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Straight Women Are Marrying Each Other for Safety in Tanzania

Marta Martinez

October 24, 2018 |

Vice |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Tanzania, Serengeti

A unique Kuria tribal tradition in Tanzania called nyumba ntobhu (“house of women”) allows two women to legally marry despite a national persecution of homosexuality. The younger woman in the pair will bear children (by outside men) to become part of the older woman's family, thus ensuring that the older woman's land and lineage are passed on. Although this is a successful solution for some women who are escaping domestic violence, financial dependence, or loneliness, for other women it can be as limiting as a heterosexual codependent relationship.

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These Kenyan widows are fighting against sexual 'cleansing'

Louise Donovan Hannah O'Neill

October 23, 2018 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Kenya

In Kenya, and in other parts of Africa, widows are considered impure until a male has sex with them and cleanses them. If they don’t get cleansed they face social stigma. However, one widow, Roseline Orwa, refused, and instead created the Rona Foundation. “The center provides loss and grief counseling, financial support and teaches entrepreneurial skills.” She also successfully lobbied for a bill that outlawed widow cleansing. However, even though the practice is still prevalent in rural parts of Kenya, both men and women are talking about ending the practice through talk sessions offered by the center. “A

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'I'm more valued than before': women in Tajikistan get a new lease of life – in pictures

Anisa Sabiri

October 19, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Photojournalism |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Tajikistan, Penjikent

In Tajikistan, a project created by international NGOs with local partners, and funded by the United Kingdom, provides counseling and skills training for families to reduce violence against women. The two regions that participated saw significant declines in those rates of violence, as well as drops in depression levels and suicide and men also reported that they were less violent. Additionally, women's earnings and savings increased because the program helped them start small money-making ventures.

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'It's a miracle': the scheme ending abuse against women in Tajikistan

Liz Ford

October 19, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Tajikistan

A program in Tajikistan developed to address high rates of abuse against women is showing remarkable results through a combination of family counseling and economic empowerment of women. The pilot project was created by five organizations and its initial results showed large decreases in rates of suicide and violence. It's part of the What Works To Prevent Violence Against Women And Girls Initiative and officials are hoping to find more funding to expand the project.

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Male involvement in home affairs leads to better discipline among children

Lillian Namusoke Magezi

October 17, 2018 |

New Vision |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Uganda

A community-based program in Uganda has helped reduce violence in families and gender inequity by training both parents in effective communication and parenting. Organizers focused specifically on recruiting men because they are often not involved in home life and are exposed to societal beliefs about masculinity that can perpetuate patterns of violence. The pilot program of 600 participants showed positive results in reducing family violence and other communities want to adopt it.

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‘Rental sisters' for Japan's Reclusive Young Men

Harriet Noble Amelia Martyn-Hemphill

October 16, 2018 |

BBC |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Japan, Tokyo

A unique issue in Japan is that of the “Hikikomori” – men who have totally withdrawn from society, often as a response to bullying, depression, or trauma. The NGO, New Start, offers a “rental sister” program, which provide the Hikikomori with an older female mentor to interact with and guide them toward more independent lives. Along the way, the hope is that they’ll build trusting relationships and practice social engagement.

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Sexual-Harassment-Reporting Apps Help Stop Abuse in Global City Streets

Sonia Weiser

October 12, 2018 |

New York Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India

Using data collection and visualization, apps like SafeCity, HarassMap, and #WalkFreely are crowdsourcing locations where individuals have been sexually harassed or assaulted so that others know to take precautions. Some operate on a global scale, others locally, but what they all offer is a platform for people to share their story and hopefully prevent it from happening again. Such apps have led to action from community members, the media, and officials who have taken notice of the high rates in certain places and taken action.

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Unprotected

Finlay Young

October 11, 2018 |

ProPublica |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Liberia, Monrovia

Created to “help some of the world’s most vulnerable children get off the street and into school," More Than Me Foundation exposed its students to widespread sexual abuse by an influential staffer. The charity lacked board members and top leadership with experience running schools and resisted being held accountable for the abuse.

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Chicago hotel workers join #MeToo, demand protections against sexual assault

Allison Herrera

October 09, 2018 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Hotel workers and members of the union, Unite Here, successfully lobbied for a law that makes it mandatory for hotels in Chicago to provide a safety device, known as a panic button, to workers. The ordinance also includes a retaliation clause which forbids employers from firing women after reporting sexual abuse. ‘This is incredible.' Because like, we all had the same feeling like we've started something.”

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Durango, Bayfield Schools Start New Program to Prevent Suicide

Mary Shinn

October 05, 2018 |

Durango Herald |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Durango, Colorado

To address the wellbeing of students, schools must foster healthy relationships and trust. Schools in Durango, Colorado, have implemented Sources of Strength, a national program aimed at reducing the risk of suicide, bullying, substance abuse, and other issues in schools. The program works to create a positive school culture through youth mentorship training that emphasizes a student’s strengths, positivity, and builds connections to trusted adults.

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