Women

Despite the measures introduced in 2012 following the Nirbhaya case, the killing of a teenage girl found this week in a rubbish tip raises questions about the effectiveness of legislation alone. Sr Lovenia Almeida to AsiaNews: “We need a society that refuses to normalise violence against women and children”.

According to a survey presented to the Conference of Major Superiors, one in four nuns in the Philippines is now over 70, whilst only 30 per cent are under 50. Few congregations have convents suited to the needs of their elderly sisters. The challenge has been taken up to devise joint initiatives across different institutes.

In Cox’s Bazar, 40 officers from the Armed Police Battalion took part in a training session organised by Caritas Bangladesh. The goal is to reinforce law enforcement response to violence against women and children, foster a victim-centred approach, and improve coordination with support services.

Over the last three years, the number of women business owners in the country has risen by 21.5 per cent. Most operate small and medium-sized enterprises, chiefly in the retail and services sectors. Today, they can also count on a support programme promoted by Japanese development cooperation and the World Bank.

The three Indian nuns who accused the current bishop emeritus of Jalandhar of sexual assault have launched an apparel line to support themselves after being ostracised due to their legal case. “Many people think the case is finished,” but for Sister Ranit, “the fight is not over”.

The initiative was launched by the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation. The buses and the service are run entirely by women. For the female drivers, it is an extraordinary personal journey, but there is no shortage of attacks, insults and doubts about the limited number of buses available.

Nine female healthcare workers at the Kalmunai North Government Base Hospital have lodged a complaint against the hospital. Their superiors are alleged to have forced them to remove their Islamic headscarves. Their lawyer describes this as a violation of a “fundamental” right. Sister Deepa Fernando: enough of laws on dress codes that create conflict.

In Lahore, Christian artist Alyas Rahmat has been using community performances to speak out about women's rights, early marriage, minorities, and peace for 25 years. But in Sindh and Quetta, he has also faced threats and pressures.

With the passing of the Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill, Maharashtra has introduced legislation guaranteeing equal access to financial support and public services for millions of women workers. Until now, they had been excluded because they did not own the land and were considered labourers.

The interim government commission led by Yunus is drafting laws to promote “equal opportunities” in inheritance, labor, and family matters. For fundamentalists, these proposals “hurt religious sentiments.” The fight for rights continues among political parties and civil society, against the backdrop of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s return to the country.

The latest case in recent days, a 30-year-old woman killed by her husband for wanting to leave over constant domestic violence. Another young woman shot by her father and brother while she was holding her small child in her arms. According to some studies, more than 130 women have been killed since last March. At least 74,000 reports of abuse and violence have been filed, but the real number could be 100 times higher.

Despite being officially prohibited in Bishkek polygamous marriages proliferate, facilitated by shadow agencies that function on Islamic principles. Their activities are also supported by celebrities. But human rights activists also tell the other side: the increase in appeals from women who have fallen into this trap.