23 November, 2019 Admin
Activists march during a rally to mark International Women's Day in Karachi on March 8, 2016
Source: GettyImages

The Arts Council of Pakistan has been forced to backtrack after it emerged that a discussion on feminism it is hosting was to have an all-male panel.

An outcry on social media resulted in two women guests being added, and Friday’s event in Karachi was renamed.

The original title, Feminism: The Other Perspective, drew derision and has now been recast as Understanding Feminism.

Organizers say male decision-makers were to share views on feminism, but many critics questioned the very idea.

In overwhelmingly patriarchal Pakistan, having an all-male panel discuss feminism didn’t seem the obvious way to tackle gender inequality.

These men wanna give the ‘other perspective’ on feminism. Maybe the intention here was to use their privilege for the cause – but this isn’t how allyship works. This is, however, what taking up space looks like.

It is also what men exploiting feminism to build capital looks like

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After sustained criticism on social media, two women speakers were added to the panel – feminist Mehtab Akbar Rashdi and journalist Quatrina Hosain – and Uzma al-Karim’s name were made more prominent in the amended literature.

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Many criticised the men who’d agreed to take part, accusing them of using feminism to further their own interests.

The writer of this article and others acknowledged there was no reason why men shouldn’t give their views on feminism – it just seemed wrong to invite a panel that included no women at all.

One woman, Erum Haider, tweeted: “The men I know who are feminists would be embarrassed to be on this panel.”

Discussion host Uzma al-Karim told BBC Urdu: “Our purpose was to get men having decision-making powers in major media houses and those with a following to talk about their understanding of feminism.

“We wanted to register their perception because they were in a position to influence public opinion. And that’s why we called it ‘the other perspective’.”

One of the men taking part in the discussion, human rights activist Jibran Nasir, said he’d found the original title misleading.

“I was informed the panel is about men talking to other men about rethinking masculinity and why as men we need feminism. It wasn’t to explain feminism or talk about women issues as men,” he tweeted.Skip Twitter post by @MJibranNasir

Jibran Nasir declined to comment when asked by the BBC whether he was told clearly what was to be debated, and whether he had been told by the Arts Council there were to be no women on the panel.

“It’s not such a big issue,” he said. “People had raised some objections, following which the management made some changes, and I’m only a guest at the event.”

Nida Kirmani, professor of social sciences at Lahore University of Management Sciences, says the issue of men debating feminism is justified – but the Arts Council failed to clarify the concept and that’s why there was such a big reaction on social media.

“I think this reaction was also caused by the fact that we are getting sick of seeing male panellists endlessly debating frivolous issues on electronic media,” she said.

“Rarely do we see a woman protagonist, and this seems normal to most people.”

This article originally appeared on BBC NEWS. It was reposted in the interest of our readers. All rights reserved with the respective owners of the information.

16 November, 2019 Aurélie Salvaire
Photo credits: sowetanlive.co.za

“I was raised to be limitless… [and] I was born an artist.”  These are the words of 27-year-old Ofentse Pitse, a woman who is carving her name into the history books. Pitse is the first black South African woman to conduct and own the first-ever all-black orchestra, Anchored Sound. 

The Mabopane-born architect believes her musical gift is a calling; her late grandfather Otto Pitse was also an orchestra conductor and trumpet player. 

She first played an instrument at the age of 12. She grew up in a single-parent home and her mom was always supportive of her endeavors.  She fell in love with sounds from there and was exposed to many types of music, ranging from gospel to jazz. She credits her grandfather as well and believes she is his reincarnation. People have shown their appreciation and enthusiasm for a female orchestra conductor.

“Conducting is a whole different ballgame. You have to have a particular understanding, the mind, and the spirit for each and every instrument. You have to have an understanding, you have to do a lot of research.

“You have to have a certain kind of confidence to stand on that podium and lift a baton and conduct people who are looking at you saying, ‘but she’s a woman’, because they are used to these old men standing in front of them, conducting. You have to walk in there with a certain kind of reverence and confidence.”

Pitse is a forward-thinking and bold young woman and she credits her mentors for her classical music knowledge as she does not have a formal musical qualification.

“My teaching was unconventional, nothing was on paper. The furthest I went in music was grade three or grade four and everything else was basically mentoring. Early this year, I reached out to two of the best conductors, one being Mr Thami Zungu, the head of music at TUT and Mr Gerben Grooten, the conductor of the UP philharmonic. These are amazing conductors… they have spent a lot of their time teaching and crafting this talent within me,”  Pitse said.

The orchestra has a vocal coach who helps with training the members as though some are studying music at tertiary while others are pursuing other avenues, but still want to utilise their talents.

Her vision for the orchestra is that they contribute in shedding light on African composers and propel each other and other young black youth to excellence.

“I’m a believer in the black narrative and a believer in the black child.”  

This article originally appeared on sowetandlive.co.za It was reposted in the interest of our readers. All rights reserved with the respective owners of the information.

10 November, 2019 Aurélie Salvaire

Chloe Swarbrick, a member of the Green Party, shut down an older politician who interrupted her speech on climate change.

Chloe Swarbrick used the viral phrase to shut down an older heckler

Swarbrick used the viral phrase to shut down an older heckler

A video of a 25-year-old politician in New Zealand, who used the phrase “Okay boomer” to casually swat away an older heckler in parliament, has gone viral.

Chloe Swarbrick, a member of the Green Party, used the popular meme adopted by millennials – widely considered to be aged between 23 and 38 – during a debate about climate change.

he politician was discussing the Zero Carbon bill – which would set a target of zero carbon emissions for the country by 2050 – and claimed the burden of tackling the climate crisis would fall on her generation.

She said: “How many world leaders, for how many decades, have seen and known what is coming, but have decided that it is more politically expedient to keep it behind closed doors?

“My generation and the generations after me do not have that luxury.

“In the year 2050, I will be 56 years old – yet, right now, the average age of this 52nd parliament is 49 years old.”

At that point, an older politician – reported to be Todd Muller, the opposition spokesperson for climate change – interrupted her speech, to which she coolly responded with “Okay boomer” – and carried on.

Ms Swarbrick hit back at online criticism, firing back at one user, saying: “I was talking about the generation that comes after us not having the luxury of ignoring this, all the while being met with a barrage of yelling.

“I then spoke about being 56 in 2050, and both Todd and Scott kept yelling. So I responded. Were you in the House?”

This article originally appeared on skynews. It was reposted in the interest of our readers. All rights reserved with the respective owners of the information.

6 November, 2019 Aurélie Salvaire
Greta Thunberg Team Up with a Hollywood Actor to Stop the Climate Crisis
Greta Thunberg and Leonardo DiCaprio are teaming up to end the climate crisis.


“There are few times in human history where voices are amplified at such pivotal moments and in such transformational ways – but Greta Thunberg has become a leader of our time,” DiCaprio wrote on Instagram. “History will judge us for what we do today to help guarantee that future generations can enjoy the same livable planet that we have so clearly taken for granted.”

Thunberg recently delivered a powerful speech to world leaders at the UN. The speech was a departure from her usually reserved demeanor. Emotionally, she scolded world leaders. She warned them that young people of today will be watching and holding them accountable for climate offenses.

“I hope that Greta’s message is a wake-up call to world leaders everywhere that the time for inaction is over,” DiCaprio wrote. “It is because of Greta, and young activists everywhere that I am optimistic about what the future holds. It was an honor to spend time with Greta. She and I have made a commitment to support one another, in hopes of securing a brighter future for our planet.”

This article originally appeared on livekindly.co. It was reposted in the interest of our readers with a more feminist headline. All rights reserved with the respective owners of the information.

1 November, 2019 Aurélie Salvaire
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Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is a 2-time Olympic and a 4-time World Championships winner at 100 meters event. 

She is also the only woman to win a World Championships title after becoming a mother. 

And, wait, the oldest at that.

Suvarna Haridas@Suvarna_haridas · Oct 1, 2019

33-year-old @allysonfelix breaks Usain Bolt’s record for a number of gold medals in the world championships! She’s a mom of a preemie baby who lost her Nike sponsorship because she advocated for pay protection during pregnancy. #motherhood

Suvarna Haridas@Suvarna_haridas

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica, who was the first mom to win an Olympic or world 100m title in 24 years and the oldest woman (mother or not) to do it at age 32!

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Anything I write beyond this will pale in comparison, but let me try.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s eleven-year reign over the 100m:

Year Event Gold Medal Time
2008 Olympics 10.78
2009 Worlds 10.73
2012 Olympics 10.70
2013 Worlds 10.71
2015 Worlds 10.76
2019 Worlds 10.71

She is The Greatest of All Times.#DohaWorldChampionships #WorldAthleticsChamps

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 A decade after her maiden World Championships title, Shelly-Ann did it for the fourth time.

Unlike her previous appearances, though, the victory wasn’t really anticipated this time. She was coming after a break that she took while pregnant and was competing with the best around the world.

However, in her typical style, she did what had never been done before.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica is the 100m GOAT:
4th-fastest ever, with an unmatched 100m medal collection: FOUR 100m world titles in 10 years, along with TWO consecutive Olympic 100m golds and a bronze: https://www.nbcsports.com/video/2019-track-and-field-worlds-shelly-ann-fraser-pryce-wins-gold-100m-dash …2019 Track and Field Worlds: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce wins gold inShelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce wins her fourth 100m dash title at the 2019 Track and Field World Championships.nbcsports.com36912:25 AM – Sep 30, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy104 people are talking about this

She clocked 10.71 seconds – which was exactly the same time she took to clinch her second title at the tournament. 

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce just took off! All eyes are on her for #Tokyo2020! #WorldAthleticsChamps 6238:32 PM – Sep 29, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy242 people are talking about this

What stood out, though, were the pictures of Shelly-Ann holding her kid after the victory. “This is a victory for motherhood,” she told AP.

In 2009 we knew her as Pocket Rocket, in 2019 she’s Mommy Rocket!

We say a big congratulations to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as she wins her 4th World Championship title!

Jamaica could not be prouder of you Shelly-Ann ! #TVJDOHA #TVJDOHA2019

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And in another interview given to CNN, she said: My secret is just staying humble and just know who you are as a person and athlete and just continue to work hard. It’s a wonderful feeling having my son witnessing this.

“The females keep showing up.” — Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, holding 2-year-old Zyon, after winning the world 100m title at age 32, oldest ever and 11 years after her Olympic debut title in 2008 (when she wore braces).1,4028:57 PM – Sep 29, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy476 people are talking about this

Her 2-year-old son Zyon even joined her on the field, making it one of the most historic images of our times

This article originally appeared on ScoopWhoop . It was reposted in the interest of our readers. All rights reserved with the respective owners of the information.