Daily Archives: April 25, 2017

The government intends to prohibit triple talaq practice through constitutional amendment for the betterment of Indian Muslim women, whose marital life is instantly spoiled by the utterance of the three words on the whim of the husband.

Triple talaq through the instant messaging methods of mobile and internet or in drunken condition without giving the couple the opportunity of reconciliation is undesirable, according to Islamic jurisprudence.

Many Muslim countries have already abolished this method. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), an umbrella body for safeguarding Islamic laws in India, opposes the government's intervention in personal laws of Muslims.

However, it now advocates the formulation of some guidelines according to Islamic law to discourage practices of divorce that are not in compliance with religion. The AIMPLB also plans to create awareness and suggests social boycott for those men who adopt unlawful methods for separation.

Beyond the religious line, if the practice of triple talaq violates rights and creates a sense of insecurity among Muslim women, then it is the responsibility of both the government and AIMPLB to take measures to redress complaints about the same within the ambit of the Constitution.

The divorce issue is widely linked with Muslim women though the highest rate of divorce in India is among Christians and Buddhists. As per Census 2011, the crude divorce rate - number of divorces per thousand female population - was 2.53 among Muslims, 2.66 among Christians and 3.33 among Buddhists. The number for separated women is lowest among Muslim women - 3.43 - and the highest among Buddhists, 7.12, and Christians, 6.65, for the year 2011.

Before the divorce or separation, a mechanism needs to be formed for reconciliation among couples, with divorce being regarded as the last solution to avoid the worst circumstances, such as torture by husband or suicide.

Along with divorce, suicide is another major social evil that has caused the deaths of 6,95,000 women during the last 15 years, from 2000 to 2015. Interestingly, the most common reason behind suicide among women was found to be family problems - 40 per cent - and then marriage-related issues, 9 per cent, in the year 2015.

Women are also badly treated by family members in the absence of divorce; incidences of cruelty against women by husband and his relatives were 1,13,403, according to NCRB estimates for 2015.

Before the divorce or separation, a mechanism needs to be formed for reconciliation among couples. Photo: Reuters

The aforementioned figures apparently indicate that women, irrespective of religious affiliation, are maligned via different means in our male-dominated society.

To avoid danger to a woman in a bad marriage and during family conflict, divorce is permissible and considered as a solution under Indian laws.

However, its instant imposition without an effort towards reconciliation has the whooping impact on the couple, specifically on the future livelihood of the woman as she is more financially dependent on the male partner.

Empowering of women could avert its bad consequences as they could become more self-reliant. Instead of meddling with personal laws, the government can contribute largely towards empowerment of Muslim women via reforms in education, health, employment and representation in legislative bodies - so that they can take better decisions and become capable of managing unwanted situations.

Out of 429lakh married Muslim women, only 2lakh women are affected by divorce but the illiterate women make up 267lakh (38 per cent) of total 702lakh women.

Muslim women also have fewer opportunities in higher education - only three per cent have attained the graduation level according to the 2011 Census while their share is less than five per cent in enrolment for higher education, according to 2014-15 data.

An estimate derived from a government survey conducted in 2014 on education showed that 20 per cent Muslim women between 5-29 years of age discontinued education due to financial constraints and 23 per cent due to engagement in domestic services, while this number for boys was 30 per cent due to financial issues and 24 per cent due to engagement in economic activities.

Muslim women are largely underrepresented in state legislative bodies and Parliament. They constitute around 7 per cent of the countrys population but have worse representation than men in Parliament.

According to the population ratio, their ideal representation should be around 35 out of 543 seats but unfortunately only four and three candidates won in the last two parliamentary elections of 2014 and 2009, respectively.

Uttar Pradesh, a state with 19 per cent Muslim population, doesnt have any Muslim woman representative. The BJP, a party raising the triple talaq issue ostensibly for the betterment of Muslim women, did not consider allotting a single ticket to Muslim women in the recent Assembly and earlier parliamentary elections.

Similarly, the government can find wider scope for empowerment of Muslim women in many other segments.

The AIMPLB also cant rid itself of responsibility by calling the proposed ban on triple talaq as unconstitutional and an act of interference by the government in personal laws.

Empowerment of women should be initiated within the community itself. The AIMPLB needs to formulate a detailed multi-prolonged vision with the help of all stakeholders for the betterment of Muslim women in India - and a line of action must also be laid down against triple talaq.

Also read:BJP affidavit on triple talaq is part of saffron agenda - even Muslim women are jittery

See the rest here:

Government and AIMPLB must empower Muslim women to solve triple talaq issue - DailyO

By Shannon Deady Staff Writer

Despite usually being a stranger to the person beside them, an intimate atmosphere of understanding and support filled the dimly lit basement of the Business Building as students gathered to share the raw details of their most personal stories.

Sexual assault survivors spoke about their experiences at the annual Take Back the Night event on Tuesday, April 18. While each story was different, they all shared one common theme: empowerment.

Traditionally, the event has begun with a peaceful protest in which students reclaimed their right to walk safely at night, free from the threat of sexual assault or violence. This year, however, this iconic portion of the event was cut.

Marching was not the focus we want anymore. We wanted to create a safer, more open space for those who wanted to tell their story, said Abbey Moor, vice president of Women In Learning and Leadership and a sophomore special education and womens, gender and sexuality studies double major.

WILL successfully created a welcoming space. More students spoke this year than in years prior.

Alison Daks, program coordinator at Womanspace, a nonprofit that provides services to individuals and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence, kicked off the event.

The cost of rape has a large physical impact on society and survivors, according to Daks.

The economic burden of a rape survivor throughout the course of their lifetime is estimated to be $122,000, including health implications, criminal justice costs and lost productivity. This doesnt include the emotional burden, though.

With 25 million survivors in the U.S. alone, the nation needs to spend more money on prevention and ways to help survivors, according to Daks.

At Womanspace shelters and hospitals, Daks often interacts with survivors of sexual assault. Time and time again, Daks has seen the effect an assault has on survivors.

The impact on every individual who has experienced sexual assault is just that individual, Daks said. What we know, what we hear from survivors, is that there was a me before the experience and there is a me after the experience.

For survivors who are learning to cope, the event gave students a way to express their experiences.

A sophomore psychology major spoke about how last years event where she told her story for the first time has impacted her.

It was only until this event last year when I approached the podium my heart in my throat and poured a very nonsensical version of this story to the audience, she said. Afterward other people and other survivors spoke to me, they empathized and understood. That connection was something that I needed for so long.

Six other survivors shared their stories through tears, smiles and even some laughs. Each speaker reminded the audience that being a victim of sexual assault has nothing to do with strength.

Most students know to carry pepper spray, not walk home alone and say no, but it isnt always that simple. Sexual assault can happen to anyone, even the strongest of people.

Fear of negative reactions from peers or being accused of lying are the biggest reasons that college students choose not to report their sexual assaults.

As a result, another common theme among the speakers was the importance of knowing how to respond to a friend who thinks they may have been assaulted.

The anecdote, told by Molly Knapp, a sophomore womens, gender and sexuality studies major, is simple. Just say three things: Im sorry, I believe you and How can I help?

Frankie DiMedio, a sophomore elementary education and womens, gender and sexuality studies double major who attended the event, was left with an everlasting memory of this anecdote.

More students need to come out to events like this. It is more popular of a problem than we even realize on college campuses, she said. (The event) was such an eye-opening experience for me.

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Assault survivors tell empowering stories - The Signal

And with that in mind, the Genealogical Society is hosting "Your Dash," an eight-month long free event that will allow attendees to reflect on life also put it into writing.

The program will have meetings the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m., beginning on May 1. It will take place at the Carnegie Resource Center, located at 119 W. Third Ave. Sign-ups are not required, but encouraged, Ragle said, and can be done so by calling 996-3209 or stopping by the resource center.

Each meeting will last approximately an hour, Ragle said, and will discuss one topic. Some of the topics for the project will include events and achievements, motherhood, fatherhood, hobbies and beliefs.

The purpose, Ragle said, is to allow people to talk about and share their stories. It also will allow attendees to write down their life stories in a physical form.

"The key is to get something down for the future generations, and so they know who are you," Ragle said.

This program serves as an outreach project for the genealogical society, Ragle said, adding that it would be fun to bring this nationwide event to Mitchell.

Ragle hopes attendees will learn the value of their lives, the importance of their connection to the community and for the future generation's knowledge. She also said people can learn how to better express themselves.

At the end of the eight months, Ragle said, the society would like to help attendees put together a book of what they wrote, which could include pictures and other artwork.

"Some of these people have even thought about if they even count, and that they're just the dash," Ragle said. "This is about personal empowerment."

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Genealogical Society to host "Your Dash" event, reflecting on life's journey - Daily Republic

Over 5,000 students currently studying in institutions of higher learning in Lagos State are to benefit from broad-base knowledge on how to deploy Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for personal and organisational empowerment.

Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, who disclosed this during the official unveiling of AfriOne Assembly plant on Friday April 21, 2017 in Oshodi, Lagos, also expressed optimism that the coming of AfriOne into the state would spurred the emergence of the 24 hr economy in Lagos as a mega city.

Ambode, who was represented on the occasion by the Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Olufemi Odubiyi, also stressed that the partnership will help create direct and indirect jobs for youths and others across various sectors.

AfriOnes decision to use the students of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) for the maintenance, repair, and servicing of mobile devices is worthy of commendation, the governor said.

The collaboration with Afrione will be of immense benefits to these students and the State.

He said this will complement the enterprise enhancement initiative of the Lagos State Government targeted at empowering students of tertiary institutions across the state.

The initiative, the governor stated, has committed to help 5,000 students at various levels of studies in Lagos State owned higher institutions per session.

The government is not unaware of the challenges faced by youths.

This has informed the decision by the Lagos State government to float an Empowerment Trust Fund to provide financial assistance to youths with well crafted innovative entrepreneurial ideas and competencies.

AfriOnes collaboration will compliment efforts by the Lagos State government in ensuring that these youths are empowered, Ambode said.

Earlier, AfriOnes Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Sahir Berry said the vision of the company is to make smart phones available to the teeming youths and all Nigerians.

"AfriOne aims to democratize technology, by offering affordable innovations through our product offerings and removing barriers deterring the large scale adoption of advanced technology in Nigeria.

The company he noted will provide a platform for students of Lagos State Polytechnic to acquire practical experience on phone manufacturing and other aspects of mobile technologies.

Sahir disclosed that the company has started with assembling components and packaging locally, adding that, within the shortest time, it would begin the manufacture of components used in making smart phones and similar devices locally.

"Today, AfriOne is mainly assembling phones here and packaging done locally. But you must bear in mind that as youths get involved in the process, sooner than you imagine, they will begin to get ideas about the components that they can manufacture locally", Mr Sahir said.

He also hinted that the phones have been modelled on cutting edge technology to facilitate connectivity amongst Nigerians and the rest of the world, adding that they have integrated necessary financial technology such as mobile banking and apps to help farmers get higher yields.

Original post:

AfriOne unveils production factory for first made-in-Nigeria smartphones, engages 5, 000 students - Daily Trust

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Maria Shriver was in Boston Friday to talk about a disease that is not always top of mind for women, but she says it should be, and her mission to find a cure for Alzheimers is a personal one.

Shriver watched the disease take a devastating toll on her late fathers mind. Robert Sargent Shriver was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2003.

And he was, as Ive always said, the smartest human being Id ever met, Shriver said. So to watch a brain like that go from functioning as this beautifully finely tuned instrument to not really being able to function at all is an incredible thing to witness.

His story is the motivation for her non-profit, the Womens Alzheimers Movement. The organization is dedicated to raising money for womens based research and raising awareness about the disease that does discriminate.

Of the 5.5 million Americans living with Alzheimers, two-thirds are women. A woman in her 60s is twice as likely to Alzheimers as she is to get breast cancer. They are statistics Shriver is determined to get out to the public.

This is the ultimate womens empowerment issue because if you dont have your mind you cannot feel empowered, Shriver said.

Shriver is also focused on prevention, knowing Alzheimers can develop in the brain 20 years before a person becomes symptomatic. From a healthy diet and sleeping habit to meditation and brain-sharpening exercises, she says there are things a person can do.

The prevention techniques are highlighted in a coloring book Shriver authored for those with Alzheimers and their caregivers called Color Your Mind.

Shriver spoke at the Brain Health Fair at the Boston Convention Center and she may be back in Boston in June. Her non-profit is hosting a Move For Minds event at Equinox locations across the country including Boston. Shriver will visit the location where participants raise the most money for research.

You can find out more about the event and Shrivers non-profit here.

Published at 4:03 PM EDT on Apr 21, 2017 | Updated at 5:14 PM EDT on Apr 21, 2017

Link:

Maria Shriver: Alzheimer's Awareness Is 'Ultimate Women's ... - NECN

TheLiving Computers: Museum + Labsrecently opened a permanent exhibition dedicated to the first two decades of Apple,I caught up with the Museums executive director Lath Carlson to find out more.

The show opened in early April 2017 with a VIP preview night, to which the museum invited some of the amazing people who first created the personal computer, shaping the early days of the industry.

This was quite a remarkable party, not least that it saw Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen (who also founded the museum) and Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak, meet for the very first time.

In the world of microcomputers, Apple products, and specifically those designed by Woz, really stand out.

The circuit board layouts and efficient use of chips that Woz designed are beautiful pieces of engineering, said Carlson. The Apple II remains one of the best designed personal computers ever.

I was rounding up the early Apple employees for a photo around our operational Apple 1, Carlson told me. Only when they were all lined up did they realize that the whole crew from Steve Jobs parents garage was there, except Steve himself," he said.

"Woz, Bill Fernandez, Chris Espinosa, Randy Wigginton and Daniel Kottke, they had not all been together since the garage days.

(The original Apple I was built by these men in Steve Jobs parents garage).

The founder of Silicon Valleys Homebrew Computer Club, Gordon French, and moderator Lee Felsenstein, founders S-100 computer companies like Cromemco and IMSAI and the family of Apple engineer Don Hutmacher also turned up for the VIP event.

The Apple exhibit includes three Apple I machines with one being the only operable machine in the world.These machines the first-ever Apple product -- were all handmade by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and their small team.

Of the approximately 200 Apple I computers produced, fewer than 70 remain.

By using the Apple 1, you experience first-hand how much more user friendly a keyboard and display screen is to use, when the machines that came before relied on switches and lights, said Carlson.

Visitors will also get a sense for how limited many of the early personal computers were. They had poor resolution screens, very little memory (the Apple I came with 4K of RAM), and in many cases (like the original Macintosh) not much software.

For me, seeing Steve Wozniak demonstrate the Apple I for his wife Janet at our event is not something I will ever forget, said Carlson.

There are other computers in the collection, including the Sanyo MBC-550,Amstrad PC1512, Microsoft Green-Eyed Mouse,Apple III, Powermac G4,Microsoft SoftCard and the 1990 NeXTcube.

The NeXTcube is also a highly important historical artefact. You could even argue that the reason you are reading this article now is because of that system.

Why?

Because Sir Tim Berners-Lee created the worlds first Web browser and first Web server on a NeXTcube in 1990.

Its easy to forget that the early days of computing were enabled by very personal triumphs and shared efforts.

In the early days of personal computers, everyone was working together. Microsoft was supplying up to 50 companies with software in the beginning, with much of it for Apple.

"People would start projects in their garages, form companies, then fail and join other companies. In 1975-1978, it was a tremendously, dynamic industry, and one of the few times in the development of computers that single individuals could have such impact.

Carlson came across lots of evidence of the personal empowerment writ deep inside the tech industry during the opening night.

Many times, one of the guests would recognize a computer, or component they had a hand in designing, which made the event that much more memorable. The guests were so busy talking and reconnecting that very little of the food was eaten!

Carlson had a great story about showing Kottke the Apple I that was once in Steve Jobs office.

I was talking to long-time friend of Steve Jobs, and sometimes Apple employee, Daniel Kottke. We were looking at the Apple I that had come from Jobs office when Daniel remarked that the hand-drawn return arrow on the keyboard had been drawn by him, said Carlson.

He then went on to reminisce about the time Jobs asked him to modify an Apple 1 with an EPROM so it could run BASIC without the need to load it from a cassette tape.

"At that moment, I had the privilege of letting him know that the machine we were looking at was that same Apple 1, the only known machine to undergo that modification.

Just imagine how you might feel if you were Kottke coming across that.

It is interesting to think about the significance of the technologies and individuals represented through this show.

It is particularly significant as we look to a future in which computers become so much a part of life they almost disappear. As technology heads into AI, IoT, wearables, mobile and more, tomorrows tech future will look very different from todays and vastly different from then moments captured by the museum.

Moores Law is at its apex, Carlson explains. Basic physics dictates that there is a limit to how small components can get, whether it is the width of a photon of light, or the size of an atom. Also, most of us now have more computing power than we really need.

"What we will see is a continued decrease in the cost of processors, to the point where they are almost free. We are also seeing some really interesting advances in memory.

The interface is also transforming.

In the future, I expect brain interfaces to continue to improve, and as computers get smaller and mostly cheaper, an increase in IoT-type devices and more ubiquitous computation, he said.

(Heres one idea of how that might work).

Why did the Museum decide to launch this exhibition? To educate, entertain, and inspire, Carlson seemed to say. Most people wont be able to visit the museum, but even at a distance the founders wanted to stress their message:

The computers of today are the direct descendants of the machines built by a bunch of people just like them in their garages and bedrooms, said Carlson. Their collaboration, sharing and open standards enabled this world-changing technology to take off.

Ultimately the museum staff hope to infect people with a sense of personal empowerment and inspiration.

We want visitors to walk away from this exhibition inspired by the stories of the people that created these computers. Inspired to use technology, to solve their own problems, or even to create new technologies.

The museum is looking for interesting computers, software, documentation and memorabilia to add to its collection. One thing we are collecting right now is computer industry swag from historic conferences and fairs, said Carlson. If you have something youd like to submit to the museum you should contact them using this form.

Google+?If you use social media and happen to be a Google+ user, why not joinAppleHolic's Kool Aid Corner communityand join the conversation as we pursue the spirit of the New Model Apple?

Got a story?Drop me a line via Twitteror in comments below and let me know. I'd like it if you chose to follow me on Twitter so I can let you know when fresh items are published here first on Computerworld.

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What happened when the Apple I team got together? | Computerworld - Computerworld