International Women’s Day

Elderly Indian women go to school for first time

Phangane - Arab Today

A little before 2 p.m. each day, when residents of Phangane village in India’s Maharashtra state usually take a quick nap in the heat of the day, elderly women in bright pink sarees head towards a colorful hut, clutching satchels and plastic bags. Inside the hut, festooned with streamers and flowers, the women gingerly sit cross-legged on cotton rugs onRead more

White men an ‘endangered species’ in UK boardrooms

London - Arab Today

The chairman of Britain’s biggest retailer Tesco has said he was joking after telling an audience of aspiring non-executive directors (NED) that white men were “an endangered species” in UK boardrooms. John Allan told the Retail Week Live conference earlier this week that women and people from an ethnic background were in an “extremely propitious period” when it came toRead more

Melania Trump begins to embrace new role as first lady

Washington – Arab Today

Melania Trump’s invitation for high-powered women to join her at the White House was about more than the lunch they would eat, or the stated purpose of honoring International Women’s Day. It marked a “coming out,” almost two months into President Donald Trump’s term, for a first lady described by her husband as a “very private person.” She had spentRead more

Amal talks Daesh at UN. Media focuses on baby bump instead

New York - Arab Today

British-Lebanese human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who represents victims of rape and kidnappings by members of Daesh, urged the United Nations to step up the pressure on the extremists. So why did her yellow dress and her “baby bump” also make headlines? Criticism was swift Thursday for some news and entertainment outlets from outraged social media users, including some onRead more

Global survey: 1 in 5 believe women inferior to men

London - Arab Today

One in five people around the world believe women are inferior to men and should stay at home, and that men are more capable in the workplace and at school, according to a global survey released on Tuesday. Nearly all of the 17,550 people surveyed agreed that men and women should have equal rights, but three in four respondents saidRead more

Dubai Airports celebrates women in leadership

Dubai - WAM

Dubai Airports today reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the advancement of women in the workplace and celebrated progress to date to mark International Women’s Day, which falls tomorrow and celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Recent data compiled by the Arab Women Organisation found that women account for 66 percent of the UAE’s public-sector workforce, andRead more

Muslim Activist Linda Sarsour Arrested at International Women’s Day Protest

New York - Arab Today

Protestors gathered outside Trump Tower in New York on Wednesday were told to disperse and clear the area. They were issued several warnings and some International women’s Day protestors obeyed. Others, including Palestinian-American activist, Linda Sarsour, did not. Accepting her handcuffs proudly, pictures posted on social media show a radiant Sarsour, replete in her red hijab, being led from theRead more

“March 8 Is Becoming Like Valentine’s Day”

Rabat - Arab Today

Leila Rhiwi, the representative of the UN Maghreb Women’s office, called for a return to and a reinforcement of the day’s original principles. During a meeting at UN headquarters on the eve of International Women’s day in Rabat, Rhiwi said, “It is necessary to rectify the message passed on this occasion, before future generations forget the purpose of this day.”Read more

Bangladesh acid attack survivors show new confidence on fashion runway

Dhaka - Arab Today

Bangladesh hosted a fashion show with a difference to mark International Women’s Day, featuring 15 confident catwalk models fighting to overcome the trauma of acid attacks. Such horrific violence across South Asia is often prompted by insufficient dowries, rejection of advances or land disputes, disfiguring victims for life and ruining their prospects. Sonali Khatun, 13, who had acid thrown onRead more

‘Hormonal’ women need protecting

New Delhi - Arab Today

Female students need curfews to protect them from their own “hormonal outbursts”, India’s women’s minister has said, sparking ridicule on social media. Many Indian universities inflict curfews on women while allowing their male students freedom to stay out at night, a policy that critics say is prejudiced and outdated. Asked about the practice on a television talk show, Manekha GandhiRead more