Global Women’s News: What We’re Reading in June

Over the last couple of months, we’ve read a number of stories highlighting the plight of wives and mothers, everywhere. Women continue to be underserved, abused, and disrespected, and we applaud the journalists and media who keep a spotlight on problems we can no longer allow to persist. It is high time we stand up alongside brave women and girls who are challenging the status quo, because the cost of failing to do so is too high.

The Cost of Keeping Children Poor

The New York Times
Behind most impoverished children is an impoverished mother. With the U.S. devoting far fewer resources to welfare programs than other wealthy countries, it leaves more women and children in poverty. Mark Rank, professor of social welfare at Washington University, argues that investing more in anti-poverty programs is both smart and efficient economic policy.

‘I almost died’: abused Filipino women hope divorce will become legal

Reuters
Did you know abuse and infidelity are not considered valid reasons for divorce in the Philippines? The only option for women to get out of an abusive relationship is to seek a legal separation, which does not allow either party to remarry, or a civil annulment, which can be lengthy and costly. Activists are working to change that, but so far, the country’s conservative government has not been very receptive.

Kenyan Woman Abused by Nurses During Childbirth Wins Landmark Case


NPR
WomenStrong continues to make real progress through its programs to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in Ghana and elsewhere. However, stories like this one from Kenya are all too common, proving that much more needs to be done to assure safe, dignified deliveries in hospitals by staff not stretched to the breaking point.

Gender Equality and Education: opportunities for recovery from conflict and crisis

In the wake of the G7 Summit, Gender, Education, and Conflict Specialist Emilie Rees Smith sheds light on the barriers preventing girls in times of crisis from accessing a quality education and on how best to ensure equitable and sustainable recovery efforts.

The Right to be a Child: Intersections Between Girls’ Education and Child Labour


Medium
Girls are unable to go, remain, and succeed in school when deprived of their education because they’re forced to work, and they are therefore are more susceptible to violence, discrimination, and exploitation. Gender, Education, and SRGBV Intern at UNGEI, Penelope Neves, explores this complex issue.