New Infectious Diseases a Challenge to MDG Success

0 Comments read Health & Science

By Neena Bhandari

SYDNEY, 11.06.2010 (IPS) – While successful immunisation programmes worldwide have saved millions of lives, the threat of new infectious diseases and drug-resistant strains of existing diseases are posing a major challenge to governments, especially in developing regions like Asia, in meeting their commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“We have two major problems in the context of emerging infectious diseases in the coming decade – outbreaks, which might develop into pandemics, and the continuing increase in anti-microbial resistance,” Professor Tanya Sorrell, director of the newly established Sydney Institute of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, based at University of Sydney, tells IPS.

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Girls Give Red Card to FIFA’s Hijab Ban

0 Comments read Cricket & Sports, Gender
Lakemba Sport and Recreation Club women's football team. Photo Credit: Supplied

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 06.06.2010 (WFS): As the winter sun descends, young girls warm up for football training in their shorts and shirts at the Lakemba Sport and Recreation Club (LSRC) in Sydney, Australia. Some are also wearing a ‘hijab’, or headscarf, the traditional Islamic accessory used to cover the head.

Although a common sight in multicultural Australia, the ‘hijab’ has come under the spotlight as soccer’s world governing body, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), had banned it from competition in April this year.  FIFA’s rules state that players may not wear jewellery or dangerous headgear such as hair clips, and that “basic compulsory equipment must not have any political, religious or personal statements”.

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Zoroastrians Keep Old Traditions Alive in Australia

0 Comments read Diaspora, Features

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 21.03.2010 (Women’s Feature Service): It’s a Sunday morning, a fire is burning on a silver urn in the sanctum sanctorum as about 30 children pray with a priest in the main hall of the Darbe Meher, place of worship and community activities for Zoroastrians, in the Sydney suburb of Annangrove.

Nestling amidst verdant surroundings with a tranquil billabong (pool of water) and fruit trees, the Darbe Meher has become the epicentre of learning and festivities for Zoroastrians, who have migrated to Australia from India, Pakistan and Iran since the 1960s.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2006 Census data, there are 2110 people (1156 males and 954 females) practising Zoroastrianism, the pre-Christian faith founded in Persia (Iran) by Prophet Zarathushtra who believed in a single God, Ahura Mazda.

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