Women Around the World: This Week

Nigerian schoolgirls return home

Last month, Boko Haram released dozens of Nigerian girls held captive since February, when militants from the group descended upon the northern Nigerian community Dapchi and abducted 110 students from their dormitories at the Government Girls Science and Technical School. A report by Amnesty International indicates that Nigerian security officials were warned of the approaching militants, but failed to stop the abduction or rescue the girls. The abduction follows a similar attack in 2014, in which 276 girls were held captive, and calls into question the Nigerian government’s commitment to ensuring protection of civilians.

India's Supreme Court takes action against honor killings

Last week, India’s Supreme Court ruled that punitive action should be taken against village councils— or khap panchayats—that impose punishments on those who marry outside of their faith or caste, including social boycotts, threats of violence, and so-called “honor killings.” Since 2014, nearly 500 people—primarily women—have been murdered under the guise of protecting the community’s “honor.” In addition to urging the government to pass "preventive, remedial, and punitive" measures, the court also recommended that communities establish safe houses for couples and film all khap panchayat meetings.  

Historic UN female peacekeeping mission ends

Last month, the United Nations declared an end to its successful fifteen-year long peacekeeping mission in Liberia. Female peacekeepers deployed to the West African nation post-war—including the world’s first-ever all-female contingent from India—have been credited by UN officials and Liberian lawmakers with improving security and sparking a fourfold increase in the number of Liberian women applying to become police officers. In Monrovia, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed congratulated Liberians on progress made during the post-war period, citing the need for continued commitment to women’s inclusion and the “incontrovertible evidence that women’s participation is crucial to strengthening community resilience, economic growth and sustaining peace.”