CONFERNCES & OPPORTUNITIES
Call for applications for 2nd CSBR Sexuality Institute
World Health Day 2009 - Women's Health

NEWS & ARTICLES
WOMEN’S RIGHTS CAMPAIGN
A Memorandum from the “My Nationality is for me and my Family Campaign” in Lebanon
Equality without Reservation campaign – MENA Region

WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVISM
Feminists in Algeria Still Going Strong
Women's Rights & Religious Fundamentalisms

GENDER RIGHTS
Conference on Women's Issues in the Islamic Forum Reaffirms the Government's Reservations on CEDAW
Women's groups protest new laws in Afghanistan
Interview with Director of the PA Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Palestine
Kuwait Police Open to Women but Islamists Opposed
Policewomen in Gaza - Head Scarves, Challenges

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
Zahra Bodkor... The Youngest Detainee in the Cells of the Kingdom
No Divorce for 8 Year Old Saudi girl in Saudi Arabia
Karzai Accused of Bid to 'Legalize Rape' in Afghanistan
Commission for Promotion of Virtue & Prevention of Vice - Warning that Women Job Interviews Must Have Male Guardian Present in Saudi Arabia

GENDER & CONFLICT
Iraq - Strategies to Improve Situation of Women

CITIZENSHIP & SECTARIANISM
Religious-Secularist Mix Impacts Women's Rights

GENDER & PERSONAL STATUS LAW
Fatwa on Misyar Marriage in Egypt
Yemen: Does Shari'a Oppose the State Law on Marriage?
Arranged Marriages a Thriving Business in Syria

BOOKS & REPORTS
GENDER EQUALITY
New Report Shows Global Gender Pay Gap Bigger Than Previously Thought

GENDER & PERSONAL STATUS LAW
Knowing Our Rights: Women, family, laws and customs in the Muslim world - 3rd edition

GENDER RESOURCES
WIT Lebanon Launched its Jobs Site

CONFERNCES & OPPORTUNITIES
Call for applications for 2nd CSBR Sexuality Institute
The Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies (CSBR) is pleased to announce the 2nd CSBR Sexuality Institute 2009 to be held between August 8 and 16 2009 at the American University of Beirut (AUB) Faculty of Health Sciences in Lebanon. See the requirements of applications and more on:
http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-564171

World Health Day 2009 - Women's Health
Being a man or a woman has a significant impact on health, as a result of both biological and gender-related differences. The health of women and girls is of particular concern because, in many societies, they are disadvantaged by discrimination rooted in sociocultural factors. For example, women and girls face increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. http://www.who.int/topics/womens_health/en/

NEWS & ARTICLES
WOMEN’S RIGHTS CAMPAIGN
A Memorandum from the “My Nationality is for me and my Family Campaign” in Lebanon
On the occasion of the meeting with H.E. Me. Ziyad Baroud, Minister of Interior and Municipalities
Monday April 27th 2009. Memorandum is available in Arabic and English:
http://crtda.org.lb/webfm_send/255

Equality without Reservation campaign – MENA Region
An interview with Lina Abou Habib, the Executive Director of the Collective for Research and Training on Development – Action, a Lebanon based organization involved in the regional Equality without Reservation campaign.
“CRTD.A is the country coordinator of the Equality without Reservation campaign. We are also the regional International Gender and Trade Network antenna. Our other campaigns include the Arab Women's Right to Nationality campaign as well as the Women's Work Campaign.” See full interview: http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-564277

WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVISM
Feminists in Algeria Still Going Strong
Those who think that Algerians have been passive victims of their country's political problems need look no further than the Algerian women's movement for a change of mind.
Twenty-five years ago, a unique relationship developed between Algeria and the non-profit organisation, Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML), which is going strong even today. WLUML provides assistance to women whose lives are governed by so-called "Islamic" laws or customs.
http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-564427

Women's Rights & Religious Fundamentalisms
The myths exposed in this publication come from the experiences of more than 1,600 women’s rights activists who responded to AWID’s Resisting and Challenging Religious Fundamentalisms survey, as well as 51 key experts who were interviewed for the project.
http://www.awid.org:80/eng/About-AWID/AWID-Initiatives/Resisting-and-Cha...

GENDER RIGHTS
Conference on Women's Issues in the Islamic Forum Reaffirms the Government's Reservations on CEDAW
The Conference reflected on the CEDAW terms as well as the term «gender» and its dimensions, and few recommendations was taken accordingly. Thus, conference declared its rejection of all declarations and agreements that are contradicting the texts of Islamic law and as such, supports the Government's adherence to reservations made upon signing the conventions.
http://www.alwasatnews.com/Today/Issue-2361/LOC/LOC-0-/860724.aspx

Women's groups protest new laws in Afghanistan
About 300 Afghan women walked the streets of the capital to demand that Parliament repeal a new law.
“Get out of here, you whores!” the men shouted. “Get out!”
The women scattered as the men moved in.
“We want our rights!” one of the women shouted, turning to face them. “We want equality!”
For more information: http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-564294

Interview with Director of the PA Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Palestine
Mashoor Basissy, MOWA’s director in the West Bank, brings a fresh male perspective to the growing problem of domestic violence against Palestinian women.
Mel Frykberg interviews MASHOOR BASISSY, director of the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA), an outspoken advocate of women’s rights and a harsh critic of the way Palestinian women are treated. See full interview at: http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-564288

Kuwait Police Open to Women but Islamists Opposed
Raised in a society dominated by men, Hanan wants to prove that Kuwaiti women are just as good as males in serving in the police force. For more information: http://www.gulfinthemedia.com/index.php?id=466301&news_type=Top&lang=en

Policewomen in Gaza - Head Scarves, Challenges
The new veiled female police officers in Gaza had just begun to assume their duties last December when a concerted attack on 60 police facilities threw them into unexpected roles. GAZA CITY, Gaza (WOMENSENEWS)--Every morning Mariam Al-Bursh prepares a bottle of milk for her 1-year-old baby. Then she gets her badge and gun.
http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=3984

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
Zahra Bodkor... The Youngest Detainee in the Cells of the Saudi Kingdom
On 15 May 2008 at around 9.35 am, Zahra was arrested along with another 17 other students, because of what has become known as «students uprising» demanding political and civil rights, including free education. For more information: http://al-akhbar.com/ar/node/129900

No Divorce for 8 Year Old Saudi girl in Saudi Arabia
A Saudi judge refused for the second time to grant an eight-year-old girl a divorce from her 47-year-old husband. The Unaizah Court ruled that the girl cannot file for divorce until she reaches puberty.
The story that sparked an international outcry began five months ago when the girl’s mother found out by coincidence that her husband had married off their daughter to a man without informing either wife or daughter. For more information: http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-564328

Karzai Accused of Bid to 'Legalize Rape' in Afghanistan
Afghanistan's President, Hamid Karzai, has signed a law which "legalizes" rape, women's groups and the United Nations warn. Critics claim the president helped rush the bill through parliament in a bid to appease Islamic fundamentalists ahead of elections in August.
http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-564120

Commission for Promotion of Virtue & Prevention of Vice - Warning that Women Job Interviews Must Have Male Guardian Present in Saudi Arabia
HAIL - The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, known as the Hai'a, has warned private businesses in Hail against interviewing female job applicants without a male guardian (or Mahram) being physically present.
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20090422050548/Saudi%20Arabia:%20...

GENDER & CONFLICT
Iraq - Strategies to Improve Situation of Women
With the illiteracy rate among Iraqi women twice as high as that of men and women making up only 18 per cent of the country’s labour force, a United Nations conference that opened in Baghdad today is seeking ways to improve the situation of women in the fledgling democracy.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=30236&Cr=iraq&Cr1

CITIZENSHIP & SECTARIANISM
Religious-Secularist Mix Impacts Women's Rights
Sertaç Sehlikoğlu Karakaş, a Women Living under Muslim Laws' networker, examines how Turkey's hybrid secular-Muslim identity has affected its commitment to empowering women. Turkey has strong ties both with its Muslim history and with secularism, understood as not mixing religion with politics. After decades of struggling between these two identities, this strategic NATO ally and EU contender has developed a hybrid identity that encompasses both. For more information: http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-564445

GENDER & PERSONAL STATUS LAW
Fatwa on Misyar Marriage in Egypt
The Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights says Misyar marriage is An Insult to Men and Women, and an Endorsement for the Trafficking of Women. The fatwa was issued by the Egyptian Dar al-Ifta’ announcing the permissibility of “misyar” marriage. Misyar marriage is swift, for a man is able to take a wife without being economically responsible for her and requires the woman to give up her legal rights.
http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-564276

Yemen: Does Shari'a Oppose the State Law on Marriage?
In addition to family law, another site of tension between the state and religious groups is the constitution. The law has no basis in Shari’a ... Our constitution stipulates that all legislations must be derived from Shari’a.” Hence, “the law is unconstitutional and must be retracted.” This was the line of reasoning adopted by religious groups against a law recently passed by the parliament.
http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-564272

Arranged Marriages a Thriving Business in Syria
Abu Jamal sees himself to be a modern day matchmaker – for profit. Abu Jamal, 40, who declined to give his real name, operates an unlicensed business which facilitates marriages between young Syrian women and much older men who travel from the Gulf states in search of foreign brides.
http://www.iwpr.net/?p=syr&s=f&o=351431&apc_state=henh

BOOKS & REPORTS

GENDER EQUALITY
New Report Shows Global Gender Pay Gap Bigger Than Previously Thought
A new report released by the ITUC for March 8, International Women’s Day, has revealed that the pay gap between men and women worldwide may be much higher than official government figures. http://www.ituc-csi.org/spip.php?article2799&lang=en

GENDER & PERSONAL STATUS LAW
Knowing Our Rights: Women, family, laws and customs in the Muslim world - 3rd edition
This WLUML third and completely revised version of the "Knowing Our Rights" handbook is an essential resource for those taking a critical and questioning approach to rights, laws, and constructions of womanhood in Muslim countries and communities and beyond. "Knowing Our Rights" forms part of the international synthesis of the Women & Law in the Muslim world Programme and is based on some 10 years of field experience, research and analysis by multi-disciplinary teams of networkers in over 20 countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Download your copy:
http://www.wluml.org/english/pubs/pdf/knowing%20our%20rights/kor_2006_en...

GENDER RESOURCES

WIT Lebanon Launched its Jobs Site
“The website is ready now, you can post any job opportunities you have, especially if it is related to IT and oriented to women, but feel free to post any career opportunities and forward the website to your contacts”. You can visit http://witlebanon.jobthread.com and post any job opportunities you have.