This ongoing series highlights women’s news and information about foreign policy about women. This post covers March 06 to March 11.

Global

Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame of Ghana has been elected to chair the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), becoming the first African woman to lead the committee.

Read more here.

Uganda

Uganda’s parliament began debating a bill that would make it a crime to identify as LGBTQ, arguing that the country’s current prohibition on same-sex relationships is insufficient.

Uganda’s law, if passed, would appear to be the first to criminalize merely identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ), according to Human Rights Watch.

Read more here.

Iran

On Wednesday, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield honoured the Iranian women and girls who have been leading grassroots protests since the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in the hands of the “hijab police.” The award was delivered at a White House ceremony held by First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Read more here.

Pakistan

Women in Pakistan rallied in major cities across the country as part of the sixth Aurat March (Women’s March) to mark International Women’s Day. The Aurat March, held since 2018, has attracted backlash due to its provocative slogans, banners and placards challenging patriarchy and highlighting issues facing women, such as divorce and sexual harassment.

Read more here.

India

The Women’s Premier League, a new professional cricket league in India, kicked off last week and is already inspiring young girls across the country.

The first-ever Women’s Premier League (WPL) was confirmed as one of the most lucrative female leagues in the world before the first ball was even bowled, second only to WNBA basketball.

Read more here.