• • In My Opinion...
  • News Flash
  • Race and Racism

  Best Countries for Women?

  November 14, 2008 • Thea Lim

  Earlier this week Forbes.com published an article on the World Economic Forum’s Best Countries for Women study:

  “Norway, Finland and Sweden are ranked the best countries for gender equality, according to a recent study from the World Economic Forum, the nonprofit organization known for its annual economic summit in Davos, Switzerland, for global leaders. Those Nordic countries and their Western European neighbors account for 16 of the top 30 countries with the greatest gender parity in the world.

  Meanwhile, the U.S. ranked surprisingly low at No. 27, behind Lesotho (No. 16), Mozambique (No. 18) and Moldova (No. 20). Not surprisingly, the worst-ranked countries were sprinkled throughout the Middle East and Asia. Garden spots like Chad (129th), Saudi Arabia (128th) and Pakistan (127th) populated the bottom of the list.”

  It’s a pretty standard article - though I have to say I didn’t share the writer’s CAN YOU BELIEVE THE US IS NOT FIRST??? sentiment. (Annnd I also didn’t care for the flippant way the Middle East and Asia were called out. Not that I’m doubting the numbers, I just don’t like your tone, young man.)

  However, I did have two thoughts:

  (more inside…)

• • Body Politics
  • News Flash

  Anti-choice comes to Ryerson

  November 12, 2008 • Jessica Yee

  An anti-choice archbishop who vocally criticized the appointment of Dr. Henry Morgentaler to the Order of Canada is visiting Ryerson next Thursday.

  Several (amazing) pro-choice students are (rightfully) against the visit.

  The Ryerson Catholic Students’ Association will have an information booth and Archbishop Thomas Collins will be there to answer people’s questions.

  I would also like to personally add that many students at Ryerson have made remarkable efforts to represent themselves as a pro-choice campus that provides equitable education on abortion and reproductive rights issues at large.

  I can name only too many events that they host, are present at, or support where any student can ask questions and get good information on all issues having to do with choice. (And that’s not only because cool people like Judy Rebick and Dr. Cyndy Baskin teach there)

  Thoughts, anyone?

• • News Flash

  We interrupt the US political programming with some Canadiana…

  November 11, 2008 • Jessica Yee

  Some important Canadian political interjection here.

  Two particular things of note that the Conservatives are gathering to discuss at their upcoming policy convention in Winnipeg;

  1) The Human Rights Commission. The Canadian commission’s authority to investigate complaints related to hate messages should be removed. (Umm, I’m sorry, we don’t need to investigate hate crimes anymore? Wtf?!)

  2) The Unborn Victims of Crime Act, or what was formerly known as Bill C484. (That’s right, even though Harper supposedly took it off the table - to win the election - voila, he’s back in power, and SURPRISE, it’s back on their agenda!)

  Thanks Lisa for the reminder!

• • Event Listings
  • News Flash

  Don’t Believe the Hype! Call to Action against Toronto Life’s Misrepresentation of Aqsa Parvez’s Murder

  November 10, 2008 • Thea Lim

  Read Shameless’ take on the Aqsa Parvez murder here.

  Join the Urban Alliance on Race Relations in Calling Toronto Life on their Misrepresentation of Aqsa Parvez’s Murder

  Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 10:30 AM
  YWCA, Main Lounge
  80 Woodlawn Avenue East,
  Toronto

  The December 2008 edition of Toronto Life features the story of Aqsa Parvez, a young Muslim girl who was killed in her home in Mississauga last winter.

  While featuring Aqsa’s story is recognition of a young woman’s life cut tragically short, the Toronto Life article perpetuates common stereotypes about Muslim and immigrant communities, diverting attention from the urgent issue of violence against women across Canada.

  On Tuesday November 11th, join the Urban Alliance on Race Relations in a “Don’t’ Believe the Hype” Campaign! The group is asking you to raise your voice on the important issue of violence against women, racism, and Islamophobia.

  Get Involved in Three Ways!

  (more inside…)

• • News Flash

  Propositions Passed and Failed

  November 5, 2008 • Stacey May Fowles

  Feministing’s got a convenient breakdown of the ballot initiatives that passed and failed as a result of yesterday’s election. While much of what’s been reported is good news for women’s reproductive rights (abortion bans and the idea of “granting fertilized eggs full rights” were widely rejected), it’s a sad day for the rights of our gay neighbours.

  Word is now out that California’s hotly contested Proposition 8 narrowly passed, which eliminates the rights of gays to marry in California. Along with Prop 8 a number of gay marriage bans and a ban on gay adoption were accepted.

  I have lots to say on how completely mindblowing it is that citizens would vote to repeal the marriage and family rights of their neighbours, but in the interest of not delivering a ranting, emotional cry-fest of a speech, I’ll open the floor to you. What do you think about the victory of these pro-choice decisions and the tragedy of these anti-gay decisions?

  Also, special congratulations go to Shameless’ Jessica Yee, who I know has been working very hard for a very long time for women’s rights in South Dakota.

• • News Flash

  Obamarama!

  November 5, 2008 • Megan Griffith-Greene

  Obama is the president elect. Holy crap!

  For weeks now, I’ve been superstitiously yelling at anyone who said this was a sure thing, and now, exhausted from anxiety and the memory of four years ago, I’m absolutely, shamelessly delighted. And emotional.

  Also: South Dakota defeated the proposed abortion ban. Hurrah!

  More to say tomorrow. Now the sweet dreams of victory!

• • News Flash

  The Big Day

  November 4, 2008 • Stacey May Fowles

  So it’s finally the big day. In ten hours the first polls close.

  So, what are you doing today? (You know, besides voting if you can.) Let us know in the comments.

• • News Flash

  Listen to the children

  October 29, 2008 • Stacey May Fowles

  Market Watch reports that the children have spoken:

  Senator Barack Obama has been declared the winner of Nickelodeon’s 2008 Kids Pick the President “Kids’ Vote”. A record-breaking number of votes — upwards of 2.2 million — were cast in the network’s online poll. Nickelodeon has held a “Kids’ Vote” every election year since 1988, and kids have correctly predicted the winner in four out of the last five U.S. presidential campaigns.

  

  

  Image from Yes We Can (Hold Babies) http://yeswecanholdbabies.wordpress.com/

  Via elle, phd.

  Also, check out this Girls 4 Obama post at Shakesville for some (adorable and tear jerkin’) pics of, dare I say, Girls Who Get It.

  How excited about, obsessed with, or completely over the US presidential election is everyone?

  (Psst, there’s a bonus pic I couldn’t resist posting after the jump.)

  (more inside…)

• • Activist Report
  • Body Politics
  • News Flash

  Sex ed starting in kindergarten to become mandatory in England

  October 26, 2008 • Jessica Yee

  From the Canadian Press:

  “With one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in Europe, the British government is bringing sex education to all schools in England, including kindergarten-age children. While countries like France, Holland and China already require sex education, few places demand that it be introduced at such a young age.

  English schools now are required to teach basic lessons on reproduction as part of the science curriculum. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have separate education departments and standards. Only Scotland makes sex education voluntary.

  The government hasn’t detailed what the new curriculum will look like, but schools will be asked to provide lessons on relationships and contraception, topics not previously required. Lessons will become more sophisticated as kids get older.”

• • News Flash

  Mortgage Crisis Backgrounder

  October 23, 2008 • Catherine Hayday

  Being ignorant drives me crazy, so it stung when the world pitched into an economic crisis and I didn’t have the foggiest idea why. Not a very empowering feeling.

  Then I found these: two episodes of This American Life detailing, in plain language, exactly what the hell was going on (and the all important “why”). You can stream both episodes, for free, from the pages below.

  Part I: The Giant Pool of Money

  Part II: Another Frightening Show About the Economy

  As the loonie plunges below $0.80 to the USD (not necessarily a bad thing), it seems like a good time to do a bit of reading (or listening).

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