Government criticised over bill that will in effect withdraw country from Istanbul convention

Women’s rights activists and opposition MPs have accused the Polish government of abandoning victims of domestic violence as a bill that would in effect take the country out of a key international convention on violence against women moved through parliament.

A vote last week on its first reading prompted demonstrations around Warsaw, including at the parliament, constitutional court and education ministry. Activists fear that victims of domestic violence will be left with no support or protection.

The vote to send it for examination by parliamentary committees took place only days after Turkey, the first state to ratify the Istanbul convention, withdrew from it by presidential decree. No date for a second reading in Poland has yet been set. Read More »

The Baptist church that held the fishing raffle told Emily Smaniotto that she could not participate because they were "living in the days of sexual scandals and accusations."

Always the outdoor enthusiast, Emily Smaniotto was thrilled to enter a church raffle for a bow-fishing trip. But her excitement faded quickly when she was told that an insurmountable issue stood in the way of winning: her gender.

“I remember the word ‘Really?’ coming out of my mouth,” Smaniotto, 27, said. “And I heard another woman say, ‘Are you serious?’ ”

The issue, church leaders said, was that a woman’s presence on the trip could lead to a bogus accusation of sexual misconduct. The guest pastor who raffled off the opportunity was simply protecting himself, they said. ... Read More »