1/2+0.5=1

India News: Virginity Tests on Rape Victims.

September 6, 2010

Women hold placards during a protest in New Delhi.

(Mumbai) - Many Indian hospitals routinely subject rape survivors to forensic examinations that include the unscientific and degrading “finger” test, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. It urged the Indian government to ban the practice, used to determine whether the rape survivor is “habituated” to sexual intercourse, as it reforms its laws on sexual violence.

The practice, described in outdated medical jurisprudence textbooks used by many doctors, lawyers, and judges, involves a doctor inserting fingers in a rape victim’s vagina to determine the presence or absence of the hymen and the so-called “laxity” of the vagina. These findings perpetuate false and damaging stereotypes of rape survivors as “loose” women. Defense attorneys use the findings to challenge the credibility, character, and the lack of consent of the survivors.

Finger test findings are scientifically baseless because an “old tear” of the hymen or variation of the “size” of the hymenal orifice can be due to reasons unrelated to sex. Carried out without informed consent, the test would constitute an assault, and is a form of inhuman and degrading treatment, Human Rights Watch said.

In addition to feeling the revisited pain of the rape, and the physical pain from this examination, the news that a women is “loose” in any culture has negative effects on the women or child’s life when she returns to her family or her village. Men will not marry her and women will shun her, which are just a few things that could happen in addition to physical and additional emotional abuse.

Information found via Human Rights Watch.

11.23.10 ♥ 0

Watch DEAR OBAMA: Message from Victims of the LRA.

Via Human Rights Watch Youtube channel.

11.19.10 ♥ 1

Dear Obama: A Message from the LRA’s Victims.

Child Soldiers, Other Victims in Central Africa Share Personal Stories

During its recent investigation of the Lord’s Resistance Army’s (LRA) crimes, Human Rights Watch researchers noticed hundreds of people in the Central African Republic wearing t-shirts bearing US President Barack Obama’s image. For them, and for LRA victims in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Obama is a hero. Many even had personal messages for him.

In May, Obama signed into law legislation requiring the US to develop a strategy to protect civilians from the LRA and to stop the rebel group’s violence. The new strategy is due by November 24.

Between May and September, our researchers spoke with hundreds of the rebel group’s victims, taking their testimony, and recording their messages to Obama and other world leaders.

The LRA has carried out horrific atrocities across central Africa. It reinforces its numbers by abducting children, who are then forced to fight and kill. Across northern Congo, southern Sudan, and CAR, the LRA has killed 2,385 people in the past two years and caused more than 400,000 to flee their villages and abandon their fields.

Even in the crush of politics at home, President Obama should respond to the cries of the LRA’s victims. His leadership is needed with other governments to protect civilians and arrest those responsible for the LRA’s war crimes.

Watch the video DEAR OBAMA, located here.

Information found via Human Rights Watch.

11.19.10 ♥ 2

Half The Sky.

I highly recommend Half The Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide, for everyone who has an interest in World Studies with an emphasis on Women… and who doesn’t want to be 100% depressed at the end of the book. =)

Each Women had a heart wrentching story of the trials and tribulations that had happened throughout their lives and yet the overwhelming feeling of hope leaped off each page. Each women, with a little help, turned oppression into opportunity.

That is what made this book special, the facts were all there and yet so were the stories. For me the facts helped to feel detached from the emotions you feel when you read about the sex trafficking around the world or the brutal rapes in the Congo and the Honor Killings in the Middle East. I feel that detachment is essential when pursuing this type of work.

Real life stories help you connect emotionally to the people you want to help which, in turn, makes you invested personally in the cause. Facts help you keep a clear head when making decisions, its the cold hard facts that allow you to get things done. Having both sides of the spectrum is important for an equal balance.

Please consider this book and keep in mind that at the end of the book there are websites you can visit to help the wide range of global problems that Women and Children face. I promise you wont be disappointed.

11.16.10 ♥ 1

The Chimney Sweeper by William Blake.

The Chimney Sweeper

When my mother died I was very young,
And my father sold me while yet my tongue,
Could scarcely cry weep weep weep weep,
So your chimneys I sweep & in soot I sleep.

Theres little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head
That curled like a lambs back was shav’d, so I said.
Hush Tom never mind it, for when your head’s bare,
You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair

And so he was quiet. & that very night.
As Tom was a sleeping he had such a sight
That thousands of sweepers Dick, Joe, Ned, & Jack
Were all of them lock’d up in coffins of black,

And by came an Angel who had a bright key
And he open’d the coffins & set them all free.
Then down a green plain leaping laughing they run
And wash in a river and shine in the Sun.

Then naked & white, all their bags left behind.
They rise upon clouds, and sport in the wind.
And the Angel told Tom, if he’d be a good boy,
He’d have God for his father & never want joy.

And so Tom awoke and we rose in the dark
And got with our bags & our brushes to work.
Tho’ the morning was cold, Tom was happy & warm
So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.

The Chimney Sweeper
William Blake

This goes to show that if you have a positive goal, or even just a powerful dream of hope, that you can be warm in the coldest of situations. You can see the light even when it feels like your world is blacked out with hard times. The power of positive thought is so much more powerful then you can imagine. Dont have the courage? Dream of another version of yourself, one that has the quality you desire. And when you think you cant do it, go back to that place and remember that it is possible.

11.15.10 ♥ 0

New.

I have added a lot of new things to this Tumblr.

The name formally known as Iampowerful, is now 1/2+0.5=1.
The domain name is now onehalfpluspointfiveequalsone.tumblr.com
The Tumblr blog description has changed (although not italicised, is written by me).
A profile image was added and credit was given.
The Tumblr theme has changed to make the posts easier on the eyes.

What has stayed the same?

The format should remain the same.
All italicised words are written by me to keep the fact and opinion line clear.
The primary focus of this blog is still on Women and Children although I am going to start posting information on Males as well.
Here is a refresher in case you aren’t clear on the purpose of this blog,

Iampowerful

Empowering Women Worldwide through education.
Education (this includes but is not limited to, academics, health, agriculture and business management) allows women, children and teenagers alike to gain the confidence to stand up for their dignity and rights as valued people of society.
Updating as often as possible with current world events, opinions, pictures, organization information, quotes, and or anything else related to human rights for women.

11.15.10 ♥ 0

Zoom

Profile Picture added.

Credit: Left picture; my own. Right picture;Steve McCurry.

11.15.10 ♥ 0

Mexico News:

Mexico: Supreme Court Protects Rape Victims

Ruling Ensures Their Access to Emergency Contraception and Abortion

May 27, 2010

Related Materials:
Mexico: The Second Assault (Click link to read the report)

The Supreme Court’s decision protects women’s rights. The state should not force rape victims to suffer an imposed pregnancy.
José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director

(New York) – In a landmark decision today, Mexico’s Supreme Court required all of the country’s states to distribute emergency contraception and to provide access to abortion for rape victims. The decision affirms women’s rights to health and life by enabling rape victims to avoid forced pregnancies, Human Rights Watch said.

“The Supreme Court’s decision protects women’s rights,” said José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. “The state should not force rape victims to suffer an imposed pregnancy.”

The Supreme Court’s decision came in response to a challenge brought by the state of Jalisco to a February 2009 federal health directive (NOM-046-SSA2-2005) that requires health workers to offer emergency contraception and legal abortion to rape victims.

In a report released in 2006, “The Second Assault,” Human Rights Watch documented the severe mental distress and suffering of women and girls who became pregnant as the result of rape. The distress deepened as rape victims routinely found little support for their plight in the justice and health systems, the report found.

Information found here via Human Rights Watch.

06.13.10 ♥ 0

CARE 2010 National Conference.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers keynote address at CARE’s 2010 National Conference and Celebration. She spoke about food security, maternal health, global poverty, and nutrition.

Video found here.

06.13.10 ♥ 1

CARE’s Mission and Approach:

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives.CARE also helps many of the most world’s most vulnerable communities adapt to the effects of climate change.

Women are the answer to the well being and care of their families. Just think what all can be accomplished when they are given the tools to better their lives and communities. Its just so amazing… I still cant get over it.

Also, I want to apologize for the lack of posts lately. I am preparing to take my finals in the next couple of weeks, so I am a bit scattered. Look back every so often, because new posts are sure to come in the Summer.

06.08.10 ♥ 0