Highlights of 2008 Election
Women’s eNews turned its spotlight onto the 2008 general election and the race for the presidency, taking a special look at races that either feature women as candidates or where women’s rights are a key issue.
Japan
Latest in Japan
Battered New Yorker Sues Employer for Firing Her
A New York day-care director was fired after she was abused by her ex-husband. Suing her employer under a little-tried 2003 city law, she joins a push for battered workers’ rights. Third in our “Dangerous Trends, Innovative Responses” series.
Court’s Abortion Ruling Undercuts Roe
The Supreme Court’s decision Wednesday upholding a law banning some abortions after 12 weeks, without a health exception, dismayed reproductive health advocates.
Japan’s Contrite Husbands Rush to Marriage Rescue
Some husbands in Japan are banding together to help each other change their marital habits, keep their wives and curtail the national decline in marriage rates. The group’s founder says he saved his own marriage by learning to take out the garbage.
With Courage, Chidiac Returns to Lebanon Airwaves
Since losing an arm and a leg in a bomb blast meant to kill her, Lebanese journalist May Chidiac returned this summer to television and her trademark criticisms of Syrian involvement in her homeland. She has received two major press freedom awards.
Chick Flicks Need More Good Guys (Like Me)
Chick flicks aren’t just for the chicks, says commentator Nevyn O’Kane. But he wishes that the pattern of women falling for bad guys who subsume their careers and autonomy would change and give nice, open-minded guys like him more limelight.
Tokyo’s Anime Cafes Serve Gender-Role Fantasies
Tokyo’s campy his-and-her cafes–inspired by the multi-billion-dollar high-tech fantasy culture of anime–are all the rage. At new “butler” cafes, deferential men serve tea to women. But cafes offering female subservience are far more prevalent.
Moscow Can’t Leave a Young Single Woman Alone
While working in Moscow, journalist Mariya Rasner struggled to find time on her own. It was difficult because in Russian loneliness and solitude mean the same thing and young women trying to take a relaxed stroll are taken as figures of dejection.
Peru Campaign Quiet on Reproductive Issues
In Peru, which has one of the highest illegal abortion rates in Latin America, the sole female presidential candidate is out of the race and women’s groups say sexual and reproductive rights have been missing from the campaign season.
