INTl LEGAL DEV.contd/..

Nicaragua Institutes a Fund to Provide Credit to Rural Women to Own Property
The National Assembly of Nicaragua has instituted a special fund to provide credit to rural women to buy and own land. The fund is directed towards strengthening the initiative towards poverty reduction. It will be fed by national resources, international grants and loans. The fund will be administered in addition by a board with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Nicaraguan Institute of Women, and the Coordinator of Rural Women.
Source:
http://www.wunrn.com/news/2010/05_10/05_10_10/051010_nicaragua.htm
http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=51667
Gender Equality Law adopted in Georgia
The Parliament of Georgia has passed a new law called the Gender Equality Law which has been pending since 2006. The law lays down guidelines for establishment of a national women’s machinery, sets in place measures for enhancement of women’s security, guarantees equal labour rights and the right to political participation. The government also plans to introduce gender responsive planning and budgeting in its programme. While welcoming the new law, women groups, however say that the law does not provide for any mechanisms for protection of women in the private sphere from domestic violence by the family members.
Source:
http://www.wunrn.com/news/2010/05_10/05_10_10/051010_georgia.html
http://www.iwpr.net/report-news/georgia-combating-violence-home
http://www.unifem.org/news_events/story_detail.php?StoryID=1070
http://www.saynotoviolence.org/join-say-no/georgia-parliament-adopts-gender-equality-law
Parliament of Lesotho Enacts Law Guaranteeing Free and Compulsory Education for all Children
In an effort to advance universal primary education, the Government of Lesotho has enacted its Education Act 2010 guaranteeing free and compulsory education to all children. The Act is the outcome of a widely held consultative process which aimed at reviewing the Education Act of 1995. One of the primary goals of the Act (apart from improving quality of education) is making the education system more responsive to the impact of HIV, AIDS and poverty on children and helping them take informed decisions for a safer and healthier life.
Source:
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_53653.html
http://www.melodika.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28675&Itemid=55
Malawian Court Sentences Gay Couple, who are later pardoned as a result of international pressure
A court in Malawi sentenced a gay couple to 14 years imprisonment and hard labour for ‘gross indecency’ and ‘unnatural acts against the law of nature’. The Government of Malawi supported the verdict as protecting the culture and traditions of Malawi. The sentence and the Malawian government’s support to homophobia was condemned by activists and governments from all over the world, they said that the ruling was a setback to justice and human rights in Malawi and will further marginalise and stigmatise the homosexual community. As a consequence of international pressure and a threat of decrease in aid to Malawi, the President of Malawi pardoned the gay couple.
Source:
http://www.womenwontwait.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=203&Itemid=1
http://www.afrol.com/articles/36158
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/100619-white-house-applauds-pardon-of-malawi-gay-couple-facing-prison-term-


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