Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Iconic Moments in the Feminist World 2013

The years keep on moving. And now let’s take a look at some of the most iconic moments of 2013 in the feminist world. 


1. Protection of Life during Pregnancy act 2013



Partly in response to the death of Savita Halappanavar,   the Irish government introduced the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013. 


The death of Savita Halappanavar on 28 October 2012, at University Hospital Galwayin Ireland, led to nationwide protests which spilled over into India, Britain and many other countries—calling for a review of the abortion laws in Ireland. She was suffering from a miscarriage when she was some 17 weeks pregnant, and she sought medical attention and treatment at University Hospital Galway. Her requests for an abortion were refused, with her being told on one occasion that "it was the law, that this is a Catholic country.During the next several days she was diagnosed with septicemia which led to multiple organ failure and her death.



2. Gang Rape led to Historic Changes in the law

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 was promulgated by President Pranab Mukherjee, on 3 February 2013 which provides for amendment of Indian Penal CodeIndian Evidence Act, and Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 on laws related to sexual offences.

On 16 December 2012 a female physiotherapy intern was beaten and gang raped in Delhi. She died from her injuries thirteen days later, despite receiving treatment in India and Singapore. The incident generated international coverage and was condemned by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, who called on the Government of India and the Government of Delhi "to do everything in their power to take up radical reforms, ensure justice and reach out with robust public services to make women’s lives more safe and secure". Public protests took place in Delhi, where thousands of protesters clashed with security forces. Similar protests took place in major cities throughout the country.

3. It's your fault video went viral

“Let’s face it, ladies — rape is your fault! It all begins with what you wear. Scientific studies suggest that women who wear skirts are the leading cause of rape. You know why? Because men have eyes!”




A sarcastic parody video created by All India Bakchod went viral online and received positive response. “The notion behind this video was pretty simple,” Gursimran Khamba, one of the co-founders of All India Backhod, explained in an interview with Al Jazeera. “We wanted to attack patriarchy as it exists in India. It sort of comes out every time there is a sexual assault case or a rape case. The first thing that happens, instead of focusing on the crime and looking at the perpetrator, the default for some reason is that the burden is always put on the woman.”

4. Malala Yousafzai Advocates For The Education Of All Young Women


The 16 year old Pakistani activist published a best seller and was short listed for the Nobel Prize and had a day named in her honor. 


Malala was targeted for her brave activism and in October of 2012, the Taliban boarded her school bus and shot her and two other girls. After the shooting, Malala was flown from her home in Pakistan to the UK to recover. Malala is now back at school and continues to campaign for every child’s right to education.


July 12, 2013 was Malala’s 16th birthday. To celebrate Malala Day, the global community came together to highlight the leading role that youth can play in enabling all children to get an education. Malala marked the day by giving her first public speech since the shooting dedicated to the importance of universal education at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.


5. Mallika Sherwat stood up her herself and the society


The source of feminism is not as important as the actual practice of it.  When a reporter asked her to defend her comment that India is regressive and repressive she commented  "As a woman, I should lie about the state of women that's in our country?" the actress replied. When the reporter wouldn't give it up, the Bollywood actress just started dropping knowledge: "With female feticide, infanticide happening on an almost daily basis; with gang rapes making the headlines of almost every newspaper; with honor killings …"