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Akanksha Khullar
Akanksha Khullar is the country coordinator for India at the Women's Regional Network. Prior to this, she worked as a researcher at the Centre for Internal and Regional Security at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, New Delhi. Her research focuses on gender issues, particularly on identifying how national, regional and international organisations contribute in shaping the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. She tweets at @akankshakhullar.
Women experience the greatest impacts of climate change, and these impacts exacerbate pre-existing gender inequalities which threaten their lives and health. Despite their unique experiences and being at the forefront of climate action movements, women continue to be absent from climate decision-making processes.
An investment in women’s education, healthcare or access to resources would, on its own, boost the economic prosperity of a country. If combined, however, they could multiply the chances to create a more virtuous cycle, building stronger nations and a fairer world.
Women in journalism have faced years of escalating threats including physical attacks and online abuse made easier by easy access to social media. Female journalists around the world increasingly have no security, a phenomenon made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic and opportunistic government attacks.
Mahsa Amini’s death has reignited long-suppressed anger among Iranians over issues including the dress code for women and repression of individual rights. While the government is unlikely to make gestures of accommodation, the protests underline a fundamental change, with Iranians more willing to fight for their rights.
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During the pandemic, many countries have gone backwards on gender parity. Fewer women are regaining employment, and millions of girls may drop out of school. But, as countries rebuild economies, there is no better time to implement inclusive policies, with women’s needs and concerns at the forefront.
Following the US’ withdrawal, the Taliban government has significantly limited women’s ability to earn a living, access education and escape violence. The international community must act, rather than merely condemn the erosion of Afghan women’s rights.
After much delay, Japan’s parliament looks set to approve the medication this year, but women will still require spousal consent to obtain a prescription. This caveat, along with the cost – around US$780 per dose – has highlighted the country’s patriarchal views on reproductive rights, and the need for greater reform.
The emergence of a fake app listing Muslim women ‘for sale’ in India – the second in six months – has added to fears of growing Islamophobia. Threats of cyberviolence against women must be taken seriously, yet the ruling party remains complicit.
Covid-19 continued to negatively impact virtually every aspect of women’s lives last year, from employment to health. Rather than shrinking, the global gender gap has widened, and it could now take more than 135 years for it to close.
