Safe World for Women

Katerva Awards

Womens Rights: Americas

Pentagon Estimates 26,000 Sexual Assaults in U.S. Military Last Year

The U.S. Department of Defence annoiunced that reported cases of sexual assault in the U.S. military last year rose again to 3,374, a six percent increase over…

Brazil: Boy Band on Trial for Gang Rape But Still Free to Play

The Brazilian boy band, New Hit, are on trial for the rape of two teenage girls... The band was formally accused... but are free and performing in shows all…

Congress sends Violence Against Women Act to Obama

President Obama said Thursday he will sign the sweeping expansion of the Violence Against Women Act, following a House vote to renew the law and bring gays,…

Canada: Abusive Policing, Neglect Along ‘Highway of Tears’

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in northern British Columbia has failed to protect indigenous women and girls from violence, Human Rights Watch said in a…

Hyper sexual Carnival atmosphere has a dark side for Rio's women

The notorious festival encourages the objectification of women and during the weeks of the party there is an increase in sexual violence and hate crimes.

How serial killer William Pickton, shone light on plight of Vancouver's First Nation women

Women vanish from Vancouver’s grimy Downtown Eastside with numbing regularity. But the fact a disproportionate number are of First Nations origin has plunged…

Gang Rape - Not Just in India

Last year in Brazil, five women were gang-raped as a birthday “gift” to one of the men. Two of the women were murdered. The crime shocked the 40,000 people of…

Missing Women Inquiry Blames Systemic Bias by Police

“I have come to conclusion that there was systemic bias by the police,” The inquiry's head, Wally Oppal said. “It was important for me to understand the…

Canada Must Investigate Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women

"Epidemic of violence against indigenous women and girls in Canada is a national problem, and it demands a national inquiry" says Meghan Rhoad, women’s rights…

USA: Rapists Escape Prosecution - Backlog of Rape Kit Tests

In New York City, where the rape kit backlog has been eliminated, its arrest rate for rape jumped from 40% to 70%. But thousands of rape kit results remain…

Veracruz – a Black Hole for Women and Men in Mexico

In Xalapa, the capital of Veracruz., fear is in the air. “Women are disappearing, but so are boys and girls, teenagers and young men, and, especially in…

Argentina Supreme Court OK’s sex slave’s abortion

Argentina’s Supreme Court has ruled that a woman rescued from a prostitution ring must be allowed to have the abortion she wants, and chastised the public…

Privatisation of Justice in the USA

Outsourcing punishment to the private sector constitutes a privatization of justice itself.

US Congressman talks about 'legitimate' rape

U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akinof Missouri says he "misspoke" when he said rape victims have a natural ability to avoid pregnancy if the rape is "legitimate."

USA: Anti-Violence Act Halted, Native American Provision Up in the Air

As the US Congress prepares to take its recess, its two houses remain divided over the Violence Against Women Act and, in particular, a section expanding…

Mexico: A Machista Culture of Corruption and Violence?

The violence epidemic against women in Mexico is being compounded by the failings of the justice system, which passes sentence in only 1 percent of the small…

Argentina's Parliament of Women

Buenos Aires recently established a new body within the city legislature to handle bills that address women’s issues. Called the Parlamento de Mujeres, it…

Brazil: The policewoman working to improve Rio slums

Kidnapped in a Rio favela (shantytown) five years ago, Brazilian policewoman Pricilla de Oliveira Azevedo turned the tables on her abductors and arrested them.…

Rape hotline a lifeline for Haitian women

24-hour hotline for survivors of sexual assaults and rape is proving a lifeline for Haitian women and girls, in a country known for its high levels of sexual…

Verdict due in Argentina baby theft trial

An Argentine court is due to deliver its verdict in the trial of former military leaders accused of overseeing the systematic theft of babies from political…