Tag: gender

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Sheikh Hasina’s Vision for a Gender-Equitable Bangladesh

Hasina slams pro-Pak Jamaat, BNP for distorting history, Bangla language.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has taken significant strides to enhance women’s participation in politics, ensuring their voices are heard at all levels of governance…reports Asian Lite News

Bangladesh, a country nestled in South Asia, has been making significant strides in the realm of women’s empowerment and gender equality, largely due to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Her relentless efforts and strategic policies have played a pivotal role in uplifting the status of women, promoting their active participation in various sectors, and fostering an environment of gender inclusivity.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has implemented a series of policies and initiatives aimed at breaking down barriers that hindered women’s progress. One such groundbreaking policy is the National Women Development Policy, which underscores the government’s commitment to gender mainstreaming and creating an enabling environment for women to thrive in all aspects of society.

Recognizing education as the cornerstone of empowerment, Prime Minister Hasina has focused on enhancing educational opportunities for girls. The ‘Girl’s Stipend Program’ and ‘Kishoree Kontha’ initiative have incentivized female education, ensuring girls can access quality education and build a strong foundation for their future.

Furthermore, initiatives like ‘Skills for Employment Investment Program’ and ‘Women in IT’ programs have been instrumental in imparting skill development, enabling women to participate actively in the workforce and entrepreneurial ventures.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has taken significant strides to enhance women’s participation in politics, ensuring their voices are heard at all levels of governance. The reserved seats for women in the parliament and local government bodies have boosted their representation, thus amplifying their role in shaping the nation’s policies and strategies.

Bangladesh has seen a substantial increase in women’s participation in the workforce across various sectors. The government’s efforts to promote women entrepreneurs through easier access to loans, training, and market linkages have empowered countless women to establish their businesses and contribute to the nation’s economy.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also prioritized addressing violence against women and ensuring their safety. The establishment of Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunals and the National Helpline for Violence against Women and Children showcase the government’s commitment to creating a safe environment for women.

In essence, Bangladesh, under the steadfast leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has witnessed a paradigm shift in promoting gender equality and empowering women. The strides made in education, political representation, economic participation, and safety initiatives have set a positive trajectory, demonstrating the power of visionary leadership and commitment to fostering an egalitarian society. With continued dedication and focused efforts, Bangladesh is poised to elevate its position on the global stage as a beacon of gender equality and empowerment.

ALSO READ-Foreign Pressure Mounts on Hasina Before Elections

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UAE affirms commitment to gender balance at G20

H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed said UAE’s cooperative approach welcomes G20 collaboration, aiming to develop implementable strategies for global gender balance…reports Asian Lite News

Enhancing gender balance is a long-standing priority for the UAE and women play a vital role in achieving prosperity and stability and contribute effectively to sustainable economic growth, the UAE stated at the G20 Ministerial Conference on Women’s Empowerment held in India.

H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, affirmed the UAE’s commitment to involving the international community in its successful journey in gender balance – which has seen remarkable progress due to the wise leadership’s unwavering support and dedication.

She indicated that recent legislative advancements, embraced since UAE’s inception, enhance global competitiveness. UAE’s cooperative approach welcomes G20 collaboration, aiming to develop implementable strategies for global gender balance.

The conference was held in Gujarat, India, from 2nd to 4th August, under the theme “Women-led Inclusive Development as Cusp of Inter-Generational Transformation”. The UAE also participated in the meetings of the G20 Empower on the first of this month.

Meanwhile,H.H. Sheikha Manal praised the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in highlighting the UAE’s achievements in the field of gender balance in international forums and the active contribution of the Ministry to strengthening the global partnerships of the Council through its diplomatic mission in various countries of the world and international organisations.

She also praised the efforts of the G20 Empowerment Committee, which contributed to creating strong relations between member countries and commitments to new solutions and complex challenges.

“As we approach the organisation of the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28), which the UAE will host from November 30th to December 12th, 2023, the country attaches utmost importance to bringing women into the heart of the global decision-making process,” Sheikha Manal said.

She emphasised that this is a pivotal moment that represents an opportunity to achieve rapid and transformative progress around the world, including climate action and the empowerment of women for sustainable development.

She stressed, “We look forward to accelerating the empowerment of women and increasing their role in climate action by building on the strength of culture and empowerment that were discussed in the Ministerial Conference on Women’s Empowerment in G20.”

UAE’s gender balance progress

The Council’s delegation, headed by Hanan Mansour Ahli, member of the UAE Gender Balance Council, Director-General of the Competitiveness Sector at the Federal Competitiveness & Statistics Authority, and the participation of Ayat Al Salmi, Senior Project Manager in the UAE GBC, shared the UAE’s gender balance strategy and discussed with representatives of several participating countries and organisations opportunities to promote collaborations at the level of the countries of the group.

Ahli delivered the UAE’s speech at the Ministerial Conference on Empowerment, during which she emphasised that advancing gender balance is a long-term priority for the UAE and that women play a vital role in achieving prosperity and stability and actively contribute to sustainable economic growth, adding that the UAE believes that supporting working women and female entrepreneurs sustainably requires enhancing societal awareness on the importance of the role of women, as well as building a strong political and legislative structure to mainstream gender balance in all sectors.

Economy, Culture and Gender Balance

In a main discussion panel that explored the dynamic relationship between the economy, culture, and women’s empowerment, Ahli emphasised the vital role of gender-disaggregated data in the UAE’s ambitious Gender Balance Strategy for 2026. The UAE has implemented a ground-breaking Gender Responsive Budgeting pilot program which utilises gender and population data to identify opportunities to reallocate financing and establish new initiatives aimed at supporting, equipping, and funding women entrepreneurs.

The UAE is taking bold steps towards building a more equitable society, where women have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute to the nation’s progress. Through data-driven policies and targeted support for women entrepreneurs, the nation aims to pave the way for a brighter and more gender-balanced future.

Ahli highlighted the UAE’s firm belief in the indispensable connection between a strong economy and a vibrant culture for women’s advancement. Recognising the pivotal role of gender-balanced economies, she stressed the imperative of fair inclusion for women in all economic spheres, with special emphasis on supporting female entrepreneurs.

She highlighted the UAE’s unwavering commitment to cultivating the right cultural mindset, fostering community awareness, and creating a legal and political framework that provides unwavering support to women.

The UAE aims to unlock the full potential of women by building an environment that empowers women and encourages their participation and ignites true innovation. By championing a strong economy and embracing an inclusive culture, the UAE proves that empowering women is not only a key to progress but also a catalyst for transformative change.

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UAE Gender Balance Council, Meta discuss cooperation

UAE Gender Balance Council, Meta discuss cooperation

The UAE Gender Balance Council received Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Meta, the global leader in digital innovation and social media platforms, and discussed cooperation and partnership between the two parties…reports Asian Lite News

The meeting was attended by Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and The Future; Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development; Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council; and other senior officials.

Welcoming Sheryl Sandberg, who is visiting the region for the first time, Mona Al Marri said “Sheryl was excited to meet Emirati women leaders and get to know their experience in supporting women, and we congratulate Meta for opening its regional headquarters in Dubai Internet City.”

She highlighted that gender balance, equal opportunities and easy access to services were some of the main principles on which the UAE was founded, and the UAE Gender Balance Council was established in 2015 to further enhance this process and accelerate its achievements in this field.

These efforts have been realised, and the UAE has been leading the region in competitiveness indicators and relevant global reports over the past years, most recently in the ‘Women, Business and the Law’ 2021 report issued by the World Bank, achieving a full mark (100 points) across five areas: freedom of mobility, work, wages, entrepreneurship, and pension.

UAE Gender Balance Council, Meta discuss cooperation

Other notable achievements include the UAE leading the region and climbing to eighteenth place globally in gender equality in a report issued by the United Nations Development Programme in 2020.

Mona Al Marri added that Emirati women have made tangible achievements in leadership positions across various fields; including space, AI, advanced technology, innovation and future sectors, and have influential contributions to various paths of social and economic development.

ALSO READ: ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’

Ohood Al Roumi and Hessa Buhumaid commended the great efforts of Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed in regard to gender balance, which led to considerable progress in the UAE and enhanced the country’s position globally, stressing that this subject is a priority in the country’s future strategies, and translates the vision and directives of the UAE’s wise leadership.

Sheryl Sandberg praised the UAE’s efforts in supporting women and its advanced global position in gender balance matters, adding that it is one of the most inspiring and globally acclaimed experiences in benefitting from women’s capabilities to achieve significant sustainable development at all levels, saying, “We are delighted that Emirati women have assumed some of the most prestigious positions and have achieved success across fields including technology and artificial intelligence.”

She added, “I am pleased today to meet with ministers and women leaders and exchange visions and ideas on what women can achieve in light of the increasing global trend towards relying on artificial intelligence and the virtual world, which is what Meta is currently focusing on through its various applications. We are also pleased that Meta and the UAE Gender Balance Council share the same vision in supporting inclusive societies and sustainable development goals, and we deeply appreciate the efforts of the council, led by H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to support women and gender balance globally.”

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UAE to launch gender balance strategy

Sheikha Manal noted that the UAE Gender Balance Council has succeeded over the past five years in turning its objectives into tangible achievements, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

A Gender Balance Strategy will be launched in the UAE over the coming few days, said Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and wife of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

She added that it’s inspired by the nation’s strategy for the next 50 years as directed by President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to enhance the country’s global competitiveness in various fields.

Sheikha Manal noted that the UAE Gender Balance Council has succeeded over the past five years in turning its objectives into tangible achievements in line with the vision and directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to make the UAE one of the world’s top 25 countries on the UNDP Human Development Report 2021 Gender Inequality Index.

ALSO READ: Women Power 2022

Established in 2015, the UAE Gender Balance Council is a federal entity responsible for developing and implementing the gender balance agenda in the United Arab Emirates. Its objectives are to reduce the gender gap across all government sectors, enhance the UAE’s ranking in global competitiveness reports on gender equality and achieve gender balance in decision-making positions, as well as promote the UAE’s status as a benchmark for gender balance legislation. It also launches pioneering initiatives and projects to enhance gender balance throughout the country and contribute to achieving the Council’s vision of positioning the UAE as a world model for gender balance.

Sheikha Fatima’s efforts

Emirati women’s faces illuminate Expo 2020

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day (IWD), Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, hailed the efforts of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, who supports women wherever they are.

He also expressed his pride and appreciation for Sheikha Fatima’s vision and pioneering initiatives to eliminate all social and economic obstacles hindering women’s progress, both domestic and international, and her keenness to assist the development and empowerment of women to occupy leading positions within the community.

Celebrating International Women’s Day is an ideal opportunity to explore women’s efforts and sacrifices and the achievements accomplished by the country’s leadership related to women’s empowerment, Sheikh Nahyan added.

ALSO READ: Emirati women’s faces illuminate Expo 2020

He stressed that Emirati women are living in their golden era, and noted that the country’s women’s empowerment journey began under the historic leadership of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The leadership is continuing to support women, who are now effectively contributing to the process of comprehensive national development, he further added.

He highlighted his wishes for Emirati women to continue their successful journey and contribute to the country’s progress, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

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-Top News UK News

Supreme Court rejects gender-neutral passports

The judges, though, said the lack of a gender-neutral option “does not unjustifiably breach articles 8 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights”…reports Asian Lite News.

Five judges at Britain’s Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a legal challenge against a government policy not to allow gender-neutral passports.

Christie Elan-Cane, who does not identify as either male or female, argued that Britain’s passport application process was “inherently discriminatory”.

Individuals only have a choice of “male” or “female” on the application, with no option to put “X” for “unspecified” — an alternative introduced in several other countries.

But the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the appeal, ruling that a person’s identity could be confirmed using the form and checking it against other official documents.

That included birth, adoption or gender recognition certificates, said judge Robert Reed in the ruling.

“It is therefore gender recognised for legal purposes and recorded in those documents which is relevant,” he added.

The case was brought on the grounds that the government breached legal rights to a private life and not to face gender or sex discrimination.

The judges, though, said the lack of a gender-neutral option “does not unjustifiably breach articles 8 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights”.

Elan-Cane, who has campaigned on the issue for 25 years, had earlier lost cases in lower courts.

The activist, who uses the pronouns “per/per/perself”, said the government and courts were “on the wrong side of history”.

“This is not the end,” the campaigner wrote on Twitter, promising to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Countries including Canada, Australia, Denmark, Germany, Malta, Nepal and Pakistan all now issue passports with options other than male and female.

ALSO READ-UK to issue fishing licenses to 25 more European ships

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-Top News PAKISTAN

JI calls for overhaul of trans laws

Pic credits IANS

The JI’s proposed amendment bill opposes this provision of the constitution and calls for formation of a gender reassignment board to suggest to NADRA, which should decide if a person can go through a gender change and be reassigned. …reports Hamza Ameer

Pakistans largest religious political party, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has presented a bill, seeking an amendment in the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018 and has called for formation of a medical board to justify if a person should go through a gender change or seek reassignment with reference to ones identity.

The bill, presented in the upper house (Senate) demands a debate on the matter and want to amend the law along with a formation of a gender reassignment board, which should work with the country’s National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA).

The law, as it currently stands, states: “A person recognized as transgender.. shall have the right to get himself or herself registered as per self-perceived gender identity with all government departments including, but not limited to, NADRA.”

Pic credits TWITTER

The JI’s proposed amendment bill opposes this provision of the constitution and calls for formation of a gender reassignment board to suggest to NADRA, which should decide if a person can go through a gender change and be reassigned.

As per details of the proposed bill, the formation of the board should be established at district levels after the approval of the Prime Minister and the respective Chief Ministers of all provinces.

ALSO READ: Plummeting Pakistani rupee reveals deeper economic problems

“Each board should comprise of professor doctor, a psychologist, a male general surgeon, a female general surgeon and a chief medical officer,” read the proposed bill.

The proposed bill also seeks a strict ban on surgeries for gender reassignment of any other treatment that change genital features, as they may be done on the basis of psychological disorder or gender dysphoria.

Pic credits IANS

“The law in its present form could lead to the legalisation of homosexual marriages… The law violates the dignity of Muslim women,” stated the proposed bill.

The Senator, who presented the bill, stated that deeming gender identity a personal matter is contrary to the teachings of Islam, adding that the current law allows any person to get themselves registered as a man or a women not on the basis of their biology but their personal thoughts.

In Pakistan, at least 28,00 cases of gender change have been processed in the past three years. NADRA has been allegedly changing the genders of people on a single request.

The JI proposed bill was opposed by Federal Minister on Human Rights Shireen Mazari, who stated that the amendment is aimed at victimiSing the transgender community while the current law gives them right to identity.

“Till date, not a single complaint has been received regarding the misuse of this law,” she said.

The senate has sent ahead the proposed amendment bill to relevant authorities and has sought a reply from them to take the debate forward.

However, the bill is being criticised for targeted victimition of the transgender community, who already suffer discrimination from the society at large in the country.

ALSO READ: Kashmiris back to their roots

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‘Facebook job ads biased against women’

Researchers at University of Southern California found that Facebook’s ad delivery system biased against women…reports Asian Lite News

The ad delivery system of Facebook is biased towards women, showing them different job listings than it shows to men, a new study has revealed.

Researchers at University of Southern California found that Facebook’s ad delivery system discriminates against women, reports The Verge.

The team of researchers bought ads on Facebook for delivery driver job listings that had similar qualification requirements but for different companies.

The findings showed that Facebook targeted the Instacart delivery job to more women and the Domino’s delivery job to more men.

According to the researchers, Instacart has more female drivers but Domino’s has more male drivers.

“Facebook’s ad delivery can result in skew of job ad delivery by gender beyond what can be legally justified by possible differences in qualifications,” the researchers wrote, “thus strengthening the previously raised arguments that Facebook’s ad delivery algorithms may be in violation of anti-discrimination laws.”

Facebook. (File Photo: IANS)
Also read:Gender inequalities on art of writing

In a similar experiment on Microsoft-owned LinkedIn, the researchers found that the professional networking platform showed the Domino’s listing to as many women as it showed the Instacart ad.

A Facbeek spokesperson said in a sttaement that their system takes into account “many signals to try and serve people ads they will be most interested in, but we understand the concerns raised in the report”.

“We’ve taken meaningful steps to address issues of discrimination in ads and have teams working on ads fairness today. We’re continuing to work closely with the civil rights community, regulators, and academics on these important matters,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying.

This is not the first time Facebook has faced allegations over gender bias in its algorithms.

In 2017, a joint investigation by US-based non-profit organisation ProPublica and The New York Times found companies like Verizon, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Target and Facebook place recruitment ads limited to particular age groups.

Another ProPublica probe found that Facebook allowed housing advertisers to target audiences by race and exclude minorities, raising questions about whether the company is in compliance with federal fair housing rules that prohibit such discrimination.

Facebook, however, called it a “technical failure”.

Also read:61 lakh Indians hit by Facebook data leak