Around The World In 5

This week, the world has celebrated and acknowledged human rights, but women continue to fight for theirs. Document Women has gathered five stories from across the globe.

Turkey

The documentary “Dying Divorce” goes over the efforts of activists working to end violence against women in Turkey. It has been selected as the United Kingdom’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards. The documentary, which took five years to shoot, follows the work of lawyer Ipek Bozkurt and activist Aysen Ece Kavas who meet women survivors of gender-based violence to help them and their families seek justice through the Turkish criminal system.

China

The Women’s Tennis Association has said it is suspending all tournaments in China after tennis star and Olympian Peng Shuai came forward last month and alleged that she had been sexually assaulted by China’s former Vice-Premier, Zhang Gaoli.

She has only had a few direct contacts with officials outside China since and told Olympic officials in a November 21 video call from Beijing that she was safe and well.

However, the WTA has said that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has not done enough to ensure the safety of Peng.

Malaysia

Using rap, artist SYA fights taboos and stereotypes of Muslim women. The artist recently signed with Def Jam, a major label for artists around the world. Her debut single “PrettyGirlBop” addresses misogyny and acceptance in Malaysia.

In a recent interview with AFP, the artist talked about her ethos of female empowerment saying: “I just want women to feel more comfortable in their own skin… I don’t have to pretend to be somebody else just to fit what society deems is good.”

Kenya

In the Kizingitini region of Kenya, women no longer have to struggle to both make a living and conserve the mangroves, thanks to a loan scheme that helps them keep food on the table so they can afford to continue planting.

“This has led to increased participation of women and youth in conservation and community development, as well as reduced gender inequality,” said Hassan Yussuf, a regional director at the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), the Kenyan conservation group that implements the project.

Egypt.

For brides in Egypt, a torn hymen can lead to shaming by relatives or in-laws. In the worst cases, it can motivate honour killings, usually committed by victims’ relatives.

Due to the high costs of surgically repairing or reconstructing the hymen to pass “virginity tests” women in rural areas such as Upper Egypt face difficulties accessing the procedure.

This article follows Dr Layla as she travels provinces to perform hymenoplasty procedures for a fragment of its normal price.