Friday Links — May 23, 2008

Ha Ana Za! looks at the survival and growth of Islamic feminism.

South Africa’s The Times speaks with Fatima Hassam, who is fighting for inheritance rights for multiple wives.

The U.S.’s Condoleezza Rice initiates the “One Woman Initiative,” which is a fund that aims to empower Muslim women around the world through funding education and business developments.

The Independent’s Deborah Orr talks about life for women in Kabul, Afghanistan.

None of the 27 women who ran in the Kuwaiti parliamentary elections were voted in.

Ziya Meral for the Turkish Daily News observes how men call the shots when it comes to women’s clothing in both Iran and Turkey.

H&M plans to open a women-only departments store in Saudi Arabia, which aims to bring more Saudi women into the workforce (and, uh, make a lot of money).

The UN Population Fund says that Yemen needs thousands more midwives in order for Yemeni women to attain universal access to skilled care at birth.

Al Arabiya focuses on Afghan women who turn to prostitution to feed themselves.

A maid whose sponsors abused her and amputated her fingers and toes receives paltry compensation in court. May Allah grant her justice.

The family of a rape survivor will not take her back due to social stigma surrounding rape. May Allah protect her.

Ireland’s school districts examine the inclusion of a headscarf in school dress code.

A local Saudi Arabian NGO announces a new program to aid women in finding employment, which a special emphasis on divorcees and widows.

The Columbia Spectator profiles graduate Khadijah Abdul-Nabi.

AKI uses a Saudi-style niqab to illustrate a story about Amnesty International urging Iran to overturn convictions of women’s rights activists. Idiots!

Saudi mothers push to get more parents to read to their children.

Arab News’ Abeer Mishkas tells Saudi women that they can learn from Kuwaiti elections.

The BBC examines the proposed ban on judges wearing religious symbols (including headscarves) in Denmark.