by Artemis

The Paveena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women is a charity in Thailand helping victims of cruelty in various forms, including domestic violence, rape, prostitution, and slavery. In January, the organization rescued three Thai women from a human egg farm in the nation of Georgia run by Chinese mafia members. The women had answered ads on social media offering jobs for reproductive surrogates. The traffickers paid for their travel, then imprisoned them in four houses containing about 100 women. Every month, they were forcibly dosed with hormones, causing constant illness. Egg cells were painfully extracted from their ovaries. The traffickers said they could leave upon producing enough eggs to bring in a certain amount of money on the black market. It is believed the eggs are intended for use in IVF. One woman was released when her family paid a ransom, and she informed PHFCW. The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs is investigating.

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In February, over 1,000 feminist activists from 55 African countries attended the third African Women in Dialogue conference. Its subtitle is “Strengthening the Continental African Women’s Movement towards a New Value-Based Ecosystem.” Its statement of purpose says, “The week-long dialogue gives voice to the perspectives and experiences of thousands of African women. Its intent is to create a space to launch disruptive and innovative ideas ushering in new futures for a better Africa. The changes needed reside in the changes each one of us can make in our own capacity in the movement. From grassroots women to businesswomen, women in public service, rural and urban women, entrepreneurs, activists, academics, students and homemakers, we all have fruitful ideas, experiences and expertise on how to build our world with women at the center.” Dr. Amina Mohammed, deputy Secretary-General of the UN, stated in a keynote speech, “Women’s empowerment is not just a goal. It’s a solution to the complex challenges we face today.”

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In January, the UN Human Rights Committee issued a ruling on a set of legal cases brought before it in 2019 by organizations in the Son Niñas, No Madres movement. Organizations include the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), Planned Parenthood Global, Amnesty International, and several Latin American activist groups. The ruling found the countries of Ecuador and Nicaragua responsible for violating the human rights of three minor girls denied abortions after being impregnated by rape. The CRR stated, “In its decision, the Committee recognized that forced pregnancies and forced motherhood disrupts the personal, family, educational, and professional goals of girls, and constitutes a form of cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment by severely restricting their right to a dignified life.” The Committee mandated both countries make reparations to the girls and amend legislation to ensure abortion access, especially in cases of sexual violence or other health risks. They must address sexual violence through public education and training for health and legal professionals. They have six months to report back on their progress. These rulings are binding to the 173 countries that signed and ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including the U.S. Activists caution it is uncertain whether governments will cooperate, but this groundbreaking precedent is an important step in the struggle.