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General, Politics, Women's History

Afghanistan: Violence Against Women on the Rise

Back in 2009, the Afghan government approved an Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW) Law that criminalises child marriage, forced marriage, the selling and buying of women under the pretext of marriage, giving females away to settle disputes, forced self-immolation and various other acts of violence against women. However, Ingibjorg Gisladottir, director of UN Women in Afghanistan, expressed concern that only a small percentage of cases under the law involved violence against women. Most such cases were neither registered nor investigated.

Event, Politics, Women's History

The Cry of Lost Aboriginal Sisters Across Canada

•The Indian Act of 1876 was intended to assimilate indigenous peoples. It denied self-government and segregated those subject to its provisions on apartheid style reserves. Patriarchal societies were intended to replace matriarchal ones. The 1884 Indian Advancement Act included Inuit communities, requiring their members to carry a tattoo on their necks.

Event, General, Politics, Source, Women's History

International Alliance of Women (IAW) … Herstory in the Making: Pt 2

The Congress was held in the main hall and environs, surrounded by portraits of ‘very important men’ – judges, barristers, queen’s and king’s counsel … As these portraited men looked down upon the women gathered beneath then, voicing uproar and outrage at the ravages wrought by warring in Syria, denial of rights to children born but not formally registered so running the risk of being ‘seen’ as non-existent, the oppression, damage and destruction lying at the base of child marriage, the importantce of ecological balance and taking action to undo the damage of climate change … what would these men have thought?

Event, Politics, Source, Women's History

International Alliance of Women (IAW) … Herstory in the Making: Pt 1

As these portraited men looked down upon the women gathered beneath then, voicing uproar and outrage at the ravages wrought by warring in Syria, denial of rights to children born but not formally registered so running the risk of being ‘seen’ as non-existent, the oppression, damage and destruction lying at the base of child marriage, the importantce of ecological balance and taking action to undo the damage of climate change … what would these men have thought? Would it ever have entered their comprehension, when they lived, that one day these hallowed halls would be filled with the sound of women’s feet and laughter, that the walls would be assailed by women’s voices, women’s support for one another and for changing the world? Would they ever have thought that resolutions would be passed by women – articulate, angry, compassionate, forthright, brave, courageous, indomitable?

Book Prize

Winner Book Prize 2013

The winner of this year’s competition is Angela Davis’s Modern Motherhood: Women and Family in England, 1945-2000 (Manchester University Press, 2012).  Congratulations to Angela for a book that the judges commend as ‘a fascinating survey of women’s experience of motherhood’, ’eminently readable’, ‘a solid and…

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General, Politics, Women's History

The History of Hemlines

After the Wall Street Crash of 1929, the Great Depression brought hemlines crashing back down to the floor with its grim psychological effect on the public. The lack of money and merriment meant the debauchery and risk taking of the ‘20s disappeared and was replaced by a return to a level of modesty – both economically and fashionably. The 1930s also saw the dawn of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Whilst many other businesses collapsed, the film industry grew in popularity. Films offered a temporary escape from the harshness of reality. Hollywood made stars out of women such as Great Garbo, Jean Harlow and Bette Davis.