- The Canadian Armed Forces will no longer allow the use of gender specific pronouns in official reports. The notice issued via Canadian Forces General Message reads:
“Based on a recent CAF cultural and normative shift to promote gender diversity and associated inclusiveness, CFPAS [Canadian Forces Personnel Appraisal System] writing policy and guide will also reflect this new reality where sex, gender identity, and gender expression are prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act. Forthwith the use of gender pronouns such as quote he/his and she/her unquote are not to be used when drafting pers. Members will be referred to by rank and name or by using gender-neutral pronouns such as they/their.”
- Venezuela’s broken maternity wards often have to turn women away and have unsanitary conditions, leaving many women to give birth in the street or on hospital steps. The government has stopped publicly releasing figures on maternal and infant mortality.
- A judge has ruled that the State of Alabama can’t enforce a ban on abortions during the COVID-19 epidemic.
- Hundreds of Saudi women are sharing their experiences of sexual harassment on social media and recounting why they didn’t report their abuse to authorities.
- Polish MPs are set to consider a bill that pro-choice campaigners say would effectively ban abortion. Irene Donadio, from International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network, told Euronews:
“We believe strongly it’s not a coincidence that they are taking [the bill] during coronavirus lockdown when freedom of movement and assembly have been removed.
I think [the timing] is extremely cynical and cowardly… It’s not a normal democratic process and there’s not been much media scrutiny because of coronavirus.”