Women’s empowerment needs a people-centred economy

Recently linked in Siyanda, new thoughts from a group of researchers on how women can truly become empowered in our world — “a system where the well-being of people is the goal and commodity production the means – rather than vice versa.”
Here’s the short summary:
In 2006 the World Bank coined the slogan ‘Gender equality is [...]

American Nuns Under the Vatican Microscope | Religion & Theology | ReligionDispatches

American Nuns Under the Vatican Microscope | Religion & Theology | ReligionDispatches
The Vatican is investigating US Women religious, concerned that nuns are not in line on issues like same-sex love, women’s priestly ministry, and interreligious dialogue. But this time they’ve gone too far.
The Vatican is up to its old tricks, investigating US women religious. Its [...]

Not for kids only

New NBER Research study: What is needed to increase the number of female students in fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)? Hire more Women Profs.

Thanks to Carol, a friend who is both a feminist and a physicist, for alerting me to these related articles on the needs and issues faced by female students entering STEM fields.
The first artcle is from the daily Web publication Slate which is owned by The Washington Post Company.
A Formula for Success : Want more [...]

Men’s Support Key to Creating Gender Diversity in the Workplace, According to Catalyst Report : Catalyst

Catalyst Inc. just produced a new research report, interviewing many men in business about the role of women and gender equality. Very interesting findings. There are men who do not believe that allowing women into the workplace is a zero-sum game. And there are cultures in the workplace that both encourage and discourage the growth [...]

Souter’s Replacement: What’s in the balance?

National Women’s Law Center
More great information from the NWLC.  See the link above for more information. Below find the kind of quality information gathering they are doing for women. Thank you, NWLC!

The Supreme Court: Every Vote Counts (May 2009)
Fact Sheet: Justice Souter’s Important Role in Protecting Women’s Legal Rights (May 2009)
Fact Sheet: Women in the [...]

freedomhouse.org: Women’s Rights Survey

Freedom House has been in existence since 1941. They looks at many aspects of freedom around the globe. This study of Women’s Rights in the Middle East and North African countries (MENA) is set to be completed by fall of 2009. Statistics so far are very telling.
“It is vital that MENA countries more urgently recognize [...]

Fair Pay: Falling Short in Every State

Fair Pay
Today, April 28, 2009, is Equal Pay Day. Below find startling data collected by the National Women’s Law Center.

Falling Short in Every State:
The Wage Gap and Harsh Economic Realities for Women Persist

In the United States, women are paid only
78¢
on average for every dollar paid to men.

More than 45 years ago, President Kennedy signed the Equal [...]

Fair Pay:

Fair Pay
Speak to your legislators! Use the link above to send your email in support of the Paycheck Fairness Act. The Equal Pay Act, already passed by Congress has weaknesses that this follow up act will cover. According the the Nationals Women’s Law Center, these problems are addressed in the new act:
The Paycheck Fairness Act, [...]

Afghanistan Women’s Struggle: Sitara Achakzai & Mary Wollstonecraft

Let women be Enlightened
Helen Irving
April 24, 2009
The assassination of a leading Afghan women’s rights activist, Sitara Achakzai, this month was yet another tragic reminder that equality between the sexes is far from accepted in the world today. Achakzai, who spent the years of Taliban rule in exile in Europe, returned to her country five years [...]