Women's eNews (https://womensenews.org/tag/sweden/)
“Coming to a new country is like beginning a new adventure,” writes Shahira, 16, about her family’s move from Afghanistan to Sweden. Her new home brings many firsts – first co-ed learning experience, first movie theater and first taste of freedom.
The work of Gunnar and Alva Myrdal, a husband and wife team, in the 1930s shaped Sweden’s progressive population policies, says Steven Philip Kramer in this excerpt from “The Other Population Crisis.” For Alva Myrdal, including feminism was key.
A lashing sentence for a 15-year-old was overturned by a Maldives court. But a Gallup poll indicates that 15 percent of American women were passed over for a promotion or an opportunity at work because of their gender.
Medical Students for Choice has been working since 1993 to support abortion providers and medical students seeking training. This past week, public expressions of mourning for Dr. George Tiller have flooded it with donations.
Cindy Cooper met the slain Dr. Tiller during performances of her play, “Words of Choice.” Many people, she says, silently depended on him, but didn’t do enough to defend him from attacks. In his memory, it’s time for everyone to speak out.
Sweden is responding to its low rate of prosecuting and convicting rapists by helping victims and clinicians collect DNA evidence. It’s also adding street lighting, to the frowns of critics who point out that most rapes are committed indoors.
Sweden was recently ranked the most gender-equal country in the world. But feminists there say there’s been a backlash. They’re forming a new political party to put women’s issues high on the agenda.
Americans are still arguing the pros and cons of full-time day care, yet the Swedes are making it more widely available. Fees are being capped and funds set aside for improving quality. Also, paid parental leave is being extended to 13 months.