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 January 7 to January 13.

Türkiye

Following earthquakes in Türkiye, young women are resiliently finding empowerment. The Community Volunteers Foundation, in collaboration with UN Women, is executing a program that empowers women affected by the earthquakes through gender equality training.

TOG’s engagement with youth in the “Strong Civic Space for Gender Equality” program, supported by the European Union, spans 18 months and aims to raise awareness among individuals aged 17-25 on various aspects of gender equality, including positive discrimination, non-violent communication, safe relationships, the women’s movement, fundamental gender concepts, violence, and methods of combating violence.

Read more here.

Spain

This week, the streets of Madrid became a stage for resilient feminist activists. Clad in white dresses and masks, they gathered outside the Ministry of Equality building, symbolizing their unwavering fight against daily systemic oppression.

Behind the masks, these activists highlighted the harsh reality often concealed—unacknowledged violence against women. The masks served as a poignant reminder, unveiling a chilling statistic: 100 women lost their lives in Spain in 2023 due to gender-related violence. In this contrast, the activists sought to unmask the truth and bring attention to the urgent need for change.

Read more here.

Estonia

In June 2023, Estonia made history as the first former Soviet republic to legalize same-sex marriage with a 55 to 34 vote in the nation’s parliament. As of New Year’s Day this year, the law officially came into force.

Estonia’s Minister of Social Protection, Signe Riisalo, expressed optimism, stating, “Laws provide clarity and influence our attitudes. I hope that unfounded fears will recede, and that critics of this decision will realize that what is being taken away is not something being taken away, but something very important that is being added for many of us.”

This groundbreaking legislation enables LGBTQ+ couples in Estonia to register their marriage applications online, marking a historic milestone for the country. Previously, couples could register for civil unions, but legal marriage was not permitted. The processing and certification of the first applications are expected to occur by early February.

Read more here.

Afghanistan

Despite the Taliban’s ban on women and girls’ education, women in the country have organized secret meetings to pursue their studies in defiance.

The Taliban’s ban on women and girls attending school in Afghanistan has had a profound impact, with millions facing the consequences. Young women and girls are compelled to stay home, deprived of education and work opportunities, while facing pressure to marry at a young age.

In a concerning move last December, the Taliban extended their ban to higher education for women, abruptly disrupting thousands of women’s studies. Although women already qualified as doctors, nurses, and medical workers were allowed to continue working, the ban prohibited new women from entering professional fields or undergoing training.

Read more here.

Pakistan

In a significant milestone, 25-year-old medical professional Dr. Saveera Parkash, hailing from a minority community in Pakistan’s northwest, is making history as the first female candidate to run for a provincial assembly constituency in the Buner district.

She secured an election ticket from the Pakistan Peoples Party. Confirming her candidacy for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s PK-25 constituency, Dr. Parkash has already initiated her campaign, marking a noteworthy step forward.

Read more here.