WHEN a judge in the high court of the Indian state of Rajasthan recently acquitted a man of rape, he noted of the accuser, “Her hymen was ruptured and vagina admitted two fingers easily. The medical opinion is that the prosecutrix may be accustomed to sexual intercourse.” The implication was that only a virgin can … Continue reading Legal assault: Victims of rape in South Asia face further violation from the courts | THE ECONOMIST
It will help Bangladeshi mothers who work in factories FOR the feeding of babies, everyone agrees that “breast is best”. It is not, however, always convenient. Textile workers in Bangladesh, who are mostly women, are entitled to four months’ maternity leave. Once this is over, they often end up parking their children with relatives when … Continue reading A pasteurisation machine for breast milk | THE ECONOMIST
Even as Sweden has second thoughts about aspects of its ultra-generous system WHEN Johan Braven had his first child he took nine months of leave. For the second he took ten months, the same amount as his wife. “I was afraid of not having the bond if I didn’t spend time at home with the … Continue reading Use it or lose it: EU plans to move closer to the Swedish model for parental leave | THE ECONOMIST
The legacy of Indian migration to European colonies A century after India ended the system of indentured labour, its diaspora is building a shared identity DOOKHEE GUNGAH, born of Indian migrants, began life in 1867 in a shed in Mauritius and worked as a child cutting sugar cane. By his death in 1944, he was … Continue reading One hundred years since servitude | THE ECONOMIST
French Guiana, in South America, seeks more autonomy from France Protests in the second-poorest of France’s overseas departments enter their fifth week OF ALL the voters fuming about neglect by out-of-touch politicians in distant Paris, the people of French Guiana have perhaps the strongest case. It is the second-poorest of France’s five overseas departments (DOMs). … Continue reading Failure to launch | THE ECONOMIST
Overfishing and the island’s unique geography both play a role WHEN Julian Creedon moved from Jersey to Réunion in 2006 the island seemed like a surfer’s paradise: “White beaches, epic waves, it was perfect.” But last month Alexandre Naussance, a 26-year-old fellow surfer, became the eighth person to be killed by a shark in the … Continue reading The Economist explains: Why shark attacks are on the rise in Réunion | THE ECONOMIST
Europe is trying to teach its gender norms to refugees. This turns out to be more complicated than it sounds WHEN Julian Creedon moved from Jersey to Réunion in 2006 the island seemed like a surfer’s paradise: “White beaches, epic waves, it was perfect.” But last month Alexandre Naussance, a 26-year-old fellow surfer, became the eighth … Continue reading Belgian girls aren’t easy | THE ECONOMIST
