Summer Signal: Defying the Patriarchy

Prominent Saudi women’s rights activist, Loujain al-Hathloul, just marked her 30th birthday in jail after being unjustly imprisoned for over a year. After spending years advocating for a woman’s right to drive in the country, she was arrested just as the driving ban was lifted. This week it was reported that she was offered a deal for her release that would require her to deny that she has been tortured and sexually harassed in custody. She rejected it.

Feminist activists in China must walk a fine line to nurture the country’s growing #MeToo movement and enact real change, while contending with the constant threat of government crackdown. But they won’t be silenced. Watch this new web series on consent from an inspiring #MeToo activist.

The Climate Crisis

A new report from the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has finally recognized the importance of Indigenous and women’s rights to tackling the global climate crisis. Indigenous and women defenders are already leading the fight for the environment, and they need our support.

It’s almost time for students to head back to school. Here’s one item to add to your checklist—figuring out how you’re going to help address the climate crisis with direct action on campus. No big deal. But don’t worry, these inspiring youth climate activists are here to help!

Women on the Ground

Journalist, Hannah Allam, spent a decade on the ground reporting on women during the Iraq War. But due to the demands of working for a Western publication, she was never truly able to capture the full multitude of what these women experienced in her work. Until now.

In 2014, German filmmaker and reproductive rights advocate, Sarah Diehl, received a Facebook message from a Polish woman asking for help to obtain an abortion in Germany. Diehl leapt into action and founded Ciocia Basia or “Aunt Barbara”. Run solely run by volunteers, the non-profit organization has helped upward of 500 Polish women gain access to safe abortions.

#FemaleFilmmakerFriday

Documentarian Nanfu Wang grew up in rural China under the “one child” policy. Her new film “One Child Nation” examines the mental, physical, and emotional toll of the policy—especially on women in the country—and the disturbing power of propaganda to keep population under control.

Something Nice!

Meet Evalyne Nyangweso, a nurse and owner of ambulance service, Rapid Response, which operates in Kenya’s Kibera community. Traditional ambulances do not enter Kibera, which is Africa’s largest slum and prone to poor health, disease and high rates of gender-based violence. But Evalyne remains dedicated and on call 24/7 to 250,000 of the country’s poorest people.