Society
Women
In this section, you will find our growing collection of women-centred journalism. Our reporting highlights the diverse experiences of women around the globe and asks pertinent questions on the current state of gender equity.
From Kurdistan to Kenya, we shine light on feminist revolutionary movements and the women fighting for a better world. From women removing landmines in Iraq, to those challenging UN inaction, we invite you to explore their stories.
Finally, equal abortion rights for India’s unmarried women
The taboo around sex outside of marriage means it can be hard to access safe pregnancy termination. But a recent court ruling could help to change things, writes Nilanjana Bhowmick.
Before Iran, the Kurdish feminist revolution
Rahila Gupta examines the precursor to Iran’s ‘first feminist revolution in the world’: a Kurdish feminist revolution in Rojava.
Feel the fear and carry on
In Iraq a growing number of women are now doing the dangerous work of removing landmines – previously a male preserve. Adrian Margaret Brune reports.
Feminists challenge inaction at UN summit
Conservative anti-rights groups, and the failure of rich nations to take responsibility for climate change, threatened to block progress at this year’s women’s rights conference, writes Umyra Ahmad.
Taking on the torch-bearers of patriarchy
A growing number of women are going against the stream in India, writes Nilanjana Bhowmick.
The fight for lives and labour
Black women in the US do the socially important work, often unnamed and unrecognized, that is essential to the profit of an economic elite. Rose M Brewer profiles four examples of how they are standing up for change.
View from Brazil
While Argentina wins abortion rights, in Brazil even a pregnant 10-year-old is threatened and coerced to give birth, writes Leonardo Sakamoto.
Why black matters
Rahila Gupta examines the roots of, and argues the case for, ‘political blackness’.
Keeping the world cared for
From dealing with Covid-19, to finding inventive ways to make ends meet, three workers from the Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago and Zimbabwe tell their stories.
‘Young people in our country need care and support to thrive’
Flavia Mutamutega, Rwanda’s sole agony aunt for adolescent girls, tells Veronique Mistiaen about the problems that preoccupy them.
Black women in the vanguard
In Brazil, misogynoir – misogyny directed at black women – has been used to fire up President Jair Bolsonaro’s machismo base, and divert the population’s attention away from his failings. Leonardo Sakomoto writes.
‘I didn’t want to be a mother’
Trifonia Melibea Obono records the unheard stories of queer women living in the West African state of Equatorial Guinea.
In Pakistan, a women’s march comes with a price
Following a national women’s march across Pakistan, Zahwa Shah examines the blow-back from men and the political actors still blocking feminist organizing.
Women: stop working!
Tomorrow’s strike embodies an alternative to neoliberal ‘female empowerment’, writes Lola Olufemi.
Remembering Una Marson: black feminist pioneer
Aditya Iyer looks at the legacy of black feminist poet, Una Marson.
Reforming the Gender Recognition Act is a feminist responsibility
The moral panic surrounding proposed changes is incoherent. Husna Rivzi explains why.
What does institutional justice look like?
Lola Olufemi examines what institutional justice means after the Avital Ronell controversy.
Against their will
Lea Surugue and Gisella Ligios report on the Roma women fighting to make the Czech authorities face up to the scandal of forced sterilization.
Occupying against the patriarchy
Chilean feminists have taken over university buildings until inequality is tackled. Giulia Dessi reports.
Argentina’s women fight for safe, free and legal abortion
The Ni Una Menos movement are making history. Will they succeed in this Wednesday’s vote on 13 June? Orlando James Jenkinson reports.
Can men help break Kenyan womens’ exclusion?
Can male volunteers help break the cycle of womens’ political exclusion in Kenya? Hannah O’Neill and Louise Donovan report.
Can a new generation topple Ireland’s 8th amendment?
This Friday’s vote demonstrates a vibrant and long overdue campaign for a secular republic, Éilis Ryan writes.
Why telling victims not to ‘be victims’ is wrong
Kate Smurthwaite stands in defence of this battered word.
And Finally: Meena Kandasamy
The writer and activist discusses domestic abuse, social media and politics in India with Graeme Green.
‘Repeal the eighth!’: Will Ireland liberalize abortion laws in May?
A long-awaited referendum on abortion is due this May, which will offer citizens the chance to repeal the constitution’s eighth amendment and liberalize Ireland’s strict legislation writes Megan Nolan
Raising voices to stop rape in Bangladesh
The Bangladeshi state is intimidating indigenous human rights defenders. Amy Hall reports.
Women starving for their basic humanity
Immigration Removal Centres are the shame of Britain, Katie McQue reports.
Survivors and doctors fight back against FGM
Without proper care, the value of post-FGM reconstructive surgery can be limited. Kyle G. Brown reports.
We demand an end to Yarl’s Wood injustice
On International Women’s Day, supporters of detainees write an open letter to the Home Secretary
Save the Children whistleblowers speak out
Brie O’Keefe and Alexia Pepper de Caires speak to Ben Phillips about the ‘loneliness’ of taking on powerful institutions.
Women of Yarl’s Wood stand up
More than 100 women detainees are on all out strike. Those outside detention must show their support, argues Felicity Kersting.
Demanding a solution revolution
Dear #MeToo backlash, we feminists have heard it all before… Kate Smurthwaite writes
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Mozambican men tackle domestic violence
Meet the non-profit art group trying to end violence against women in Mozambique. By Rebecca Cooke.
What’s sex got to do with it?
Womens’ and minority rights are disappearing since the soft coup in Brazil, reports Vanessa Baird.
The persistence of patriarchy
The roots of patriarchy, how it is sustained, and how to go about challenging it. By Cynthia Enloe.
