Around The World In 5
Around the World in 5 is an ongoing series that highlights news related to women in five countries, updated every week. This week's post covers October 15 to October 21.
Iran
In the past 17 days in Iran, at least 13 women have lost their lives in "honor killings". The most recent cases involve Razieh Hassanvand, a 20-year-old woman murdered by her brother, and Trotskeh Abdollahzadeh, a 21-year-old who suffered a brutal assault and was subsequently hanged by her father, father-in-law, and husband.
Jamaica
The Jamaica women's football team announced their decision to boycott the upcoming Gold Cup qualifiers scheduled for next week. Their choice stems from what they describe as "ongoing mistreatment" by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).
In a statement released by several members of the Reggae Girlz squad on social media, the team said the national federation had failed to pay players in full for their performance at the FIFA Women's World Cup.
"It is with great disappointment we share that the 2023 World Cup roster will not be participating in the upcoming October international window for the first ever Women's Gold Cup qualifiers," the statement said.
Nigeria
Benjamin Best Nnanyereugo, a Nigerian man suspected of murdering his girlfriend, was arrested in Sierra Leone on Friday, October 20, 2023.
Nnanyereugo, popularly known as Killaboi, had been on the run since July 13, 2023, when he allegedly killed his girlfriend, 21-year-old Augusta Onuwabhagbe Osedion.
According to reports, Nnanyereugo had changed his name to Kanu Princeton Samuel and paid $25,000 to purchase a Sierra Leonean passport under his new identity.
Palestine
According to UN Women's assessments, the recent clampdown on Gaza has seen the displacement of approximately 493,000 women and girls from their homes. Tragically, 1,487 men have lost their lives, resulting in a significant increase in the number of widows and close to 900 new households led by women. Additionally, 3,103 children have been left without fathers.
UNFPA's estimates indicate that Gaza is home to 540,000 women of reproductive age, including 50,000 who are currently pregnant, with an expected 5,522 deliveries in the next month.
Women In The Workplace
McKinsey & Company has published its "Women in the Workplace 2023" report, a comprehensive survey of numerous organizations, delving into the representation and progression of women in the corporate world. The findings reveal notable improvements in women's representation at senior levels, with a historic milestone of female CEOs leading over 10 percent of Fortune 500 companies.
However, women face a slower rate of progression in lower managerial and directorial roles, with men dominating 60 percent of managerial positions compared to women's 40 percent. This discrepancy results in fewer eligible women for promotion. Furthermore, women of color experience even greater disparities when compared to white women and men of the same racial and ethnic backgrounds.