Global Roundup: Revolutions, glitter and the patriarchy
I am following several stories this week:
In Lebanon, a devastating blast in the capital Beirut has compounded the already unconscionable hardships of life for thousands of migrant domestic workers. Amnesty International estimates there are more than 250,000 foreigners - or around 8% of the country's working population - who live within Lebanon's kafala system, a form of employment sponsorship and contract which gives all the power to the sponsor. When the country was hit with a financial crisis, some employees dumped domestic workers outside the women’s respective embassies. The COVID19 pandemic worsened their situation and now migrant worker activists and Lebanese civil society groups are scrambling to find, help and repatriate domestic workers who have been abandoned. The women are caught between the worst intersections of patriarchy: anti-Blackness, poverty, misogyny.
"Migrant workers and refugees are systematically dehumanised and marginalised in Lebanon, in life and in death," Anti-Racism Movement said in a statement. Read the article: Beirut blasts leave migrant workers overlooked in life and death
And follow this thread for more background and about ways to donate.
Banchi Yimer @BanchiELB
Our sister are sleeping on the street they are over 40 some dumped by their sponsors some ran from abuser what’s worse than being forced to sleep like this. This is outside our embassy in Beirut we are providing food sanitizer, masks & tickets but we need to shout for these girls https://t.co/qQ8Wh0EmtfAnd watch this interview with Banchi Yimer, an Ethiopian migrant domestic worker activist
As with every revolution, women’s role in the uprising in Belarus has been analysed and hailed. It has been incredible to see women take on “Europe’s last dictator.”
It is imperative to resist patriarchal tropes and misogynist stereotypes as this article reminds How women’s role in Belarus protests captured global media attention
African LGBTQI+ refugees are often overlooked in responses to refugee crises. Read this article about Emily's journey, a trans woman from DRC through Uganda, Kenya to Ethiopia and back to Kenya
The Egyptian regime is arresting witnesses and people who have tried to help get justice for a victim of gang rape. The regime is scared because it knows a feminist revolution has begun and that women are exposing sexual violence in unprecedented numbers.
I have tasted too much teargas. Its effect on my breathing was clear. I did not know that it could impact the menstrual cycle. Read about the impact of teargas on the menstrual cycles of protestors here.
How are you taking care of yourself? I can quote to you Audre Lorde’s revolutionary words (who can’t?):
But I must confess I don’t give it enough thought. This was intriguing and inspiring.
Here’s a book I don’t want to read: former Trump spokesperson Sarah Sanders insisting that she is still a footsoldier of the patriarchy. This pull quote is instructive because it should remind white women voters who vote for Trump and who insist on continuing to carry water for him - i.e. Sanders herself - that patriarchy will throw you under the bus, no hesitation.
Here’s a book I do want to read:
See you on Friday for more feminist news from around the world and my first FEMINIST GIANT column.
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