According to The Root, "Now as more black women seek abortions, the banner has been taken up by some black pro-lifers. 

Fifty-one percent of all Americans consider themselves pro-life and 42 percent pro-choice, according to a Gallup poll released in May 2009. The results marked the first time a majority of Americans identified themselves as pro-life since Gallup began taking the poll in 1995. Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds of African Americans polled believe that abortion should never be legal or legal only in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is endangered, according to polling group Zogby International.
 

The appeal that pro-lifers are using to reach African Americans: Black babies are on the verge of extinction because African-American women obtain 36.4 percent of all pregnancy terminations in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (That rate is far greater than that of white and Hispanic women, even though blacks make up only 13 percent of the population.)

So, to be pro-life is to save "black babies" from extinction?

According to The Root, "One of the loudest voices behind that message is that of Davis, whose nonprofit organization is based in Lawrenceville, Ga., a suburb just outside of Atlanta. Like an evangelist, she spreads her anti-abortion message on college campuses and from the pulpits of black churches."

"We're talking about the fact that if people were put on the endangered species list, black children would certainly make the list," she said during a recent telephone interview. "I am not trying to victimize black women. I'm not trying to cast aspersions on my people. I am simply trying to point to the fact that the black community is being targeted by the abortion industry.''

As you can assume many black pro-choice organizations had to weigh in on the subject of "black genocide" with abortion. 

"The billboards are preying on the black community's historical knowledge of womb lynching,'' complained Toni M. Bond Leonard, co-founder, president and chief executive officer of Black Women for Reproductive Justice, a pro-choice organization in Chicago. "I think that is a very evil and dirty game they are playing.''

Davis was not ready from the back-lash from the pro-choice community. She was laid off her job earlier that year due to the recession, and the Georgia Right to Life was waiting in the wings for her to spread their message to the black community, seeing as they could not reach them without her one-sided message.

"I guess I was one of those who believed the African-American community was pro-life,'' Davis said. "I don't understand how anyone can say I am trying to scare people. I am talking about the factual, statistical results of the impact of abortion on the black community. The information I am sharing has been documented, not just by me, but by organization after organization for years.''

Davis is taking her facts from the new documentary, Maafa 21,  by the white pro-lifer Mark Crutcher, who created a movie depicting Margaret Sanger, Planned Parenthood Founder, as a racist,  plotting to extinguish the African American race by promoting abortion.

"She was no genocidal maniac like they are trying to describe her,'' Ross said. "She was committed to women's rights and family planning. She didn't really approve of abortion because she thought they were so dangerous during her time. Yes, she flirted with eugenics, but then denounced it. But she was in the mainstream at the time because 22 states had eugenics laws.''

According to The Root, "Rev. Hunter said Planned Parenthood has a long history of genocide in the black community. He suggested that health care reform would not be a major issue if abortion were not part of the effort."

"There are some politicians who think the right people are being aborted,'' Hunter said. "There is no way to keep hounding for abortion when you put the majority of the clinics in minority communities. Then you have Planned Parenthood calling themselves health care providers. I don't think of abortion as health care.''

"The message is important, so we are not going to stop trying,'' he said. "We are losing 1,452 children a day to abortions. That means within four days, more blacks have been put to death than the Ku Klux Klan has lynched in the history of this nation.''

My Thoughts...

It is interesting to see pro-lifers tackle the black community with "scare-tactics" Genocide, Racism, things they know rattle African Americans based on historical complexities. Pro-choice means a lot more than abortion, is about being educated on sexual health and knowing that your body is not the property of others, but it is yours and you should decide what or what doesn't happen to it.

What are your thoughts?

According to The WOW Report, " 48-year old Norrie May-Welby received a certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in New South Wales that labels Zie as neither ''M'' nor ''F''; instead, it says ''sex not specified,'' making Norrie the first in the state to be neither man nor woman in the eyes of the government.

"I think there are a lot of people who would like to have this kind of certificate and not just people who are physically different," says Norrie. "Many women would like to have them because sex can so often lead to discrimination.""

 According to the Sydney Morning Herald, "The law had not considered that anyone might want neither sex recorded but was able to accommodate the request when presented with evidence from two registered doctors that Norrie was physically and psychologically androgynous."

"I went into the bank and the woman's eyes lit up when she saw the certificate, and she said, 'What a good option'," Norrie said yesterday.

Tracie O'Keefe, from the transgender group Sex and Gender Education, called it a breakthrough for children whose doctors and parents are confused about their sex at birth and are often operated upon, reports SDH.

"I think there are a lot of people who would like to have this kind of certificate and not just people who are physically different. Many women would like to have them because sex can so often lead to discrimination."

My Thoughts...

Allowing people to not list M/F would help with gender discrimination. This is a breakthrough, and hopefully in the U.S. in the future this will be an option for people who are androgynous or those who wish not to disclose the information.

What are your thoughts?

To read more, check out SDH, click here.
To read more, check out Wow Report, click here.

According to Newser, "It was only a matter of time: Tiger Woods has become a sex toy. Pipedream Products has released the Tuggin’ Tiger Wind-Up (“Watch him play with his 9-iron!”), the Take-Home Tiger Love Doll (“He’s got major wood!”), and the Tiger’s Wood Cover 4-inch condom."

Ummm...

Take it all of us laughed at Tiger when he was caught misbehaving with his share of "14" girls this past year, but what does that say about the media and the glamorizing of sexual misconduct.  In the past year, many men who have been respected members of their career discipline have been caught in sexual scandals, but no one suffered the scrutiny more than Mr. Woods with his estimated 14 mistresses, still yet to be decided if that was the final count.

What does this say about our society?

What if a woman had of committed the same crimes, how would the media have fared against her allegations and multiple partners? Would player, hero, and compassion have been used to describe her, or would they have used "hoe", "slut" , or worse, does the media put more pressure on people based on gender idenitification or do we group everyone in the same category?

Check out the Pictures:





My Thoughts...

What do you think of this?

What are your thoughts?

To read more, check out Jezebel, click here
To read more, check out Newser, click here.

As you know, many are skeptical at a women's ability to coach a high school football team. It's funny that they are skeptical seeing as she has played professional football for the Women's League from 2004 to 2008. So, why is she not capable again?

"Some people say she's just a woman and she doesn't know anything. There's definitely going to be a higher level of scrutiny because it's a woman in a man's world," said Toni Morgan, a referee for the Eastern Board of Officials and a regular official of football games in the D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association

Okay...wait a minute. She is coaching a high school football team. She was hired by the school and I'm assuming if she got the position she is more than capable of performing. Why can't we just look at this as a milestone for our country, not a set-back. These past couple of years has brought triumph to our country, we've gotten our first black president, Gay Marriage was legalized in DC, and now DC receives the first women ever to coach a football team, I think these events show progress, and not problems.

According to The Washington Post: Petula Dvorak, "Many Comments have broken out among the internet, both good and bad concerning the new coach's position:

"This is a brutal physical sport that rips the testosterone from guys and puts it on display. There is no place here for an estrogen injection," one reader commented on the story.

I wonder if this person has ever seen childbirth up close.

"THERE'S NO WAY IN HELL A FEMALE CAN BE CONSIDERED A LEGITIMATE COACH OF FOOTBALL," another ranted.

She's a woman, what's the problem is my question?

Natalie Randolph has amazing credentials and will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming school year.

According to The Washington Post, "Randolph, a 1998 graduate of Sidwell Friends and former sprinter at the University of Virginia, is hardly a football newbie. She was a receiver for the Divas of the Independent Women's Professional League from 2004 to 2008 and an assistant at H.D. Woodson in 2006 and '07. She joined the Coolidge faculty in 2008 but has not coached the previous two seasons. "

"She can do it," said H.D. Woodson Coach Greg Fuller, who hired Randolph as an assistant in 2006. "She's a no-nonsense kind of coach. She's a disciplinarian. She handled [the questions about being a woman coaching football] very well because she takes on any challenge you put in front of her."

According to The Washington Post, "Some of the kids tried to test her knowledge of football, and she just shot them down," said the individual, who asked not to be identified because school officials requested that the information not be made public until Friday. "At the end, they were clapping for her. They didn't know she played football."

"It's tough, but change has to happen. It's going to take time. It's up to each individual student and how they handle it." "You always know, with her, she'll get the respect because she'll demand it from you," Fuller said.

According to Jezebel.com, "Carol A. White, who worked as an assistant coach at Georgia Tech 41 years ago, points out that coaching isn't gender specific. "What is coaching? It's inspiring kids. It requires knowledge of people, patience in dealing with people, attention to detail and positive self-image," she "barked" at Dvorak. Randolph has opted not to respond to the media furor until after the press conference today, but she did say this in a statement:

"Im flattered at the outpouring of support and encouragement from the D.C. football and academic community. I know how important high school football is to these young men, the parents, the school, and the Coolidge community. I plan on taking this opportunity and running with it."

My Thoughts...

This is such an amazing story and I can't wait to see what Natalie Rudolph can do. I know she is going to be an amazing football coach, her credentials speak for themselves. Our society needs to realize it doesn't matter the race, creed, color, or gender, it's about the character and the dedication a person gives to their particular talent. Let's support each other, not demean or denounce!

To read more, check out

Washington Post
Jezebel.com

According to Jezebel.com, "The Vatican denounced a Rome high school for becoming the first Italian school with condom vending machines in bathrooms."

"Only in Italy would this cause a stir," an Italian student group said. School officials in Rome began to push for condoms in schools after learning last month that 40% of teenage girls use no contraception and an additional 20% rely on the withdrawal method. A papal spokesmen told the Guardian the school's decision "trivializes sexuality;" the school's principal said he hopes other Italian schools will follow his school's lead.

My Thoughts...

It is interesting to read stories about Church officials who do not believe in sex before marriage, but "cringe" at the fact that adults are realizing praciting safe sex is more effective then ignorning the issues. Many young adults don't consider safety a reason to practice safe sex, they rely on the "pull-out" method or they do not use protection at all. I am proud that this Italian school realized the problem and came up with a solution that is both effective and safe. It's crazy that a Italian school can figure out an effective method to teach people how to practice safe sex, but Americans can only debate and still see the "pregnancy, STD, AIDS" rates skyrocket every year....hmmm...

What are your thoughts?

According to Change.org, " It's disturbing that a quarter of young people aged 18-29 believe that doubling up on condoms -- which I just learned is called "double-bagging" -- works better, according to a new report by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

Men are more likely to have misconceptions about preventing pregnancy: 25% believe a woman can prevent pregnancy by douching, or washing the sperm away after sex (only 10% of women buy this one).

18% of men believe having sex standing up decreases the risk of pregnancy, according to Change.org. 

With this information, you realize that young adults need comprehensive sex education. It is a shame that people believe that "2" condoms is the most effective method when having sexual intercourse.

With teen pregnancy on the rise, these misconceptions are proving to be severely harmful -- and since 86% of unmarried young adults have had sex, they need to know the facts to protect themselves.

What are your thoughts?

What can we do to make sure young adults have the correct information and resources to make good decisions. I believe comprehensive sex education and parent participation is key things in helping young people understand who they are and the things they need to know, not only about the body, but health as well.


To read more, click here.

According to Adfreak, "McCann Erickson is rolling out a new spot for Dentyne that compares gum with condoms."

Using the tagline "Practice safe breath," the commercial shows a trio of men in need of protection from halitosis, lest it inhibit freaky time. One is about to get into it was a comely blonde in the backseat, another is nervously buying protection in a drugstore, and a third wakes his roommate late at night because he's got a guest.

So, what are your thoughts?

Too Much or just enough?

To read more, click here.

According to Salon.com, the New York City subway system was hit with a series of ads from the organization Abortion Changes You. According to Metro International, they "depict either a woman saying,

'I thought life would be the way it was before,' or a man saying, 'I often wonder if there was something I could have done to help her.'"

Presumably, the ads look a lot like the image above, which is featured on the group's website/memorial for terminated fetuses.

More...

According Adfreak.com, "The ad, in which Pamela Anderson and another lady pour milk all over each other in the fantasy of a male co-worker, was tagged by Down Under's Advertising Standards Bureau after fielding "hundreds" of complaints."

Wach the Video:

The managing director of Crazy Domains, Gavin Collins has blamed “feminist bloggers” for stirring up the controversy and is fighting the ban, the Daily Hearld reports.

The Bureau President has these words to say concerning the ad:

“It’s meant to be a cheeky, over-the-top depiction, but in the bureau’s view it did cross the line,” says Bureau president Fiona Jolly said.

While the ad has caused controversy, many believe it shouldn't have been pulled from television.


What are your thoughts?

Is the ad to Raunchy? What does it say for Women, Media, and Body Image?

To read more at the Daily Hearld, click here.
To read more from Ad Freak, click here.

According to The Star, "Women in the Middle East have broken down some educational barriers, secured a bigger economic role and won other rights in the past five years but still suffer great inequalities, a study showed."

Fifteen of 18 countries in the poll recorded gains in women's rights in the period, notably in Kuwait, Algeria and Jordan, United States-based group Freedom House said.

Wow!

Among the milestones, it cited Kuwait's 2005 decision to give women the right to vote and run for parliament and the same year Algeria banned proxy marriages and recognized the parental authority of custodial mothers, according to The Star

So, what does this mean? Will women be able to walk out of their houses and feel safe? Will the torture, rape, and abuse cease because we've made progress?

"There are more women entrepreneurs, more women doctors, more women PhDs and more women in universities, than ever before," said Freedom House executive director Jennifer Windsor in a statement commenting on the study.

According to The Star, "Violence against women and impunity in spousal abuse remained widespread, the study said. No country covered explicitly prohibited spousal rape and only Tunisia and Jordan offer specific protections against domestic violence, it said."

"When courts are incapable of upholding basic legal rights in the face of political and societal pressures, those guilty of spousal abuse, gender-based discrimination, or even murder, often walk free," said Sanja Kelly, who directed the study.

My Thoughts...

So, what is it that needs to be done? Are we not in a state of progress or are we returning to the times when women were forced to work in their homes and not be seen in public without a man? Violence against women and children must cease or they will destroy their country. I hope that the middle east is paying attention to the damage they are doing to women, both physically and mentally. It is harmful to berate and belittle someone based on physical characteristics. I hope that the obstacles that are still preventing women from being able to be free to raise their children and get an education will not be a factor in the future, until then, I'm glad for activists, organizations, and people who are risking their lives so that women in the middle east can have a voice and people to turn to when things get rough.

The Middle east must do better...They must...

What are your thoughts?

To read more about this article, click here.

On Monday during the opening of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meeting, U.N. Female Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro acknowledged more action is needed to help countries advance gender equality and women's empowerment, VOA News reports.

"More and more people now understand that gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is not just a goal in itself, but a key to sustainable development, economic growth, and peace and security," Migiro told delegates, according to U.N. News Centre.

Such challenges include the fact "[w]omen still outnumber men among the world's poor, account for two-thirds of illiterate adults and are more likely to work at low paying jobs without social protection," the Associated Press/Winnipeg Free Press reports.

"Migiro said women continued to be plagued by sexual violence and the maternal mortality rate remains 'unacceptably high,' while political representation remains too low" (Lederer, 3/1).

Sha Zukang, the U.N. under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs, pointed to discrepancies in how some countries are tackling issues related to gender equality, Xinhua/CRIENGLISH reports.

"The challenge, therefore, is not that there is no progress; the real challenge lies in the fact that progress is uneven across regions and within countries," Sha said during the meeting on Monday. "Such a re-orientation is crucial at a time when we continue to tackle the multiple crises of food insecurity, climate change and the fall-out of the global financial and economic crisis" (3/2).

Acccording to CRIEnglish.com, "From March 1 to 12, the CSW will undertake a 15-year review of the Beijing Platform at the UN Headquarters in New York. The session will also include events observing International Women's Day on March 3 when UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will urge action to ensure women's rights."

My Thoughts...

It is incredible to hear that the United Nations is working to make sure they examine the progress of women's rights around the country. For the past couple of months, many reports examine the domestic abuse, rape, and torture that happens to young women based on their gender. It is such a relief that many women's rights activists and organizations have come together for women's empowerment, to make sure that women around the world knows there is someone out there looking out for their well-being. Hopefully some great ideas and well-thought out plans are put into action and discussed.

To read more please go to Medical News Today, click here.

According to Jezebel, "In response to a recent study, which revealed that boys 12-14 frequently forgo protection, the Swiss government has introduced an extra-small condom, called "the Hotshot." It will be sold in packages with one normal-sized rubber."

Nancy Bodmer, who led the research at the Centre for Development and Personality Psychology at Basel University, said: '

The result that shocked us concerned young boys who display apparently risky behaviour.

'They have more of a tendency not to protect themselves. They do not have a very developed sexual knowledge.

'They do not understand the consequences of what they are doing and leave the young girls to take care of the consequences.'

Sex education groups will also be sent the condoms so they can inform boys about the importance of using the correct size, according to the Daily Mail.

My Thoughts....

We've heard about men automatically choosing the bigger condom to save face in front of their peers, not realizing you're suppose to choose based on your actual size. I'm glad that Switzerland is taking a stand to make sure people are "actually" practicing safe-sex by making sure the correct sizes are distributed, but also including them in a normal package so people save face.

What are your thoughts?

To read more about "The Hotshot" at Jezebel, click here.

To read more about "The Hotshot" at the DailyMail, click here.

 

 

According to Salon.com, "Angie Jackson, the woman who live-tweeted her abortion says death threats are being made against her as well as her 4-year-old son"

"All the people who've advised me that the solution is that I should shut up and not talk about this anymore because otherwise something bad is going to happen to me ... that's very un-American of you. You're asking me to let the terrorists win." She goes on, "I'm gonna keep talking about this because I'm not ashamed. I didn't do anything illegal."
 

"Don't escalate this situation. Right now, you might think that I'm a horrible person -- run with that fucking moral high-ground, continue to look down on me as a human. It's a lot easier to do if no one tries to kill me, right?"

My Thoughts...

A shame...


What are your thoughts?


To read more at Salon.com, click here.

According to Jezebel, " Yesterday's health care summit may have featured only four women, but one of them, Representative Louise Slaughter, managed to make a pretty big impression."

Check her out below:

 

 

According to Jezebel, "Lila Rose has struck again, now with a video supposedly showing a Milwaukee Planned Parenthood ignoring a statutory rape claim. Planned Parenthood has responded with new training, but the video highlights the difficulties of providing reproductive services to teens."

From Salon.com: "According to Common Sense Media -- an organization that offers parents the bullet points on popular children's and young adult media -- [Judy Blume's] "Margaret" is not appropriate for [young kids]. It's deemed "iffy" for children 11 to 13 and only earns an unequivocal green light for kids over 14."

Huh?

I guess most kids could care less about training bras, puberty, and school crushes, maybe that's too Rated-R for our generation.

Common Sense offers a lot of detailed information, including reviews by parents, educators and kids -- who rate the book appropriate for ages six and up. Out of 30 possible mature content points, "Margaret" earns only six -- two for lying characters, four for "Mentions of Playboy, kissing, menstruation, bras, [and] emerging sexuality.", stated in Salon.com

According to Salon.com, "Young adult author Meg Cabot wrote on her blog,

"If your parents were looking to buy this book for you now, and they clicked on Common Sense Media's review of it, they might be scared away from buying it for you entirely. Because taken out of context, the warning that 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' contains 'Playboy, kissing, menstruation, bras, and emerging sexuality' makes this wonderful, beloved book about a sixth grader who does nothing racier than stuff her bra with cotton balls and worry about disappointing her family sound like it's about -- well, Playboy, kissing, menstruation, bras, and emerging sexuality!"

I thought "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' was a great book especially when you are starting to understand your body and you have questions about faith and how boys and peer pressure play a part in your life. I feel that young adults now face way more "pressing" things in society besides the "introduction of puberty" many are playing "mom and dad" to siblings and experiencing a lot more in life then they did back then.

And Publisher's Weekly reports that even Liz Perle, cofounder and editor-in-chief of Common Sense, thinks the truncated reviews are problematic. This is, she says "the first time we had any kind of pushback. I think it has to do with the way it's been implemented on the Barnes & Noble Web site. So, I think people are rightly confused."

My Thoughts...

Judy Blume was a pivotal part of my childhood, plus I had the honor to meet her as a kid being a super nerd and competing in Battle of the Book Competitions! lol Every adventure, food for thought, and funny line in her books contributed to the well-rounded individual that I am today, please B&N and Common Sense change the rating system on your websites, so that a new generation of children will be able to learn and journey through her mind like I did!

To read more, check out Salon.com.

To read more, Check out Publisher's Weekly, click here.

The owner of one sex club said: "Having customers die on us isn't exactly good publicity".

According to Telegraph, "Local health experts are said to have backed the plans to stock defibrillators in sex clubs and brothels."

Defibrillators work by delivering a controlled electric shock to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat, after it has stopped.

According to the British Heart Foundation: "Modern defibrillators are becoming increasingly quick and easy for the lay person to use, which can mean the difference between life and death".

 

My Thoughts...

Hey, it's better safe then sorry...right?

What are your thoughts?

To read about the article from the Telegraph, click here.
To read the blurb at Jezebel.com, click here.
 

Sometimes I read things and it makes me mad. Today is one of those days. I figured we'd have a couple of Anti-choice articles and blogs, but not 40 Days dedicated to harrassing clinics and women who value their choice. Uh!

The 40 Days of Life " Anti-Choice Campaign" is Underway
According to Feministing, "Today marks the start of "40 Days for Life," a campaign of escalated harassment outside targeted reproductive health clinics. Anti-choice bullies are working to turn out folks at clinics in the US, Canada, Australia, and Northern Ireland."

There is a list of targeted clinics on the "40 Days for Life" website. If a clinic in your area is being targeted and you feel up to taking on this work, please contact your clinic or local clinic escorts to find out the best ways to get involved (I'd recommend Googling the name of the clinic or "clinic escorts" and your city and state), according to Feministing.

According to Change.org, "During previous 40 Days campaigns, Planned Parenthood has mounted a clever countermeasure: "Pledge a Protester." Pro-choice supporters pledge money for every protester counted outside a Planned Parenthood clinic during the forty days in question. Last year's efforts netted over $54,000. I can't find any information regarding a similar effort for the current 40 Days campaign, but I will update you if something turns up.

More...

GoGirl is the way to stand up to crowded, disgusting, distant or non-existent bathrooms.  It’s a female urination device (sometimes called a FUD) that allows you to urinate while standing up. It’s neat. It’s discreet. It’s hygienic, according to Go-Girl.com.
 

In the dark of the night, Sex City is in panic because of the terrible Sperminator whose sole mission is to infect all citizens with various sexually transmitted infections (STI). Who do you call? The Sex Squad! An elite team of superheroes dedicated to keeping the citizens of Sex City safe from sexually transmitted infections. It's up to you to help The Sex Squad stop The Sperminator and save Sex City.

According to GameSpy, "Thus begins Adventure in Sex City, an online Flash game designed by the Middlesex-London Health Unit to teach youths about the dangers of unprotected sex. The well-intentioned videogame is drawing praise and criticism on the other side of the pond for its overtly sexual characters."

"Reaching teens and youth is a huge challenge for us, that's why we worked directly with them to develop a resource that would catch their attention while providing important information in a fun way," Shaya Dhinsa, manager of Sexual Health at the Middlesex-London Health Unit, said in a statement. "We hope that a lot of young people visit our site, and that while playing the game they get useful information about sexual health."

A group of advocates for women, including Ms. Amini and the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, met with members of the legal committee of Parliament in late 2008 to try to persuade them not to pass the bill. Some advocates thought until last month that they had won the battle, but now they fear conservatives may be using political unrest to push for new restrictions on women, according to the NYT.

My Thoughts...

This really makes me mad. Women have enough of a hard time in Iran, but to completely disregard their rights so men can feel superior is a shame. Please sign the petition to make sure women keep their rights and are not forced to be tormented.

To sign the Petition, click here.
To read more from NYT, click here.

The WYC Mexico 2010 main objective will be the creation of a declaration that represents the voice of the world’s youth, concerning the main 11 subjects of the Conference: poverty and exclusion, employment, education, technology and innovation, health, gender equality, security, social justice and human rights, sustainable development, international migration, citizen’s participation and incidence, and global cooperation.

Participation requirements:

• 1.- 1. Participants must be nominated by a Youth Organization that fulfills the following criteria:
   
  • a. To respect the cultural, religious and ideological diversity of the human kind, including the human rights and to show the will of contributing to the accomplishments of the Millennium Development Goals and the World Programme of Action for Youth.
  • b. To have efficient and effective programs that are focused in youth and development that have an impact at a local, national and/or international level.
  • c. You must be between 18 and 35 years before April 9th, 2010.

To Learn more About the Application Process and the Conference visit:

WYC Mexico Facebook Page: Click here.
WYC Mexico Twitter Page:  Click here.
WYC Mexico 2010 National Website,  Click here.

The Gender and Disaster Network and the Natural Hazards Center invite nominations of those who should be recognized for their efforts to advance gender-sensitive policy, practice, or research in the areas of disaster risk reduction. Established in 2002, the Mary Fran Myers Award recognizes that vulnerability to disasters and mass emergencies is influenced by social, cultural, and economic structures that marginalize women and girls, and may also expose boys and men to harm. Deadline for nominations: April 16, 2010.

The intent of the Mary Fran Myers Gender and Disaster Award is to recognize women and men whose advocacy, research, or management efforts have had a lasting, positive impact on reducing disaster vulnerability. All those whose work has added to the body of knowledge on gender and disasters, is significant for gender-theory or practice, or has furthered opportunities for women to succeed in the field are eligible.

The Selection Committee is especially interested in soliciting nominations from outside the United States. We also invite re-nominations in recognition of the excellence of past nominees who have not yet been recognized.

The award carries no travel funds or other material compensation but recipients are honored “virtually” at the annual July Natural Hazards Workshop of the University of Colorado, and featured in the annual GDN poster. Please note that the individual selected will be invited to serve on the Mary Fran Myers Gender & Disaster Award Selection Committee for one year and then encouraged to serve as Chair the second year.


Interested?

There are three steps to making a nomination:

• Submit your full name and contact information (mailing address, e-mail, telephone, fax) and that of the nominee

• Attach a current resume or curriculum vitae of the nominee

• Write a letter of nomination detailing specifically how this individual’s work fits the award criteria as described above

Optional: A one one-page letter of support from another person or organization may also be submitted

 

Where to Submit Information:

BY APRIL 16, please electronically submit these materials to Kristinne Sanz of the Gender and Disaster Network: at: mfmawards2010@gdnonline.org. Complete nominations will then be forwarded to the Chair of the 2010 Selection Committee who will facilitate the review process and make the announcement.


For more information on the Award, Process, and the organization, please click here.

To read a blurb on AWID, please click here.

According to the HuffingtonPost, "Malaysia — Authorities in Malaysia caned three Muslim women for having extramarital sex, making them the first women in the country to receive such punishment under Islamic law, an official said Wednesday."

Each woman received between four and six strokes of a rattan cane, the official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to make public statements.

The punishment for women is supposed to be largely symbolic rather than aimed at causing pain, unlike the caning of rapists and drug smugglers with a thick rattan stick on bare buttocks that causes the skin to break and leave scars, according to Huffington Post.


My Thoughts...

Many of you are probably wondering what happen to the men? Well, according to the article, no information was released as to if they were even punished at all.

So Sad....

What are your thoughts?

To read more, check out the Huffington Post, click here.