Sexual Politics in January 2016
The global epidemics fueled by the mosquito-born Zika virus, its potential correlation with microcephaly and the connection with abortion rights is one main headline in the sexual politics scenario of January 2016. And Brazil is at center of this crisis. To delve in the subject read Sonia Corrêa’s article. Then good news in relation to […]
Read moreZika and abortion rights: Brazil in the eye of the storm
If things had gone well, 2014 would have been the perfect year to commemorate the positive developments of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Brazil.
Read moreHow the West Undermined Women’s Rights in the Arab World
This article is based on some of the research that I have conducted over the past two years on women’s activism in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan, from independence until the Arab uprisings. I collected over one hundred personal narratives from middle class women activists of different generations.
Read moreSolomon IsIands – New Report Finds Traditions which Emphasise Difference Must be Challenged to Address Inequality
A new report published by the Equal Rights Trust exposes the extent of discrimination and inequality experienced by groups including women; persons with disabilities; lesbian, gay and bisexual persons; and persons living with HIV in Solomon Islands.
Read moreThe LGBT Divide in California: A Look at the Socioeconomic Well-being of LGBT People in California
While LGBT people in California appear to be doing better than LGBT people nationwide, there is as much disparity within the state as throughout the rest of the United States. This report and data visualization from The Williams Institute explores disparities in the socioeconomic well-being of LGBT people throughout California, using data from the 2010 […]
Read moreNew issue of Reproductive Health Matters: sexuality, sexual rights and sexual politics
The issue 46 of Reproductive Health Matters focuses on the theme “Sexuality, sexual rights and sexual politics” and brings articles offering “a wide range of analysis, perspectives and evidence that highlight the nexus between sexual health and human rights and deepen our knowledge about the challenges and opportunities for individuals of any sexual orientation or […]
Read moreItalian Cooperation at human rights defenders side in Uganda
The Organisation Soleterre – Strategie di Pace ONLUS, in collaboration with East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP), has produced a publication as part of the project “At Human Rights Defenders’ side in Uganda”, co-financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The initiative is part of the Italian foreign […]
Read moreWith Sex Workers Too, Rape Is Still Rape
In the last several months, there have been a number of rape allegations involving sex workers in the news. Most recently, a number of sex workers accused porn star James Deen of rape. Several websites have since dropped Deen, including Kink.com. Also, Jonathan “War Machine” Koppenhaver is facing 34 counts of rape, kidnapping, and attempted murder (among others) against his ex-girlfriend and porn star Christy Mack, which reportedly left her with 18 broken bones and a ruptured liver, and her friend, Corey Thomas.
Read more2015 Sexual Politics Round- Up
As the year heads toward its end, SPW recollects main trends and facts in sexual politics worldwide. January Pope Francis drew global attention after urging the faithful not to reproduce as “rabbits”. The remarks sparked reactions from the most diverse quarters actors (here and here). In Chile, a new law was approved that recognized civil unions […]
Read moreRemembering Fatema Mernissi

This tribute is to Fatema Mernissi: mentor, insightful teacher, organic intellectual, incisive feminist, powerful voice, charismatic presence, craftswoman, generous host, and friend.
Read moreNew issue of Kohl: a Journal for Body and Gender
The second issue of Kohl: a Journal for Body and Gender Research is out. Kohl serves as an alternative platform of knowledge production. It tackles feminisms, bodies, and sexualities, as they intersect with other identities and struggles in the Middle East, South West Asia, and North Africa region. The current issue’s theme is The Non-Exotic Erotic: […]
Read moreReports from Exploring the Continuum between Sexuality and Sexual Violence
Partners for Law in Development have compiled the rich, vibrant discussions from the Roundtable on Exploring the Continuum between Sexuality and Sexual Violence on April 28, 2015, into a series of 4 volumes, representing each of the panels. ‘Critical Reflections‘ brings nuanced perspectives that emerged from the roundtable with the larger movement, to initiate and […]
Read moreReflections On The Limitations Of The Call For Full Criminalisation Of Marital Rape: Madhu Mehra
I will critically discuss the campaign for (full) criminalisation of marital rape to call attention to ways by which this campaign reduces a potentially tranformatory agenda on gender, sexuality and marriage, to one of law, crime and punishment.
Read moreHolding Kings to Ransom – Royal Women in Matrilineal Kerala: Manu Pillai
Below is an edited excerpt from Manu S.Pillai’s forthcoming book from Harper Collins, The Ivory Throne: Chronicles of the House of Travancore. The book throws interesting light on gender and political power in the matrilineal royal houses, and offers tantalizing hints about the pre-colonial roots of brahminical patriarchy in the region.
Read moreIACHR Publishes Report on Violence against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Persons
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights today is publishing a regional report on the violence perpetrated against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex (LGBTI) persons or those perceived as LGBTI.
Read more