Sexual violence

Nathalie Vilgrain, sixth from left, is the head of Marijàn, a feminist organization in Port-Au-Prince that is sheltering about 150 women who have been displaced by sexual violence.

In Haiti, sexual violence is devastating women and girls

Gender-based violence has become a systematic problem in Haiti, with rape incidents on the rise. Activists say the documented cases are just the tip of the iceberg.

In Haiti, sexual violence is devastating women and girls
The site of a music festival near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel, on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.

Rape is ‘the most neglected war crime,’ sexual violence expert says

Rape is ‘the most neglected war crime,’ sexual violence expert says
portrait photo of a woman

'She is the evolution of reggaeton': The rise of trans Puerto Rican artist Villano Antillano

'She is the evolution of reggaeton': The rise of trans Puerto Rican artist Villano Antillano
close-up shot of Honduran President Castro wearing a mask

Honduras' first female leader faces tough times

Honduras' first female leader faces tough times
two women

'It's time that we face the issue': #MeToo movement gains momentum in Taiwan

'It's time that we face the issue': #MeToo movement gains momentum in Taiwan
Photo of Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te

Taiwan's political parties beset by sexual harassment allegations

Taiwan is having a #MeToo reckoning about sexual harassment in politics, several years after other parts of the world. Despite the relatively high number of women in public office, many instances of sexual harassment in the political scene have been ignored or covered up.

Taiwan's political parties beset by sexual harassment allegations
Belongings of Halima Ali Maiyanga and Maryam Ali Maiyanga, two of the young women kidnapped by Boko Haram in a boarding school in Chibok, Nigeria, in April 2014.

'The Stolen Daughters of Chibok': the impact of the abduction of Nigerian schoolgirls 9 years on

Author and human rights activist Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode documented the heartbreaking stories of the Chibok families nine years after the Boko Haram abductions that gripped the world’s attention.

'The Stolen Daughters of Chibok': the impact of the abduction of Nigerian schoolgirls 9 years on
Bogota has trained more than 500 police officers to respond to cases of gender-based violence, known as the purple patrol.

In Colombia’s capital, the ‘purple patrol’ fights sexual harassment on crowded buses

Bogotá is trying to curb sexual harassment against women on public transportation systems. It’s trained more than 500 police officers as part of the purple patrol to respond to cases of gender-based violence. Female police officers also hand out leaflets with information about hotlines that women can call for assistance.

In Colombia’s capital, the ‘purple patrol’ fights sexual harassment on crowded buses
Posters with a message that read in Spanish "Free abortion."

Founding fatherhood: Part II

Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive this week into the decriminalization of abortion in Colombia, in the context of the country's legacy of war.

Founding fatherhood: Part II
Indian people hold placards and candles as they participate at a candle light vigil as they mark the first anniversary of a young woman's demise after the fatal gang rape, in New Delhi, India, Dec. 29, 2013.

A decade after the deadly assault of Jyoti Singh, has safety for women in India improved?

The Indian government passed stricter laws after the gang rape and death of 23-year-old Jyoti Singh in 2012. But violence against women in the country is still on the rise. Natasha Narwal, a Delhi-based feminist and activist, tells The World why.

A decade after the deadly assault of Jyoti Singh, has safety for women in India improved?
"Bust of a smiling woman," 1901, by Pablo Picasso, at the Reina Sofía Museum. 

The Picasso paradox: Museums grapple with how to remember the artist’s complicated legacy

Fifty years after his death, some organizers have insisted on revisiting the artist Pablo Picasso in a new light, with exhibits and conversations focused on his problematic relationship with women.

The Picasso paradox: Museums grapple with how to remember the artist’s complicated legacy
A dramatic rise in the number of women drugged against their will in France has young people watching their drinks carefully.

Needle-spiking trend in Europe alarms nightclubbers — especially women

In southwest France, just about everyone seems to know someone who’s been jabbed by a syringe while out partying at a dance club.

Needle-spiking trend in Europe alarms nightclubbers — especially women
V Sailakshmi, 39, says sex work helped pay for her sister's wedding and for her father's funeral

'We are demanding full decriminalization': Sex workers in India rally for labor rights

Sex work is technically legal in India, but workers say they face stigma, harassment and violence — especially by the police. In recent years, sex worker collectives have formed to demand full decriminalization of sex work and recognition of their labor as worthy of protections and rights.

'We are demanding full decriminalization': Sex workers in India rally for labor rights
Eneas Espinoza, who says he was sexually abused multiple times when he was a child, by several catholic priests in Chile

A growing number of clerical sexual abuse survivors are coming forward in Latin America

Latin America may become the next region to expose childhood clerical sexual abuse. Some victims have spent decades without coming forward because of the importance given to clergy in the community. But a growing number of people are creating support networks for survivors.

A growing number of clerical sexual abuse survivors are coming forward in Latin America
Superhero Priya fights injustice along with her trusted tiger Sahas.

Superhero Priya tries to rescue New Delhi from air pollution on Earth Day

India's first female comic superhero has previously tackled issues like masking up during COVID-19, surviving assault, trafficking and acid attacks. On Earth Day, Priya has returned — astride her faithful flying tiger — to show young children the power of collective action in tackling air pollution.

Superhero Priya tries to rescue New Delhi from air pollution on Earth Day