Christian worker describes violent attacks based on caste and religion.

India (MNN) — India’s latest chapter of minority oppression resulted in the violent deaths of two young Dalit women from Uttar Pradesh. On Tuesday, a 19-year old and 22-year old succumbed to fatal injuries caused by two separate instances of gang rape. Rape occurs every 15 minutes in India, according to federal statistics. “Uttar Pradesh is turning out to be their laboratory of how [the] Hindu state [will function],” explains David*, a Christian worker in India...

International (MNN) — False worldviews in South Asia about men and women lead to increased domestic violence as billions are confined to their homes by COVID-19. Adrian DeVisser, the Vice President for Partnership Development at Asian Access, says ugly views towards women already exist, but the isolation is compounding the issue. In the cultural context of South Asia, which is informed by Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, De Visser says, “[People] believe that man is [like a] god, and the wife happens to be not a god. For instance, a lady in Asian contexts sometimes find it difficult to call her husband by name. She will call him by the name of the child and say,... 

India (MNN) — The Indian government is taking steps to punish violence against women. Most recently, four men were sentenced to death for the brutal gang rape of a 23-year-old female student in New Delhi in 2012. However, not much has changed at the societal level. Joe Handley with Asian Access says many Indian women still suffer marginalization, domestic abuse, and sexual assault. “Gang rape is a huge problem in India,” Handley says. “These gangs will pick on a young girl and unfortunately do atrocities in those situations. “In addition to that, there are situations where someone will get married and something will happen in the marriage relationship. It’s so bad that the husband wants to disown the wife, so…they’ll throw acid in their face and then...” {addthis off}

Bangladesh (MNN) — What makes a valid mandate when it comes to elections?

Yesterday, the Awami League handily won Bangladesh’s election, but the victory was marred by street fighting, low turnout, and a boycott by the opposition. Without a contender, the Awami League took more than two-thirds of seats in the contest.

Accusations over...