Gender

• [New] In South Asia, Bangladesh is particularly affected by flooding and crop failures, accounting for almost half of the predicted climate migrants, with 19.9 million people, including an increasing number of women, moving by 2050 under the pessimistic scenario. AP News
• [New] The flash appeal for food, life-saving interventions and essential health care - including maternal health care - comes against a backdrop of deep concern that women's rights are under threat from Afghanistan's new rulers. UN News
• [New] In Brazil, Indigenous women led a protest in the capital Brasilia Friday ahead of a much-anticipated Brazilian Supreme Court decision that could determine if thousands of Indigenous people can reclaim stolen ancestral lands. Democracy Now!
• [New] As the current situation for many female workers remains unclear World Vision will also call on world leaders to urge the Taliban to protect the rights of women; including their right to work, to be humanitarian aid workers and to be able to safely receive aid assistance. World Vision International
• [New] Women would not be allowed to play cricket - a popular sport in Afghanistan - or possibly any other sport because it was not necessary and their bodies might be exposed. LBCI Lebanon
• [New] France will begin offering free contraceptives for women up to the age of 25 starting in 2022 to help young women with the financial costs of protecting against pregnancy. The New York Times
• [New] The absolute disparity in cervical cancer rates is expected to decrease from an estimated 2.5 excess cases per 100,000 women in high-poverty areas in 2006 to an excess 1.0 case per 100,000 women in high-poverty areas in 2070. Medical Xpress
• [New] If the test match proceeds, it will give the Taliban a major propaganda victory, undermine the human rights of Afghan women, and insult the tens of thousands of Australian Defence Force personnel who served in that country. The Strategist
• [New] Many Afghan women, who have taken advantage of the right to education and freedom of expression over the past twenty years, fear returning to the past when women were forbidden to leave home without a male guardian, and for violating the rules of morality. Karmasangram
• [New] In India, and many other countries with high rates of crime against women, policies aimed at reducing crimes against women could be equally important to bring down the personal cost to women of participating in the labour force. Ideas For India
• [New] Women's and girls' charitable organisations will be able to apply for a share of more than £525,000 to continue their work to make the UK a fairer and safer place for women and girls. www.scvo.info
• [New] Women increased their lead over men in college applications for the 2021-22 school year-3,805,978 to 2,815,810-by nearly a percentage point compared with the previous academic year. WSJ
• [New] Obed fears history may repeat itself and a new government might not put any effort into implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, protecting Indigenous languages or acting on the national plan to prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls. CBC
• [New] The Taliban have promised to respect peoples' rights and to allow women all rights and freedoms consistent with Sharia law but many Afghans and foreign governments fear a return to the harsh practices of the past. Reuters
• Biden is expected to focus in the coming days on domestic issues: a fight to protect women's reproductive rights in the wake of a new Texas anti-abortion law, the end of extended unemployment benefits for many Americans and new measures to fight COVID-19. Reuters
• United Nations human rights monitors have strongly condemned the state of Texas for its new anti-abortion law, which they say violates international law by denying women control over their own bodies and endangering their lives. The Guardian
• Taliban leaders have insisted publicly that women will play a prominent role in society in Afghanistan and have access to education. CNN
• The Taliban have promised to respect peoples' rights and to allow women all rights and freedoms consistent with sharia law, but many Afghans and foreign governments fear a return to the harsh practices of the past. ABC News
• Videos have circulated on social media of Taliban fighters painting over photographs of women, sparking fear that women are being erased from Afghan society once again. Business Insider
• Taliban leaders have promised to install an inclusive government in Kabul that they say will allow women to work and receive education within the framework of Islamic law, or Shariah, but many Afghans doubt the reliability of their pledges. Voice of America
• A humane and inclusive transition will be pivotal in setting the future path for women and children, especially girls, in Afghanistan and in ensuring that their human rights are respected and protected. United Nation Office of the High Commission on Human Rights

Last updated: 16 September 2021