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Ghana First Lady, Merck Foundation Support Women Affected By Coronavirus Lockdown

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together with H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana and her Foundation presented boxes of relief items to more than 1000 persons living with disabilities, people living with HIV/ AIDS and casual and daily workers with special focus on women who are most affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, to curb its spread in Ghana. The boxes which contain rice, cooking oil, milo, sugar, milk, canned tomatoes canned fish and other items, were distributed to them under physical distancing protocols. Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation explained, “Lockdown to fight coronavirus is going to hit most casual and daily workers very hard. Therefore, in addition to raising awareness about Coronavirus through our “Stay at Home” Media Recognition Awards, Merck Foundation decided to support African government’s strategy to save the people’s living and livelihood with the aim to integrate it…

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Middle East

Diplomats in Iraq urge law against domestic violence amid lockdown

Diplomats in Iraq are voicing concern over the rise in domestic abuse after self-isolation measures were put in place to stop the transmission of coronavirus. Since the US-led invasion in 2003, women’s rights groups in Iraq have campaigned for a legislation on domestic violence. The Iraqi constitution expressly prohibits “all forms of violence and abuse in the family” although the country’s laws allow husbands to “discipline” their wives. Human rights groups in Iraq reported a surge in abuse killings and rape since the lockdown was imposed last month. The case of Malak Al Zubadi, 20, who was allegedly set on fire and abused by her husband, a police officer in Najaf, has this week brought to light the necessity for a law criminalising domestic violence. “We are very sad about the case of Malak Al Zubaidi and hope the investigation is concluded as quickly as possible,” tweeted Stephen Hickey, the…

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Middle East

Historic women’s golf event in Saudi Arabia set for October

The first women’s professional golf event to be staged in Saudi Arabia has been rescheduled for Oct. 8-11 after it was postponed last month due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers have confirmed. The Saudi Ladies International, which is part of the Ladies European Tour (LET), will be hosted at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club with a purse of $1 million, and is the first of its kind to be held in the kingdom. “We have been extremely impressed by Golf Saudi’s commitment to working through the challenges and making this historic event happen,” Alexandra Armas, LET CEO, said in a statement on Tuesday. The tour has been on hold since the South African Women’s Open finished on March 14, with the next scheduled event the Jabra Ladies Open at the Evian Resort Golf Club in France from June 18-20. The Jakarta Post

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Asia News

Malaysia’s Lockdown Pays Little Attention to Women’s Needs

When the Malaysian government imposed a Movement Control Order in mid-March, requiring almost all workplaces to close and employees to work from home, after a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, the last thing it expected was jokes about men shopping. But a specific measure of the Movement Control Order, or MCO, is to allow only one person, the “head of the family,” to go out to buy groceries. Despite there being close to 240,000 single mothers in Malaysia, who are likely in charge of their households, the presumption remains strong that the head of the family is a man. After this announcement, jokes abounded among Malaysians on how untenable it is to make a man go out to buy fish and vegetables because knowledge about these things is the woman’s domain. The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development did not ask how this rule might impact single mothers going…

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Africa News

MP Calls for More Support to Women and Rural Population

Kenya Ijara Member of Parliament (MP), Sophia Abdi Noor has called on the newly formed Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund Board Chaired by Jane Karuku to extend assistance to the rural population. The Board formed by President Uhuru Kenyatta is meant to foster the national response to the pandemic that has slowed down most of the world economies. “The principal objective of the fund shall be to mobilize resources for emergency response towards containing the spread, effects, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Head of State outlined. Speaking to KNA on phone on Saturday, Sophia said that the rural population, equally affected by the economic meltdown due to Codid-19 restrictions are likely to be forgotten if concerted measures are not put in place. The MP said that in North Eastern region the prices of livestock that 90 percent of the rural population rely on, have drastically dropped. “When you visit…

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International News

Protect Women from Domestic Violence During Coronavirus Lockdowns: Pope

Pope Francis said on Monday society had to stand behind women victims of domestic violence, as abuse increased around the world during coronavirus lockdowns. Francis praised women in frontline roles in helping society weather the crisis, mentioning doctors, nurses, police officers, prison guards and sales staff in stores selling essential goods. The pope, speaking on a religious and national holiday in Italy and other countries, also praised the many women at home helping children, the elderly and the disabled. But, speaking from his official library rather than from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, Francis said: “Sometimes they (women) risk being victims of violence in a cohabitation that they bear like a weight that is far too heavy.” “Let us pray for them, so the Lord grants them strength and that our communities support them along with their families,” he said. Domestic violence has risen as many countries imposed tougher…

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Middle East

Saudi Women Increase Role In Workforce In Late 2019: Data

Saudi Arabian women continue to make up an increasing part of the Kingdom’s workforce, with participation growing 2.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 26 percent, according to official data. Overall unemployment among Saudi Arabians remained unchanged throughout in the quarter at 12 percent. Unemployment had fallen in the third quarter to 12 percent from 12.9 percent in the second, according to official data released Monday by the Kingdom’s General Authority of Statistics (GASTAT). The unemployment rate among Saudi Arabia’s total population stood at 5.7 percent. Around one-third of residents in the Kingdom are non-Saudis. These numbers will likely take a hit in 2020 as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic causes severe economic shocks around the world. Governments have imposed lockdowns and shut businesses, with Saudi Arabia putting a 24-hour curfew in place for its major cities. Economic participation among Saudis, a goal of the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030…

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