Self-exiled blogger Hilath speaks at UN Human Rights Council

Maldivian journalist and blogger Ismail ‘Hilath’ Rasheed last week spoke at the United Nation’s Palace of Nations during the 21st session of the Human Rights Council (HRC).

Judicial statistics show 90 percent of those convicted for fornication are female

Almost 90 percent of the people found guilty of “Zina” – fornication – and sentenced to flogging in 2011 were female, according to new statistics published by the Department of Judicial Administration last week.

CCHDC backs sex education in schools to combat rising sexual health problems

Age appropriate sexual and reproductive health education needs to taught in schools to combat the increasing “sexual health illnesses” in the Maldives, according to the Centre for Community Health and Disease Control (CCHDC)..

Sheikhs obsessed with homosexuality

Juma sermon once again listed homosexuality in a list of sins that included alcohol and gambling.

Born Free and Equal: a new publication of the UN Human Rights Office

The UN Human Rights Office has released a new publication on sexual orientation and gender identity in international human rights law Download and read the publication here The UN Human Rights Office has released a new publication on sexual orientation and gender identity in international human rights law.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Will There Be A Gender Ministry In The New Cabinet?

10:11 PM Editor No comments

JUNE 30, 2010

The mass resignation of the entire Cabinet of the Maldives has shocked the country and created an intense debate on the possible implications of this staged political drama. Speculation is rife about the possible changes that would be brought to the new Cabinet. While it is too early to say whether President Nasheed would choose to appoint fresh faces to the Cabinet, it is a timely and relevant question to ask if there will be any new portfolios in the Cabinet.

One of the changes that the first democratically elected government of the Maldives brought to the Cabinet, after assuming office in November 2008, was abolishing the Gender Ministry. The roles and functions of the former Gender Ministry were assigned to a Department running under the Ministry of Health. It remains debatable whether this department has been able to function according to its mandate, protect the women and children of the Maldives, and counter the rising tide of misogyny and violence against women.

At a time when the fate of this department itself is uncertain, perhaps it could be wishful thinking to hope for a Gender Ministry in the structure of the next Cabinet. It could also be a mere wish to think there would be no Islamic Ministry in the new Cabinet, even though the ministry — handcrafted for the political ambitions of a particular political party — has created so much divisions in our society. The least we could hope for is to have more women in the next Cabinet of the Maldivian government, rather than the lone face of Aminath Jameel, heading the Ministry of Health, and that spineless department assigned with the gigantic task of protecting the Maldivian women.


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Thursday, June 3, 2010

Minivan News rejects absurd Adhaalath allegations following DhiTV broadcast

3:05 AM Editor No comments


Minivan News rejects absurd claims published on the Adhaalath Party website on May 30 that we are running “a campaign” against corporate support of a cultural event organised by Islamic NGO Jammiyyathu Salaf, ‘The Call’ 2010.

The Adhaalath Party fails to distinguish between ‘coverage’ and ‘support’ of an event, in this instance a letter-writing campaign by feminist group Rehendhi. Minivan News has no links to Rehendhi and this represents a leap in logic akin to suggesting that by covering a tsunami disaster, we are promoting tsunamis.

The Adhaalath Party further claims that Minivan News is conspiring with Rehendhi to promote “national sissyness” and “lesbian relations among women”.

Minivan News has translated and published these allegations in their entirety, allowing our readers to make up their own minds about these ridiculous and bizarre claims.

We also understand that as homosexuality is a criminal offence in the Maldives, such false allegations are strong grounds for a defamation suit.

We were disappointed to learn today that DhiTV has aired this Adhaalath Party statement without contacting Minivan News for comment. ‘Both sides of the story’ is a central tenet of journalism and Maldivians have a right to demand a higher standard from their news media.

Furthermore, Minivan News also rejects DhiTV’s echoing of the Adhaalath Party’s claims that we are connected to the current government.

This is due to frequent confusion with the now defunct Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) newspaper ‘Minivan Daily’, a confusion DhiTV is aware of but has seen no need to clarify.

Unlike most media outlets in the Maldives, Minivan News has no active links with the current government, former government or big business interests, and is entirely self-funded through banner advertising. This allows us to report fairly and impartially on all issues affecting the Maldives, without fear or favour.
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