The Gender Gap in the MENA Region
Rebecca O’Keeffe Every year since 2006 the World Economic Forum releases a Global Gender Gap report which measures the difference between women and men in four areas: politics, economics, education, and health. This year 146 countries were analysed, 102 of which have been featured since the report’s inception making it a pretty constant and consistent…
Women, life, freedom: For Iran, for all women
This piece was written by Lina AbiRafeh, Rebecca O’Keeffe, and Maryam from Iran *last name withheld for her own safety. Originally posted here. Mahsa Amini was 22. Her name is now well known. She is the fire that ignited a feminist revolution in Iran. Amini was killed by the so-called Morality Police for improperly wearing…
Gender (in)Equality: Going for Gold?
Rebecca O’Keeffe The International Olympic Committee has declared these Olympic Winter Games to be the “most gender-balanced” to date with women constituting 45% of athletes. These Beijing games will feature the highest number of women’s events, four new mixed-gender events, and full gender balance will be achieved for the first time in several events thanks to changes…
Violence Against Women in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Lifeline
Rebecca O’Keeffe The podcast Essential Voices with Wilmer Valderrama recently released an episode called ‘Lifelines’ which discussed sexual and domestic violence and the particular effect COVID has had on this issue. The episode featured essential worker Solange Ramkissoon; actor and advocate Gabrielle Union; and gender-based violence expert Lina AbiRafeh. Solange Ramkissoon described her work as…
12th Anniversary of the Haitian Earthquake: The Need for a Gendered Approach to Recovery
Rebecca O’ Keeffe Yesterday, January 12th, marked twelve years since the devastating Haitian earthquake where it is estimated over 250,000 people lost their lives, about 300,000 people were injured, and 1.5 million people were displaced. In fact, one-third of the population were affected by the earthquake—one of the deadliest on record. A country already fragile,…
Yalla Feminists! 