Around the World in 5 is an ongoing series that highlights news related to women in five countries, updated every week. This week’s post covers September 3 – 10.

Global

The freshly unveiled “Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The gender snapshot 2023” by UN Women and UN DESA reveals a concerning midway point in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

According to “The 2023 Gender Snapshot,” it cautions that if ongoing trends persist, over 340 million females, roughly 8% of the global female population, will be in extreme poverty by 2030. Additionally, nearly one in four women and girls will face significant food insecurity. The gender disparity in leadership roles remains deeply rooted, and if things continue as they are, the upcoming generation of women will still spend an average of 2.3 more hours daily on unpaid domestic and caregiving responsibilities compared to men.

Read more here.

Mexico

Earlier this week, Mexico’s Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling declaring state laws that prohibit abortion unconstitutional and a violation of women’s rights. This landmark decision followed a two-year legal battle that began when the court ordered the state of Coahuila to remove abortion sanctions from its criminal code. To date, 12 out of Mexico’s 31 states have decriminalized abortion.

However, it’s important to note that this ruling doesn’t automatically change the law nationwide. Mexico’s two congressional chambers must now collaborate to pass legislation that removes abortion from the penal code. Nevertheless, the court’s decision ensures protection for women seeking abortions and healthcare workers involved in providing abortion care, while also granting access to abortions in federal health facilities across Mexico.

Read more here.

Ethiopia

According to a recent Amnesty International report, Eritrean soldiers, in collaboration with the Ethiopian government, subjected women to sexual slavery for an extended period following a ceasefire between Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Although a peace agreement in November of the previous year stipulated the withdrawal of all foreign forces from the region, Eritrea, not being a party to the agreement, retained its soldiers.

Amnesty’s investigation involved analyzing satellite imagery and gathering testimony from public service workers to substantiate these accusations. Additionally, interviews were conducted with forty-nine individuals residing in the border areas of Mariam Shewito and Kokob Tsibah.

The report revealed instances of extrajudicial killings of civilian men by the troops, alongside the captivity of women in Eritrean military camps and their own residences.

Read more here.

Spain

The Spanish Soccer Federation has appointed Montse Tomé as the head coach of the women’s national soccer team. This marks a groundbreaking moment as she becomes the first woman to hold this position. Tomé steps into this role as a replacement for Jorge Vilda, who faces ongoing criticism for his coaching approach. Notably, Vilda had recently sparked controversy by publicly supporting federation president Luis Rubiales, who kissed Spanish player Jenni Hermoso without her consent.

Following Spain’s World Cup victory, Tomé, who had previously served as one of Vilda’s coaching assistants, had initially resigned from her position in solidarity with Hermoso. In its official statement, the soccer federation highlighted Tomé’s pivotal role in the national team’s development, leading to her appointment. Her inaugural game as head coach is scheduled for Friday, September 22.

Read more here.

United States of America

In a remarkable turn of events at the US Open on Saturday, 19-year-old American tennis sensation Coco Gauff achieved a stunning comeback victory, securing her maiden Grand Slam title in a thrilling showdown against Belarusian powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka. The electrifying contest unfolded on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium court, with Gauff displaying unwavering determination and resilience.

In an initial setback, Gauff found herself trailing with a 2-6 deficit in the opening set, as Sabalenka showcased her formidable skills. However, the young prodigy from the United States refused to be deterred and unleashed a remarkable resurgence. With an astonishing display of skill and mental fortitude, she clinched the next two sets with scores of 6-3, 6-2, seizing victory in an intense 2 hours and 6 minutes of breathtaking tennis.

Read more here.