Political crisis in Côte d’Ivoire: The impact on women and women’s rights organizations

FRIDAY FILE: Côte d’Ivoire has been in a political impasse since the declaration of contested results of a second round of presidential elections held in November 2010. Since both candidates claimed victory and have been sworn in, the country has two presidents and two governments.

Female genital mutilation and cosmetic genital surgery: Do they have anything in common?

FRIDAY FILE: At first glance, female genital mutilation and genital surgery carried out for cosmetic purposes might seem intrinsically different. On closer examination, however, they may be more similar than they initially appear.

By Kathambi Kinoti

Women’s Human Rights Defenders: A clear target of violence and repression

FRIDAY FILE: Margaret Sekaggya, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders submitted her third report to the UN Human Rights Council. This report is the first to focus exclusively on the situation of women defenders and those working on women’s rights or gender issues.

By Analía Penchaszadeh

Women’s Movements Present Alternatives at the World Social Forum

FRIDAY FILE: Initiated in opposition to the exclusive World Economic Forum, the World Social Forum(WSF) has, since it began in 2001, become an important space for civil society movements to propose alternatives to the dominant system, under the banner “Another world is possible”.

By Ana Abelenda and Gabriela De Cicco