 11:34am PST</time></p>
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<p>In an Instagram video, she said, "I am a survivor of domestic violence or IPV,&nbsp;which is something I never in my life expected I would say, let alone be broadcasting into the ether."She explained her trauma of the domestic violence, "The stark truth is I learned what it felt like to be pinned down and slapped repeatedly, punched so hard the wind was knocked out of me, dragged by my hair across pavement, head-butted, pinched until my skin broke, shoved into a wall so hard the drywall broke, choked, I learned to lock myself in rooms but quickly stopped because the door was inevitably broken down.<br />
<br />
I learned to not value any of my property-replaceable and irreplaceable. I learned not to value myself."The 31-year-old actor finally took action when she suffered major injuries due to her partner threw an iPhone at her face. She continued," The impact tore my iris, nearly ruptured my eyeball, lacerated my skin and broke my nose, my left eye swelled shut. I had a fat lip ... Something inside of me broke, this was too far.<br />
<br />
"Benoist finally decided to leave the relationship, after a discussion with a friend, she said in the video that Leaving such a relationship was not a walk in the park. It is not an event, it's a process. She felt complicated feelings of guilt for leaving and for hurting someone she had protected for so long, and yes, a&nbsp;"mournful feeling of leaving something familiar," she said.<br />
<br />
She concluded, "But luckily, the people I let in, the more I was bolstered, I never lost the sense of clarity that kept telling me, 'You do not deserve this'."</p>


American actor and singer Mellisa Benoist is receiving massive support after her confession of past domestic abuse. Benoist's husband and American actor Chris Wood has also come in the support which has now extended to an online hashtag, #IStandWIthMelissa.

American actor and singer Mellisa Benoist is receiving massive support after her confession of past domestic abuse. Benoist's husband and American actor Chris Wood has also come in the support which has now extended to an online hashtag, #IStandWIthMelissa. He also has made this a challenge and asked his online followers, "How do YOU show love?"Earlier this week, Benoist confessed publicly that she is a domestic abuse survivor. She did not name her abuser, but Wood is her second husband of just a few months, whom she wed in September, reported a magazine. Happy Thanksgiving! I’m going to kiss my wife and hold her tenderly. All day. And every day. How do YOU show love? #IStandWithMelissa — Chris Wood (@CHRIStophrWOOD) November 28, 2019 × On Thursday, Wood used the viral hashtag #IStandWithMelissa in a tweet to wish followers a happy Thanksgiving."Happy Thanksgiving!" He tweeted, "I'm going to kiss my wife and hold her tenderly, All day. And every day. How do YOU show love?". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Melissa Benoist (@melissabenoist) on Nov 27, 2019 at 11:30am PST × The 'Supergirl' actor raised her domestic abuse allegations in an emotional video on Instagram on Wednesday. She claimed that she was a survivor of domestic violence, enduring months of abuse from a romantic partner. View this post on Instagram The long and winding road of healing and reconciliation has brought me to this moment where I feel strong enough to talk about my experience openly, honestly and without shame. By sharing my story, hopefully I can empower others to seek help and extricate themselves from abusive relationships. Everyone deserves to be loved void of violence, fear and physical harm. @futureswithoutviolence A post shared by Melissa Benoist (@melissabenoist) on Nov 27, 2019 at 11:34am PST × In an Instagram video, she said, "I am a survivor of domestic violence or IPV, which is something I never in my life expected I would say, let alone be broadcasting into the ether."She explained her trauma of the domestic violence, "The stark truth is I learned what it felt like to be pinned down and slapped repeatedly, punched so hard the wind was knocked out of me, dragged by my hair across pavement, head-butted, pinched until my skin broke, shoved into a wall so hard the drywall broke, choked, I learned to lock myself in rooms but quickly stopped because the door was inevitably broken down. I learned to not value any of my property-replaceable and irreplaceable. I learned not to value myself."The 31-year-old actor finally took action when she suffered major injuries due to her partner threw an iPhone at her face. She continued," The impact tore my iris, nearly ruptured my eyeball, lacerated my skin and broke my nose, my left eye swelled shut. I had a fat lip ... Something inside of me broke, this was too far. "Benoist finally decided to leave the relationship, after a discussion with a friend, she said in the video that Leaving such a relationship was not a walk in the park. It is not an event, it's a process. She felt complicated feelings of guilt for leaving and for hurting someone she had protected for so long, and yes, a "mournful feeling of leaving something familiar," she said. She concluded, "But luckily, the people I let in, the more I was bolstered, I never lost the sense of clarity that kept telling me, 'You do not deserve this'."

'Supergirl' actor Mellisa Benoist's husband Chris Wood tweets in support of #IStandWithMelissa

She leaves him, he kills her: How France protested against domestic violence

<p>Sexual violence and abductions continue to be used as weapons of war in armed conflict by non-state actors and terrorist organisations which disproportionately affect women, India has said as it asked the UN Security Council to sanction individuals and entities involved in gender-based violence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The remarks by Paulomi Tripathi, First Secretary in the India's Permanent Mission here, came after UN chief Antonio Guterres reported a huge increase in such brutalities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Today, there is greater awareness about the centrality of meaningful participation of women in peace processes and incorporation of gender perspectives in UN's peace and security efforts," Tripathi said.</p>

<p>Despite these efforts, women's role and perspectives in peace processes remain largely neglected, she said during the UN Security Council open debate on "promoting the implementation of women, peace and security agenda and sustaining peace through women's political and economic empowerment".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Sexual violence, abductions and human trafficking continue to be used as weapons of war in armed conflict by non-state actors and terrorist organisations. Rapidly expanding trans-boundary criminal networks finance terror, supply arms, recruit and train of foreign fighters and destabilise whole regions which disproportionately affect women," she said.</p>

<p>"Large scale movements of refugees emanating from armed conflicts increase the vulnerability of women to discrimination and exploitation, she said.<br />
Tripathi said India appreciates Secretary General's emphasis and achievement on gender parity in UN's senior leadership.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"As the General Assembly focuses on gender sensitive and inclusive development to build peaceful and resilient societies, the Council must push for effective cooperation on countering terrorism that threatens peace and security," she said.</p>

<p>"The Council must make all efforts to realize the full potential of integrating women, peace and security considerations in sanctions regimes. The Sanctions Committees of the Security Council need to address the issue of proactively listing terrorist individuals and entities involved in sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflicts," she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>International cooperation for prosecution of criminals engaged in transboundary crimes is important to bring justice to the victims, large number of whom is women and girls, she added. &nbsp;</p>

<p>In India, she said the discourse on women's empowerment has progressed from viewing women as beneficiaries of welfare schemes to mainstreaming their concerns and harnessing their leadership for inclusive development.&nbsp;</p>

<p>More than 1.3 million directly elected women representatives participate in formulating and implementing gender responsive policies in India. Gender-based budgeting has proved beneficial for mainstreaming of gender perspectives in policy implementation across sectors, she said</p>

<p>"India is committed to a higher representation of women in peacekeeping missions and has fulfilled the pledge to have 15 per cent of military observers as women," she said as she cited the example of the landmark first ever deployment by UN of all Female Formed Police Unit in Liberia by India.</p>

<p>The deployment became a role model to the local women to participate in policing and in relevant rule of law frameworks. India is also committed to provide another all-female formed police unit," she said.</p>

<p>India also fully supports UN Secretary General Guterres' zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and abuse, and strong commitment to achieving gender parity in peace operations, she said.</p>

<p>"India stands ready to engage with our partners to work towards ensuring the meaningful participation of women and mainstreaming of women, peace and security considerations for building inclusive, peaceful and resilient societies," Tripathi said.&nbsp;</p>


Sexual violence and abductions continue to be used as weapons of war in armed conflict by non-state actors and terrorist organisations which disproportionately affect women, India has said as it asked the UN Security Council to sanction individuals and entities involved in gender-based violence.

Sexual violence and abductions continue to be used as weapons of war in armed conflict by non-state actors and terrorist organisations which disproportionately affect women, India has said as it asked the UN Security Council to sanction individuals and entities involved in gender-based violence. The remarks by Paulomi Tripathi, First Secretary in the India's Permanent Mission here, came after UN chief Antonio Guterres reported a huge increase in such brutalities. "Today, there is greater awareness about the centrality of meaningful participation of women in peace processes and incorporation of gender perspectives in UN's peace and security efforts," Tripathi said. Despite these efforts, women's role and perspectives in peace processes remain largely neglected, she said during the UN Security Council open debate on "promoting the implementation of women, peace and security agenda and sustaining peace through women's political and economic empowerment". "Sexual violence, abductions and human trafficking continue to be used as weapons of war in armed conflict by non-state actors and terrorist organisations. Rapidly expanding trans-boundary criminal networks finance terror, supply arms, recruit and train of foreign fighters and destabilise whole regions which disproportionately affect women," she said. "Large scale movements of refugees emanating from armed conflicts increase the vulnerability of women to discrimination and exploitation, she said. Tripathi said India appreciates Secretary General's emphasis and achievement on gender parity in UN's senior leadership. "As the General Assembly focuses on gender sensitive and inclusive development to build peaceful and resilient societies, the Council must push for effective cooperation on countering terrorism that threatens peace and security," she said. "The Council must make all efforts to realize the full potential of integrating women, peace and security considerations in sanctions regimes. The Sanctions Committees of the Security Council need to address the issue of proactively listing terrorist individuals and entities involved in sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflicts," she said. International cooperation for prosecution of criminals engaged in transboundary crimes is important to bring justice to the victims, large number of whom is women and girls, she added. In India, she said the discourse on women's empowerment has progressed from viewing women as beneficiaries of welfare schemes to mainstreaming their concerns and harnessing their leadership for inclusive development. More than 1.3 million directly elected women representatives participate in formulating and implementing gender responsive policies in India. Gender-based budgeting has proved beneficial for mainstreaming of gender perspectives in policy implementation across sectors, she said "India is committed to a higher representation of women in peacekeeping missions and has fulfilled the pledge to have 15 per cent of military observers as women," she said as she cited the example of the landmark first ever deployment by UN of all Female Formed Police Unit in Liberia by India. The deployment became a role model to the local women to participate in policing and in relevant rule of law frameworks. India is also committed to provide another all-female formed police unit," she said. India also fully supports UN Secretary General Guterres' zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and abuse, and strong commitment to achieving gender parity in peace operations, she said. "India stands ready to engage with our partners to work towards ensuring the meaningful participation of women and mainstreaming of women, peace and security considerations for building inclusive, peaceful and resilient societies," Tripathi said.

India asks UN to impose sanctions against terrorists for sexual violence

<p>The #MeToo movement was on full display at this year&rsquo;s Golden Globes, where stars wore black to show solidarity. Among them was Oprah Winfrey, who, in accepting a lifetime achievement award, paid tribute to the women who dared tell their truth, assuring &ldquo;all the girls watching&rdquo; that &ldquo;a new day is on the horizon.&rdquo;</p>

<p>While 2017 unearthed harassment and assault in a wide variety of work contexts &ndash; Hollywood, hotels, Congress, strawberry fields, Silicon Valley and auto plants &ndash; the focus is now on that horizon and what to do next.</p>

<p>The Time&rsquo;s Up initiative, led by Hollywood power players including producer Shonda Rhimes and actress Eva Longoria, distributed a plan to do just that. It rightly views harassment as a harm unto itself and as part of a larger system of disadvantage, where women remain underrepresented at the highest levels, while low-wage workers are especially &ldquo;vulnerable &hellip; to violence and exploitation.&rdquo; That means pursuing justice for victims, accountability for wrongdoers and gender parity in pay, opportunities and representation.</p>

<p>Part of the answer is just this straightforward: Stop workplace harassment and treat employees equally. But when you zoom out further, the harassment crisis of 2017 reveals broader cracks in workplace regulation that have grown over time &ndash; similar to how the 2008 financial crisis resulted from long-festering economic problems and weaknesses in our legal system.</p>

<p>Social scientists and legal scholars have been examining these issues for some time. Their research &ndash; as well as some of my own work &ndash; reveals several root problems that need to be addressed through legal reforms if we hope to reach the &ldquo;new day&rdquo; Oprah promised.</p>

<p><strong>Getting at the roots &ndash; and the gaps</strong></p>

<p>Employment laws can have a patchy quality, where some workers are protected and others are left out in the cold.</p>

<p>Many statutes only cover employers with a minimum number of employees. For example, the federal statute prohibiting harassment &ndash; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act &ndash; only covers employers with 15 or more workers. That means employees of small businesses have no legal recourse if they suffer harassment or discrimination.</p>

<p>The problem is especially acute for domestic workers, engaged in child care, elder care or housekeeping. These workers are effectively invisible as far as harassment law is concerned.</p>

<p>Agricultural workers are also excluded from the National Labor Relations Act, the statute protecting workers&rsquo; right to join a union. Although this does not on its face relate to harassment, unions can play an important role in advocating for their members on a variety of issues.</p>

<p>Independent contractors are similarly vulnerable. They are not protected by any existing employment-related statutes, from laws covering harassment and wages to unemployment insurance and workers compensation. And this problem is only growing with the rise of the gig economy. Around 4 million workers power the gig economy. Virtually all of them are treated as independent contractors.</p>

<p>The point is that businesses have no incentive to comply with laws that do not apply to their workers. Preventing harassment &ndash; and other workplace harms &ndash; will require expanding the reach of the laws already in place.</p>

<figure class="align-center "><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/201575/original/file-20180110-46700-2w1z64.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" />
<figcaption><span class="caption">Many men and women at this year&rsquo;s Golden Globes wore pins highlighting the Times Up Initiative, which among other things has offered to pay legal fees for victims of sexual harassment.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)</span></span></figcaption>
</figure>

<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

<p><strong>Access to justice for low-wage workers</strong></p>

<p>Low-wage workers are particularly vulnerable to workplace harms &ndash; including harassment &ndash; yet are least able to vindicate their rights.</p>

<p>Low-wage workers can have trouble finding a lawyer because it&rsquo;s not always profitable to represent them. That&rsquo;s why the Time&rsquo;s Up initiative has created a legal fund to help workers with legal fees associated with harassment claims.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, long-term progress will likely require legal reform.</p>

<p>The damages courts award for employment law violations are often a function of lost wages, which makes high-wage earners more attractive to plaintiffs&rsquo; lawyers working on contingency. However, damages can be structured in other ways, for example by imposing large penalties for certain types of violations. States like California have successfully used penalties to encourage lawyers to represent all types of workers in wage claims.</p>

<p>Low-wage workers also have trouble finding a lawyer when their employer is &ldquo;undercapitalized&rdquo; &ndash; that is, almost broke. Labor economist David Weil documented a larger trend of a &ldquo;fissured&rdquo; workplace, in which large companies subcontract everything on a competitive basis. These subcontractors are small employers with virtually no money and a strong incentive to cut costs through noncompliance with employment laws.</p>

<p>Lawmakers can help here too, by making it easier for workers to sue the larger company subcontracting the work.</p>

<p><strong>Limiting arbitration agreements</strong></p>

<p>Another problem is mandatory arbitration agreements that companies increasingly require employees to sign.</p>

<p>In a New York Times op-ed, former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson criticized mandatory arbitration agreements that prevent women from bringing their harassment claims in court. It&rsquo;s actually much worse than this, and the harm extends far beyond harassment claims.</p>

<p>These arbitration agreements often contain class action waivers that prevent employees from bringing any class action claims in court or in arbitration. That means no class actions for widespread harassment. Or anything else for that matter, such as unpaid overtime or pay discrimination.</p>

<p>Class actions play an important role in deterrence. Without them, the law will erode.</p>

<p>These arbitration agreements are made possible by an arcane law known as the Federal Arbitration Act. The proposed Arbitration Fairness Act would address the problem by limiting an employer&rsquo;s ability to bind workers to such agreements.</p>

<p><strong>Address the &lsquo;motherhood penalty&rsquo;</strong></p>

<p>A final issue that undermines equality in the workplace is known as the &ldquo;motherhood penalty.&rdquo; Researchers estimate that a substantial portion of the wage gap is actually an informal penalty applied to mothers.</p>

<p>One experimental study found that mothers were rated as less competent and committed to the workplace than fathers and women without children. Participants in the study also recommended a lower salary offer and deemed the mothers less promotable.</p>

<p>Work-family policies intended to help women &ndash; such as flexible schedule and leave &ndash; can be stigmatizing. A longitudinal study by sociologist Jennifer Glass found that telecommuting and part-time schedules produced strong wage penalties for managerial and professional working mothers over time. These workers essentially had to leave for another employer before their wages recovered.</p>

<p>The negative effect of leave-related stigma is not limited to women. Although family and medical leave laws apply equally to men and women, in practice, men may find their leave requests denied or cut back.</p>

<p>When business professor Erin Reid interviewed more than 100 workers at a consulting company, women described being marginalized after requesting accommodations for family care obligations. But so did the men. A new father who asked to take his legally entitled 12 weeks of leave said he was initially refused and later saw repercussions in his performance review.</p>

<p>Aware of this penalty, some men in Reid&rsquo;s study decided to &ldquo;fake it&rdquo; by figuring out ways to reduce their work commitments under the radar. This option was apparently unavailable to women, who were assumed to be taking care of children when away from their desk.</p>

<p>Addressing the motherhood penalty may mean revisiting our conception of what it means to be a strong performer beyond superficial measures based on face time or billable hours. Progress may also require cracking down on employers that discriminate against men and women for making family leave requests. And providing protection for workers based on their parental status, as several states have done.</p>

<p>If 2017 was the year of reckoning, 2018 should be one of restructuring, in which we examine the path that led us here and build a wider road for those that follow.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/targeting-hidden-roots-of-workplace-harassment-is-key-to-fulfilling-oprahs-promise-to-girls-89908" rel="nofollow" target="blank">original article</a>.</p>


When business professor Erin Reid interviewed more than 100 workers at a consulting company, women described being marginalized after requesting accommodations for family care obligations.

The #MeToo movement was on full display at this year’s Golden Globes, where stars wore black to show solidarity. Among them was Oprah Winfrey, who, in accepting a lifetime achievement award, paid tribute to the women who dared tell their truth, assuring “all the girls watching” that “a new day is on the horizon.” While 2017 unearthed harassment and assault in a wide variety of work contexts – Hollywood, hotels, Congress, strawberry fields, Silicon Valley and auto plants – the focus is now on that horizon and what to do next. The Time’s Up initiative, led by Hollywood power players including producer Shonda Rhimes and actress Eva Longoria, distributed a plan to do just that. It rightly views harassment as a harm unto itself and as part of a larger system of disadvantage, where women remain underrepresented at the highest levels, while low-wage workers are especially “vulnerable … to violence and exploitation.” That means pursuing justice for victims, accountability for wrongdoers and gender parity in pay, opportunities and representation. Part of the answer is just this straightforward: Stop workplace harassment and treat employees equally. But when you zoom out further, the harassment crisis of 2017 reveals broader cracks in workplace regulation that have grown over time – similar to how the 2008 financial crisis resulted from long-festering economic problems and weaknesses in our legal system. Social scientists and legal scholars have been examining these issues for some time. Their research – as well as some of my own work – reveals several root problems that need to be addressed through legal reforms if we hope to reach the “new day” Oprah promised. Getting at the roots – and the gaps Employment laws can have a patchy quality, where some workers are protected and others are left out in the cold. Many statutes only cover employers with a minimum number of employees. For example, the federal statute prohibiting harassment – Title VII of the Civil Rights Act – only covers employers with 15 or more workers. That means employees of small businesses have no legal recourse if they suffer harassment or discrimination. The problem is especially acute for domestic workers, engaged in child care, elder care or housekeeping. These workers are effectively invisible as far as harassment law is concerned. Agricultural workers are also excluded from the National Labor Relations Act, the statute protecting workers’ right to join a union. Although this does not on its face relate to harassment, unions can play an important role in advocating for their members on a variety of issues. Independent contractors are similarly vulnerable. They are not protected by any existing employment-related statutes, from laws covering harassment and wages to unemployment insurance and workers compensation. And this problem is only growing with the rise of the gig economy. Around 4 million workers power the gig economy. Virtually all of them are treated as independent contractors. The point is that businesses have no incentive to comply with laws that do not apply to their workers. Preventing harassment – and other workplace harms – will require expanding the reach of the laws already in place. Many men and women at this year’s Golden Globes wore pins highlighting the Times Up Initiative, which among other things has offered to pay legal fees for victims of sexual harassment. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Access to justice for low-wage workers Low-wage workers are particularly vulnerable to workplace harms – including harassment – yet are least able to vindicate their rights. Low-wage workers can have trouble finding a lawyer because it’s not always profitable to represent them. That’s why the Time’s Up initiative has created a legal fund to help workers with legal fees associated with harassment claims. Nevertheless, long-term progress will likely require legal reform. The damages courts award for employment law violations are often a function of lost wages, which makes high-wage earners more attractive to plaintiffs’ lawyers working on contingency. However, damages can be structured in other ways, for example by imposing large penalties for certain types of violations. States like California have successfully used penalties to encourage lawyers to represent all types of workers in wage claims. Low-wage workers also have trouble finding a lawyer when their employer is “undercapitalized” – that is, almost broke. Labor economist David Weil documented a larger trend of a “fissured” workplace, in which large companies subcontract everything on a competitive basis. These subcontractors are small employers with virtually no money and a strong incentive to cut costs through noncompliance with employment laws. Lawmakers can help here too, by making it easier for workers to sue the larger company subcontracting the work. Limiting arbitration agreements Another problem is mandatory arbitration agreements that companies increasingly require employees to sign. In a New York Times op-ed, former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson criticized mandatory arbitration agreements that prevent women from bringing their harassment claims in court. It’s actually much worse than this, and the harm extends far beyond harassment claims. These arbitration agreements often contain class action waivers that prevent employees from bringing any class action claims in court or in arbitration. That means no class actions for widespread harassment. Or anything else for that matter, such as unpaid overtime or pay discrimination. Class actions play an important role in deterrence. Without them, the law will erode. These arbitration agreements are made possible by an arcane law known as the Federal Arbitration Act. The proposed Arbitration Fairness Act would address the problem by limiting an employer’s ability to bind workers to such agreements. Address the ‘motherhood penalty’ A final issue that undermines equality in the workplace is known as the “motherhood penalty.” Researchers estimate that a substantial portion of the wage gap is actually an informal penalty applied to mothers. One experimental study found that mothers were rated as less competent and committed to the workplace than fathers and women without children. Participants in the study also recommended a lower salary offer and deemed the mothers less promotable. Work-family policies intended to help women – such as flexible schedule and leave – can be stigmatizing. A longitudinal study by sociologist Jennifer Glass found that telecommuting and part-time schedules produced strong wage penalties for managerial and professional working mothers over time. These workers essentially had to leave for another employer before their wages recovered. The negative effect of leave-related stigma is not limited to women. Although family and medical leave laws apply equally to men and women, in practice, men may find their leave requests denied or cut back. When business professor Erin Reid interviewed more than 100 workers at a consulting company, women described being marginalized after requesting accommodations for family care obligations. But so did the men. A new father who asked to take his legally entitled 12 weeks of leave said he was initially refused and later saw repercussions in his performance review. Aware of this penalty, some men in Reid’s study decided to “fake it” by figuring out ways to reduce their work commitments under the radar. This option was apparently unavailable to women, who were assumed to be taking care of children when away from their desk. Addressing the motherhood penalty may mean revisiting our conception of what it means to be a strong performer beyond superficial measures based on face time or billable hours. Progress may also require cracking down on employers that discriminate against men and women for making family leave requests. And providing protection for workers based on their parental status, as several states have done. If 2017 was the year of reckoning, 2018 should be one of restructuring, in which we examine the path that led us here and build a wider road for those that follow. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Opinion: Redressing workplace harassment is key to fulfilling Oprah's promise to girls

<p>A Moroccan television channel partly-owned by the state has apologised following outrage over the broadcast of a programme tutoring women on what make-up to use after they have been hit.</p>

<p>The programme was broadcast by 2M last week on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.</p>

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<h5>The programme was broadcast by 2M last week on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women</h5>
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<p>The programme &quot;Sabahiyate&quot; showed &quot;the type of make-up to use when a woman has been hit&quot;.</p>

<p>A woman with a swollen face was depicted with the presenter showing how to &#39;&#39;camouflage the reddish part&#39;&#39;. The green applied with a brush should be followed by &quot;an orange corrector then yellow, then a foundation&quot;, she said.</p>

<p>The presenter clarified that the woman had not really been hit, the bruises were just &quot;cinematic effects&quot;.</p>

<p>The aim of the tutorial was to &quot;provide solutions to women who need such advice so they can continue with their daily lives and go to work&quot;.</p>

<p>On Monday, 2M said it was sorry in a video posted on Facebook.</p>

<p>&quot;We have always put women at the centre of our debates and have taken the defence of their rights to heart,&quot; it said. &quot;We apologise for broadcasting the makeup segment, the result of an error of judgment on our part, and beg your indulgence and understanding.&quot;</p>

<p>The video gained more attention when it was uploaded to the channel&#39;s website after its initial broadcast on Wednesday. Social media reacted with outrage and shock Friday, after which it was removed from the website.</p>

<p>&quot;So 2M has decided to celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with anti-bruise makeup!&quot; was one comment, AFP reported.</p>

<p>Another social media user noted: &quot;Ladies, 2M has the solution if you get punched in the face by your husband, father or brother.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;Black eye? Bruising? No problem! 2M&#39;s makeup artist has a miracle product!&quot; wrote another.</p>

<p>Last Friday, the channel&#39;s management had issued a statement offering &quot;sincere apologies given the sensitivity and seriousness of the subject&quot; and called the sequence &quot;completely inappropriate .</p>

<p>Human Rights Watch acting women&#39;s rights division director Janet Walsh wrote on Monday that Morocco was &quot;still discussing a draft domestic violence law&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The New York-based HRW has said that violence against women is common in the North African country, AFP said.</p>

<p>In an official 2009-2010 study, it was found that almost two thirds of Moroccan women had been physically, psychologically, sexually or economically abused, and that of those, some 55 per cent said they had suffered domestic violence.</p>

<p>(With inputs from AFP)</p>


2M broadcast a programme last week tutoring women how to cover up their bruises with make-up after they've been hit

A Moroccan television channel partly-owned by the state has apologised following outrage over the broadcast of a programme tutoring women on what make-up to use after they have been hit. The programme was broadcast by 2M last week on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The programme was broadcast by 2M last week on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women × The programme "Sabahiyate" showed "the type of make-up to use when a woman has been hit". A woman with a swollen face was depicted with the presenter showing how to ''camouflage the reddish part''. The green applied with a brush should be followed by "an orange corrector then yellow, then a foundation", she said. The presenter clarified that the woman had not really been hit, the bruises were just "cinematic effects". The aim of the tutorial was to "provide solutions to women who need such advice so they can continue with their daily lives and go to work". On Monday, 2M said it was sorry in a video posted on Facebook. "We have always put women at the centre of our debates and have taken the defence of their rights to heart," it said. "We apologise for broadcasting the makeup segment, the result of an error of judgment on our part, and beg your indulgence and understanding." The video gained more attention when it was uploaded to the channel's website after its initial broadcast on Wednesday. Social media reacted with outrage and shock Friday, after which it was removed from the website. "So 2M has decided to celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with anti-bruise makeup!" was one comment, AFP reported. Another social media user noted: "Ladies, 2M has the solution if you get punched in the face by your husband, father or brother." "Black eye? Bruising? No problem! 2M's makeup artist has a miracle product!" wrote another. Last Friday, the channel's management had issued a statement offering "sincere apologies given the sensitivity and seriousness of the subject" and called the sequence "completely inappropriate . Human Rights Watch acting women's rights division director Janet Walsh wrote on Monday that Morocco was "still discussing a draft domestic violence law" The New York-based HRW has said that violence against women is common in the North African country, AFP said. In an official 2009-2010 study, it was found that almost two thirds of Moroccan women had been physically, psychologically, sexually or economically abused, and that of those, some 55 per cent said they had suffered domestic violence. (With inputs from AFP)

Morocco TV says sorry for make-up for battered women

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