International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - 'Orange the World'
New Age Islam News Bureau
26 November 2020
• Women Free to Live Wherever With Whoever They Want: Delhi HC Quashes ‘Love Jihad’ Case
• Twitter Launches Emojis To Raise Awareness On
Women's Rights
• Abaya Rally To Celebrate UAE's Women Power
• 1-Year Jail And SR50,000 In Fine For Assaulting
Women In Saudi Arabia
• Putin Did Not Ban Interfaith Marriages For Muslim
Men In Russia
• The Forgotten Palestinian Women Locked In Israeli Military
Prisons
• Can The Netherlands Accept A Confident Muslim Woman
Running For Parliament?
• After Controversy, Kerala Church to Issue Rules on
Protocols for Interfaith Marriages
• End Gender-Based Violence, ‘Once And For All’, UN Urges
On International Day
• Women Raise Voice To End Domestic Violence On
International Day
• Apps, More Protection Help Women Against Domestic
Violence In Turkey
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
- 'Orange the World'
By Mohammad Haroon Alim
25 Nov 2020
'Orange the world'
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Today is the 25th of November, the United Nations
General Assembly has designated this day as the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Violence against women in Afghanistan is still on the
rise, AIHR says relevant organizations should help prevent the impunity for the
perpetrators.
According to the Afghanistan Independent Human rights
commission, 4,690 cases were reported in the country last year, and 22,472,
cases were registered in the last five years.
Data analysis shows an 8.4% increase in the violence
against women when compared with 2018.
“Fifty-two percent of the cases could have been dealt
with through counseling and the other cases referred to the Ministry of
Interior and Attorney General’s office,” said Shabnam Salehi, a member of AIHRC
to media.
Officials from Attorney General’s office indicate
2,088 cases were processed in the judicial system most of them referred to
sexual abuse and assaults.
On the International Day of Elimination of Violence
Against Women and the launch of 16 days of activism, the Afghan Ministry of
Women’s affairs confirms 2,582 cases of violence during the year of which
includes 34 cases of women who were murdered.
The main cause of the violence is said to have been
war and insecurity, Women around the country demands end to violence, the
ministry said.
Ministry for Women’s affairs said, this year 119 cases
of murder and sexual abuse cases were registered.
This comes as the UN calls on Afghans to increase
their efforts for preventing and redress violence against women and girls,
particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
These cases include forced marriage, rape, and murder.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated key risk
factors for violence against women and girls, such as food shortages,
unemployment, economic insecurity, and school closures,” the UN statement read.
“Worldwide, there has been an alarming increase in
multiple forms of violence against women and girls, and information indicates
that Afghanistan is no exception.”
Violence including physical, sexual, and psychological
impacts women and girls not to participate in society.
Deborah Lyons, Secretary General’s special
representative for Afghanistan and Unama’s Director, stated that “Violence
against women and girls has negative consequences not only for survivors, but
also for their families, communities, and society. It is an impediment to the
eradication of poverty, sustainable development, and efforts towards peace,”
“In Afghanistan, violence against women and girls
jeopardizes their enjoyment of fundamental human rights and freedoms at one of
the most critical times in the modern history of the country”, Lyons stated.
Aleta Miller, UN Women Representative in Afghanistan,
added “For millions around the world, the home became a safe space to protect
us from a deadly virus. But for too many women and girls, the home became the
place where they found themselves trapped with their abusers”.
The organization’s daily engagement with women in the
country from the beginning of the pandemic signaled an alarming rise in the
levels of violence against women and girls, and the gender-differentiated
impact of COVID-19 also matched this analysis.
United Nations also stated, “As it is an unprecedented
time for Afghanistan, our solidarity with Afghan women and commitment to
promoting and protecting their human rights must be equally unprecedented,”.
UN, Specifically UN WOMEN is working with the
Government, civil society, non-governmental organizations, and development
partners in Afghanistan for responding to all forms of violence against women
and girls through supporting service providers, social norms programs for
preventing violence, and continual campaigns and advocacy.
EVAW was launched on Wednesday and will continue until
December 10.
https://www.khaama.com/elimination-of-violence-against-women-16-days-of-activism-begins-987987/
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Women Free to Live Wherever, With Whoever They Want:
Delhi HC Quashes ‘Love Jihad’ Case
November 26, 2020
by Sharmita Kar
Delhi HC Quashes ‘Love Jihad’ Case/Representative
Photo
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New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday gave a
historic verdict in a “love jihad” case, reuniting a 20-year-old woman with her
husband as it said an adult woman is free to live wherever she wants and with
whoever she wishes. Also Read - Will Night Curfew be Imposed in Delhi Again? Here’s
What Kejriwal Govt Plans
A two-judge bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rajnish
Bhatnagar gave the ruling at a time when Uttar Pradesh and other BJP-ruled
states are enacting laws against religious conversions that sparked a
nationwide debate on the freedom and right of an adult to marry anyone they
choose. Also Read - Love Jihad Will Not Be Allowed In Madhya Pradesh At Any
Cost, Says CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan | WATCH
A petition was filed in the court by the family
members of the woman, Sulekha, falsely claimed as a minor, seeking her
production before the court as she had gone ‘missing’ on September 12. Also
Read - Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Clears Ordinance Against 'Love jihad', to Check
Forced Religious Conversion
The HC, after verifying the evidence, in turn,
directed that Sluekha should be permitted to reside with Babloo, her husband,
brushing aside her family’s alleged objections that she had been kidnapped.
“The police authorities shall also counsel the
petitioner and the parents of Sulekha not to take the law into their hands or
threaten either Sulekha or Babloo,” the Delhi HC asserted while hearing the
habeas corpus filed by the sister.
A similar plea was quashed by the Allahabad High Court
a few days ago that cancelled an FIR filed in Kanpur against a Muslim Man by
the parents of his wife who was converted to Islam last year to marry him.
https://www.india.com/news/india/women-free-to-live-wherever-with-whoever-they-want-delhi-hc-quashes-love-jihad-case-4224504/
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Twitter Launches Emojis To Raise Awareness On Women's
Rights
November 25, 2020
Twitter
launches emojis to raise awareness on women's rights.
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San Francisco: In partnership with UN Women and the UN
Human Rights Office, Twitter is launching custom emojis to spread awareness on
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Wednesday
and Human Rights Day on December 10.
The emojis will appear when people tweet with the
hashtags #GenerationEquality, #OrangeTheWorld, #16Days, #HumanRightsDay, and
other localised hashtags, Twitter said on Tuesday.
Twitter said it is also supporting local nonprofits
across the world by providing "Ads for Good" grants to several
partners to ensure that they can use the power of Twitter's advertising
platform to reach more people.
Throughout the next #16Days, the microblogging
platform will also amplify various regional campaigns and messages about the
importance of gender equality and combatting violence against women to increase
engagement and awareness.
"We have seen the whole world respond to the
coronavirus pandemic with all hands on deck, and with responsive investment and
protocols backed by determination. Violence against women is also a pandemic --
one that predates the virus and will outlive it," Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka,
Executive Director, UN Women, said in a statement.
"As we face COVID-19's devastation, there has
never been a more important moment to put our combined resources and commitment
behind the biggest issues, and work with partners like Twitter to end violence
against women and girls for good."
In addition to elevating the public conversation,
Twitter has also partnered with health authorities and nonprofit organizations
in various markets to expand its #ThereIsHelp notification service.
When people search terms associated with gender-based
violence on Twitter, they will receive a notification with contact information
for local hotlines and other resources to encourage them to reach out for help.
Since the initial rollout at the start of the Covid-19
pandemic, Twitter has expanded the prompts to reach 24 markets spanning
countries such as India, Australia, Mexico, Thailand, the UK, the US, and more.
Cases of violence against women have increased this
year.
According to the United Nations Population Fund, for
every three months the Covid-19 lockdown continues, an additional 15 million
women are expected to be directly affected by violence.
https://gulfnews.com/technology/media/twitter-launches-emojis-to-raise-awareness-on-womens-rights-1.1606308712981
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Abaya Rally to celebrate UAE's women power
November 25, 2020
The National Day rally seeks to unite women from
different walks of life.
On the occasion of UAE National Day, Abaya Rally seeks
to unite women from different walks of life to experience the exhilaration of
participating in a unique all-women car rally. In this adventure-filled glamour
infused National Day parade, women will not just drive towards the finish line,
but they will unitedly drive towards strength, ambition and empowerment.
“As a woman who has spent a majority of her life in
the U.A.E. I felt it was time we had an event that exclusively celebrated the
accomplishments of the women here. We did expect the current Covid-19 situation
to challenge us but that only fuelled us to push ourselves and think out of the
box,” said Pragna Vaya, Managing Director of Orbit Events and Promotions, who
envisioned this initiative.
“We wanted to shatter some of the stereotypes women
face, and we wanted to do it in a fun and memorable way. The Abaya Rally ticked
all those boxes and many more. Then we just needed like-minded people to support
this endeavor,” added Sara Rashid, one of the organisers.
As the founder of the first all-women supercar club,
Arabian Gazelles, Hanan Mazouzi believes in building communities that empower
and unite women to achieve their best. Lubna Naeem from Gargash Hospital points
out that they employ 65% female staff and continue to flourish under the
leadership of strong women leaders like their CEO Ghada Sawalmah. “Abaya Rally
represents women empowerment and unity and aligns with our values.”
For registration go to dubai.platinumlist.net or
tickets.virginmegastore.me or send your name, email, and Emirates ID copy to
056-9903387.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/in-the-city/abaya-rally-to-celebrate-uaes-women-power
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1-Year Jail And SR50,000 In Fine For Assaulting Women
In Saudi Arabia
November 26, 2020
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Public Prosecution has warned
against all forms of violence against women, saying that the perpetrators will
be awarded a maximum jail term of one year and a fine of SR50,000.
The violence against women includes all forms of
physical, psychological, or sexual abuse or threats of it. The perpetrators
will face imprisonment for a period of no less than one month and up to one
year, and a fine of no less than SR5,000 and up to SR50,000. In the event of a
repetition of the crime, the penalty will be doubled.
The Public Prosecution stated that the Law of
Protection from Abuse strengthens a set of safeguards to eliminate cases of
violence against women, and establishes a package of criminal procedures and
penalties that are stringent and strict against any violations in this regard.
The Public Prosecution clarified that every form of
violence against women is prohibited. These included physical, psychological,
or sexual abuse or threat thereof, committed by a person against a woman,
bypassing the limits of his guardianship, authority, or responsibility; or
because of the family relationship that binds them; or a relationship
pertaining to dependency, sponsorship, and job.
https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/600747/SAUDI-ARABIA/1-year-jail-and-SR50000-in-fine-for-assaulting-women
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Putin Did Not Ban Interfaith Marriages For Muslim Men
In Russia
Dheeshma Puzhakkal
November 25, 2020
With Uttar Pradesh bringing in a draft ordinance
against forcible conversions in interfaith marriages, and Madhya Pradesh
mulling one, “love jihad” is back in the Indian political discourse.
Amid this, several social media handles are claiming
that Vladimir Putin has banned Muslim men in Russia from marrying non-Muslim
women. The claim says, “A Muslim man cannot marry non-Muslim woman in Russia.
Ordered by President Vladimir Putin”.
India Today Anti Fake News War Room (AFWA) has found
the claim to be misleading. This was a religious ruling passed by a Russian
Muslim organisation and it has no legal power.
The archived versions of similar posts can be seen
here, here and here.
AFWA probe
We could not find any recent statement by Putin
against interfaith marriages in Russia. The Russian government website also has
no information regarding a similar ruling.
However, we found several reports by Russian media on
a similar religious ruling by an organisation called Spiritual Administration
of Muslims of Russia (DUM). The reports also say how the ruling sparked a
backlash from senior Muslim clerics across Russia.
According to a November 12 report by “The Moscow
Times”, the DUM’s advisory council of scholars issued a ruling saying
interfaith marriages between Muslim men and non-Muslim women can only be allowed
in isolated cases with the approval of local muftis.
The five-page ruling in Russian issued by DUM on
November 19, 2019, can be accessed here. However, according to Russian media,
it was made public only on November 10.
We also found a clarification statement on the matter
by Damir Mukhetdinov, first deputy chairman of DUM, that says the decision of
the advisory council of scholars did not necessarily reflect the opinion of the
larger directorate.
In his statement issued on November 10, Mukhetdinov says
Russia is a secular state, and hence, the decision of the Council of Ulema has
no legal power and there will not be any punishment in case of failure to
comply with the ruling.
Therefore, it is clear that the ruling stating Muslim
men in Russia cannot marry non-Muslim women was issued by a Muslim organisation
and not Vladimir Putin. Also, the ruling has no legal power in the country.
https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/story/fact-check-putin-did-not-ban-interfaith-marriages-for-muslim-men-in-russia-1744098-2020-11-25
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The forgotten Palestinian women locked in Israeli
military prisons
25 November 2020
As the world marks the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence Against Women, Female Palestinian prisoners are
regularly subjected to cruel, inhumane and/or degrading treatment.
This mistreatment includes torture, denial of family
visits, solitary confinement, medical negligence and the denial of education by
Israeli occupation authorities.
The newly released former detainee, Suzan Al-Awawi,
has described the conditions of the Palestinian female prisoners as “tragic”,
in large part because the occupation literally bullies them in jail.
Suzan tells us that the conditions of detention are
very harsh, especially in the winter, in terms of the lack of bed covers and
winter clothes; the poor quality and quantity of food, the prison floors and
building itself. She also noted a lack of privacy for showering and little
electricity, as well as the absence of a kitchen or library.
She explained that books that are intended to be sent
in to prisoners are often blocked from entering the prisoners, with the number
of books that are rejected from being far greater than greater than the number
received by prisoners. On top of this, clothes sent by the families of the
captives are often prohibited from entering the prisons, with batches coming
only every three months.
Al-Awawi claimed that intimidation techniques are also
used by the prison administration toward the female prisoners. It is known that
if female prisoners are to react to the management practices of the prison
guards, they are small in numbers and are easier to suppress than males. There
is also immediate same-day extreme repression carried out, by the guards, to
any female prison protest.
Al-Awawi also stated that there are several wounded
prisoners in captivity, who suffer double the amount of regular prisoners, due
to medical negligence and the fact that even simple treatment transfers take
months.
One of the captives was even forced to deal with the
pain of a molar tooth problem for a whole year before being transferred for
treatment. The unnecessary and sadistic delay confirms that the prison
administration is actively brutalizing the prisoners, even when it comes to
matters of medical procedure, often by setting treatment transfers on the same
date as a scheduled family visit. Prisoners will often choose to stay to see
their families, allowing the Israeli authorities to then write in their files
that they were “refusing treatment”.
Solitary confinement and severe torture
For 15 consecutive days, so far, mother of five Fadwa
Hamadah, 34 years old, has been incarcerated in solitary confinement, where she
is deprived of all her rights. She was arrested by Israeli forces in August
2017 for allegedly attempting to stab Israeli soldiers. She was sentenced to 10
years in prison. Fadwa is a mother of five, the youngest of whom is a
three-year-old. Her husband Monther Hamadah told us that his wife is kept in
very inhumane conditions. He stated, "A month ago she was held in solitary
confinement for defending her friend from Israeli jailer brutality against
her...She is regularly subjected to this policy, and nobody acts to stop Israel
nor does the media cover her story”.”
In the past year, one of the most extreme cases of a
female prisoner, subjected to torture and ill-treatment, was that of Mais Abu
Gush. We know this only due to Mais having sent a message telling her family
how she was humiliated and subjected to all kinds of torture.
Mais Abu Gush, 23 years old, is a fourth-year
university student, studying Journalism at Birzeit University. She was detained
on August 29, 2019, during a raid on her family's house, when a large number of
heavily armed Israeli occupation forces, escorted by trained security dogs,
brutally attacked. Abu Gush was then transferred to al-Maskobiyya interrogation
center, and spent around one month there, where she was subjected to severe
physical and psychological torture and ill-treatment, according to her lawyer.
After around one month, Mais was finally presented with a list of charges,
which included participating in university activities and coordinating a summer
camp.
Health conditions in Israeli jails
There are currently eight injured female prisoners and
twelve others suffering with medical conditions, all of whom suffer medical
neglect. Some are in need of urgent surgeries and special medical care but
instead are detained in harsh conditions that exacerbate their health
conditions.
The only medicine given for treatment of any disease
are painkillers. In addition, the prison administration denies access of
medicines from outside the prison, whether from the prisoners’ families or from
Palestinian organizations. Sick detainees inside Israeli prisons live on
painkillers and tranquilizers, according to ‘Addameer’, a Prisoners Support and
Human Rights Association, with some prisoners becoming ill during their
detention. It is also worth noting that during the global pandemic, of
COVID-19, poses a significant threat, due to the poor living conditions inside
the prison cells.
A 31-year-old Israa Jaabis, mother of one, is another
example of Israeli brutality in their jails. She was arrested in October of
2015, while she was moving furniture to her new home in occupied Jerusalem
(al-Quds). Her car exploded while she was using it to transport a gas cylinder,
leaving her with severe burns and in need of urgent medical care. Instead, she
was arrested and given an 11-year sentence for an alleged attempted car-bomb
attack on Israeli forces. She was left so disfigured by the accident that when
her eight-year-old son visited her in prison, he did not recognize her. Israa
refused to meet her only son, since looking at him without being able to hug or
even touch him, doubled her pain. Israa couldn't go to the bathroom without
anyone helping her yet the Israeli authorities refused to allow her surgeries
or even allow her family to pay.
Mother of five Nisreen Abu Kmail was detained in
October 2015 and sentenced to six years. Her youngest child was only 8 months
old and her eldest 11 years old. Since her arrest, her children have been
prevented by Israeli authorities from visiting her. She suffers from cancer, as
well as other illnesses, and all she gets are painkillers according to her family.
How the Israeli cells look like
The walls are very cold, the majority of the rooms are
poorly ventilated, humid and infested with insects. The building is old, many
of the closets are rusty from the humidity. There are no chairs in the rooms,
and the prison administration prevents the women from covering the floor with
blankets. Each room has a water heater, an electric stove, a TV, a radio, and
an open toilet. The beds are bunk beds, leading to accidents as women fall from
the beds that have sometimes resulted in fractures. The water is contaminated,
obliging the women to buy mineral water from the prison "canteen" or
shop. Even with the spreading of the Covid-19 in the male prisoner sections,
several cleaning items are recently and deliberately missing from the Canteen,
according to the Asra Information Office.
Female prisoners gather in a courtyard during breaks
where they are monitored by two guards with cameras. This prevents them from
exercising and running freely, as well as from being exposed to the sun,
especially as the majority of women prisoners wear the hijab. The courtyard is
not covered so that when it rains or the weather is too hot the women are
deprived of even these few hours of fresh air. Prisoners are further prevented
from sitting in groups, practicing handcrafting, or even having educational
materials, such as books or pens.
According to Addameer, Israel has arrested over 16,000
Palestinian women since 1967.
These deliberately cruel actions increase both the
female prisoners' psychological oppression and their medical maltreatment.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/11/25/639382/Palestinian-women-Israeli-prison
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Can the Netherlands accept a confident Muslim woman
running for parliament?
MALIA BOUATTIA
25 Nov 2020
The witch-hunt of Kauthar Bouchallikh, a young Muslim
woman, has demonstrated how emboldened racist critiques have become.
Recent weeks have felt particularly difficult for
Muslims across the West.
From Islamophobic policies introduced under the guise
of fighting “separatism” by the Macron government in France, to the Austrian
government using the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Vienna as an
opportunity to attack Muslims, it has been yet another period of unrelenting
onslaught.
This all comes when we are coming to the end of
Islamophobia Awareness Month, four weeks that should have been spent taking on
the bigotry meted out against Muslims and strengthening solidarity.
Similarly, the recent witch-hunt of Kauthar
Bouchallikht, a young Parliamentary candidate for the GroenLinks party in the
Netherlands, has only demonstrated how emboldened the right has become.
The 26-year old activist, journalist and soon-to-be
politician is being dragged through the Dutch press over unfounded allegations
that she is associated with the Muslim brotherhood, and is therefore assumed to
be sympathetic to extremism.
Bouchallikht is also being condemned for her role as
vice president of the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations
(FEMYSO), a group that is being described as another front for the Muslim
Brotherhood.
It matters little to the media, politicians and
pundits that Kauthar Bouchallikht denies that she is a member of the Muslim
Brotherhood, that FEMYSO has done the same, or that Bouchallikht already has a
long history of participation in and mobilisation of progressive social
movements in the country.
What matters, in true islamophobic fashion, is to keep
pedalling the false narrative that easily sticks to a hijab-wearing woman of
colour.
Muslim women, as always, are the easiest target. And
there is rarely, if ever, any accountability expected for those who spread the
sexist, racist venom against women like Bouchallikht, so why should a complete
lack of evidence impact those making the allegations? She is already guilty by
virtue of her birth as a Muslim woman.
The considerable opposition to her candidacy is not
made up solely of those from the far-right of the country, however. The state
also capitalises on this campaign in order to legitimise its continued war
against Muslim political spaces — as liberal commentators cheer on — and is
given more opportunity to uncritically push policies that curtail everyone’s
civil liberties.
The Netherlands is a country that isn’t even close to
a consensus on the fact that Blackface is a racist practice that should be
banned, which is a good indicator of how far behind this supposedly progressive
state is regarding the public discourse on race.
Therefore, such backlash towards a Muslim woman on a
mainstream political platform isn’t surprising. However, it would be a mistake
to limit this issue to Dutch borders only.
It is no coincidence that following the calls to ban
Muslim organisations like the Collective Against Islamophobia in France (CCIF)
by the French Interior Minister, FEMYSO is being targeted through the political
assaults on Bouchallikht.
These types of coordinated attacks attempt to group
every organisation, movement and even ideology associated with Muslims around
the world under the umbrella of extremism. In this climate of heightened
Islamophobia, there is no nuance when it comes to Muslims, the Brotherhood –
which it might be worth remembering is neither banned nor accused of any legal
wrongdoing – is on par with ISIS according to them.
None of this is about whether or not one supports the
Muslim Brotherhood – given Bouchallikht has made clear she is not even a
member! It is about rejecting a trend by Western states which allows the
picking and choosing of political groups from the Global South, and
delegitimising them when it suits their political needs.
At home, however, no such critique of conservative
political parties is even raised. In the Netherlands, this goes even further to
a growing normalisation of the far-right with several far-right parties being
regularly invited to debates and talk shows, with their racist, sexist, or
homophobic politics described as speaking on behalf of the ‘silent majority’.
Kauthar Bouchallikht no doubt predicted such violent
opposition. In an interview with GLAMOUR, she stated that “[t]hey tend to
associate my religion with terrorism and negativity. Unfortunately, many in the
Netherlands still see the Muslim as the other - in the media, Muslims are often
referred to in this way […] support for extreme right-wing parties that spread
Islamophobia is increasing.”
A growing threat
These double standards, however, will not remain
directed towards Muslim political spaces only. Once the state applies these
“exceptions” to one group and faces no pressure, it will eventually come after
all opposition — namely, the left.
In the UK, when the government started their
backlisting of Muslim groups, many activists warned that if a broad collective
defence is not built, the state will eventually come after everyone who opposes
it.
Sadly, these early calls for solidarity were met with
little support. Organisations like CAGE – the only organisation in the UK that
represents those Muslims targeted by the war on terror, including in Guantanamo
– were being scapegoated by the British government under the guise of
“security”, whilst it intensified draconian laws.
Colonial divide and conquer tactics remain intact and
other Muslim institutions who were not in the firing line in the UK remained
silent. Eventually, it was the likes of more politically moderate groups like
MEND - an organisation that fights against Islamophobia - which were also
attacked.
Similarly, left-wing themes and groups, such as
anti-fracking activists, Palestine solidarity work, and anti-capitalist
activism have since been added to the list of so-called non-violent extremism,
targeted by the state.
This entire affair also blows out of the water the
illusion that remains so enduring amongst many in our communities, that being a
model citizen is enough to shine a positive light on Muslims and to relieve us
of the racism that plagues us.
Bouchallikht’s political profile is very impressive.
Since her student activist days, when she led mass walkouts across the country,
she is no stranger to mass mobilisations. She organised thousands to join the
Amsterdam Climate March and has built broad coalitions between trade unionists,
students, and climate activists. Her ability to engage a diversity of
communities into climate and social justice has impressed many. She has also unapologetically
used her platform to highlight how her faith has been a great source of
inspiration for her political efforts, and the basis for her struggle for
equality and sustainability. This makes her a considerable threat.
Dr Miriyam Aouragh, an academic and well-known Dutch
anti-racist campaigner who has been fighting the rise of the far-right in the
Netherlands, explained that this is also about, “her association with the
Left”. She is therefore a “triple threat” as a left-wing Muslim, woman of colour.
What the attacks seek, is for her – and the movements
she is associated with – to be, “disciplined and to be put back in their lane”
Aouragh added.
It is clear that Kauthar Bouchallikht is feeling
considerable pressure, no doubt from her own base too.
Too often, the very political parties who want to
benefit electorally from being associated with public figures such as
Bouchallikht, play into the attacks from the right as soon as they raise their
head, instead of refusing to engage in what is obviously an attempt to weaken
progressive movements.
GroenLinks leader Jesse Klaver has already condemned
one of her speaking engagements from her time at FEMYSO.
Since then, Bouchallikht echoed this line in an
interview over the weekend, backtracking on her previous courageous refusal to
be drawn into the controversy. This is a mistake because it legitimises the
attacks against her.
Giving in never makes the attacks go away. Instead, it
gives the mudslingers greater credibility next time and allows them to point out
that they were right to sound the alarm. This approach will continue to be
adopted against any left-wing, anti-racist or anti-colonialist political
figure, activist or movement.
A strong defence and a total rejection of the racist
character assassination is the only way to weather through such a storm. If we
recognise that the targeting of Muslim political spaces is a political strategy
by the right, we must refuse to get involved in the stream of condemnation and
apologies that are expected but, ultimately, will amount to nothing as far as
being “accepted” or the attacks blowing over.
That is the bottom line. Therefore, our resistance,
especially in these times, must be strong, and built on broad coalitions of
resistance like the one that formed in support of Bouchallikht – ranging from
‘fossil free feminists’ to the ‘Kick Out Zwarte Piet’ campaign.
Her experiences are one element in a wider attack on
all of our political freedoms, our right to dissent, and the possibility to
fight for a world that is just. Support for Bouchallikht against these vile
attacks, like that of too many politically vocal Muslim women across the West,
must be demanded from across every progressive movement in society. Otherwise,
eventually, they too will face the same heat.
https://www.trtworld.com/opinion/can-the-netherlands-accept-a-confident-muslim-woman-running-for-parliament-41777
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After Controversy, Kerala Church to Issue Rules on
Protocols for Interfaith Marriages
23/NOV/2020
New Delhi: The Syro Malabar Church is set to issue a
set of guidelines instructing bishops to ensure that priests solemnising
interfaith marriages adhere strictly to the canon laws.
According to a report in the Times of India, the
development came after an interfaith marriage in Ernakulam, solemnised by a
bishop, triggered controversy.
The wedding of a Catholic woman and a Muslim man based
in Kochi was held at the Kadavanthra St Joseph Church on November 9 and the
ceremony was attended by Mar Mathew Vaniyakizhakkel, a former bishop of Satna.
A photograph of the couple with the bishop, published
in a newspaper, drew criticism from certain sections.
Subsequently, Cardinal Mar George Alencherry ordered
an inquiry into the event and sought a report from the archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamali
diocese Mar Antony Kariyil.
Fr Benny Maramparambil, the vicar of the church where
the marriage was held, said that the ceremony was solemnised in adherence to
the norms for ‘disparity of cult’ marriages, in a letter to archbishop Mar
Antony Kariyil. Interfaith marriages are called ‘disparity of cult’ marriages
by the church.
Maramparambil said that he had received a letter from
the bride’s parish, the priest of Kuzhikkattussery church, stating there were
no ‘impediments’ for the marriage.
However, senior priests from the Kerala Catholic
Bishops Council (KCBC), have alleged that both the priests were flouting canon
laws. “The Catholic church has written rules to be followed during such
situations. The bishop of the diocese concerned has to give his approval,” a
priest said.
“Besides the probe ordered by Cardinal Alencherry, the
Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council will also look into the matter. After getting
the report from the Ernakulam-Angamali archbishop, we will direct the bishops
to issue strict guidelines to the priests on conducting ‘disparity of cult’
marriages, said the priest.
Bishop Vaniakizhakkel has since expressed regret for
attending the marriage. “I attended the mixed marriage because of my close
association with the bride’s family. However, I regret attending it,” says a
letter from Emeritus Bishop Mathew Vaniakizhakkel of Satna.
According to an online Malayalam paper, the
74-year-old bishop’s “exemplary step” of expressing regret brought “great
relief” to the traditional faithful in the archdiocese.
As per the report, the Church allows a Catholic to
marry a member of another faith, who does not want to be baptised, only in
special circumstances. Even then, such marriages are not considered sacrament
even if conducted inside a church.
A group of progressive Catholics have however welcomed
the bishop’s step to attend a mixed marriage.
Shaiju Antony, a convener of Archdiocesan Movement of
Transparency, supported the solemnisation of the inter-religious marriage and
said, “it is the right of a faithful”. Antony also pointed out that several
dioceses denied the provision to the faithful and said that such discrimination
was not right since mixed marriage was a universally accepted practice in the
Catholic Church.
Antony also rejected allegations that the Catholic
girl’s family had given Rs 10 million to the church to solemnise the marriage.
He said some people with vested interests were attempting to create confusion
against the Church among people and were spreading false allegations via social
media.
The incident comes against the backdrop of renewed
promises of legislation surrounding the concept of “love jihad” – a term coined
by Sangh parivar outfits to describe an imaginary Muslim conspiracy to convert
unsuspecting Hindu women to Islam.
The bogey of “love jihad” has also found backing from
Catholic bishops in Kerala. The synod of Syro-Malabar Church, an apex body of
Catholic Bishops, has said “Love jihad is a reality” and alleged that several
women from the Christian community from the southern state were being lured by
the Islamic State and used in terror activities.
“There are circumstances in which Christian girls are
killed in the name of love jihad in Kerala,” the Synod alleged in a statement
issued.
Previously, former chief minister Oommen Chandy had
claimed that 2,667 young women had converted to Islam in the state since 2006.
Last week, the Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam
Mishra said that a ‘love jihad bill’, which includes five years of rigorous
imprisonment for ‘violators’ and cognizable and non-bailable charges, would
soon be introduced in the state assembly. The Bill will reportedly also have a
provision that will make it necessary to notify the district collector a month
in advance before formalising an inter-faith marriage.
https://thewire.in/rights/kerala-church-interfaith-marriage
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End gender-based violence, ‘once and for all’, UN
urges on International Day
November 25, 2020
NEW YORK — Commemorating the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence against Women on Wednesday, the United Nations has
called on governments worldwide to redouble efforts and eradicate gender-based
violence forever.
In his message for the day, Secretary-General António
Guterres underlined the need to prioritize women’s leadership in finding
solutions and to engage more men in the struggle.
“The global community needs to hear the voices and
experiences of women and girls and take into account their needs, especially
survivors and those who face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination,”
he said.
Guterres reiterated his call from April this year,
when he urged the international community to work to end the “shadow pandemic”
of gender-based violence. “I reiterate and relaunch that appeal today,” he
said.
Supporting ‘first responders’
The UN chief highlighted that action to stop violence
against women, needed predictable and flexible funding for women’s rights
organizations, which so often act as first responders in countries across the
world.
“It is critical that services for survivors of
violence remain open, with adequate resources and measures in place to support
health, social and justice responses,” he added.
He went on to note that such measures should not only
focus on interventions once violence against women has occurred, but that they
should work to “prevent violence occurring in the first place”, including
through addressing cultural forces and societal norms, that create power
imbalances.
Police and judicial systems also need to become more
accountable, to make sure perpetrators don’t act with impunity.
“On this international day, let us redouble our
efforts to eradicate gender-based violence forever,” declared Guterres.
COVID-19 and violence against women
While violence against women and girls has been a
persisting and pervasive problem, it has only worsened with the outbreak of the
COVID-19 pandemic. Domestic violence, in particular, has escalated
dramatically, according to UN-Women.
Women and girls are also disproportionately affected
by the pandemic’s socio-economic impact, increasing the risk of violence.
Against this background, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka,
executive director of UN-Women, wrote to political leaders across the world and
urged them to take tangible action and express their commitments to end
violence against women.
“As the world prepares to mark the International Day
for the Elimination of Violence against Women”, she said, “I would like to call
on your Government to make visible at the highest level your commitment to
addressing violence against women and girls in the context of COVID-19” she
said.
Mlambo-Ngcuka suggested that leaders highlight such
commitments through statements on social media, a video message or text.
The International Day
In December 1999, the UN General Assembly designated
Nov. 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women,
inviting governments, international organizations and non-governmental
organizations to hold activities designed to raise public awareness on the
issue.
The Day also commemorates the brutal assassination in
1960, of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican
Republic, on orders of former ruler Rafael Trujillo. — UN News
https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/600742/World/America/End-gender-based-violence-once-and-for-all-UN-urges-on-International-Day
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Women raise voice to end domestic violence on
international day
November 26 2020
Women across Turkey marked the International Day for
the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25, highlighting that 354 women
have been killed so far since the start of the year and how the pandemic
conditions had left many trapped with their abusers at home.
Several hundred people gathered on Bahariye Avenue,
which is one of the busiest pedestrian streets in Istanbul, to protest domestic
violence against women. But they were stopped at the entrance of the square as
they were not allowed to march.
Dozens of police officers, consisting mostly of female
personnel, had set up pedestrian barricades in front of the protesters to prohibit
them from marching.
A woman taking part in the protests told Reuters: “The
law does not protect women as it should. We are here to make our voices heard.
Femicides are happening almost every day in this country, but people who are
committing the crime are walking free.”
In the Aegean province of İzmir’s Kıbrıs Şehitleri
Avenue, women held posters reading, “Istanbul Convention saves lives” and
shouted slogans, such as, “femicides are political” and “we will take our paid
leave right.”
The Istanbul Convention, a Council of Europe treaty
aiming to combat violence against women, has been a subject of discussions over
the past few months, with the Turkish government having said it wanted to
withdraw from the convention.
The women who stood in protests against the
deteriorating condition of women in the country and domestic violence have
demanded the full implementation of the Istanbul Convention, according to a
press statement made by the group following the march.
In the statement, requests were made to abolish the
good conduct abatement in femicide cases, which reduces sentences if the
suspect appears in court dressed respectfully, shows respect to the judge, and
is regretful for his actions. Requests were also made to open women’s shelters
by the state, make regulations that prevent violence and against discrimination
and harassment in the workplaces, and to open day care centers.
In Ankara, ‘We Want to Live Initiative,’ a women’s
rights group, submitted to the Turkish parliament 600,000 signatures they collected
in support of the convention.
Women also gathered in the southern province of
Gaziantep to draw attention to gender-based violence and the problems faced by
women, especially during the pandemic period and made a press release.
Meanwhile, to mark the day, landmarks in Istanbul were
lit up in orange.
As a part of the event, world-recognized landmarks of
the city, including the Galata Tower, Maiden Tower as well as the three bridges
over the Istanbul Strait, Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet
Bridge.
The landmarks stayed lit until the sunrise.
With the motto, “orange the world to end violence
against women,” the U.N. aims to raise awareness of the fact that women around
the world are subject to rape, domestic violence, and other forms of violence.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/women-raise-voice-to-end-domestic-violence-on-international-day-160356
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Apps, More Protection Help Women Against Domestic
Violence In Turkey
NOV 25, 2020
Turkey marked the International Day for Elimination of
Violence Against Women on Wednesday with events highlighting the thorny issue
still dominating the national agenda. Violence and murders targeting women
haunt the country although progress has been made on that front. A patriarchal
mindset justifying the acts of violence is the main factor in all cases. Until
that mindset changes substantially, protective measures remain the only option
for the safety of women. Improved enforcement of restraining orders against
violent spouses, longer prison terms and consultation services for women are
among those measures.
The latest numbers by Interior Ministry show 234 women
were killed between Jan. 1 and Nov. 20 in the country. The issue is under the
spotlight in recent years especially with the rise of social media where
femicides and domestic violence cases find larger coverage and boost awareness.
Along with preemptive measures, rapid response to
domestic violence bears importance. The Women Emergency Assistance Notification
System (KADES) developed by police plays a key role in using technology to
combat the disturbing phenomenon. KADES is an app that allows victims to alert
the police with one click in domestic violence emergencies. It helps protect
women with a police response time of about five minutes. Interior Minister
Süleyman Soylu announced earlier this week that more than 620,000 people have
downloaded the app so far, and it has received 48,686 calls. “It helped us to
intervene in some 24,000 cases of domestic violence and prevented a number of
potential losses of lives,” Soylu said at an event on domestic violence in the
capital Ankara on Nov. 23.
Fatma Akçam is among those who actively used the app.
The mother of one who lives in the southern province of Adana suffered physical
and psychological violence at the hands of her husband for more than a year.
She learned about the app during a visit to the police to complain about her
husband. The next time Akçam's husband tried to force his way into her home,
she hit the report button on the app. “Police came immediately and took me to a
safe place,” Akçam told Ihlas News Agency (IHA) Wednesday. She is now in the
process of divorcing him. “Women should not remain silent about what they have
gone through. They don’t deserve violence, they don’t deserve to die,” she
says.
'KADES SAVES LIVES'
A.D., who only gave her initials, is another woman who
downloaded KADES and was rescued from her abusive husband. The 39-year-old
mother of two living in the western province of Izmir suffered from violence
from her husband for years and was recently divorced due to the violence. She
then decided to download the app when he continued to harass her.
“Now, whenever I see him near my home or when he tries
to harass me, I use the app. It looks simple but it really saves lives,” she
told Anadolu Agency (AA) on Wednesday. “I had taken my children to the park
about one month ago. He chased us. I sent an alert to police via the app, they
came and took him away,” she added. The ex-husband is now in custody, but A.D.
still fears he might harm her. She says she’ll keep the app on her phone for
now.
“Kırmızı Işık” or Red Light, another app, helps women
to alert law enforcement to domestic violence cases. Developed by a foundation
linked to telecoms provider Vodafone with the support of the Ministry of
Family, Labor and Social Services, the app, first launched six years ago,
reached out to 346,000 women. The app instantly informs the police or any
person the user designates. It is directly linked to police hotline 155. Users
can send direct messages and locations to three people previously recorded on
the app by shaking their cellphone. It also informs women on what to do in case
of domestic violence. Another feature gives users the option to share their
location with others they choose throughout any trip they take if they feel
they're not safe. If the user deviates from the route, people with whom the
location is shared are immediately alerted. With the Arabic language feature,
the app also reaches out to refugee women in Turkey, the majority of which come
from Arabic-speaking countries.
In 2015, the country also introduced electronic
bracelets for perpetrators of domestic violence. The practice gives more
freedom to victims in cases where the perpetrator is under house arrest. A
police surveillance center tracks the movement of culprits fitted with
bracelets around the clock. Any violation from a designated area for the
perpetrator of violence ends up with a police visit. C.K., a 22-year-old
university student living in the southern province of Antalya, is among the
women benefiting from the protection the bracelet offers. C.K., who was
repeatedly threatened by a man whose advances she rejected, managed to get a
restraining order from a court against him. “I had to drop out of school because
of death threats. He was always telling me that he would find me wherever I
escape and threatened to kill my family too,” she said, recounting her ordeal
to AA on Wednesday. C.K. took refuge in a women’s shelter before a court
ordered the man to be fitted with the bracelet. “Now I feel safe because I know
someone out there is always watching him,” she said.
“The state backs women but they should raise their
voice and ask for help. Every place I applied was really helpful. If they did
not, I wouldn’t be alive now,” she said. C.K. now plans to return to school.
Another place women can turn to when facing domestic
violence is the Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centers (ŞÖNIM) founded by
the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services. The centers reached out to
more than 700,000 people since they were established in 2013 and are now
available in all 81 provinces of the country. The centers provide support for
domestic violence victims in every field, from health to legal processes and
psychiatric support. They also offer anger management classes for people with
violent tendencies.
Measures aside, the issue can be resolved through
changing the mindset of perpetrators and this was the common theme of events
held across the country on the occasion. Women members of political parties
staged rallies to highlight the issue. Women’s branch of the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AK Party) called for “year-round awareness” to the issue
than confining it to one day of the year. In a written statement recited at the
rallies across Turkey, women from the AK Party lamented ongoing physical and
psychological violence toward women “despite all efforts, laws and screams of
women.” “Women and children suffer in the hands of ignorant people. The whole
world still fights against this primitive, violent attitude in the new
millennium where humanity has seen progress in all fields. Violence toward
women is more than an act of violence targeting one person. It targets the
peace of the society, it aims to destroy the family and leaves behind women who
are killed or traumatized with a dark future,” the statement said. “It is
important to punish perpetrators heavily but it is more important to thwart the
violence before it takes place. This is only possible by making each individual
more aware,” it added.
DO NOT DIGNIFY PERPETRATORS
First lady Emine Erdoğan, who often campaigns against
domestic violence, attended an event on the issue which was held in the capital
Ankara via a video message due to pandemic measures. The event focused on the
role of TV shows in domestic violence. Erdoğan criticized the media’s language
while reporting domestic violence. “The news reports almost give an excuse for
perpetrators by describing them as 'angry' husbands or 'husbands who had a
meltdown.' Violence and fear are highlighted on media and TV just for drawing
audience, readers,” Erdoğan said. She called upon the media to be more
responsible. “Please do not dignify a perpetrator for the sake of ratings.
Please do not present killers, mobsters and bullies as role models in TV
shows,” she said. The first lady said the language and themes highlighted on
media channels “unfortunately breed violence.” “Studies show violence on TV
causes behavioral disorders and promote violence among the public,” she noted.
https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/apps-more-protection-help-women-against-domestic-violence-in-turkey/news
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