Why Society Treats Women As Second-Class Citizens

Women are God’s gift to mankind. It may sound a bit like a feminist rant but that is the truth as mankind will perish without women. Most women often put their own personal dreams aside once they have a family because of family obligations and the responsibility of raising children. Unfortunately, as if women’s sacrifices aren’t enough, the society, in general, considers women as second-class citizens who have to prove their worth first before they are even given the chance to try.

A fine example is the right to vote. It took a long while before most women all over the world were recognized to be equals of men and were allowed to help shape the future of the nation by exercising their right to suffrage. But until now, there are still many instances where women don’t get the same treatment as men. Also, violence against women has never waned despite the many advances in technology. It just took off on different platforms like the web. For the most part, women existed for the pleasure of men and it is something that many feminists detest considering many women can even outsmart men in school or at work.

Yet we’re seeing a lot of warning signs that global progress on women’s rights is in real danger of being thrown into reverse. Whether that’s new legal loopholes allowing child marriage in Bangladesh, where ActionAid works, or President Trump reinstating the ‘Global Gag Rule’, restricting access to abortion for some of the most vulnerable women in the world. There is a global urgency to make sure women’s rights are protected and advanced, not eroded.

One in three women and girls will experience violence in their lifetimes. Women are still earning on average 23% less than men, in more insecure, part-time, low-paid jobs. They also bear the brunt of unpaid care work, doing nearly 2.5 times more than men. ActionAid’s research has shown that the barriers women in developing countries face to accessing job opportunities and fair pay mean they lose out on a staggering $9 trillion every year.

There is so much more to do, and it is essential that Britain keeps up its role as a champion for women’s and girls’ rights internationally.

(Via: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/girish-menon/this-general-election-is-_b_16578292.html)

There have been many allegations of women right’s violations even in first world countries like America and the UK. Even though leaders often talk about valuing women’s rights, it is not exactly what always happen in real life. From discrimination in the workplace, marital abuse, and limited opportunities, women struggle all the time and it seems that the whole world is just okay with it because deep down, a highly patriarchal society considers women as second-class citizens who don’t deserve to enjoy the same perks enjoyed by men.

From the same white male–led White House that brought you the American Health Care Act (which could force women to pay as much as $1,000 more per month for maternity care) and the disastrous new budget proposal (which explicitly denies federal funding to Planned Parenthood for services including cervical cancer screenings) comes a brand-new “f-you” to women: The federal government on Monday created an official rule that could almost immediately enact President Trump’s recent “religious freedom” executive order. Signed earlier this month, the measure would allow employers to opt out of the Affordable Care Act’s free birth control mandate if they feel it is in violation of their religious beliefs. Recall craft store chain Hobby Lobby, which won a 2014 Supreme Court case on the matter, allowing it to deny its employees birth control because its owners are Evangelical Christians (and forever cementing this writer’s love for Michaels).

Trump’s executive order appeased religious groups, but it stands to imperil women’s reproductive rights across the country. The ACA’s birth control mandate benefited 50 million women in making contraception affordable, The New York Times reported, citing Democrats’ estimates. Now Trump’s rollback (which will face inevitable legal challenges from women’s groups) “is a direct attack on women’s access to birth control,” Dawn Laguens, executive vice president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a statement following the executive order. “A woman’s health should not be up to her boss or politicians.”

(Via: http://www.vogue.com/article/trump-rollback-aca-birth-control-mandate-ivanka-feminism)

With a known misogynistic leader, it seems that America is progressing backward for the entire world to see. Not only does he implement controversial policies that don’t seem to benefit the rest of the American population and may even harm the planet over time (think of the Paris Climate Agreement), his chauvinistic behavior will perhaps make it impossible for him to achieve his goal of making America great again. There is still a lot of work left to be done. It is why women advocates try to make as much noise as they can to highlight these violations against women even though the struggle is real every single day.

The following blog post Why Society Treats Women As Second-Class Citizens was first seen on IPAction.org

source https://ipaction.org/blog/why-society-treats-women-as-second-class-citizens/

The Pros Of Going To IT Conferences

The world is continually changing. Nothing was and is ever constant. Everyone and everything keeps on evolving as the years go by. These changes are even more evident when it comes to information technology. Everything is high-tech now. And one thing is for sure, whatever technology we now have will definitely get better as the years pass by.

The best place to learn about these tech advancements is attending IT conferences. You’d get the chance to see first-hand up and coming technologies and futuristic innovations that are not yet available to the public. Concepts and theories come to life during these conferences and you can have a new appreciation for technology once more. It’s really different seeing something for real than just hearing about it during discussions and academic arguments. Aside from that, you can also rub elbows with like-minded individuals who have a thirst for knowledge and want to know all about the latest advancements even before they are officially launched to the public.

For the first time in years, Apple Inc. will use its annual developer conference to tout not just its software, but hardware too.

When the Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off Monday in San Jose, California, the iPhone maker is likely to unveil iPads and Mac laptops along with new versions of the operating systems for those devices, according to people familiar with the plans. Cook may even lift the cover on a smart speaker based on the Siri virtual assistant.

It will be the first time Apple has presented new hardware at the conference since 2013. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook has for more than a year been showcasing the strength of Apple’s services businesses, such as the App Store and iCloud storage, in part a reflection of a dearth of new blockbuster gadgets and slowing growth for Apple’s flagship product, the iPhone. Now as the device pipeline fills, the company is shining more of the spotlight on hardware to woo the developers needed to create accompanying apps.

The company will also try to win over programmers with updates to Apple’s operating systems for computers, mobile devices, Apple TV and Watch.

(Via: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-04/apple-to-software-developers-we-have-new-hardware-for-your-apps)

You’ll be surprised at how much you can actually learn during these conferences and take your career to the next level. Taking a break from the usual daily grind can renew your interest and passion for your craft, so you come back to work with a renewed sense of purpose and have more creative juices flowing into your veins.

Benefits of Attending Professional Conferences

Our presentation will be one of hundreds of other panels and presentations that will cover various topics related to current issues in the criminal justice system. Attending professional conferences provides an opportunity to explore various areas of interest and learn more about the pressing issues surrounding the criminal justice field today. Often times, attending sessions will encourage you to think about other areas of research and topics in a way that you may not have previously considered.

In addition to the opportunity to showcase and get feedback on your work, conferences are also extremely beneficial for getting face-to-face time with other researchers from other parts of the country. In doing so, there is often an opportunity to make connections, collaborate and explore evidence-based practices that can help solve some of the current issues facing the field of criminal justice. I cannot think of a better way to feel as though you are making a real difference.

(Via: http://inpublicsafety.com/2017/03/benefits-presenting-attending-professional-conferences/)

Take the opportunity to collaborate with fellow professionals and scholars and grow your network of professionals, an opportunity you don’t usually get if you are all holed up in the office. And reconnecting with them after the conference is made easier now with the help of social media. You can get selfies with these people and tag them on Facebook or Instagram, perhaps, for a sure-fire way to stay connected with them through the years or even strengthen existing relationships with professionals you already know of but seldom see in person.

Many companies also bring with them actual samples of new products that attendees can check out up close. The web may be your oyster but it is easy to get lost with the vast amount of data it holds. Attending IT conferences in your field or a related career will help streamline what content to watch out for and how you can benefit from it instead of feeling lost as you explore the many corners of the web. Most of all, attending these events is a great way to improve yourself and learn all the newest technologies while having fun with others who share the same interests as you.

The Pros Of Going To IT Conferences Find more on: IPacBlog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/the-pros-of-going-to-it-conferences/

Smoking Pot For Leisure Is Now Legal

 

Smoking pot is frowned upon in most societies for years now. It is considered illegal, which is why many people smoke it away from the prying eyes of the public than risk being caught, reprimanded, and persecuted. Generally called as pot, it actually is marijuana leaves or cannabis that is often smoked by people. Cannabis oil and flowers can also be used and its smoke or vapor is inhaled and is consequently absorbed into the bloodstream. You can also put it under your tongue or apply it on your skin aside from smoking and still enjoy the same high results.

Pot smokers smoke cannabis using bowls or bongs or in a cigarette form. Recent discoveries show that cannabis can help treat various medical conditions, which is why medical cannabis is gaining popularity in various US states and even countries abroad. However, it is not a perfect science and there are many contradictions to these findings that lead to confusion and conflicts. It’s the reason that up to now, legalizing marijuana use still raises the eyebrows of many and remains to be the subject of on-going debates.

Vermont’s Legislature become the first in the nation Wednesday to approve a recreational marijuana legalization bill.

Vermont's bill, which would legalize small amounts of marijuana possession in 2018 and anticipate the possibility of a taxed and regulated legal marijuana market, was approved in the Vermont House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon by a vote of 79-66. The state Senate already passed the bill, so it will go directly to GOP Gov. Phil Scott.

Eight states — Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington — and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana following a voter referendum, but no state yet has legalized marijuana solely through the legislative process, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Legalization advocates said bills were pending in other state legislatures.

(Via: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/05/11/vermont-marijuana-bill/316970001/)

While smoking pot is now legal in many states in America, you still have to be an adult or 21 years old and above to be able to smoke it for leisure. You can even grow marijuana on your own (a maximum of six plants per adult) if you aren’t comfortable buying your weed fix in special stores. And while it is already legal, it does not mean you can smoke it anywhere you want because there would likely be legal sanctions, especially when done in public areas.

California may become the first “sanctuary state” in the country for pot smokers after a new piece of legislation was sent to the Senate Monday.

The marijuana bill proposed by Democrat Assemblyman Reggie Jones Sawyer passed through the assembly Friday and is now in the hands of the Senate Public Safety Committee, LA Weekly reported Monday.

The bill would prevent state and local law enforcement from helping enforce federal drug laws against residents who, while breaking federal marijuana law, are in compliance with California law.

The Drug Policy Alliance, a lobbying group in support of the bill, said the legislation is the result of states’ growing fears that the Department of Justice will crack down on marijuana nationally under Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

(Via: http://dailycaller.com/2017/06/06/california-may-become-first-sanctuary-state-for-pot-smokers/)

Not only in California, other states like Colorado and Oregon are also coming up with bills to protect both weed growers and users, whether for medical or recreational use despite the threats of Trump and Session to sue or even deport citizens who get caught with marijuana in their possession.

Canada’s medical cannabis growers now supply about 170,000 patients, and many producers regularly sell out or run short of strains, says Aaron Salz. He was the first investment analyst on Bay Street to specialize in Canada’s cannabis industry, and is now a consultant to some of the big growers. 

The industry won’t be able to expand quickly enough to immediately supply all the Canadians who might want to buy recreational marijuana, he says.

Between four million and six million Canadians will use cannabis recreationally next year, says Health Canada, drawing on estimates from both government and private sources.

In 13 months, when “the taps are turned on” for legal recreational pot, says Salz, “We are going to have a supply shortage. I’m highly confident of that.”

(Via: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/expect-some-empty-shelves-and-lineups-when-canada-legalizes-pot)

Not only is the legalization of smoking recreational marijuana making waves in America but even to the nearby country of Canada as well as the possibility of using it in the field of medicine and science. However, you just can’t easily say yes to cannabis legalization because it still has to undergo a stringent process but it is pretty obvious that there is a growing demand for it as well. Today, legislators are doubling their efforts in getting it legalized and in approving licenses to ensure that the weed industry can also meet the demand for weed that will only get bigger and bigger as the years pass by.

Smoking Pot For Leisure Is Now Legal is republished from IPAction.org Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/smoking-pot-for-leisure-is-now-legal/

Making A Career Out Of Playing Video Games

Education is crucial to one’s success. However, other opportunities have also opened up for people who are gutsy enough to take risks and take the less traveled road. Parents used to reprimand their kids who got hooked on video games saying that they can’t make a career out of it. Who would’ve thought you can make a fortune just from playing video games now? It was probably unheard of back then but it is a reality for some really talented and skilled video game player now.

Professional video game players are such a hit now because of technological advancements that make the world go round today. And you are not just limited to becoming a DOTA player, for instance. You can also make money by developing new gaming technologies or sell it if you have the flair of a salesman. You have to be genuinely interested in the technology itself and know your way on the screen using a game console.

Attention Indiana Tech is looking for video game superstars who aren’t necessarily the Mountain Dew-drinking, Cheetos-eating, stay up with the lights off until 3 a.m. stereotype. But they’re welcome, too.

The university has made video gaming a varsity sport starting this fall and is actively recruiting players of two games, League of Legends and Hearthstone.

And, attention parents: Indiana Tech is offering scholarships to gamers with the right stuff.

The new collegiate sport, taking hold at a handful of other universities around the country, can be traced to a modest beginning at Indiana Tech in 2015.

What started as a club team in a hot basement with a tangle of extension cords has now been elevated to a gaming arena with custom-made gaming stations, state-of-the-art gaming chairs and a coach’s office.

(Via: http://usatodayhss.com/2017/esports-video-games-college-scholarships-indiana-tech)

And to ease the worries of most parents, there is indeed a future in video games. The world is different now and your children who are obsessed with these virtual playthings can make a living out of it too as players themselves and even get an education too at the same time.

Don't be too hard on a kid playing video games for hours on end. He or she may be working toward a very lucrative career.

Video gaming is making some young people very very rich. One of the most successful gamers, a guy who goes by the online name "PewDiePie" earns an estimated $7 million dollars a year playing games like "League of Legends". He's 26 years old.

"A professional e­sports player in the world today makes as much as any major athlete in any major sport," says Robert Rippee the director of a new e­sports lab at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

"We're going to explore the concepts around e­sports and how to integrate them into here, you know, the large casino environment."

UNLV is one of many colleges and universities adding e­sports to campus life, whether that's in courses or sanctioned teams. Robert Morris University is offering scholarships to video game players after it added e­sports to the athletic program along with football and basketball.

(Via: http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/32823455/what-the-tech-video-games-scholarships)

A typical video gamer can elevate their social status in life by taking a career in this $5-billion industry. Even in Youtube, vloggers earn money from people who watch their videos of them playing video games. Huh? Yes, it is a thing now. Others are even more ambitious such as the Korean “League of Legend” tournament which sold out 88,000 tickets from people wanting to see 10 video gamers play on the big screen. No more questions asked.

If you don’t have a knack for playing itself, you can find an equally lucrative career as a video game developer. Not only are your platforms limited to typical video game gadgets themselves since you can also tap the smartphone market too. As long as you have the passion and skill in playing video games, you can be successful in this field even though it probably isn’t the dream of your parents for you. The point is you succeeded.

The following blog post Making A Career Out Of Playing Video Games is available on IPAction.org Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/making-a-career-out-of-playing-video-games/