Saudi Women’s Empowerment: Deep pockets, Not Political Activism, is Leading to Independence
Journalist Rob L. Wagner examines the growing wealth of Saudi Arabian women, who under Sharia have complete control of their finances. Changes in commercial and real estate laws have given women more flexibility in investing their money in business opportunities. However, Saudi society is slow to embrace such changes, creating roadblocks for women seeking to develop profitable businesses. Yet changes in Saudi society are coming from young Saudi women who came of age in the post-9/11 era. They are returning from Western universities armed with degrees and expectations that jobs and investment opportunities are available.
The Absence of Women in the Development of International Law: A Critical Women’s Rights Issue
Jerry M’bartee Locula sheds light on the development of international law from a gendered perspective, emphasizing the lack of women’s involvement in the patriarchal global system. Highlighting ways to strengthen the international women’s rights movement, he calls on men to become advocates of gender equality by being outspoken in demanding the inclusion of women’s rights at all levels of international lawmaking.
March for Women’s Lives
George W. Bush didn’t seek office hoping to launch a new wave of the women’s movement. But the president of the United States has angered so many girls and women that he has helped mobilize a national march in the United States to protect women’s rights, the most large and diverse call for protecting women’s rights the US has probably ever seen.
Movement: Women, desertification, participatory democracy, mobile pastoralists, and Iran
In Iran, desertification is the backdrop to some of the most important social issues of the day. Sierra Ramirez analyzes its connection to new democracy movements, nomadic cultures, gender relations, and more.
2011 in Peace and Conflict
The Peace and Conflict Monitor digests some of 2011’s most relevant events in peace and conflict.