Campaign against Sex-Selective Abortion in China
The Chinese government has launched a new campaign against sex-selective abortion in an attempt to solve ‘the Bachelor Crisis’ as there are currently 33 million more men than women in China.
Pre-natal gender testing and sex-selective abortions are currently illegal in China, however the strong cultural bias for sons has meant that female fetuses are sometimes aborted in order to ensure that their one child is a son. The campaign seeks to further tighten controls surrounding medical equipment and medicines used in ultrasounds and abortions, as well as blacklisting any companies that are seen to be complicit or promoting any such activity. Sex-selective abortion is a highly sensitive issue as it is often presented in terms of sexist attitudes towards women and their value within society, as well as considering the morality of conducting abortions.
Some ways to get involved:
- Like this Facebook page to keep up to date with posts, news articles and reports
- Support the #Selfiewithdaughter campaign, where the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the hashtag to try and overcome stigma around girls in India
- Join the ‘Because I am a Girl’ Campaign
Increased violence in Jerusalem
In the past month alone there have been 18 stabbings of Jewish victims in Jerusalem, and three of these attacks occurred within one day. The threat of “knife terror” facing Jerusalem follows on from a turbulent weekend where rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza, and in retaliation the Israel Air Force conducted two strikes on a coastal enclave which killed a pregnant Palestinian woman and her two year-old child. Shortly after gas cylinders were detonated in a car at a checkpoint near Jerusalem injuring the offender and a security guard. There has been rising climate of violence in the region where Israel has been enforcing more and more intrusive policies. The Israel and Palestine conflict has a long and divisive history, in which Jerusalem is often seen as symbol of the struggle between these two agents as they both claim Jerusalem as their capital.
To understand more:
- Read a brief account of the key events surrounding the crisis
- Go to University of Exeter Friends of Palestine weekly informal meetings
- Boycott Israeli settlement products
- Follow the ‘Israel Solidarity Campaign UK’ on Facebook
- Sign up to support ‘Over the Rainbow’ an Israel Solidarity campaign
Oxfam launches ‘We Won’t Live with Poverty’ Campaign
Oxfam has recently launched its ‘We Won’t Live with Poverty’ campaign which calls on everyone to act in order to eradicate extreme poverty. Figures from the World Bank show that the percentage of people earning below $1.25 per day, the definition of extreme poverty, has halved from 36% to 18% in the last 15 years, suggesting that in the next 15 years we may be able to eradicate it altogether. The campaign is especially poignant following the revelation that the richest 1% in society hold nearly half the world’s wealth, and proves that positive change is possible on a global scale.
For every £1 donated to Oxfam, 86p goes directly on projects, 8p on running costs and the final 8p on generating future income.
How you can help:
- Take a look at the Oxfam website for some of the ways they are tackling extreme poverty
- Buy tickets for the on campus OXJAM live music event on the 3rd of November
- Find out more about the University of Exeter Oxfam Society
- Add your face to the giant Oxfam interactive mosaic to pledge support
Exeter City pledges to stand against domestic violence
Exeter City Football Club have recently joined Women’s Aid “Football Against Domestic Violence” Campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness of domestic abuse within the footballing community and sexist attitudes towards women and girls that underpin violence towards them. Exeter City is the second club to sign the pledge to send a clear message that domestic violence is always unacceptable and promote the support mechanisms available to victims. The link between Football Clubs and Women’s Aid is essential in tackling the troubling statistic, in which during the last World Cup, police saw reports by women who have been the victim of domestic violence by their male partner increase by 30%.
How you can help: