Proudly South African’s Post

Until recently, hair and beauty salons were permitted to operate since the Taliban regained control of #Afghanistan two years ago. However, in a disturbing turn of events last month, the group reversed its stance, leaving many #women devastated and facing yet another setback in their quest for basic #freedoms. With the closure of these establishments, Afghan women are now facing even more limited spaces to gather and express themselves outside their homes, as they are already prohibited from attending classrooms, gyms, and parks. The group has systematically curtailed women’s freedoms, restricting their access to education, public spaces, and employment opportunities. Even the United Nations has not been spared, as women are now banned from working for the organization. Adding to the indignity, the Taliban’s decree that women should only reveal their eyes and be accompanied by a male relative if traveling beyond a certain distance strips away their autonomy and independence. Despite widespread #international_condemnation and local protests, the Taliban remains steadfast in its resolve to enforce these oppressive measures. Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/eeJBXtSf

France is ramping up its fight against counterfeit fashion as the Paris 2024 Olympics approach. Fake fashion is a huge business, costing French companies an average of €1.7 billion annually in lost sales from 2018 to 2021. To combat this, Paris 2024 organisers and the International Olympic Committee joined the French intellectual property protection association UNIFAB last year. UNIFAB works with brands to highlight the risks of fake products, which often violate safety regulations and fund illegal activities. This partnership aims to safeguard branded merchandise ahead of the Games. #Paris2024 #IntellectualProperty #ProtectBrands

UN Event: World Day Against Trafficking in Persons: Reducing demand for the sexual exploitation of women and girls We were privileged to speak at the United Nations in New York, at the invitation of the Philippines Ambassador, at an event hosted by C-Fam (Center for Family & Human Rights) in partnership with Exodus Cry. We helped representatives from many countries' missions to the UN understand how #AgeVerification and #AgeEstimation works; and how technology now facilitates, convenient, accurate cheap, privacy-preserving, secure, effective, accessible, inclusive, enforceable online #AgeAssurance. https://lnkd.in/gscyDD7q

🛑Standing Against Genocide: A Call to Boycott Companies that Support Atrocities 🚨In an era where our choices as consumers have far-reaching impacts, it's crucial to align our actions with our values. Recent reports have highlighted certain companies' indirect or direct support of activities amounting to genocide in various parts of the world. This is not just deeply concerning, but it goes against the very fabric of our ethical and moral responsibilities. As the owner of liv3lov3l1ght LLC, a business rooted in promoting well-being and self-discovery, I urge everyone in my network and beyond to consider the impact of their consumer choices. Boycotting companies that support or are complicit in genocide is not just a statement; it's a step towards demanding corporate accountability and ethical governance. It's time to stand together and use our power as consumers and business leaders to make a statement against such atrocities. By choosing where we spend our money, we can collectively pressure these companies to reconsider their actions and policies. Let's support businesses that are committed to ethical practices and contribute to a world where respect for human rights is non-negotiable. Together, we can make a difference. #EthicalConsumerism #BoycottForJustice #CorporateAccountability https://lnkd.in/dnS3hni6

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending Supplier Diversity Day organized by WBE Canada. Thank you to all the corporations for their presence and for giving the opportunity to #womenownedbusinesses to be pitch! WBE Canada estimates that Canadian women-owned businesses comprise less than 5% of all domestic and international suppliers to corporations and governments. Analysis by Statistics Canada | Statistique Canada on majority women-owned businesses, first quarter of 2024 https://lnkd.in/ebk6HwuR

In the wake of ongoing riots in the UK, our commitment at every level to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism (IDEA) has never been more critical. Having spent the last two years in Dubai, I have witnessed first hand how different cultures can come together to create vibrant, thriving communities. Embracing diversity isn’t just about representation; it’s about creating an environment where every individual feels valued and heard. I am truly heart broken, shocked, and appauled as is much of the world by the scenes from across the UK, and it is now, more than ever, that we must ensure our workplaces and communities are inclusive spaces where everyone can flourish. 🌱->🌿->🌳 It’s important to understand and address the systematic barriers that different groups face, and for leaders to advocate for policies and practices that level the playing field, supporting people with the resources they need. This is a call for everyone to educate themselves continuously, to speak out against the racism, Islamophobia, and hate, as allies of those affected. Today, as we expect 30 more riots to take place across the nation, stay safe and remain steadfast in our commitment to building a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate society. ❤️ #inclusion #diversity #equity #staysafe #ukriots

The rule of law, justice, and respect for human rights are fundamental in any society. When these principles are compromised, it is not just a national crisis but a global concern. Today, it is Bangladesh. Tomorrow, it could be any other country. As global citizens, we have a collective responsibility to oppose such injustices. We must raise our voices, use our platforms, and leverage our networks to bring attention to these issues and demand action. I urge each one of you to stand in solidarity with the people of Bangladesh. Share their stories, raise awareness about their plight, and call on our leaders and international bodies to intervene. We must remember that justice denied anywhere diminishes justice everywhere. Let's work together to ensure that every individual in every country can live in peace, dignity, and freedom. Together, we can make a difference. #JusticeforBangladesh #Humanrights #Ruleoflaw #Peace #Freedom https://lnkd.in/gSzr-xDt

Let's talk about Samsuigate. 1. In April this year, American artist Sean Dunston unveiled a three-storey mural on the side of a conserved shophouse in the historic neighbourhood of Chinatown, that depicted a Samsui woman seated on a chair with a lit cigarette in her hand. 2. Samsui women were Chinese immigrants who did back-breaking labour in the construction and other industries and contributed to the development of modern #Singapore. Their use of tobacco is well-documented. 3. The owner of the shophouse "had not applied for prior approval for the mural" as they were required to under the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) conservation guidelines, but made a submission to the URA after the mural was unveiled. 4. The landlord and the URA then had an exchange of correspondence that ended with the URA requesting for a “revised proposal” i.e. telling the landlord to change the design of the mural by 3 July, as it was “not aligned with Singapore’s anti-smoking policy stance”. 5. Singapore adopts a very tough stance on smoking. We impose branding and point-of-sale restrictions on tobacco products, which carry mandatory health warnings. All forms of tobacco advertisements are banned. 6. But let's be honest, a mural of a Samsui woman with a cigarette in her hand is not an "advertisement" (don't believe me? Go read Section 3(1) of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993). It is not likely to "encourage" or "induce" the purchase or use of cigarettes, any more than the sight of a group of people smoking at a designated street corner. 7. In its correspondence with the landlord, the URA also cited feedback from an unnamed member of the public that the woman depicted “looks more like a prostitute than a hard-working Samsui woman” and was “offensive”. 8. Unlike cigarette advertisements, prostitution is actually legal in Singapore. It is no more illegal for the mural to depict a sex worker with a cigarette, than it is for it to depict a construction worker with a cigarette. 9. Besides, I'm not sure how comfortable I am with government agencies springing to action every time an "unnamed member of the public" takes offense. I take offense at many things (like how we could have had a Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum on Sentosa, instead of that architectural monstrosity that is RWS), and think Singapore would be a much better place if the government rectified everything at which I took offense, but that's not how society works. 10. On 21 June, the URA has asked Sean Dunston to "delay any changes to his work while (it) reviews its stance on amending the mural". I hope the URA changes its mind. But, more importantly, this incident offers lessons as to how Singapore should manage an increasing diversity of opinions as we progress. All comments welcome. I have included, in the comments, links to a selection of relevant articles by CNA, Mothership, and The Straits Times. Photo, copyright of the Straits Times

In her article "Enslaved Domestic Work in an Atlantic Sephardic Household," Natália da Silva Perez analyses domestic work in a Sephardic Jewish household in the context of the Atlantic sugar trade in the seventeenth century by examining the stories of two young women of African descent who were employed as enslaved domestic workers by a Sephardic merchant.  https://lnkd.in/eizPFBNm    Abstract:   Sephardic Jews were involved in the burgeoning Atlantic trade of the seventeenth century, which linked Europe, Africa, and the Americas. As a highly mobile community, they may have lived in various places throughout their lives. As the Sephardic community settled in Amsterdam in the early-to-mid seventeenth century, they had to contend with issues that these travels brought to the fore, one of which was the boundary between enslavement and paid employment. While living in the Americas, Sephardic merchants often had enslaved people working in their households. What happened, though, when they brought these people to Amsterdam? By a close reading of the scant documentation available, this article shows the agency – and its limits – of two young women of African descent who were employed as enslaved domestic workers by a Sephardic merchant.  #Enslavement, #Slavery, #Amsterdam, #SephardicJews, #Atlantic, #Amsterdam, #DomesticService, #households, #OpenAccess