→Online threats: clarify why: publicly-funded university bound by Utah concealed weapons law - it wasn't as if they just refused to do it |
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[[File:Michelle-obama-bringbackourgirls.jpg|thumb|300px|alt=photograph|First Lady [[Michelle Obama]] supported protests against the [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping]], which took place in [[Borno State]], Nigeria, April 2014.]] |
[[File:Michelle-obama-bringbackourgirls.jpg|thumb|300px|alt=photograph|First Lady [[Michelle Obama]] supported protests against the [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping]], which took place in [[Borno State]], Nigeria, April 2014.]] |
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'''2014 was described as a watershed year for [[women's rights]]''', one in which women's voices acquired greater legitimacy and authority, signifying a revolutionary change.<ref name=Solnit30Dec2014>[[Rebecca Solnit]], [http://www.theguardian.com/news/2014/dec/30/-sp-rebecca-solnit-listen-up-women-are-telling-their-story-now "Listen up, women are telling their story now"], ''The Guardian'', 30 December 2014.</ref><ref name=Guardianeditorial/><ref>Marlene Leung, [http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/2014-the-year-women-joined-forces-online-and-the-internet-listened-1.2161217# "2014: The year women joined forces online and the Internet listened"], CTV News, 24 December 2014.</ref> A '' |
'''2014 was described as a watershed year for [[women's rights]]''', one in which women's voices acquired greater legitimacy and authority, signifying a revolutionary change.<ref name=Solnit30Dec2014>[[Rebecca Solnit]], [http://www.theguardian.com/news/2014/dec/30/-sp-rebecca-solnit-listen-up-women-are-telling-their-story-now "Listen up, women are telling their story now"], ''The Guardian'', 30 December 2014.</ref><ref name=Guardianeditorial/><ref>Marlene Leung, [http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/2014-the-year-women-joined-forces-online-and-the-internet-listened-1.2161217# "2014: The year women joined forces online and the Internet listened"], CTV News, 24 December 2014.</ref> A ''Time'' magazine headline said that it "may have been the best year for women since the dawn of time."<ref name=Alter23December2014>Charlotte Alter, [http://time.com/3639944/feminism-2014-womens-rights-ray-rice-bill-cosby/ "This May Have Been the Best Year for Women Since the Dawn of Time"], ''Time'' magazine, 23 December 2014.</ref> |
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San Francisco writer [[Rebecca Solnit]] argued that 2014 was "a year of feminist insurrection against male violence" and a "lurch forward" in the [[history of feminism]].<ref name=Solnit30Dec2014/><ref name=SolnitMotherJones>Rebecca Solnit, [http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/06/yesallwomen-shape-conversation-isla-vista-massacre-violence-against-women "Why #Yesallwomen Matters"], ''Mother Jones'', 3 June 2014.</ref> '' |
San Francisco writer [[Rebecca Solnit]] argued that 2014 was "a year of feminist insurrection against male violence" and a "lurch forward" in the [[history of feminism]].<ref name=Solnit30Dec2014/><ref name=SolnitMotherJones>Rebecca Solnit, [http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/06/yesallwomen-shape-conversation-isla-vista-massacre-violence-against-women "Why #Yesallwomen Matters"], ''Mother Jones'', 3 June 2014.</ref> ''The Guardian'' wrote that the "globalisation of protest" at violence against women was "groundbreaking," and that social media had enabled a "new version of feminist solidarity."<ref name=Guardianeditorial>[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/dec/31/guardian-view-year-feminism-2014-watershed "The Guardian view on a year in feminism: 2014 was a watershed"], ''The Guardian'', 31 December 2014.</ref> |
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==Issues== |
==Issues== |
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Women's allegations of assault or harassment at the hands of prominent men – including [[Bill Cosby]] in the United States and [[Jian Ghomeshi]] in Canada – opened a debate about the abuse of women by men in power, and the difficulty of reporting it and being believed.<ref name=Solnit30Dec2014/><ref name=Gillis13Nov2014>Charlie Gillis, [http://www.macleans.ca/society/life/is-this-a-watershed-moment-in-the-battle-against-sexual-harassment/ "Is this a watershed in battle against sexual harassment?"], ''Maclean's'', 13 November 2014.</ref><ref>[[Anna Maria Tremonti]], [http://www.cbc.ca/news/sexism-and-violence-against-women-may-be-getting-attention-but-some-say-the-watershed-moment-is-still-to-come-nov-6-2014-1.2825834 "Sexism and violence against women may be getting attention, but some say the watershed moment is still to come"], [[The Current (radio program)|''The Current'']], CBC Radio One, 6 November 2014, from 02:08 mins.</ref><ref>Aaron Wherry, [http://www.macleans.ca/politics/two-liberal-mps-suspended-over-allegations-of-personal-misconduct/ "Two Liberal MPs suspended over allegations of personal misconduct"], ''Maclean's'', 5 November 2014.</ref> [[Scotland Yard]]'s [[Operation Yewtree]] in the UK, an investigation triggered by the [[Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal]], led to convictions for the sexual assault of women or girls against [[Max Clifford]], [[Rolf Harris]] and [[Dave Lee Travis]], all well-known men in the media and entertainment industry.<ref>Josh Halliday, [http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/may/02/max-clifford-sentenced-eight-years-jail-indecently-assaulting-four-girls "Max Clifford sentenced to eight years for his crimes and contempt of women"], ''The Guardian'', 2 May 2014.</ref><ref>Peter Walker, [http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jul/04/rolf-harris-jailed-indecent-assault-young-girls "Rolf Harris jailed for five years nine months for indecently assaulting girls"], ''The Guardian'', 4 July 2014.</ref><ref>Paul Gallagher, Paul Peachey, [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/dave-lee-travis-found-guilty-of-indecent-assault-9751085.html "Dave Lee Travis is found guilty of indecent assault"], ''The Independent'', 23 September 2014.</ref> |
Women's allegations of assault or harassment at the hands of prominent men – including [[Bill Cosby]] in the United States and [[Jian Ghomeshi]] in Canada – opened a debate about the abuse of women by men in power, and the difficulty of reporting it and being believed.<ref name=Solnit30Dec2014/><ref name=Gillis13Nov2014>Charlie Gillis, [http://www.macleans.ca/society/life/is-this-a-watershed-moment-in-the-battle-against-sexual-harassment/ "Is this a watershed in battle against sexual harassment?"], ''Maclean's'', 13 November 2014.</ref><ref>[[Anna Maria Tremonti]], [http://www.cbc.ca/news/sexism-and-violence-against-women-may-be-getting-attention-but-some-say-the-watershed-moment-is-still-to-come-nov-6-2014-1.2825834 "Sexism and violence against women may be getting attention, but some say the watershed moment is still to come"], [[The Current (radio program)|''The Current'']], CBC Radio One, 6 November 2014, from 02:08 mins.</ref><ref>Aaron Wherry, [http://www.macleans.ca/politics/two-liberal-mps-suspended-over-allegations-of-personal-misconduct/ "Two Liberal MPs suspended over allegations of personal misconduct"], ''Maclean's'', 5 November 2014.</ref> [[Scotland Yard]]'s [[Operation Yewtree]] in the UK, an investigation triggered by the [[Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal]], led to convictions for the sexual assault of women or girls against [[Max Clifford]], [[Rolf Harris]] and [[Dave Lee Travis]], all well-known men in the media and entertainment industry.<ref>Josh Halliday, [http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/may/02/max-clifford-sentenced-eight-years-jail-indecently-assaulting-four-girls "Max Clifford sentenced to eight years for his crimes and contempt of women"], ''The Guardian'', 2 May 2014.</ref><ref>Peter Walker, [http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jul/04/rolf-harris-jailed-indecent-assault-young-girls "Rolf Harris jailed for five years nine months for indecently assaulting girls"], ''The Guardian'', 4 July 2014.</ref><ref>Paul Gallagher, Paul Peachey, [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/dave-lee-travis-found-guilty-of-indecent-assault-9751085.html "Dave Lee Travis is found guilty of indecent assault"], ''The Independent'', 23 September 2014.</ref> |
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American footballer [[Ray Rice]] was suspended by the [[NFL]] (later reversed) after video surfaced of him punching his female partner, and there were protests in the UK in case soccer player [[Ched Evans]] was hired by another club after serving a jail sentence for rape.<ref name=Guardianeditorial/> Australia, the UK and Singapore barred US-based dating coach [[Julien Blanc]] after complaints that his aggressive techniques amounted to abuse of women.<ref>Gail Sullivan, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/11/10/dating-coach-julien-blanc-kicked-out-of-australia-for-his-controversial-tactics/ "‘Dating coach’ Julien Blanc kicked out of Australia for crude ‘pick-up’ schtick"], ''The Washington Post'', 10 November 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30119100 "Julien Blanc: UK denies visa to 'pick-up artist'"], BBC News, 19 November 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/pick-up-artist-julien/1494338.html "Pick-up artist Julien Blanc blocked from entering Singapore"], Channel NewsAsia, 26 November 2014.</ref> |
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Responding to the heightened awareness of rape in India after the [[2012 Delhi gang rape]], Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] advised parents, during his [[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] speech in August, not only to ask where their daughters are going, but to check on their sons, because "a rapist is also somebody's son."<ref name=SolnitOutlook>Rebecca Solnit, [http://www.outlookindia.com/article/A-Watershed-Year-For-Feminism/292606 "A Watershed Year For Feminism"], ''Outlook'', 19 November 2014.</ref><ref>Kaveree Bamzai, [http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/narendra-modi-feminist-independence-day-gender-issues-jashodaben/1/377313.html "Narendra Modi, the first feminist"], ''India Today'', 15 August 2014.</ref> |
Responding to the heightened awareness of rape in India after the [[2012 Delhi gang rape]], Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] advised parents, during his [[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] speech in August, not only to ask where their daughters are going, but to check on their sons, because "a rapist is also somebody's son."<ref name=SolnitOutlook>Rebecca Solnit, [http://www.outlookindia.com/article/A-Watershed-Year-For-Feminism/292606 "A Watershed Year For Feminism"], ''Outlook'', 19 November 2014.</ref><ref>Kaveree Bamzai, [http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/narendra-modi-feminist-independence-day-gender-issues-jashodaben/1/377313.html "Narendra Modi, the first feminist"], ''India Today'', 15 August 2014.</ref> Another Indian politician, [[Mulayam Singh Yadav]], opposing the introduction of the death penalty for rape, said "boys will be boys ... they commit mistakes."<ref>Mohd Faisal Fareed, [http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/mulayam-singh-yadav-questions-death-penalty-for-rape-says-boys-make-mistakes/ "Mulayam’s shocker: Boys will be boys, they make mistakes ... Will you hang them for rape?"], ''Indian Express'', 11 April 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Jason |last=Burke |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/31/india-gang-rape-katra-sadatgunj-fathyer-speaks |title='Go to the mango trees,' the bereaved father was told. 'The body of your daughter is there' |work=The Observer |date=31 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|agency=Reuters |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/717810/ally-of-indias-modi-says-rape-sometimes-right-sometimes-wrong/ |title=Ally of India’s Modi says rape “sometimes right, sometimes wrong” |work=The Express Tribune |date=5 June 2014}}</ref> The comic book ''[[Priya's Shakti]]'' (2014) featured a female Indian rape survivor as its hero; Priya is banished when her family learns about the rape, but with the help of the Hindu goddess [[Parvati]], she rides back on a tiger and is victorious.<ref>Geeta Pandey, [http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-30288173 "India's new comic 'super hero': Priya, the rape survivor"], BBC News, 7 December 2014.</ref> |
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===Campus rape=== |
===Campus rape=== |
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===Online threats=== |
===Online threats=== |
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Online threats of violence against women were highlighted during [[Gamergate controversy|Gamergate]], a controversy about the treatment of women in video gaming.<ref name=SolnitOutlook/> American video-game developers [[Zoe Quinn]] and [[Brianna Wu]] were forced to leave their homes after threats, as was media critic [[Anita Sarkeesian]], who researches [[Sexism in video gaming|sexism in video games]]; Sarkeesian cancelled a lecture at [[Utah State University]] |
Online threats of violence against women were highlighted during [[Gamergate controversy|Gamergate]], a controversy about the treatment of women in video gaming.<ref name=SolnitOutlook/> American video-game developers [[Zoe Quinn]] and [[Brianna Wu]] were forced to leave their homes after threats, as was media critic [[Anita Sarkeesian]], who researches [[Sexism in video gaming|sexism in video games]]; Sarkeesian cancelled a lecture at [[Utah State University]] after it declined to screen attendees for concealed weapons despite the threat of a school shooting if she spoke there.<ref>Soraya Nadia McDonald, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/10/15/gamergate-feminist-video-game-critic-anita-sarkeesian-cancels-utah-lecture-after-threat-citing-police-inability-to-prevent-concealed-weapons-at-event/ "Anita Sarkeesian cancels Utah lecture after threat"], ''The Washington Post'', 15 October 2014.</ref> Alanah Pearce, an Australian video-game reviewer, contacted the mothers of boys who were sending her rape threats to discuss what their sons were doing.<ref>Nina Bahadur, [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/02/alanah-pearce-rape-threats-facebook_n_6248928.html "Game Reviewer Alanah Pearce Is Contacting The Mothers Of Boys Who Sent Her Rape Threats"], ''The Huffington Post'', 2 December 2014.</ref> |
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===Prostitution laws in Canada and France=== |
===Prostitution laws in Canada and France=== |
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In December 2014, Canada |
In December 2014, Canada made the purchase of sexual services illegal while selling sex remained legal. This followed the [[Prostitution in Sweden|Swedish model]], an approach supported by many women's rights advocates.<ref>Emma Batha (5 December 2014), [http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/05/us-canada-prostitution-idUSKCN0JJ1CN20141205 Controversial Canadian law criminalizes men who buy sex], Reuters</ref> A similar proposal had been approved by the French [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]] in 2013, but the [[Senate (France)|Senate]] in 2014 refused to approve the bill. Rosen Hicher, a former prostitute and abolition advocate, walked 800 kilometres (500 miles) to Paris to protest the Senate's decision and was supported by many politicians, including the French Minister of Women's rights [[Pascale Boistard]] and mayor of Paris [[Anne Hidalgo]].<ref>Francois Becker (12 October 2014), [http://news.yahoo.com/ex-prostitute-ends-long-march-french-bill-penalise-203330750.html Ex-prostitute ends long march for French bill to penalise clients], [[Agence France-Presse|AFP]], Yahoo.com</ref> |
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===Iran and Saudi Arabia=== |
===Iran and Saudi Arabia=== |
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[[File:HeForShe Logo Badge withTagline Use On White.png|thumb|220px|[[Emma Watson]] launched the UN's [[HeForShe]] campaign.]] |
[[File:HeForShe Logo Badge withTagline Use On White.png|thumb|220px|[[Emma Watson]] launched the UN's [[HeForShe]] campaign.]] |
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The [[World Economic Forum]]'s 2014 [[Global Gender Gap Report]] ranked [[Human_rights_in_Iceland#Family_rights_and_gender_equality|Iceland]], [[Women in Finland|Finland]], [[Feminism in Norway|Norway]], Sweden and [[Women in Denmark|Denmark]] highest on their Global Gender Gap Index, while [[Women in Yemen|Yemen]], [[Women in Pakistan|Pakistan]], [[Women in Chad|Chad]], [[Women in Syria|Syria]] and [[Women in Mali|Mali]] were among the worst.<ref>[http://reports.weforum.org/global-gender-gap-report-2014/ |
The [[World Economic Forum]]'s 2014 [[Global Gender Gap Report]], measuring the allocation of resources between women and men in health, education, economy and politics, ranked [[Human_rights_in_Iceland#Family_rights_and_gender_equality|Iceland]], [[Women in Finland|Finland]], [[Feminism in Norway|Norway]], Sweden and [[Women in Denmark|Denmark]] highest on their Global Gender Gap Index, while [[Women in Yemen|Yemen]], [[Women in Pakistan|Pakistan]], [[Women in Chad|Chad]], [[Women in Syria|Syria]] and [[Women in Mali|Mali]] were among the worst.<ref>[[Klaus Schwab]], [http://reports.weforum.org/global-gender-gap-report-2014/preface/ "Preface"], ''Global Gender Gap Report 2014'', World Economic Forum.</ref><ref>[http://reports.weforum.org/global-gender-gap-report-2014/rankings/ "Rankings"], ''Global Gender Gap Report 2014'', World Economic Forum.</ref> |
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During a visit to the UK in April, the [[United Nations]]' [[Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women]], [[Rashida Manjoo]], criticized the country for its "boys' club sexist culture," citing issues such as the bullying of girls in schools, harassment in public, and the female nudity on [[Page Three]] of the ''Sun'' newspaper.<ref>Sarah Morrison, [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/boys-club-britain-is-more-sexist-than-italy-azerbaijan-and-india-says-un-human-rights-expert-9262615.html "Boys' club Britain is more sexist than Italy, Azerbaijan and India, says UN human rights expert"], ''The Independent'', 15 April 2014.</ref><ref>Harriet Sherwood, [http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/15/un-special-rapporteur-manjoo-yarls-wood-home-office "UN special rapporteur criticises Britain's 'in-your-face' sexist culture"], ''The Guardian'', 15 April 2014.</ref> In June UN special envoy [[Angelina Jolie]] and [[William Hague]] chaired the ''Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict'' in London,<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-27809235 "Angelina Jolie and William Hague urge action on sexual violence in war zones"], BBC News, 12 June 2014.</ref> and the following month UNICEF and the UK government hosted the first ''Girl Summit'', aimed at ending [[female genital mutilation]] and [[child marriage]].<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/girl-summit "Girl Summit"], ''The Guardian'', August 2014.</ref> UN Women Goodwill Ambassador [[Emma Watson]] launched the [[HeForShe]] campaign in September at the United Nations in New York, inviting men to sign up as advocates for women's rights.<ref>[http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2014/9/emma-watson-gender-equality-is-your-issue-too "Emma Watson: Gender equality is your issue too"], UN Women, 20 September 2014.</ref> |
During a visit to the UK in April, the [[United Nations]]' [[Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women]], [[Rashida Manjoo]], criticized the country for its "boys' club sexist culture," citing issues such as the bullying of girls in schools, harassment in public, and the female nudity on [[Page Three]] of the ''Sun'' newspaper.<ref>Sarah Morrison, [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/boys-club-britain-is-more-sexist-than-italy-azerbaijan-and-india-says-un-human-rights-expert-9262615.html "Boys' club Britain is more sexist than Italy, Azerbaijan and India, says UN human rights expert"], ''The Independent'', 15 April 2014.</ref><ref>Harriet Sherwood, [http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/15/un-special-rapporteur-manjoo-yarls-wood-home-office "UN special rapporteur criticises Britain's 'in-your-face' sexist culture"], ''The Guardian'', 15 April 2014.</ref> In June UN special envoy [[Angelina Jolie]] and [[William Hague]] chaired the ''Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict'' in London,<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-27809235 "Angelina Jolie and William Hague urge action on sexual violence in war zones"], BBC News, 12 June 2014.</ref> and the following month UNICEF and the UK government hosted the first ''Girl Summit'', aimed at ending [[female genital mutilation]] and [[child marriage]].<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/girl-summit "Girl Summit"], ''The Guardian'', August 2014.</ref> UN Women Goodwill Ambassador [[Emma Watson]] launched the [[HeForShe]] campaign in September at the United Nations in New York, inviting men to sign up as advocates for women's rights.<ref>[http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2014/9/emma-watson-gender-equality-is-your-issue-too "Emma Watson: Gender equality is your issue too"], UN Women, 20 September 2014.</ref> |
Revision as of 06:27, 7 January 2015
2014 was described as a watershed year for women's rights, one in which women's voices acquired greater legitimacy and authority, signifying a revolutionary change.[1][2][3] A Time magazine headline said that it "may have been the best year for women since the dawn of time."[4]
San Francisco writer Rebecca Solnit argued that 2014 was "a year of feminist insurrection against male violence" and a "lurch forward" in the history of feminism.[1][5] The Guardian wrote that the "globalisation of protest" at violence against women was "groundbreaking," and that social media had enabled a "new version of feminist solidarity."[2]
Issues
Street harassment, assault
Increasing numbers of women on social media spoke out about their experiences of violence and sexual abuse. The Twitter campaign #YesAllWomen, offering examples of sexism and harassment, attracted over one million tweets within four days in May. The hashtag was created after the Isla Vista killings in California, a spree shooting in which the killer's misogyny was cited as a factor.[5][7]
The street harassment of women was highlighted when actor Shoshana Roberts was hired by Hollaback! to walk through the streets of New York City. Their two-minute video in October showed 108 instances by men speaking to Roberts or commenting on her appearance. She received online threats after the video aired.[8][9] In June the Egyptian government criminalized sexual harassment, though campaigners questioned whether the law would be enforced.[10]
Women's allegations of assault or harassment at the hands of prominent men – including Bill Cosby in the United States and Jian Ghomeshi in Canada – opened a debate about the abuse of women by men in power, and the difficulty of reporting it and being believed.[1][11][12][13] Scotland Yard's Operation Yewtree in the UK, an investigation triggered by the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal, led to convictions for the sexual assault of women or girls against Max Clifford, Rolf Harris and Dave Lee Travis, all well-known men in the media and entertainment industry.[14][15][16]
American footballer Ray Rice was suspended by the NFL (later reversed) after video surfaced of him punching his female partner, and there were protests in the UK in case soccer player Ched Evans was hired by another club after serving a jail sentence for rape.[2] Australia, the UK and Singapore barred US-based dating coach Julien Blanc after complaints that his aggressive techniques amounted to abuse of women.[17][18][19]
Responding to the heightened awareness of rape in India after the 2012 Delhi gang rape, Prime Minister Narendra Modi advised parents, during his Independence Day speech in August, not only to ask where their daughters are going, but to check on their sons, because "a rapist is also somebody's son."[20][21] Another Indian politician, Mulayam Singh Yadav, opposing the introduction of the death penalty for rape, said "boys will be boys ... they commit mistakes."[22][23][24] The comic book Priya's Shakti (2014) featured a female Indian rape survivor as its hero; Priya is banished when her family learns about the rape, but with the help of the Hindu goddess Parvati, she rides back on a tiger and is victorious.[25]
Campus rape
In college campuses in the US, the idea of affirmative consent to sex was promoted, referred to as "yes means yes." In January President Barack Obama launched the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault,[26] and in September California Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation requiring colleges to adopt affirmative-consent policies.[27] The new law defined consent to sex as an "affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity"; lack of protest and silence would not constitute consent.[28]
In September at Columbia University in New York, art student Emma Sulkowicz began carrying a mattress with her on campus, in what she called Mattress Performance: Carry That Weight, in protest at the university's alleged mishandling of a rape complaint she had filed.[29] The following month students at several universities in the US and UK joined her, carrying mattresses around their campuses.[30]
Online threats
Online threats of violence against women were highlighted during Gamergate, a controversy about the treatment of women in video gaming.[20] American video-game developers Zoe Quinn and Brianna Wu were forced to leave their homes after threats, as was media critic Anita Sarkeesian, who researches sexism in video games; Sarkeesian cancelled a lecture at Utah State University after it declined to screen attendees for concealed weapons despite the threat of a school shooting if she spoke there.[31] Alanah Pearce, an Australian video-game reviewer, contacted the mothers of boys who were sending her rape threats to discuss what their sons were doing.[32]
Prostitution laws in Canada and France
In December 2014, Canada made the purchase of sexual services illegal while selling sex remained legal. This followed the Swedish model, an approach supported by many women's rights advocates.[33] A similar proposal had been approved by the French National Assembly in 2013, but the Senate in 2014 refused to approve the bill. Rosen Hicher, a former prostitute and abolition advocate, walked 800 kilometres (500 miles) to Paris to protest the Senate's decision and was supported by many politicians, including the French Minister of Women's rights Pascale Boistard and mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo.[34]
Iran and Saudi Arabia
On Facebook, women in Iran posted images of themselves without veils in a movement known as My Stealthy Freedom.[35] In Saudi Arabia in December, two women involved in the #womentodrive movement were arrested.[36]
World Economic Forum, United Nations
The World Economic Forum's 2014 Global Gender Gap Report, measuring the allocation of resources between women and men in health, education, economy and politics, ranked Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark highest on their Global Gender Gap Index, while Yemen, Pakistan, Chad, Syria and Mali were among the worst.[37][38]
During a visit to the UK in April, the United Nations' Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Rashida Manjoo, criticized the country for its "boys' club sexist culture," citing issues such as the bullying of girls in schools, harassment in public, and the female nudity on Page Three of the Sun newspaper.[39][40] In June UN special envoy Angelina Jolie and William Hague chaired the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in London,[41] and the following month UNICEF and the UK government hosted the first Girl Summit, aimed at ending female genital mutilation and child marriage.[42] UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson launched the HeForShe campaign in September at the United Nations in New York, inviting men to sign up as advocates for women's rights.[43]
The BBC reported that the role of women within the UN was increasing. As of November 2014, there were 31 female permanent representatives, and six seats (Argentina, Jordan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Nigeria and the United States) out of fifteen on the Security Council were held by women. Most of the senior positions remained with men, including the current and all previous secretaries-general.[44]
Promotions and awards
Several women moved into prominent positions traditionally held by men. In January Mary Barra became the first female CEO of General Motors,[45] in February Janet Yellen the first woman to chair the US Federal Reserve Board of Governors,[2] in July Adm. Michelle J. Howard of the United States Navy the first female four-star admiral,[46] and in December the Reverend Libby Lane was chosen as the Church of England's first female bishop.[47]
In August Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani won the Fields Medal for mathematics, the first woman to do so,[4] and Maj. Mariam al-Mansouri, the first female fighter pilot in the United Arab Emirates, led a mission in October against ISIS targets in Syria.[48] Malala Yousafzai, a 17-year-old Pakistani woman who was shot by the Taliban for her efforts to secure education for girls, shared the Nobel Peace Prize in December, the youngest person to receive the award.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Rebecca Solnit, "Listen up, women are telling their story now", The Guardian, 30 December 2014.
- ^ a b c d "The Guardian view on a year in feminism: 2014 was a watershed", The Guardian, 31 December 2014.
- ^ Marlene Leung, "2014: The year women joined forces online and the Internet listened", CTV News, 24 December 2014.
- ^ a b c Charlotte Alter, "This May Have Been the Best Year for Women Since the Dawn of Time", Time magazine, 23 December 2014.
- ^ a b Rebecca Solnit, "Why #Yesallwomen Matters", Mother Jones, 3 June 2014.
- ^ "Full Text: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech on 68th Independence Day", Indian Express, 15 August 2014.
- ^ Sasha Weiss, "The Power Of #YesAllWomen", The New Yorker, 26 May 2014.
- ^ Gail Sullivan, "Video: Woman harassed 108 times as she walks around New York", The Washington Post, 29 October 2014.
- ^ Bethonie Butler, "The story behind that ’10 hours of walking in NYC’ viral street harassment video", The Washington Post, 29 October 2014.
- ^ Patrick Kingsley, "Egypt criminalises sexual harassment for first time", The Guardian, 6 June 2014.
- ^ Charlie Gillis, "Is this a watershed in battle against sexual harassment?", Maclean's, 13 November 2014.
- ^ Anna Maria Tremonti, "Sexism and violence against women may be getting attention, but some say the watershed moment is still to come", The Current, CBC Radio One, 6 November 2014, from 02:08 mins.
- ^ Aaron Wherry, "Two Liberal MPs suspended over allegations of personal misconduct", Maclean's, 5 November 2014.
- ^ Josh Halliday, "Max Clifford sentenced to eight years for his crimes and contempt of women", The Guardian, 2 May 2014.
- ^ Peter Walker, "Rolf Harris jailed for five years nine months for indecently assaulting girls", The Guardian, 4 July 2014.
- ^ Paul Gallagher, Paul Peachey, "Dave Lee Travis is found guilty of indecent assault", The Independent, 23 September 2014.
- ^ Gail Sullivan, "‘Dating coach’ Julien Blanc kicked out of Australia for crude ‘pick-up’ schtick", The Washington Post, 10 November 2014.
- ^ "Julien Blanc: UK denies visa to 'pick-up artist'", BBC News, 19 November 2014.
- ^ "Pick-up artist Julien Blanc blocked from entering Singapore", Channel NewsAsia, 26 November 2014.
- ^ a b Rebecca Solnit, "A Watershed Year For Feminism", Outlook, 19 November 2014.
- ^ Kaveree Bamzai, "Narendra Modi, the first feminist", India Today, 15 August 2014.
- ^ Mohd Faisal Fareed, "Mulayam’s shocker: Boys will be boys, they make mistakes ... Will you hang them for rape?", Indian Express, 11 April 2014.
- ^ Burke, Jason (31 May 2014). "'Go to the mango trees,' the bereaved father was told. 'The body of your daughter is there'". The Observer.
- ^ "Ally of India's Modi says rape "sometimes right, sometimes wrong"". The Express Tribune. Reuters. 5 June 2014.
- ^ Geeta Pandey, "India's new comic 'super hero': Priya, the rape survivor", BBC News, 7 December 2014.
- ^ "FACT SHEET: Not Alone – Protecting Students from Sexual Assault", White House, 29 April 2014.
- ^ Emanuella Grinberg, "Schools preach 'enthusiastic' yes in sex consent education", CNN, 29 September 2014.
- ^ "Senate Bill No. 967", California Legislative Information.
- ^ Vanessa Grigoriadis, "Meet the College Women Who Are Starting a Revolution Against Campus Sexual Assault", New York Magazine, 21 September 2014.
- ^ Amanda Hess, "Emma Sulkowicz Inspired Students Across the Country to Carry Their Mattresses. Now What?", Slate, 30 October 2014; "Carry that Weight", carryingtheweighttogether.com.
- ^ Soraya Nadia McDonald, "Anita Sarkeesian cancels Utah lecture after threat", The Washington Post, 15 October 2014.
- ^ Nina Bahadur, "Game Reviewer Alanah Pearce Is Contacting The Mothers Of Boys Who Sent Her Rape Threats", The Huffington Post, 2 December 2014.
- ^ Emma Batha (5 December 2014), Controversial Canadian law criminalizes men who buy sex, Reuters
- ^ Francois Becker (12 October 2014), Ex-prostitute ends long march for French bill to penalise clients, AFP, Yahoo.com
- ^ Julia Carpenter, "Iranian women shed hijabs for ‘Stealthy Freedoms’ Facebook page", The Washington Post, 16 May 2014.
- ^ "Saudi terrorism court 'to try women drivers'", BBC News, 25 December 2014.
- ^ Klaus Schwab, "Preface", Global Gender Gap Report 2014, World Economic Forum.
- ^ "Rankings", Global Gender Gap Report 2014, World Economic Forum.
- ^ Sarah Morrison, "Boys' club Britain is more sexist than Italy, Azerbaijan and India, says UN human rights expert", The Independent, 15 April 2014.
- ^ Harriet Sherwood, "UN special rapporteur criticises Britain's 'in-your-face' sexist culture", The Guardian, 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Angelina Jolie and William Hague urge action on sexual violence in war zones", BBC News, 12 June 2014.
- ^ "Girl Summit", The Guardian, August 2014.
- ^ "Emma Watson: Gender equality is your issue too", UN Women, 20 September 2014.
- ^ Nick Bryant, "At the UN, women play increasingly powerful roles", BBC News, 16 November 2014.
- ^ Jaclyn Tropp, "Is Mary Barra Standing on a 'Glass Cliff'?", The New Yorker, 29 April 2014.
- ^ Dan Lamothe, "Adm. Michelle Howard becomes first four-star woman in Navy history", The Washington Post, 1 July 2014.
- ^ "Reverend Libby Lane named as CofE's first female bishop", BBC News, 17 December 2014.
- ^ Dana Ford, "UAE's first female fighter pilot led airstrike against ISIS", CNN, 9 October 2014.
Further reading
- "The 20 Best Moments for Women in 2014", Cosmopolitan, 3 December 2014.
- "2014: the year women won? – video", The Guardian.
- "When women defined 2014", The Hindu, 31 December 2014.
- "2014 Commission on the Status of Women: Agreed Conclusions", United Nations.
- Al-Shibeeb, Dina. "Remembering 2014's captives still held by extremists", Al Arabiya News, 17 December 2014.
- Alter, Charlotte. "Top Ten Moments for Women", Time magazine, 2 December 2014.
- Balkissoon, Denise. "Sorry, we haven’t reached a ‘watershed’ on violence against women", The Globe and Mail, 5 November 2014.
- Carillo, Karol Alejandra Arámbula. "From Nigeria to Iraq – the on-going failure to protect women and girls in armed conflict", Transconflict, 19 August 2014.
- Katz, Emily Tess. "2014 Was A Bad Year For Women, But A Good Year For Feminism", The Huffington Post, 24 December 2014.
- Kitroeff, Natalie. "2014 Was the Year Colleges Finally Had to Answer for Rape on Campus", Business Week, 30 December 2014.
- Marcotte, Amanda. "2014 Was a Great Year for Feminism. Is a Backlash Coming?", Slate, 30 December 2014.
- Shkimba, Margaret. "Outrage prompts new era for women", The Hamilton Spectator, 31 December 2014.