We stand with the women who are battling, dissenting and speaking their opinions on many social and political topics as we celebrate women’s achievements around the world.
This week’s top stories consist of the Shakti bill being passed in the Maharashtra assembly, Anahat Singh becoming the first teenager to win US Open Squash, distribution of free pads in Punjab, and others.
With the end of the year, we hope and wish for representation, empowerment, and strength to all the women out there who are struggling and making it work. Keeping in mind the sentiments, let’s catch up with this week’s top news concerning women.
1. ‘Pink Gasht’ to empower women and girls in Raipur
Raipur Police inaugurated the second round of ‘Pink Gasht’ on Friday, with 15 teams of 152 women officers, with the goal of teaching women and girls self-defence skills and raising awareness about the hotline number to contact police immediately. The second phase of ‘Pink Gasht’ will begin after the first phase was successful, according to Raipur SP Prashant Agrawal. The campaign would not only teach them karate and fundamental skills to protect themselves against eve-teasers and molesters, but it would also familiarize them with police officers’ presence and interaction. To raise awareness, police are handing out keychains and posting posters with helpline numbers.
2. Maharashtra Assembly passes Shakti bill, which provides for stricter punishment for crimes against women
The Shakti Criminal Laws (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, which provides for harsher punishments, including the death penalty, for crimes against women, was unanimously passed by the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Thursday. The bill will now be sent to the Legislative Council, which will include provisions for a fast trial in such circumstances.
3. Anahat Singh becomes India’s first teenager to win US Open Squash
Anahat Singh creates history as she becomes the first Indian girl to win the US Junior Squash Open title. Congratulations and well done on your fantastic achievement 🏆👏👏 #VKF #ViratKohliFoundation #Squash pic.twitter.com/nqtLqSjPFp
— Sevva Foundation (@sevvafoundation) December 22, 2021
On the 22nd of December, Anahat Singh, an Indian teen, created history by winning the famous Junior US Open Squash event in Philadelphia in the U-15 girl’s category. The 13-year-old Delhi girl defeated Egypt’s Jayda Marei in the final match at the Arlen Spectre Centre, with scores of 11-9, 11-5, 8-11, 11-5. Anahata is the first woman from India to win this competition. In the world’s largest junior solo squash event, over 850 squash junior players from 41 countries competed. The match’s primary highlight was Singh’s semi-final triumph in straight games over USA’s junior national champion Dixon Hill. Singh won the championship in under 32 minutes.
4. Sudanese protesters decry sexual attacks
Hundreds of women have flocked to the streets in and around Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, to protest sexual abuse and harassment, including the alleged rape of a pro-democracy protester by security personnel. At least 13 women and girls were allegedly raped or gang-raped by security personnel during a huge demonstration outside the presidential palace in Khartoum on Sunday, according to the UN. Protesters sent a memorandum to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ office in Khartoum on Thursday, seeking an investigation into allegations of sexual and physical violence.
5. SC directs Centre and States to issue Voter ID, Aadhar Card for sex workers
The Supreme Court issued a positive order on Tuesday, ordering the federal government and all states and union territories to immediately begin the process of issuing voter ID cards, Aadhaar cards, and ration cards to sex workers across the country, as well as continuing to provide them with dry rations. The Court stated that “basic rights are guaranteed to every citizen of the country, regardless of his or her profession.”
6. Nibha Bharati tops National Defence Academy Exam 2021
On December 21, 2021, the Union Public Service Commission announced the results of the written examination by name. The candidates’ roll numbers were used to determine the outcome. According to sources, Nibha Bharati of Bihar received All India Rank 1 in the UPSC examination for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy. The test, which took place on November 14, 2021, was the first to allow female candidates to take part. The girls took the exam for the first time, and they appear to have outperformed the boys in terms of merit list position.
7. Amrapali Gan is the new CEO of OnlyFans
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXzGTS9tL0-/
OnlyFans was founded in the year 2016. However, it rose to prominence as an adult video host during the pandemic, when many creators shifted to commercializing their work. The company’s headquarters are in London. Amrapali Gan, a 36-year-old woman of Indian ancestry, has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of OnlyFans. She was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and lived in California for the majority of her life. Tim Stokley opted to resign from the role to pursue personal interests, thus she will be taking over.
8. Punjab to distribute free Pads to women across the state
The Punjab government has officially launched the Udaan Scheme, which will see free pads distributed to Anganwadi centres across the state. The initiative was first announced on International Menstrual Hygiene Day, which was held on May 28 this year. The Punjab government will offer free pads to women every month through the scheme, which will be implemented across the state’s 27,314 Anganwadi centres. In the initial phase, roughly 50 females are covered at each centre, with 13.65 lakh recipients receiving free pads. Under the Udaan plan, a total of 1.23 crore pads are expected to be supplied.