Geetika Srivastava will be India's new charge d'affaires at its High Commission in Islamabad, becoming the first woman to hold that post.

Geetika Srivastava first woman to lead Indian mission in Pakistan

The Taliban government has imposed a ban on women entering the Band-e-Amir National Park located in Afghanistan's Bamiyan province.

This decision, issued by Afghanistan's acting minister of virtue and vice, Mohammad Khaled Hanafi, has stirred controversy and raised questions about gender equality and freedom of movement in the country.

<h2>Reasons cited for the ban</h2>

Minister Hanafi justified the ban by citing instances where women allegedly did not adhere to the hijab, a traditional Islamic dress code, while inside the park.

He called upon religious leaders and security agencies to enforce the prohibition until a resolution could be reached, reported the BBC.

It's important to note that Band-e-Amir holds great significance as Afghanistan's first national park, established in 2009.

This breathtaking natural wonder, characterised by a cluster of lakes with unique geological features, attracts numerous tourists, including families, making the ban a significant impediment to many who wish to experience its natural beauty.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exclusive-taliban-couldnt-silence-her-this-exiled-afghan-journo-is-changing-lives-one-story-at-a-time-623453">Exclusive | Taliban couldn’t silence her: This exiled Afghan journalist is changing lives, one story at a time</a>

<h2>Different perspectives on the ban</h2>

Minister Hanafi emphasised that visiting the park for sightseeing was not obligatory, as reported by Afghan agency Tolo News. Meanwhile, religious clerics in Bamiyan contended that the women who violated the hijab rules were not local residents but rather visitors from other regions. Sayed Nasrullah Waezi, the head of the Bamiyan Shia Ulema Council, highlighted this distinction.

<h2>International and local reactions</h2>

Internationally, the ban has garnered attention and condemnation. Former&nbsp;Afghan MP Mariam Solaimankhil expressed her discontent through a poem shared on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, expressing hope for a future return. Fereshta Abbasi from Human Rights Watch criticised the ban, noting that it coincided with Women's Equality Day and viewed it as a blatant disrespect to Afghan women.

Also watch |&nbsp;What is it like to be a working woman&nbsp;in&nbsp;Afghanistan

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Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, raised a pertinent question: Why is restricting women from visiting Band-e-Amir necessary to comply with Sharia law and Afghan culture? He pointed out that the Taliban has a history of implementing temporary bans on women's activities, such as their earlier prohibition from attending schools in December 2022.

This ban on visiting Band-e-Amir National Park is just the latest addition to a growing list of restrictions imposed on Afghan women since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021. Notably, it follows recent directives that ordered the closure of hair and beauty salons and barred women from sitting for national university entrance exams.

&nbsp;

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The Taliban government has imposed a ban on women entering the Band-e-Amir National Park located in Afghanistan's Bamiyan province. This decision, issued by Afghanistan's acting minister of virtue and vice, Mohammad Khaled Hanafi, has stirred controversy and raised questions about gender equality and freedom of movement in the country.

The Taliban government has imposed a ban on women entering the Band-e-Amir National Park located in Afghanistan's Bamiyan province. This decision, issued by Afghanistan's acting minister of virtue and vice, Mohammad Khaled Hanafi, has stirred controversy and raised questions about gender equality and freedom of movement in the country. Reasons cited for the ban Minister Hanafi justified the ban by citing instances where women allegedly did not adhere to the hijab, a traditional Islamic dress code, while inside the park. He called upon religious leaders and security agencies to enforce the prohibition until a resolution could be reached, reported the BBC. It's important to note that Band-e-Amir holds great significance as Afghanistan's first national park, established in 2009. This breathtaking natural wonder, characterised by a cluster of lakes with unique geological features, attracts numerous tourists, including families, making the ban a significant impediment to many who wish to experience its natural beauty. Also read | Exclusive | Taliban couldn’t silence her: This exiled Afghan journalist is changing lives, one story at a time Different perspectives on the ban Minister Hanafi emphasised that visiting the park for sightseeing was not obligatory, as reported by Afghan agency Tolo News. Meanwhile, religious clerics in Bamiyan contended that the women who violated the hijab rules were not local residents but rather visitors from other regions. Sayed Nasrullah Waezi, the head of the Bamiyan Shia Ulema Council, highlighted this distinction. International and local reactions Internationally, the ban has garnered attention and condemnation. Former Afghan MP Mariam Solaimankhil expressed her discontent through a poem shared on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, expressing hope for a future return. Fereshta Abbasi from Human Rights Watch criticised the ban, noting that it coincided with Women's Equality Day and viewed it as a blatant disrespect to Afghan women. Also watch | What is it like to be a working woman in Afghanistan Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, raised a pertinent question: Why is restricting women from visiting Band-e-Amir necessary to comply with Sharia law and Afghan culture? He pointed out that the Taliban has a history of implementing temporary bans on women's activities, such as their earlier prohibition from attending schools in December 2022. This ban on visiting Band-e-Amir National Park is just the latest addition to a growing list of restrictions imposed on Afghan women since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021. Notably, it follows recent directives that ordered the closure of hair and beauty salons and barred women from sitting for national university entrance exams. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Afghanistan: Taliban impose ban on women's entry to famous Band-e-Amir National Park

Taliban officials prevented a group of ambitious female students from boarding a flight to Dubai where they were about to accept fully-funded scholarships to pursue university studies, in keeping with their long-standing ban on education for women and girls.

Afghanistan: Taliban stops female students travelling to University of Dubai

A school on Indonesia's main island has stirred controversy by partially shaving the heads of 14 girls. The school's headmaster said&nbsp;that this drastic action was taken after accusations that these students were wearing their Islamic hijab headscarves incorrectly.

Indonesia, a diverse archipelago with a population of 270 million, has grappled with the enforcement of dress codes in conservative regions. Although the country moved in 2021 to ban mandatory dress codes in schools, activists argue that both Muslim and non-Muslim girls have long been compelled to wear hijabs.

<h2>Unidentified teacher's drastic step</h2>

The incident occurred at the state-owned junior high school SMPN 1 in Lamongan, East Java. An unidentified teacher took it upon herself to partially shave the hair of these 14 Muslim girls last Wednesday (August 23). The headmaster, known by his single name Harto, said&nbsp;that the school has since issued an apology and suspended the teacher responsible.

Harto told AFP&nbsp;that there is no official obligation for female students to wear hijabs, but they were encouraged to wear inner caps beneath their headscarves for a neater appearance. Unfortunately, these students did not adhere to this suggestion, leaving their fringes visible.

Also watch |&nbsp;Iranian pop singer Mehdi Yarrahi under scanner for Hijab removal song

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<h2>Mediation and psychological support</h2>

Following the incident, the school initiated mediation with the affected students' parents and reached a mutual understanding. Furthermore, the school has committed to providing psychological assistance to the girls to help them cope with the trauma.

Human rights groups have strongly condemned the teacher's actions and are demanding her dismissal. Andreas Harsono, an Indonesia researcher at Human Rights Watch, called the Lamongan incident one of the most intimidating cases ever in Indonesia. He emphasised the need for sanctions against the teacher and the involvement of psychologists to support the victims.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-unveils-latest-mohajer-10-attack-drone-with-enhanced-range-features-reports-628004">Iran unveils latest ‘Mohajer-10’ attack drone with enhanced range, features: Reports</a>

<h2>A troubling trend</h2>

This incident is not isolated. In a 2021 report, rights groups highlighted cases where schoolgirls had their hijabs forcibly cut for incorrect wearing or faced penalties and expulsion for not wearing hijabs at all. These incidents underscore concerns about rising religious intolerance in Indonesia, a country that officially recognises six major religions.

The hijab issue gained national attention in 2021 when a Christian student in West Sumatra was pressured to wear a hijab, shedding light on broader challenges related to religious freedom and diversity in Indonesia.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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A school on Indonesia's main island has stirred controversy by partially shaving the heads of 14 girls. The school's headmaster said that this drastic action was taken after accusations that these students were wearing their Islamic hijab headscarves incorrectly.

A school on Indonesia's main island has stirred controversy by partially shaving the heads of 14 girls. The school's headmaster said that this drastic action was taken after accusations that these students were wearing their Islamic hijab headscarves incorrectly. Indonesia, a diverse archipelago with a population of 270 million, has grappled with the enforcement of dress codes in conservative regions. Although the country moved in 2021 to ban mandatory dress codes in schools, activists argue that both Muslim and non-Muslim girls have long been compelled to wear hijabs. Unidentified teacher's drastic step The incident occurred at the state-owned junior high school SMPN 1 in Lamongan, East Java. An unidentified teacher took it upon herself to partially shave the hair of these 14 Muslim girls last Wednesday (August 23). The headmaster, known by his single name Harto, said that the school has since issued an apology and suspended the teacher responsible. Harto told AFP that there is no official obligation for female students to wear hijabs, but they were encouraged to wear inner caps beneath their headscarves for a neater appearance. Unfortunately, these students did not adhere to this suggestion, leaving their fringes visible. Also watch | Iranian pop singer Mehdi Yarrahi under scanner for Hijab removal song Mediation and psychological support Following the incident, the school initiated mediation with the affected students' parents and reached a mutual understanding. Furthermore, the school has committed to providing psychological assistance to the girls to help them cope with the trauma. Human rights groups have strongly condemned the teacher's actions and are demanding her dismissal. Andreas Harsono, an Indonesia researcher at Human Rights Watch, called the Lamongan incident one of the most intimidating cases ever in Indonesia. He emphasised the need for sanctions against the teacher and the involvement of psychologists to support the victims. Also read | Iran unveils latest ‘Mohajer-10’ attack drone with enhanced range, features: Reports A troubling trend This incident is not isolated. In a 2021 report, rights groups highlighted cases where schoolgirls had their hijabs forcibly cut for incorrect wearing or faced penalties and expulsion for not wearing hijabs at all. These incidents underscore concerns about rising religious intolerance in Indonesia, a country that officially recognises six major religions. The hijab issue gained national attention in 2021 when a Christian student in West Sumatra was pressured to wear a hijab, shedding light on broader challenges related to religious freedom and diversity in Indonesia. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Indonesian school shaves heads of 14 girls for 'incorrectly' wearing Islamic head scarves

Nearly 10 per cent of women in India own cryptocurrency, which ranks third among all countries, according to a study. Data from the foreign exchange education portal Forex Suggest reveals&nbsp;that there are&nbsp;63 million female cryptocurrency owners in India, accounting for 9.2 per cent of the female population of around 685 million.

When looking at what the figures indicate in India, blockchain and emerging tech evangelist Sharat Chandra said, “There are several aspects including the propensity to explore new assets. Most educated women are seeking independence in employment. Financial literacy, their general awareness and their tendency to explore new asset classes is on the rise.”

Vietnam tops&nbsp;the list with 12 million female cryptocurrency owners, or 24 per cent of the female population. With 47 per cent female cryptocurrency owners, Vietnam has&nbsp;the most even gender distribution. Philippines comes second with 9.6 per cent, representing over 5.5 million female cryptocurrency owners.

Kenya and Colombia are tied for&nbsp;third place, with women making up 42 per cent of all cryptocurrency owners in both nations. India comes&nbsp;in eighth, with male and female crypto ownership at 60 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively.

According to the study, “This is a difference of just six percentage points, showing that female access to digital currencies is being supported by the local culture.”

Blockchain advisor Kamlesh Nagware differs&nbsp;from the study, saying that women investing in crypto is not a question of being supported by the local culture but has more to do with the “hype” surrounding it. “People are seeking opportunities, educated ladies especially, want to begin and set up their own new ventures.”

According to Chandra, in the Indian context, developer groups, both national and international are empowering and supporting women in this domain. He said that platforms like The Pheonix Guild have assisted in increasing awareness about digital and block work investments among women. “Not-for-profit orgnaisations and other established ones like Google are also working in the background to make women more employable,” he said.

Chandra said that there is more noise and less substance when it comes to talking about investment risks, adding that information asymmetry has been influencing investment decisions, as there are limited neutral voices but more biased content.&nbsp;

The lack of regulatory oversight, no definitive laws for protection and the lack of credible sources or ‘self proclaimed experts,’ pose additional threats for making crypto investments.

Nagware, on the other hand, said, “Understanding the regulatory culture, the laws involved and the security concerns about money laundering is essential. Grasping the technology involved and educating oneself about the domain are equally important.” He further discourages&nbsp;investors from making decisions based on inputs from crypto influencers.

Despite these setbacks, Chandra said that increasing asset tokenisation which in turn improves asset liquidity and the opening up of other asset classes are some of the positives women get to explore while investing in crypto. &nbsp;

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Nearly 10 per cent of women in India own cryptocurrency, which ranks third among all countries, according to a study. Data from the foreign exchange education portal Forex Suggest reveals that there are 63 million female cryptocurrency owners in India, accounting for 9.

Nearly 10 per cent of women in India own cryptocurrency, which ranks third among all countries, according to a study. Data from the foreign exchange education portal Forex Suggest reveals that there are 63 million female cryptocurrency owners in India, accounting for 9.2 per cent of the female population of around 685 million. When looking at what the figures indicate in India, blockchain and emerging tech evangelist Sharat Chandra said, “There are several aspects including the propensity to explore new assets. Most educated women are seeking independence in employment. Financial literacy, their general awareness and their tendency to explore new asset classes is on the rise.” Vietnam tops the list with 12 million female cryptocurrency owners, or 24 per cent of the female population. With 47 per cent female cryptocurrency owners, Vietnam has the most even gender distribution. Philippines comes second with 9.6 per cent, representing over 5.5 million female cryptocurrency owners. Kenya and Colombia are tied for third place, with women making up 42 per cent of all cryptocurrency owners in both nations. India comes in eighth, with male and female crypto ownership at 60 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively. According to the study, “This is a difference of just six percentage points, showing that female access to digital currencies is being supported by the local culture.” Blockchain advisor Kamlesh Nagware differs from the study, saying that women investing in crypto is not a question of being supported by the local culture but has more to do with the “hype” surrounding it. “People are seeking opportunities, educated ladies especially, want to begin and set up their own new ventures.” According to Chandra, in the Indian context, developer groups, both national and international are empowering and supporting women in this domain. He said that platforms like The Pheonix Guild have assisted in increasing awareness about digital and block work investments among women. “Not-for-profit orgnaisations and other established ones like Google are also working in the background to make women more employable,” he said. Chandra said that there is more noise and less substance when it comes to talking about investment risks, adding that information asymmetry has been influencing investment decisions, as there are limited neutral voices but more biased content. The lack of regulatory oversight, no definitive laws for protection and the lack of credible sources or ‘self proclaimed experts,’ pose additional threats for making crypto investments. Nagware, on the other hand, said, “Understanding the regulatory culture, the laws involved and the security concerns about money laundering is essential. Grasping the technology involved and educating oneself about the domain are equally important.” He further discourages investors from making decisions based on inputs from crypto influencers. Despite these setbacks, Chandra said that increasing asset tokenisation which in turn improves asset liquidity and the opening up of other asset classes are some of the positives women get to explore while investing in crypto. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Nearly 10 per cent of Indian women own crypto: Exploring the trend

Whenever a recession hits the world economy, women have found themselves at the centre of a distinct struggle, facing various obstacles unique to their gender. As economic pressures intensified, wage disparities widened, and access to opportunities dwindled. 
&nbsp; 
A recession is an economic downturn with reduced economic activity, lower GDP, higher unemployment, and less spending and investment. Various factors can cause it and have adverse effects on businesses, jobs, and overall economic growth.

The ongoing global economic downturn is having a notable impact on women. According to research conducted by the International Labour Organisation, women on an average earn 20 per cent less than men, although this figure varies considerably across different countries.

Moreover, a recent Bankrate survey revealed that 74 per cent of women are more concerned about the potential economic downturn as compared to 65 per cent&nbsp;of men. This is due to the disparities between the two genders in preparing for an economic downturn.&nbsp;

Despite some progress in recent years, it is common knowledge that women still confront greater financial vulnerability than men. Persistent gender pay gap, particularly for women of colour and mothers, adversely affects their capacity to accumulate wealth. This inequality also poses a challenge to their ability to manage debt, ranging from credit card balances to student loans.

"Recession affects labour markets. Lack of skilling and mobility constraints can delay the process of women reentering the labour markets once they lose jobs due to recession," said NIPFP professor and economist Lekha S. Chakraborty.

Recessions' Dual Consequences for Women

In times of economic downturn, men and women encounter distinct economic difficulties due to a range of factors.

"Men and women are at asymmetric levels of socio-economic development. The key factors that can widen the disparity are the differentials in access and utilisation of education, health, and wage and workforce participation," said Lekha.

In times of uncertainty, women tend to have more caregiving responsibilities, which can hinder their ability to work full-time. Moreover, the existing gender pay gap exacerbates the situation since women are already paid less than men even before a recession hits.&nbsp;

Consequently, economic downturns can have a disproportionate impact on women, leading to what is known as a "shecession" -- economic recession&nbsp;that impacts women more than men.

Care Economy Gap: Fueling Gender Disparities

"Lack of care economy infrastructure is a significant factor that led to gender differentials," stated Lekha Chakraborty.

Care economy includes those activities that address the physical, psychological, and emotional needs of adults, children, the elderly, the young, the frail, and the physically fit.

The lack of a care economy has resulted in insufficient support systems for childcare, eldercare, and domestic responsibilities, which disproportionately affect women's economic situation. 
&nbsp; 
As a consequence, this sustains the cycle of gender inequality, hindering their professional growth and financial independence. It is imperative to address the care economy gap to create a more equitable society that allows both men and women to fully participate in the workforce while fulfilling important caregiving responsibilities.

Crisis Ripple Effect: Women's Excess Burden in Recessions

The impact of a crisis is extensive, and women often shoulder a disproportionate amount of added responsibilities during times of economic hardship. The effects of these difficulties can have long-lasting consequences on the lives of women.

Lekha said that recession affects the government's fiscal space, which has a major consequence on the well-being of women.&nbsp;

"If the government reduces health budgets during a recession, the care economy burden of women will increase as the decreased days of hospitalisation is compensated by the care providers at home. The dual work burden of women increases in recession as there are fewer options for market-based services in the care sector during recessions," she said.&nbsp;

"The violence against women increases during recessions, and the role of the state machinery to support women from violence is significant," she added.&nbsp;

Whenever a recession hits the world economy, women have found themselves at the centre of a distinct struggle, facing various obstacles unique to their gender. As economic pressures intensified, wage disparities widened, and access to opportunities dwindled.

Whenever a recession hits the world economy, women have found themselves at the centre of a distinct struggle, facing various obstacles unique to their gender. As economic pressures intensified, wage disparities widened, and access to opportunities dwindled. A recession is an economic downturn with reduced economic activity, lower GDP, higher unemployment, and less spending and investment. Various factors can cause it and have adverse effects on businesses, jobs, and overall economic growth. The ongoing global economic downturn is having a notable impact on women. According to research conducted by the International Labour Organisation, women on an average earn 20 per cent less than men, although this figure varies considerably across different countries. Moreover, a recent Bankrate survey revealed that 74 per cent of women are more concerned about the potential economic downturn as compared to 65 per cent of men. This is due to the disparities between the two genders in preparing for an economic downturn. Despite some progress in recent years, it is common knowledge that women still confront greater financial vulnerability than men. Persistent gender pay gap, particularly for women of colour and mothers, adversely affects their capacity to accumulate wealth. This inequality also poses a challenge to their ability to manage debt, ranging from credit card balances to student loans. "Recession affects labour markets. Lack of skilling and mobility constraints can delay the process of women reentering the labour markets once they lose jobs due to recession," said NIPFP professor and economist Lekha S. Chakraborty. Recessions' Dual Consequences for Women In times of economic downturn, men and women encounter distinct economic difficulties due to a range of factors. "Men and women are at asymmetric levels of socio-economic development. The key factors that can widen the disparity are the differentials in access and utilisation of education, health, and wage and workforce participation," said Lekha. In times of uncertainty, women tend to have more caregiving responsibilities, which can hinder their ability to work full-time. Moreover, the existing gender pay gap exacerbates the situation since women are already paid less than men even before a recession hits. Consequently, economic downturns can have a disproportionate impact on women, leading to what is known as a "shecession" -- economic recession that impacts women more than men. Care Economy Gap: Fueling Gender Disparities "Lack of care economy infrastructure is a significant factor that led to gender differentials," stated Lekha Chakraborty. Care economy includes those activities that address the physical, psychological, and emotional needs of adults, children, the elderly, the young, the frail, and the physically fit. The lack of a care economy has resulted in insufficient support systems for childcare, eldercare, and domestic responsibilities, which disproportionately affect women's economic situation. As a consequence, this sustains the cycle of gender inequality, hindering their professional growth and financial independence. It is imperative to address the care economy gap to create a more equitable society that allows both men and women to fully participate in the workforce while fulfilling important caregiving responsibilities. Crisis Ripple Effect: Women's Excess Burden in Recessions The impact of a crisis is extensive, and women often shoulder a disproportionate amount of added responsibilities during times of economic hardship. The effects of these difficulties can have long-lasting consequences on the lives of women. Lekha said that recession affects the government's fiscal space, which has a major consequence on the well-being of women. "If the government reduces health budgets during a recession, the care economy burden of women will increase as the decreased days of hospitalisation is compensated by the care providers at home. The dual work burden of women increases in recession as there are fewer options for market-based services in the care sector during recessions," she said. "The violence against women increases during recessions, and the role of the state machinery to support women from violence is significant," she added.

'Shecession': How women are more impacted by economic downturns

Nearly 1 in every 10 Indian women has owned cryptocurrency. This is the third-highest share globally. There are 63 million women crypto-owners in India as against a female population of 685 million. Does it mean Indian women are becoming more financially independent? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: 63 million Indian women own Cryptocurrency

It's been two years since the Taliban took over Afghanistan and nearly twenty years of hard-fought progress in women's rights has been virtually erased. Women in the country have been wholly excluded from education, livelihood and public office. Today, Afghanistan’s women and girls are required to adhere to not only a strict dress code, they are not permitted to step outside their homes. Mohammed Saleh brings you a comprehensive report on the current situation on the ground.

Gravitas: 20 years of progress for women erased in 2 years of Taliban rule

Women grappling with mental health challenges face an alarming 50 per cent higher risk of experiencing pre-term births, a study which is being deemed groundbreaking across medical circles, said.

The study was published in the Lancet Psychiatry and involved researchers from institutions, including the University of Exeter, King’s College London, the London School of Hygiene &amp; Tropical Medicine, and the University of Liverpool.

<h2>Why is it groundbreaking?</h2>

This is because the data cited is massive. The research is extensive since it is based on data from over 2 million pregnancies in England.

A pattern emerged that approximately one in 10 women who used mental health services had pre-term births, compared to one in 15 who did not seek such services.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/spanish-researchers-aim-to-trick-nature-by-creating-artificial-womb-for-premature-babies-610723">Spanish researchers aim to trick nature by creating artificial womb for premature babies</a>

Moreover, the study establishes a compelling connection between the severity of previous mental health issues and adverse birth outcomes.&nbsp;

It indicates that women previously admitted to psychiatric hospitals are nearly twice as likely to have preterm births compared to those without prior contact with mental health services.

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Japan's problematic advice to pregnant women

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Additionally, women with a history of mental health difficulties face with an increased likelihood of giving birth to babies smaller than their gestational age would suggest (75 per 1,000 births versus 56 per 1,000 births).

<h2>What does the study propose?</h2>

The study proposes a crucial change in the approach to pregnant women's initial assessments by doctors and medical professionals.&nbsp;

It advocates for comprehensive and sensitive inquiries into their mental health, aiming to identify early signs of potential complications.

Louise Howard, one of the authors of the report and an expert in women’s mental health at King’s College London, described the importance of such screening.&nbsp;

"Mental illness is a treatable problem… maternity professionals will be focused on thinking about other modifiable risk factors such as smoking and obesity, but they may not have thought about some of the additional risks that women with mental illness may have," Howard was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

Furthermore, the study stresses the connection between adverse birth outcomes and the severity of mental health issues, underscoring the necessity of comprehensive training for medical health professionals and obstetricians in handling mental health matters.

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Women grappling with mental health challenges face an alarming 50 per cent higher risk of experiencing pre-term births, a study which is being deemed groundbreaking across medical circles, said.

Women grappling with mental health challenges face an alarming 50 per cent higher risk of experiencing pre-term births, a study which is being deemed groundbreaking across medical circles, said. The study was published in the Lancet Psychiatry and involved researchers from institutions, including the University of Exeter, King’s College London, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and the University of Liverpool. Why is it groundbreaking? This is because the data cited is massive. The research is extensive since it is based on data from over 2 million pregnancies in England. A pattern emerged that approximately one in 10 women who used mental health services had pre-term births, compared to one in 15 who did not seek such services. Also read | Spanish researchers aim to trick nature by creating artificial womb for premature babies Moreover, the study establishes a compelling connection between the severity of previous mental health issues and adverse birth outcomes. It indicates that women previously admitted to psychiatric hospitals are nearly twice as likely to have preterm births compared to those without prior contact with mental health services. Also watch | Gravitas: Japan's problematic advice to pregnant women × Additionally, women with a history of mental health difficulties face with an increased likelihood of giving birth to babies smaller than their gestational age would suggest (75 per 1,000 births versus 56 per 1,000 births). What does the study propose? The study proposes a crucial change in the approach to pregnant women's initial assessments by doctors and medical professionals. It advocates for comprehensive and sensitive inquiries into their mental health, aiming to identify early signs of potential complications. Louise Howard, one of the authors of the report and an expert in women’s mental health at King’s College London, described the importance of such screening. "Mental illness is a treatable problem… maternity professionals will be focused on thinking about other modifiable risk factors such as smoking and obesity, but they may not have thought about some of the additional risks that women with mental illness may have," Howard was quoted as saying by The Guardian. Furthermore, the study stresses the connection between adverse birth outcomes and the severity of mental health issues, underscoring the necessity of comprehensive training for medical health professionals and obstetricians in handling mental health matters. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Women with mental health issues more at risk of giving pre-term births: Study

In the wake of the Taliban assuming control over Afghanistan in August 2021 and the subsequent withdrawal of foreign forces, there has been a profound setback for women's employment in the country. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has estimated that female employment in Afghanistan has regrettably diminished by 25%. WION's Sneha Swaminathan brings you the report.

What is it like to be a working woman in Afghanistan | WION Exclusive

In the wake of the Taliban assuming control over Afghanistan in August 2021 and the subsequent withdrawal of foreign forces, there has been a profound setback for women's employment in the country. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has estimated that female employment in Afghanistan has regrettably diminished by 25%. Watch this WION Exclusive report by Sneha Swaminathan.

What is it like to be a working woman in Afghanistan? | WION Exclusive

The rise of Artificial Intelligence is all set to revolutionise the nature of work. But this could also be bad news for women workers in the United States. A Mckinsey report states that more American women are more likely to lose their jobs by the end of this decade, compared to men, due to the rise of AI and automation.

Will AI snatch jobs from women? | World Business Watch

An arson attack on a bar in northern Mexico has killed at least 11 people. Authorities said that the man who is now under arrest threw a kind of Molotov cocktail at the doors of the bar and set the place ablaze. This happened as he came back after being kicked out for being disrespectful towards women customers. The incident took place on Saturday in the town of san Luis Rio Colorado.

Mexico: Man sets bar on fire after getting expelled for misbehaving with women

Japan is facing a crisis in the IT field. The country is looking at a shortage of 790,000 workers by the year 2030. Is the gross underrepresentation of women to be blamed? Molly gambhir tells you

Gravitas: Why are women underrepresented in stem fields?

Female transgender athletes who transitioned after male puberty will be prohibited from women's events in all categories of cycling, the sport's governing body said on Friday. The International Cycling Union (UCI)'s president David Lappartient said the federation "has a duty to guarantee, above all, equal opportunities for all competitors in cycling competitions".

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The new rules, which come into force on July 17, follow similar rulings by other Olympic sports such as athletics.

"The UCI would like to reaffirm that cycling – as a competitive sport, leisure activity or means of transport – is open to everyone," Lappartient said in a statement.

But the current state of scientific knowledge does not guarantee such equality of opportunity between transgender female athletes and cisgender female participants, he added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/have-to-score-or-juniors-will-ask-whats-the-point-ishant-on-virat-kohlis-role-in-helping-young-stars-615638">'Have to score or juniors will ask, what's the point...': Ishant on Virat Kohli's role in helping young stars</a>

"As a precautionary measure, (it is not possible to) authorize the former to race in the female categories," Lappartient added.

The UCI said it was open to changing these rulings in the future as scientific knowledge evolves. To this end the UCI will begin discussions with other members of the international sporting movement on the co-financing of a research programme aimed at studying changes in the physical performance of highly-trained athletes undergoing transitional hormone treatment.

Last year top British women's cyclists threatened to boycott events after 22-year-old Emily Bridges, who was dropped by the British academy programme as a male rider, attempted to join the women's omium team.

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Female transgender athletes who transitioned after male puberty will be prohibited from women's events in all categories of cycling, the sport's governing body said on Friday.

Female transgender athletes who transitioned after male puberty will be prohibited from women's events in all categories of cycling, the sport's governing body said on Friday. The International Cycling Union (UCI)'s president David Lappartient said the federation "has a duty to guarantee, above all, equal opportunities for all competitors in cycling competitions". The UCI adapts its rules on the participation of transgender athletes in international competitions https://t.co/bXkHI9Wh4l pic.twitter.com/viTcsKHNTf — UCI_media (@UCI_media) July 14, 2023 × The new rules, which come into force on July 17, follow similar rulings by other Olympic sports such as athletics. "The UCI would like to reaffirm that cycling – as a competitive sport, leisure activity or means of transport – is open to everyone," Lappartient said in a statement. But the current state of scientific knowledge does not guarantee such equality of opportunity between transgender female athletes and cisgender female participants, he added. Also Read: 'Have to score or juniors will ask, what's the point...': Ishant on Virat Kohli's role in helping young stars "As a precautionary measure, (it is not possible to) authorize the former to race in the female categories," Lappartient added. The UCI said it was open to changing these rulings in the future as scientific knowledge evolves. To this end the UCI will begin discussions with other members of the international sporting movement on the co-financing of a research programme aimed at studying changes in the physical performance of highly-trained athletes undergoing transitional hormone treatment. Last year top British women's cyclists threatened to boycott events after 22-year-old Emily Bridges, who was dropped by the British academy programme as a male rider, attempted to join the women's omium team. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Transgender cyclists not allowed to participate in women's competition

Ukrainian Railways have introduced new carriages after an electronic petition published in mid-May on the government website collected more than 25,000 signatures.

Ukrainians welcome women-only carriages

#GravitasPlus | Painful periods are often dismissed by physicians. But they could be a sign of endometriosis. This disease is misunderstood and under-represented.

Gravitas Plus: Experiencing painful periods? It could be endometriosis

Women who applied for positions at Bill Gates's private office, Gates Ventures, seeking jobs claim that they were asked sexually explicit questions during the interviews, Some of the female job seekers were asked about extramarital affairs, STD, if they had any nude photographs of themselves on their mobile phones or 'danced for dollar'. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Women interviewing for Gates Ventures asked explicit questions

A study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, on Wednesday (June 28) found that an increase in temperatures leads to a substantial rise in domestic violence against women.&nbsp;

The South Asia-based study looks at three countries,&nbsp;India, Pakistan, and Nepal&nbsp;between 2010 and 2018, where thousands of girls and women spoke about their experience of emotional, physical and sexual violence.&nbsp;

It also noted that without any steps taken to limit emissions which contribute to global warming and climate change, in the 2090s, India might experience the highest rate of violence against women&nbsp;among the three countries studied.&nbsp;

<h2>What did the study find?</h2>

According to the study, one degree Celsius rise in average annual temperature was linked to an increase of more than 6.3 per cent in incidents of physical and sexual domestic violence across the three countries.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-earth-day-temperature-rising-in-europe-15700-deaths-due-to-heatwave-in-2022-says-un-585320">Temperature rising in Europe, 15,700 deaths due to heatwave in 2022, says UN</a>

The researchers tracked 194,871 girls and women aged between 15 and 49 to study the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its types which include physical, sexual, and emotional violence across India, Pakistan and Nepal.&nbsp;

“A significant association was found between high ambient temperature and the prevalence of IPV against women,” said the study, adding that with every one degree Celsius increase in the annual mean temperature, they noted a total of 4.49 per cent IPV prevalence.&nbsp;

The research also projected that IPV prevalence would increase by as much as 21 per cent by the end of this century under the “unlimited emissions scenarios.” However, if steps are taken to curb emissions contributing to climate change and global warming, the IPV prevalence would “moderately increase,” said the researchers. &nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-germany-a-third-of-men-find-violence-against-women-acceptable-study-603237">In Germany, a third of men find violence against women ‘acceptable': study</a>

In its projected increase in violence, the study also found that physical (28.3 per cent) and sexual violence (26.1 per cent) were significantly higher than emotional (8.9 per cent).&nbsp;

Speaking about the findings of the research, Michelle Bell, a professor of environmental health at Yale University and a co-author of the study, said there were “many potential pathways, both physiological and sociological, through which higher temperature could affect risk of violence”.&nbsp;

Extreme heat sets off a chain reaction of socio-economic effects like crop failures, and effects on income, and forces people to stay at home without any means to earn a daily wage, which puts a lot of pressure on households and gives rise to violence against women.&nbsp;

The study also found that IPV is significantly more prevalent in lower-income and rural households when compared to heat-related increases in violence in higher-income groups. The research was conducted across all income groups.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/data-lab-india-feels-the-heat-what-happens-if-the-current-warming-trend-continues-600497">Data Lab | India feels the heat: What happens if the current heatwave trend continues?&nbsp;</a>

“There is growing evidence that extreme heat can affect stress, lower inhibitions, increase aggression, and exacerbate mental illness,” said Bell, as quoted by the United Kingdom-based media outlet.&nbsp;

<h2>Heatwave in India and its relation with rise in domestic violence</h2>

According to the study, India is projected to witness the highest IPV prevalence in the 2090s among the three countries with 23.5 per cent when compared to Nepal (14.8 per cent) and Pakistan (5.9 per cent). This comes as India witnessed several&nbsp;heat-related deaths, earlier this year, with temperatures up to 45&nbsp;degree&nbsp;Celsius in certain parts of the country.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/heatwave-in-india-at-least-96-died-in-up-bihar-authorities-urges-people-to-stay-indoor-605985">Heatwave in India: Nearly 100 dead in UP &amp; Bihar, authorities urge people to stay indoors</a>

A former employee of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh’s Commission for Women and activist, Suniti Gargi, said that heatwaves in the country are common during summer and she believes that climate change is making them worse, said a report by the Guardian, adding that she also drew the connection between a rise in temperatures and levels of domestic violence.&nbsp;

“I’ve been seeing unusually high temperatures becoming more common,” &nbsp;said Gargi, as per the British media report. She added, “They cause tremendous economic stress in families. If a man can migrate to another state to get work, it can help keep the home fires burning but when he cannot for whatever reason, his wife is at the receiving end of his anger and feelings of uselessness.” 
 
 
&nbsp;

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A study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, on Wednesday (June 28) found that an increase in temperatures leads to a substantial rise in domestic violence against women.

A study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, on Wednesday (June 28) found that an increase in temperatures leads to a substantial rise in domestic violence against women. The South Asia-based study looks at three countries, India, Pakistan, and Nepal between 2010 and 2018, where thousands of girls and women spoke about their experience of emotional, physical and sexual violence. It also noted that without any steps taken to limit emissions which contribute to global warming and climate change, in the 2090s, India might experience the highest rate of violence against women among the three countries studied. What did the study find? According to the study, one degree Celsius rise in average annual temperature was linked to an increase of more than 6.3 per cent in incidents of physical and sexual domestic violence across the three countries. ALSO READ | Temperature rising in Europe, 15,700 deaths due to heatwave in 2022, says UN The researchers tracked 194,871 girls and women aged between 15 and 49 to study the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its types which include physical, sexual, and emotional violence across India, Pakistan and Nepal. “A significant association was found between high ambient temperature and the prevalence of IPV against women,” said the study, adding that with every one degree Celsius increase in the annual mean temperature, they noted a total of 4.49 per cent IPV prevalence. The research also projected that IPV prevalence would increase by as much as 21 per cent by the end of this century under the “unlimited emissions scenarios.” However, if steps are taken to curb emissions contributing to climate change and global warming, the IPV prevalence would “moderately increase,” said the researchers. ALSO READ | In Germany, a third of men find violence against women ‘acceptable': study In its projected increase in violence, the study also found that physical (28.3 per cent) and sexual violence (26.1 per cent) were significantly higher than emotional (8.9 per cent). Speaking about the findings of the research, Michelle Bell, a professor of environmental health at Yale University and a co-author of the study, said there were “many potential pathways, both physiological and sociological, through which higher temperature could affect risk of violence”. Extreme heat sets off a chain reaction of socio-economic effects like crop failures, and effects on income, and forces people to stay at home without any means to earn a daily wage, which puts a lot of pressure on households and gives rise to violence against women. The study also found that IPV is significantly more prevalent in lower-income and rural households when compared to heat-related increases in violence in higher-income groups. The research was conducted across all income groups. ALSO READ | Data Lab | India feels the heat: What happens if the current heatwave trend continues? “There is growing evidence that extreme heat can affect stress, lower inhibitions, increase aggression, and exacerbate mental illness,” said Bell, as quoted by the United Kingdom-based media outlet. Heatwave in India and its relation with rise in domestic violence According to the study, India is projected to witness the highest IPV prevalence in the 2090s among the three countries with 23.5 per cent when compared to Nepal (14.8 per cent) and Pakistan (5.9 per cent). This comes as India witnessed several heat-related deaths, earlier this year, with temperatures up to 45 degree Celsius in certain parts of the country. ALSO READ | Heatwave in India: Nearly 100 dead in UP & Bihar, authorities urge people to stay indoors A former employee of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh’s Commission for Women and activist, Suniti Gargi, said that heatwaves in the country are common during summer and she believes that climate change is making them worse, said a report by the Guardian, adding that she also drew the connection between a rise in temperatures and levels of domestic violence. “I’ve been seeing unusually high temperatures becoming more common,” said Gargi, as per the British media report. She added, “They cause tremendous economic stress in families. If a man can migrate to another state to get work, it can help keep the home fires burning but when he cannot for whatever reason, his wife is at the receiving end of his anger and feelings of uselessness.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India might witness rise in domestic violence against women due to climate change: Study

The United States’ recently passed Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) went into effect on Tuesday (June 27). In line with this, millions of pregnant employees across the US would have access to expanded protections.&nbsp;

The PWFA comes after over a decade of campaigning, which would not only bar employers from discriminating against pregnant workers but also provide “reasonable accommodations” for their employees to continue working.

<h2>What is the PWFA?</h2>

According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) website, the new law only applies to accommodations while existing laws like the illegal firing of employees or discrimination against workers on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, will continue to be enforced by the government agency.&nbsp;

The new federal law mandates “reasonable accommodations” for pregnant workers unless doing so would impose an “undue hardship” on the employer. “An ‘undue hardship’ is a significant difficulty or expense for the employer,” said the EEOC. It could be a cost to the employer, the employer’s resources and/or their operations.

PWFA protects employees and applicants of “covered employers” which includes private and public sector companies with at least 15 employees, Congress, federal agencies, employment agencies, and labour organisations.

In line with the new law, employers cannot force an employee to accept an accommodation, like taking a leave, without a discussion with the employee first. The organisation also cannot deny a job or other employment opportunities to a qualified or applicant-based employee who requires reasonable accommodation.&nbsp;

Furthermore, the employer cannot require an employee to take a leave if other options under reasonable accommodation can be provided which would allow the employee to continue working.&nbsp;

The organisation can also not retaliate against an individual for reporting or opposing discrimination under the PWFA or hinder their participation in any proceedings, like an investigation, as per the new federal law.

<h2>How does it protect pregnant women in the workplace?</h2>

The new law is said to have effectively bridged the legal gap between the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) with the aim that millions of workers in the US would not have to choose between their paycheck and a healthy pregnancy. Furthermore, it also protects women who would otherwise fall through the cracks between the two laws.&nbsp;

So far, ADA which has been in place for over three decades now prevents discrimination against employees with disabilities and also requires employers to make accommodations for them. However, pregnancy, under this law, or by itself is not considered a disability which mandates accommodation.&nbsp;

Similarly, the PDA bars employers from discriminating against workers on the basis of their pregnancy be it hiring or firing someone. Under the PDA, which was enacted in 1978, pregnant workers would only be treated as well as, or equal to, the way that employers accommodate non-pregnant people “similar in their ability or inability to work.”&nbsp;

Therefore, in some cases, pregnant employees would be expected to carry out work just like others are under PDA. Neither law offered protection for otherwise healthy pregnant workers with limitations that come with carrying a child.&nbsp;

Thus, the PWFA would require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for known pregnancy-related limitations regardless of how they are treating their non-pregnant employees or even if their pregnancy symptoms are not severe enough to constitute a disability.&nbsp;

<h2>What are these ‘reasonable accommodations’?</h2>

Under the newly enacted law, some of these “reasonable accommodations” include, time off from work to recover from childbirth, pregnancy loss and postpartum depression.&nbsp;

Other reasonable expectations include changes to the work environment day-to-day, like additional breaks to rest, drink water or eat; receiving closer parking; having flexible hours to attend prenatal or postnatal appointments; excused from strenuous activities, and so on.

<h2>No need for ‘magic words’</h2>

The PWFA also says that the condition which would require or necessitate accommodation must be “known” to the employer, which essentially means that it should be communicated to the organisation by the employee or their representative.&nbsp; 
 
However, the pregnant employee should not have to use “magic words” or legal terms, in order to receive the right to accommodation. Furthermore, once the limitations of the employee are known to the employer they could either grant the request or offer another way to accommodate the needs of the pregnant worker.&nbsp;

An employment attorney, Christine Bestor Townsend, told CBS MoneyWatch, “Employees don't have to use any magic language. Employers need to recognize the requests that come in and be prepared to deal with those requests.” She also noted that since pregnancy is temporary the “hardship standard is harder”.

<h2>Rights groups hail the legislation</h2>

Over the years, several employees have come forward with their stories and the hardships they had to face in the workplace while they were pregnant or postpartum. Speaking about her experience, Natasha Jackson said that she faced discrimination, over a decade ago, that eventually led to her termination which nearly drove her family toward homelessness.

In an interview with ABC News, Jackson said that she was three months pregnant with her third child while working as an account manager at the local furniture store in Charleston, South Carolina. However, she was placed on a 12-week unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) after her doctor recommended that she avoid lifting anything more than nine kilogrammes.

“The PWFA is the culmination of a 10-year-long campaign to close gaps in civil rights laws so pregnant workers are not pushed out of jobs or forced to risk their health when they require reasonable accommodations on the job, like a water bottle to stay hydrated or a transfer away from strenuous heavy lifting,” Vice President of an employee advocacy group, A Better Balance, Elizabeth Gedmark, told CBS. 
 
&nbsp;

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The United States’ recently passed Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) went into effect on Tuesday (June 27). In line with this, millions of pregnant employees across the US would have access to expanded protections.

The United States’ recently passed Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) went into effect on Tuesday (June 27). In line with this, millions of pregnant employees across the US would have access to expanded protections. The PWFA comes after over a decade of campaigning, which would not only bar employers from discriminating against pregnant workers but also provide “reasonable accommodations” for their employees to continue working. What is the PWFA? According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) website, the new law only applies to accommodations while existing laws like the illegal firing of employees or discrimination against workers on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, will continue to be enforced by the government agency. The new federal law mandates “reasonable accommodations” for pregnant workers unless doing so would impose an “undue hardship” on the employer. “An ‘undue hardship’ is a significant difficulty or expense for the employer,” said the EEOC. It could be a cost to the employer, the employer’s resources and/or their operations. PWFA protects employees and applicants of “covered employers” which includes private and public sector companies with at least 15 employees, Congress, federal agencies, employment agencies, and labour organisations. In line with the new law, employers cannot force an employee to accept an accommodation, like taking a leave, without a discussion with the employee first. The organisation also cannot deny a job or other employment opportunities to a qualified or applicant-based employee who requires reasonable accommodation. Furthermore, the employer cannot require an employee to take a leave if other options under reasonable accommodation can be provided which would allow the employee to continue working. The organisation can also not retaliate against an individual for reporting or opposing discrimination under the PWFA or hinder their participation in any proceedings, like an investigation, as per the new federal law. How does it protect pregnant women in the workplace? The new law is said to have effectively bridged the legal gap between the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) with the aim that millions of workers in the US would not have to choose between their paycheck and a healthy pregnancy. Furthermore, it also protects women who would otherwise fall through the cracks between the two laws. So far, ADA which has been in place for over three decades now prevents discrimination against employees with disabilities and also requires employers to make accommodations for them. However, pregnancy, under this law, or by itself is not considered a disability which mandates accommodation. Similarly, the PDA bars employers from discriminating against workers on the basis of their pregnancy be it hiring or firing someone. Under the PDA, which was enacted in 1978, pregnant workers would only be treated as well as, or equal to, the way that employers accommodate non-pregnant people “similar in their ability or inability to work.” Therefore, in some cases, pregnant employees would be expected to carry out work just like others are under PDA. Neither law offered protection for otherwise healthy pregnant workers with limitations that come with carrying a child. Thus, the PWFA would require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for known pregnancy-related limitations regardless of how they are treating their non-pregnant employees or even if their pregnancy symptoms are not severe enough to constitute a disability. What are these ‘reasonable accommodations’? Under the newly enacted law, some of these “reasonable accommodations” include, time off from work to recover from childbirth, pregnancy loss and postpartum depression. Other reasonable expectations include changes to the work environment day-to-day, like additional breaks to rest, drink water or eat; receiving closer parking; having flexible hours to attend prenatal or postnatal appointments; excused from strenuous activities, and so on. No need for ‘magic words’ The PWFA also says that the condition which would require or necessitate accommodation must be “known” to the employer, which essentially means that it should be communicated to the organisation by the employee or their representative. However, the pregnant employee should not have to use “magic words” or legal terms, in order to receive the right to accommodation. Furthermore, once the limitations of the employee are known to the employer they could either grant the request or offer another way to accommodate the needs of the pregnant worker. An employment attorney, Christine Bestor Townsend, told CBS MoneyWatch, “Employees don't have to use any magic language. Employers need to recognize the requests that come in and be prepared to deal with those requests.” She also noted that since pregnancy is temporary the “hardship standard is harder”. Rights groups hail the legislation Over the years, several employees have come forward with their stories and the hardships they had to face in the workplace while they were pregnant or postpartum. Speaking about her experience, Natasha Jackson said that she faced discrimination, over a decade ago, that eventually led to her termination which nearly drove her family toward homelessness. In an interview with ABC News, Jackson said that she was three months pregnant with her third child while working as an account manager at the local furniture store in Charleston, South Carolina. However, she was placed on a 12-week unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) after her doctor recommended that she avoid lifting anything more than nine kilogrammes. “The PWFA is the culmination of a 10-year-long campaign to close gaps in civil rights laws so pregnant workers are not pushed out of jobs or forced to risk their health when they require reasonable accommodations on the job, like a water bottle to stay hydrated or a transfer away from strenuous heavy lifting,” Vice President of an employee advocacy group, A Better Balance, Elizabeth Gedmark, told CBS. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | US: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act goes into effect. How will it help women?

In Pics | Top smartest women of all time

With almost no job options, brainwashed youth become suicide bombers in the Tangi Valley in eastern Afghanistan. Watch how Families living in villages in this region feel proud of the young men who are sent to their deaths in the name of jihad.

Suicide bombings on rise in Afghanistan |  Inside South Asia

In the past few months, Taliban shut down schools and universities for Afghan women, practically depriving them of all education and job opportunities. As the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is expected to meet Taliban leaders, WION's Mukul Sharma spoke to some of these women. Here are their thoughts, unfiltered.

Afghan women speak to WION from the ground: 'We want our freedoms back' | WION Originals

In a new survey, the data collected revealed that a third of young men in Germany believe that using violence against women is acceptable. The study led to outrage among gender equality campaigners. 
 
Children’s charity Plan International Germany had commissioned the survey and the regional newspaper Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung had published its findings. 
 
In the study, which was carried out online, a group of 1,000 men and 1,000 women between the age of 18 to 35 from across the country were asked to submit their views on masculinity.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-activists-in-germany-accused-of-580-offences-after-crackdown-603137">Climate activists in Germany accused of 580 offences</a>

<h2>Violence to 'instil respect' in women, say men</h2>

In the study, 34 per cent of men accepted using violence against their female partner in the past years to “instil respect in them”. Meanwhile, 33 per cent said that they found it acceptable if their “hand slipped” occasionally during an argument with their female partners. 
 
The study, which explored attitudes ranging from victim-blaming and double standards, found that 50 per cent of men stated they would not like to be in a relationship with a woman who previously had many sexual partners, while 20 per cent of the women in the survey also agreed with this fact. 
 
The survey also stated that there was difference in the expectations of men and women within a relationship. 
 
More than half of men – around 52 per cent – looking for a relationship in the form of a “breadwinner-housewife model,” where most of the money for the household was earned by them and household tasks as well as childcare were primarily the woman’s role. 
 
More than two-thirds of the women disagreed with these views in the survey and said that they wanted equal partnerships and shared decision-making.

WATCH |&nbsp;Survey: 33% men find violence against women acceptable | Germany

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Less than half of respondents – 48 per cent– said that they disliked public displays of homosexuality, adding that they felt “disturbed” by it. 
 
Taking to Twitter, the German group Federal Organisation for Equality said that the findings were “shocking.” 
 
It added, “According to a survey by Plan International Germany, every third young man finds violence against women ‘acceptable’. This urgently needs to change!” 
 
Karsten Kassner from Federal Forum Men, an organisation which stands for gender equality, called for change and said, “It’s problematic that a third of the surveyed men trivialize physical violence against women.” 
 
As per data collected by Germany’s Federal Criminal Police (BKA), 115,000 women in the country have been victims of domestic violence in 2021.

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In a new survey, the data collected revealed that a third of young men in Germany believe that using violence against women is acceptable. The study led to outrage among gender equality campaigners.

In a new survey, the data collected revealed that a third of young men in Germany believe that using violence against women is acceptable. The study led to outrage among gender equality campaigners. Children’s charity Plan International Germany had commissioned the survey and the regional newspaper Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung had published its findings. In the study, which was carried out online, a group of 1,000 men and 1,000 women between the age of 18 to 35 from across the country were asked to submit their views on masculinity. ALSO READ | Climate activists in Germany accused of 580 offences Violence to 'instil respect' in women, say men In the study, 34 per cent of men accepted using violence against their female partner in the past years to “instil respect in them”. Meanwhile, 33 per cent said that they found it acceptable if their “hand slipped” occasionally during an argument with their female partners. The study, which explored attitudes ranging from victim-blaming and double standards, found that 50 per cent of men stated they would not like to be in a relationship with a woman who previously had many sexual partners, while 20 per cent of the women in the survey also agreed with this fact. The survey also stated that there was difference in the expectations of men and women within a relationship. More than half of men – around 52 per cent – looking for a relationship in the form of a “breadwinner-housewife model,” where most of the money for the household was earned by them and household tasks as well as childcare were primarily the woman’s role. More than two-thirds of the women disagreed with these views in the survey and said that they wanted equal partnerships and shared decision-making. WATCH | Survey: 33% men find violence against women acceptable | Germany Less than half of respondents – 48 per cent– said that they disliked public displays of homosexuality, adding that they felt “disturbed” by it. Taking to Twitter, the German group Federal Organisation for Equality said that the findings were “shocking.” It added, “According to a survey by Plan International Germany, every third young man finds violence against women ‘acceptable’. This urgently needs to change!” Karsten Kassner from Federal Forum Men, an organisation which stands for gender equality, called for change and said, “It’s problematic that a third of the surveyed men trivialize physical violence against women.” As per data collected by Germany’s Federal Criminal Police (BKA), 115,000 women in the country have been victims of domestic violence in 2021. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

In Germany, a third of men find violence against women ‘acceptable': study

According to a survey, more than one-third of German men considered violence against women to be acceptable. Plan International Germany polled 1,000 men and 1,000 women between the ages of 18 and 35 online from March 9 through March 21, and the results show that 33% of men deemed it acceptable.

Survey: 33% men find violence against women acceptable | Germany

Nearly 80 girls were poisoned in two separate attacks at their primary schools in northern Afghanistan. Yet another attack on girls' rights since the Taliban swept to power in August 2021. Neighboring Iran has been rocked by a wave of poisonings, mostly in girls' schools, dating back to last November. Is there any connection?

80 Afghan girls poisoned. Is it a spillover from Iran?

From Dubai to Pakistan, how are fashion designers and many brands are helping Afghan women who are living in Pakistan refugee camps, after fleeing the 2021 Taliban takeover? Do you know before the Taliban era, Afghanistan used to organise various fashion shows and celebrated its culture? Now things have changed and Afghans are finding new ways to promote their rich heritage

Afghanistan's magnificent fabric designs

When both the man and the woman are equal breadwinners in&nbsp;the family, you would expect that the equality would extend to other areas too. At least that’s what should happen in an ideal world where the scales do not tilt more towards the woman when it comes to responsibilities involved in running a household and instead results in a ‘happy balance’ between the two sexes.&nbsp; 
 
Unfortunately, that perfect world is still elusive, as an April 2023 study by the Pew Research Center would have us believe.&nbsp;Of course, we have always known it. But it helps to have the data to justify that. For centuries now, archaic and invisible societal rules have laid down that the woman must always take on more than her ‘frail’ shoulders can carry when it comes to work, inside the house. It could be looking after the children, cooking, cleaning, taking them to school, assisting them with their homework, showing up for parent-teacher meetings and so on and so forth.&nbsp; 
 
That was then. And today when we have women advancing in every sphere of life and making unbounded progress and also smashing the glass ceiling at their workplaces, giving tough competition to their male counterparts, some things have essentially remained the same.&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/international-womens-day-when-will-they-be-treated-as-equals-368977">International Women's Day: When will they be treated as equals</a> 
 
When it comes to a woman who is career-oriented and yet there is no escape from the traditional role of the prime caregiver and caretaker of the family unit, work becomes double, triple and sometimes a tad impossible to carry if there is no family support system or help in the form of alternative caretakers. &nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
That you go to the office, work as hard as your husband and yet have to come back home to a pile of dirty dishes and the laundry to be done and a million other chores while he is exempted from doing any of this work is what is the current state of affairs in most parts of the world. And while the world has progressed beyond leaps and bounds and women are shining and reaching the top in every career one could dream of, this home truth refuses to change. 
 
The recent survey by the Pew Research Center on working heterosexual married couples in the US is, but the tip of the iceberg that shows that despite earning equal incomes, husbands tend to have fewer household responsibilities than wives. In the survey, it was detailed that 29 per cent of married heterosexual couples were the ones where the man and woman earned the same. And yet it found that men spent more time in leisure activities than women, almost 3 and a half hours more per week, while women spend almost 2 and a half hours more per week than the men doing chores in the house.&nbsp; 
 
Even as men remain the main breadwinner in a majority of opposite-sex marriages, the share of women who earn as much as or significantly more has roughly tripled over the past 50 years. Women are earning more, but they're still doing more housework. This gender disparity shows no signs of going away. 
 
With both sexes being equal financial contributors, there is a huge imbalance in how they balance out the work at home. According to the European Union’s Knowledge Centre on Gender Equality Index 2021, gender differences in household chores are entrenched from childhood. The most unequally shared is of course housework and the other two are childcare and long-term care for older people and people with disabilities and other chronic conditions. 
 
It says that about 91 per cent of women with children spend at least an hour per day on housework, compared with 30 per cent of men with children. The latest data shows that employed women spend about 2.3 hours daily on housework; for employed men, this figure is 1.6 hours.&nbsp;Reasons can be anything from seeing parental role models as entrenching gender roles in terms of housework responsibilities or even traditional expectations from women to be the nurturer and caregiver in marriages. Therefore this role remains static and has not evolved throughout the centuries, at least among the majority of people. 
 
Ideally if both the husband and wife work and earn, the division of household responsibilities should be equal because they have equal work commitments irrespective of their pay. But it remains a fantasy for most as women are expected to be the prime caregiver and men are exempted from such a burden. 
 
In an article in the Guardian, gender expert Kate Mangino, whose book, Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home, studied men who were equal partners in household work. She&nbsp;said she wanted to find out why these men were unusual. What she found out was that these men had not grown up seeing their dads be equal partners; instead, it was a choice they adopted and that meant there was hope for other men who have been shunning equal responsibilities at home. A fresh new perspective that spells hope? That really depends on how much progress will we be making in the coming years in obliterating the gender divide when it comes to doing household chores.&nbsp; 
 
As the world marches on in its struggle for equality, this trend as of now, shows no signs of changing. If we look at data from the Office for National Statistics in Britain in 2016, women did almost 60 per cent more of unpaid work, on average, than men. Even in places like Sweden where most men were choosing full-time fatherhood, women were averaging 45 more daily minutes of chores, according to the Guardian.&nbsp;

What’s the issue really? Are men just jerks when it comes to helping around the house and would they rather pretend to make the beds, wash the dishes, vacuum the floor and then get all hot and bothered and prefer to sit and guzzle a beer and stay glued to the idiot box? Well, it's not that simple.&nbsp;

Some studies say that one of the reasons could also be because of the insufficiently high standards that most female partners have where they feel that they can do the job better and therefore they take on more than they can chew. The result is an unending workload.&nbsp; 
 
The solution? Don’t do it. At least when it comes to household chores and the career woman, there seems to be only one choice. That’s also what writer Stephen Marche seems to say in his best-selling book called The Unmade Bed: The Messy Truth About Men and Women in the 21st Century, and that is to avoid the chores to get maximum productivity in other spheres of life. 
 
It all seems to make sense when you hear what famed writer JK Rowling said in a BBC documentary on being asked how she’d found time to write the first Harry Potter book while raising a baby alone. She says: “I didn’t do housework for four years.” 
 
Some hope and a bit of squalor? Take it or leave it.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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When both the man and the woman are equal breadwinners in the family, you would expect that the equality would extend to other areas too. At least that’s what should happen in an ideal world where the scales do not tilt more towards the woman when it comes to responsibilities involved in running a household and instead results in a ‘happy balance’ between the two sexes.

When both the man and the woman are equal breadwinners in the family, you would expect that the equality would extend to other areas too. At least that’s what should happen in an ideal world where the scales do not tilt more towards the woman when it comes to responsibilities involved in running a household and instead results in a ‘happy balance’ between the two sexes. Unfortunately, that perfect world is still elusive, as an April 2023 study by the Pew Research Center would have us believe. Of course, we have always known it. But it helps to have the data to justify that. For centuries now, archaic and invisible societal rules have laid down that the woman must always take on more than her ‘frail’ shoulders can carry when it comes to work, inside the house. It could be looking after the children, cooking, cleaning, taking them to school, assisting them with their homework, showing up for parent-teacher meetings and so on and so forth. That was then. And today when we have women advancing in every sphere of life and making unbounded progress and also smashing the glass ceiling at their workplaces, giving tough competition to their male counterparts, some things have essentially remained the same. ALSO READ| International Women's Day: When will they be treated as equals When it comes to a woman who is career-oriented and yet there is no escape from the traditional role of the prime caregiver and caretaker of the family unit, work becomes double, triple and sometimes a tad impossible to carry if there is no family support system or help in the form of alternative caretakers. That you go to the office, work as hard as your husband and yet have to come back home to a pile of dirty dishes and the laundry to be done and a million other chores while he is exempted from doing any of this work is what is the current state of affairs in most parts of the world. And while the world has progressed beyond leaps and bounds and women are shining and reaching the top in every career one could dream of, this home truth refuses to change. The recent survey by the Pew Research Center on working heterosexual married couples in the US is, but the tip of the iceberg that shows that despite earning equal incomes, husbands tend to have fewer household responsibilities than wives. In the survey, it was detailed that 29 per cent of married heterosexual couples were the ones where the man and woman earned the same. And yet it found that men spent more time in leisure activities than women, almost 3 and a half hours more per week, while women spend almost 2 and a half hours more per week than the men doing chores in the house. Even as men remain the main breadwinner in a majority of opposite-sex marriages, the share of women who earn as much as or significantly more has roughly tripled over the past 50 years. Women are earning more, but they're still doing more housework. This gender disparity shows no signs of going away. With both sexes being equal financial contributors, there is a huge imbalance in how they balance out the work at home. According to the European Union’s Knowledge Centre on Gender Equality Index 2021, gender differences in household chores are entrenched from childhood. The most unequally shared is of course housework and the other two are childcare and long-term care for older people and people with disabilities and other chronic conditions. It says that about 91 per cent of women with children spend at least an hour per day on housework, compared with 30 per cent of men with children. The latest data shows that employed women spend about 2.3 hours daily on housework; for employed men, this figure is 1.6 hours. Reasons can be anything from seeing parental role models as entrenching gender roles in terms of housework responsibilities or even traditional expectations from women to be the nurturer and caregiver in marriages. Therefore this role remains static and has not evolved throughout the centuries, at least among the majority of people. Ideally if both the husband and wife work and earn, the division of household responsibilities should be equal because they have equal work commitments irrespective of their pay. But it remains a fantasy for most as women are expected to be the prime caregiver and men are exempted from such a burden. In an article in the Guardian, gender expert Kate Mangino, whose book, Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home, studied men who were equal partners in household work. She said she wanted to find out why these men were unusual. What she found out was that these men had not grown up seeing their dads be equal partners; instead, it was a choice they adopted and that meant there was hope for other men who have been shunning equal responsibilities at home. A fresh new perspective that spells hope? That really depends on how much progress will we be making in the coming years in obliterating the gender divide when it comes to doing household chores. As the world marches on in its struggle for equality, this trend as of now, shows no signs of changing. If we look at data from the Office for National Statistics in Britain in 2016, women did almost 60 per cent more of unpaid work, on average, than men. Even in places like Sweden where most men were choosing full-time fatherhood, women were averaging 45 more daily minutes of chores, according to the Guardian. What’s the issue really? Are men just jerks when it comes to helping around the house and would they rather pretend to make the beds, wash the dishes, vacuum the floor and then get all hot and bothered and prefer to sit and guzzle a beer and stay glued to the idiot box? Well, it's not that simple. Some studies say that one of the reasons could also be because of the insufficiently high standards that most female partners have where they feel that they can do the job better and therefore they take on more than they can chew. The result is an unending workload. The solution? Don’t do it. At least when it comes to household chores and the career woman, there seems to be only one choice. That’s also what writer Stephen Marche seems to say in his best-selling book called The Unmade Bed: The Messy Truth About Men and Women in the 21st Century, and that is to avoid the chores to get maximum productivity in other spheres of life. It all seems to make sense when you hear what famed writer JK Rowling said in a BBC documentary on being asked how she’d found time to write the first Harry Potter book while raising a baby alone. She says: “I didn’t do housework for four years.” Some hope and a bit of squalor? Take it or leave it. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Gender Talk: Why the working woman has to work even more at home

A nature lover and nurse in Canada claimed to have captured bizarre footage on her security camera. It supposedly shows&nbsp;“two witches holding a carcass-eating ritual”. The scary video was captured in the camera that the woman had installed near her home, according to a report published by Fox News.

“I don’t know what the heck was up with that,” said 36-year-old Corinea Stanhope, of Powell River, British Columbia, while speaking to Kennedy News. “It really freaked us out, it’s not something you see every day," she added.&nbsp;

Stanhope said that she came across a deer carcass which was present in the garden inside her property. She added that she set up the camera to check if any animal would take interest in the dead deer.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/horrifying-visuals-teenager-crushes-car-with-his-tractor-stst-601652">&nbsp;Horrifying Visuals: Teenager crushes car with his tractor</a>

“Me and my grandpa put up a trail camera to see if we could see animals, and we got a bobcat (on camera), which was pretty cool,” Stanhope said, further stating that the video footage of the topless women feeding on the dead carcass left her 76-year-old grandfather Bob horrified.&nbsp;

“I came the next day, and grandpa said he’d got naked people on the camera, and I said, ‘No, you didn’t. Bulls**t.’ So, he showed me,” she stated.&nbsp;

Stanhope further emphasised that the carcass-eaters had apparently emerged about 10 minutes after sunset and looked “dishevelled” and appeared to be wearing wigs.

<h2>A walking demon from hell?&nbsp;</h2>

“You can’t really tell from the photos, but the hoof was brought right up to her mouth,” Stanhope said. “I don’t know if she was kissing it, smelling or eating it, but to touch a decaying carcass like that makes me feel sick – the amount of bacteria that must have been on there," she added.

“Maybe they were paying their respects, but they were naked,” the nature lover further stated.&nbsp;

Stanhope admitted that she was “creeped out” because the incident happened just a two-minute walk from her house. She said that she was fearing for the safety of her horses.

“I was concerned about them messing with my horses at night. The horses always get really spooked and unnerved around that area. I thought they imagined stuff at first, so I didn’t think anything of it. Maybe I believe them now," she said.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;CCTV for veil flouters in Iran | The West Asia Post

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The nurse stated that she was hoping that the incident would just be a prank or that those women would be “on some good drugs”.

"A lot of people mentioned skin walkers and wendigos. There's rumours around town about a cult that collects animal bones. I don't know if it's real or not. The horses always get really spooked and unnerved around that area," she added.

After Stanhope shared the photos on social media, some claimed it to be a prank and others speculated it was a satanic or paranormal element.

“That’s basically a walking demon from hell,” wrote a user. “If you hear screaming stay inside and get a gun you leave it alone," another said.&nbsp;

You can&nbsp;now write for&nbsp;wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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A nature lover and nurse in Canada claimed to have captured bizarre footage on her security camera. It supposedly shows “two witches holding a carcass-eating ritual”.

A nature lover and nurse in Canada claimed to have captured bizarre footage on her security camera. It supposedly shows “two witches holding a carcass-eating ritual”. The scary video was captured in the camera that the woman had installed near her home, according to a report published by Fox News. “I don’t know what the heck was up with that,” said 36-year-old Corinea Stanhope, of Powell River, British Columbia, while speaking to Kennedy News. “It really freaked us out, it’s not something you see every day," she added. Stanhope said that she came across a deer carcass which was present in the garden inside her property. She added that she set up the camera to check if any animal would take interest in the dead deer. ALSO READ | Horrifying Visuals: Teenager crushes car with his tractor “Me and my grandpa put up a trail camera to see if we could see animals, and we got a bobcat (on camera), which was pretty cool,” Stanhope said, further stating that the video footage of the topless women feeding on the dead carcass left her 76-year-old grandfather Bob horrified. “I came the next day, and grandpa said he’d got naked people on the camera, and I said, ‘No, you didn’t. Bulls**t.’ So, he showed me,” she stated. Stanhope further emphasised that the carcass-eaters had apparently emerged about 10 minutes after sunset and looked “dishevelled” and appeared to be wearing wigs. A walking demon from hell? “You can’t really tell from the photos, but the hoof was brought right up to her mouth,” Stanhope said. “I don’t know if she was kissing it, smelling or eating it, but to touch a decaying carcass like that makes me feel sick – the amount of bacteria that must have been on there," she added. “Maybe they were paying their respects, but they were naked,” the nature lover further stated. Stanhope admitted that she was “creeped out” because the incident happened just a two-minute walk from her house. She said that she was fearing for the safety of her horses. “I was concerned about them messing with my horses at night. The horses always get really spooked and unnerved around that area. I thought they imagined stuff at first, so I didn’t think anything of it. Maybe I believe them now," she said. WATCH | CCTV for veil flouters in Iran | The West Asia Post The nurse stated that she was hoping that the incident would just be a prank or that those women would be “on some good drugs”. "A lot of people mentioned skin walkers and wendigos. There's rumours around town about a cult that collects animal bones. I don't know if it's real or not. The horses always get really spooked and unnerved around that area," she added. After Stanhope shared the photos on social media, some claimed it to be a prank and others speculated it was a satanic or paranormal element. “That’s basically a walking demon from hell,” wrote a user. “If you hear screaming stay inside and get a gun you leave it alone," another said. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Witches in dark? CCTV footage captures topless women feeding on deer carcass

Agricultural fields in North and North Western Afghanistan have been hit by locust attacks. Production of food crops is at an all-time low, and losses for farmers run into millions of dollars. And the UN Food and Agricultural Organization warns locust numbers could multiply 100-fold or more unless strong action is taken to control them.

Afghanistan locust menace

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