Positive prospects amid the pandemic Girls have been given much reason to hope in the Philippines. This November, a historic first, the Senate unanimously approved the Girls Not Brides bill, which proposes to criminalize child marriage. Now the House of Representatives must take this life-saving measure across the finish line before the last step – a presidential veto or approval. There are an estimated 726,000 child brides in the Philippines, making it the 12th highest in the world for child marriage in terms of …
A model law to tackle violence against women
In December Oxfam’s partner in Lebanon, KAFA, launched a ‘Regional Model Law on Violence against Women and Girls in the Arab Countries.’ Here Farah Kobaissy reflects on this historic step for women’s rights in the region. Our region is characterized by gender inequality. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is largely seen as a private issue – to be dealt …