csmonitor--2020-07-02--Fishing for solutions: local Thai company recycles old nets

Thai fisherman Anan Jaitang used to pile tattered nylon fishing nets on the beach after hauls of wriggling crabs tore them beyond repair , but most of the nets wound up in the sea , threatening to entangle turtles and choke coral reefs .
Now , Mr. Jaitang and others have an alternative that 's not only lucrative and environmentally friendly but will help Thailand battle the coronavirus pandemic .
A new community-based project is paying small-scale fishermen 10 baht ( 32 cents ) per kilogram of discarded nets , or about every one or two , to recycle them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shields and disinfectant bottles .
`` If no one bought my fishing nets , they would just pile up like a mountain , '' says Mr. Jaiting , who goes through about 36 nets every quarter , fishing in the east coast province of Rayong .
He is among more than 100 artisanal fishermen from four coastal villages in Thailand 's east and south to have joined the project , run by the Environmental Justice Foundation ( EJF ) .
With 50,000 small fishing vessels and 10,000 commercial ships , Thailand has one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and is also one of its top marine plastic polluters .
Hundreds of endangered sea animals wash up on Thailand 's shores every year .
About 74 % of sea turtles and 89 % of dugongs stranded on the beaches between 2015 and 2017 had been injured by nets left or lost in oceans , official Thai figures show .
About 705,480 tons of fishing nets end up in the ocean globally every year , becoming `` ghost gear , '' the United Nations says .
In addition to tackling Thailand 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rare all-domestic solution to a global challenge .
Thai design company Qualy is buying most of the fishing nets being collected by EJF .
Its recycling and manufacturing operations are based in Thailand , unlike similar projects in other countries that ship nets abroad for recycling .
Workers at Qualy 's recycling factory in the central city of Ayutthaya wash the nets before feeding them into a shredder that yields blue nylon granules to be mixed with colorants and melted down in product molds .
During the pandemic , Qualy has shredded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shields , alcohol spray bottles , and push sticks for elevator buttons and ATM machines to avoid contact .
`` We 've sold over 100,000 push sticks already during the coronavirus pandemic , '' said marketing director Thosaphol Suppametheekulwat .
He declined to give financial details but confirmed the net recycling operation was profitable , with sales in Europe , Japan , Singapore , South Korea , Taiwan , and Hong Kong .
`` Buying the nets supports the fishers ' livelihoods , and we can make new products out of them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's even better when it also helps save our environment . ''
The Thai government has welcomed the initiative .
`` Any efforts to remove the nets from the ecosystem is welcome , '' said Ukkrit Satapoomin , the director of Thailand 's Office of Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation .
EJF said the project had collected more than 1.3 tonnes of used nets since a pilot phase two months ago , and plans to expand it to all seaside provinces by year-end .
`` It 's really important and urgent that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ingpat Pakchairatchakul .
`` Local communities are very environmentally-conscious already , but they just need helping hands from other sectors . ''
For Mr. Jaitang , the fisherman , the project has not only brought extra income , but put a smile on his face at the thought that his trash contributes to a worthy cause .
`` I 've seen the products , and I 'm proud of my materials , '' he said , after seeing a push stick made from recycled nets .
`` At least it helps the society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story was reported by Reuters .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Juarawee Kittisilpa

Thai fisherman Anan Jaitang used to pile tattered nylon fishing nets on the beach after hauls of wriggling crabs tore them beyond repair, but most of the nets wound up in the sea, threatening to entangle turtles and choke coral reefs. Now, Mr. Jaitang and others have an alternative that's not only lucrative and environmentally friendly but will help Thailand battle the coronavirus pandemic.
A new community-based project is paying small-scale fishermen 10 baht (32 cents) per kilogram of discarded nets, or about every one or two, to recycle them into items from push sticks to face shields and disinfectant bottles.
"If no one bought my fishing nets, they would just pile up like a mountain," says Mr. Jaiting, who goes through about 36 nets every quarter, fishing in the east coast province of Rayong.
He is among more than 100 artisanal fishermen from four coastal villages in Thailand's east and south to have joined the project, run by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF).
With 50,000 small fishing vessels and 10,000 commercial ships, Thailand has one of the world's largest fishing industries, and is also one of its top marine plastic polluters.
Hundreds of endangered sea animals wash up on Thailand's shores every year. About 74% of sea turtles and 89% of dugongs stranded on the beaches between 2015 and 2017 had been injured by nets left or lost in oceans, official Thai figures show.
About 705,480 tons of fishing nets end up in the ocean globally every year, becoming "ghost gear," the United Nations says.
Net gains
In addition to tackling Thailand's stubborn pollution problem, the project offers a rare all-domestic solution to a global challenge.
Thai design company Qualy is buying most of the fishing nets being collected by EJF.
Its recycling and manufacturing operations are based in Thailand, unlike similar projects in other countries that ship nets abroad for recycling.
Workers at Qualy's recycling factory in the central city of Ayutthaya wash the nets before feeding them into a shredder that yields blue nylon granules to be mixed with colorants and melted down in product molds.
During the pandemic, Qualy has shredded 1,500 lbs of nets to make face shields, alcohol spray bottles, and push sticks for elevator buttons and ATM machines to avoid contact.
"We've sold over 100,000 push sticks already during the coronavirus pandemic," said marketing director Thosaphol Suppametheekulwat.
He declined to give financial details but confirmed the net recycling operation was profitable, with sales in Europe, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
"Buying the nets supports the fishers' livelihoods, and we can make new products out of them," Mr. Suppametheekulwat said. "It's even better when it also helps save our environment."
Helping hands
The Thai government has welcomed the initiative.
"Any efforts to remove the nets from the ecosystem is welcome," said Ukkrit Satapoomin, the director of Thailand's Office of Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation.
EJF said the project had collected more than 1.3 tonnes of used nets since a pilot phase two months ago, and plans to expand it to all seaside provinces by year-end.
"It's really important and urgent that we tackle this problem," said campaigner Ingpat Pakchairatchakul.
"Local communities are very environmentally-conscious already, but they just need helping hands from other sectors."
For Mr. Jaitang, the fisherman, the project has not only brought extra income, but put a smile on his face at the thought that his trash contributes to a worthy cause.
"I've seen the products, and I'm proud of my materials," he said, after seeing a push stick made from recycled nets.
"At least it helps the society and saves the environment."
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by Reuters.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-07-02--On Independence Day, Black Americans see hope of a larger patriotism

But the mounting desire of significantly more Americans to be receptive to the Black experience can begin to ease that tension .
Bryon Garner , who served in the military and has a brother who is a police officer , says “ patriotism means a lot to us in the sense that we do love our country.
” Often , it feels being patriotic “ means you ’ re being less Black.
” There ’ s a “ psychological strain of being Black and also being loyal to your country , loving your country when that love for that country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon your hurt not existing , or silencing your hurt , ” he says .
Dr. Johnson , a mental health expert , has studied the phenomenon he calls a “ double consciousness.
” It is the struggle to reconcile a love of country with a history of racial prejudice .
The killing of George Floyd has set off protests and unrest across the United States .
But as Independence Day approaches , Micah Johnson says the broad outpouring of support has also done something else .
It has , to a small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many feel being both Black and American .
Bryon Garner and his wife were sitting by the beach in Martha ’ s Vineyard when a pickup truck filled with white teenagers rolled by , flying an enormous American flag .
To the Navy veteran , the display did not evoke feelings of pride ; it felt menacing .
“ It didn ’ t seem friendly.
” For Mr. Garner , the moment was a reminder of what , for many Black Americans , is an uncomfortably familiar fact : Being patriotic can mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the very beginning , there has been Black blood on the battlefields for this nation , ” says Mr. Garner , a contract specialist for the Defense Logistics Agency and a Ph.D. student researching what it means to be Black and patriotic in 21st-century America .
“ Yet when we come home , the country still does not live up to the truest part of its values.
” Every year on Independence Day , Americans of all backgrounds rally around shared ideals , surrounded by star-spangled bunting , fireworks , and flag-themed food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans , the symbolism of the flag includes a struggle to reconcile love of country with the personal pain of the nation ’ s long history of racial prejudice .
This Independence Day , there is a glimmer of what could be , as protests for racial justice draw Americans of all races in the wake of George Floyd ’ s killing by police .
But those cherished ideals also underline the distance that remains for America to genuinely embrace and celebrate the experience of its Black citizens .
There ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also being loyal to your country , loving your country when that love for that country and that idea of patriotism is predicated upon your hurt not existing , or silencing your hurt , ” says Micah Johnson , an assistant professor of mental health law and policy at the University of South Florida in Tampa .
“ How , then , do I become a whole person , when I love this country but that country doesn ’ t always love me back ?
” asks Dr. Johnson , who regularly trains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study , “ The Paradox of Black Patriotism : Double Consciousness.
” After the death of Mr. Floyd , there has been a shift , and the world now seems able to “ pay attention and learn more about this double consciousness that exists in the Black community , ” says Dr. Johnson .
Sociologist and civil rights activist W.E.B .
Du Bois first described Black double consciousness in the late 1800s as the duality that comes from “ looking at one ’ s self through the eyes of others.
” During the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to alleviate the strain between being Black and being patriotic somewhat , but further progress comes down to caring more about Black people as friends and neighbors , says Dr. Johnson .
“ People are now more receptive to the Black experience .
They are more interested in knowing more about these struggles .
They ’ re invested more .
With that , there ’ s less tension ... between these two identities , ” he says .
In many ways , both the American flag and what it represents have been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has changed .
During the Civil War , both anti-slavery and pro-slavery coalitions rallied beneath it .
In 1963 , as part of a boycott against merchants in Jackson , Mississippi , 600 Black schoolchildren carried American flags as symbols of protest before they were arrested .
The American flag itself has been updated nearly 30 times since the bands of red , white , and blue were stitched together in 1777 – more than any other flag in the world – adding stars as new states were formed .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grows and changes with us as a nation , ” says Michael Green , a vexillologist at Texas A & M University .
For some , the American flag symbolizes the freedom that allows citizens to speak out and provide the impetus for change .
Michael Eaborn , a Black author and poet from Spencer , North Carolina , says the flag is a reminder that America has potential .
“ I love America .
I think we can do better , but I ’ m never going to say I hate being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lottery : I was born in the USA , ” he says .
Being patriotic doesn ’ t mean you have to approve of everything ; it “ means loving your country enough to want to make a change in it , ” he adds .
Mr. Eaborn says his patriotism has inspired him to act : He ’ s running for city council .
For Mr. Garner ’ s part , his father , brother , and sister all served in the military , as he did .
He continues to serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his brother is a police officer .
“ Service means a lot to us .
Patriotism means a lot to us in the sense that we do love our country.
” But there is a need to widen the nation ’ s view of patriotism , he says .
“ We have to broaden the notion of patriotism and unhinge it from a white frame of reference.
” To Mr. Garner , it can feel that being patriotic “ means you ’ re being less Black.
” But it doesn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
“ The majority of Americans , for the first time in history , are demanding racial justice , ” he says .
“ That changes the national consciousness on what the flag means .
So now part of the flag is Black Lives Matter.
” The flag is already becoming a more universal symbol , he adds , and that ’ s fitting , because “ this flag represents our love for this country and our love for [ what ] this country will eventually become .
”

But the mounting desire of significantly more Americans to be receptive to the Black experience can begin to ease that tension. Bryon Garner, who served in the military and has a brother who is a police officer, says “patriotism means a lot to us in the sense that we do love our country.” Often, it feels being patriotic “means you’re being less Black.”
There’s a “psychological strain of being Black and also being loyal to your country, loving your country when that love for that country and that idea of patriotism is predicated upon your hurt not existing, or silencing your hurt,” he says.
Independence Day stirs a deep love of country. This year, it’s also stirring the hope that this love can more fully embrace the Black American experience.
Dr. Johnson, a mental health expert, has studied the phenomenon he calls a “double consciousness.” It is the struggle to reconcile a love of country with a history of racial prejudice.
The killing of George Floyd has set off protests and unrest across the United States. But as Independence Day approaches, Micah Johnson says the broad outpouring of support has also done something else. It has, to a small but important degree, reduced the tension many feel being both Black and American.
Bryon Garner and his wife were sitting by the beach in Martha’s Vineyard when a pickup truck filled with white teenagers rolled by, flying an enormous American flag. To the Navy veteran, the display did not evoke feelings of pride; it felt menacing. “It didn’t seem friendly.”
For Mr. Garner, the moment was a reminder of what, for many Black Americans, is an uncomfortably familiar fact: Being patriotic can mean having a double consciousness.
“From the very beginning, there has been Black blood on the battlefields for this nation,” says Mr. Garner, a contract specialist for the Defense Logistics Agency and a Ph.D. student researching what it means to be Black and patriotic in 21st-century America. “Yet when we come home, the country still does not live up to the truest part of its values.”
Why We Wrote This Independence Day stirs a deep love of country. This year, it’s also stirring the hope that this love can more fully embrace the Black American experience.
Every year on Independence Day, Americans of all backgrounds rally around shared ideals, surrounded by star-spangled bunting, fireworks, and flag-themed food and clothing. But for many Black Americans, the symbolism of the flag includes a struggle to reconcile love of country with the personal pain of the nation’s long history of racial prejudice.
This Independence Day, there is a glimmer of what could be, as protests for racial justice draw Americans of all races in the wake of George Floyd’s killing by police. But those cherished ideals also underline the distance that remains for America to genuinely embrace and celebrate the experience of its Black citizens.
There’s a “psychological strain of being Black and also being loyal to your country, loving your country when that love for that country and that idea of patriotism is predicated upon your hurt not existing, or silencing your hurt,” says Micah Johnson, an assistant professor of mental health law and policy at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
“How, then, do I become a whole person, when I love this country but that country doesn’t always love me back?” asks Dr. Johnson, who regularly trains organizations in anti-racism and wrote a 2017 study, “The Paradox of Black Patriotism: Double Consciousness.”
After the death of Mr. Floyd, there has been a shift, and the world now seems able to “pay attention and learn more about this double consciousness that exists in the Black community,” says Dr. Johnson.
A nation of neighbors
Sociologist and civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois first described Black double consciousness in the late 1800s as the duality that comes from “looking at one’s self through the eyes of others.” During the past century, social progress has helped to alleviate the strain between being Black and being patriotic somewhat, but further progress comes down to caring more about Black people as friends and neighbors, says Dr. Johnson.
“People are now more receptive to the Black experience. They are more interested in knowing more about these struggles. They’re invested more. With that, there’s less tension ... between these two identities,” he says.
In many ways, both the American flag and what it represents have been a work in progress – changing as America has changed. During the Civil War, both anti-slavery and pro-slavery coalitions rallied beneath it. In 1963, as part of a boycott against merchants in Jackson, Mississippi, 600 Black schoolchildren carried American flags as symbols of protest before they were arrested.
The American flag itself has been updated nearly 30 times since the bands of red, white, and blue were stitched together in 1777 – more than any other flag in the world – adding stars as new states were formed.
“It’s meant to be a symbol that grows and changes with us as a nation,” says Michael Green, a vexillologist at Texas A&M University.
Patriotism in higher hopes
For some, the American flag symbolizes the freedom that allows citizens to speak out and provide the impetus for change. Michael Eaborn, a Black author and poet from Spencer, North Carolina, says the flag is a reminder that America has potential. “I love America. I think we can do better, but I’m never going to say I hate being an American, because I won the lottery: I was born in the USA,” he says.
Being patriotic doesn’t mean you have to approve of everything; it “means loving your country enough to want to make a change in it,” he adds. Mr. Eaborn says his patriotism has inspired him to act: He’s running for city council.
For Mr. Garner’s part, his father, brother, and sister all served in the military, as he did. He continues to serve the government as a civilian, and his brother is a police officer. “Service means a lot to us. Patriotism means a lot to us in the sense that we do love our country.”
But there is a need to widen the nation’s view of patriotism, he says. “We have to broaden the notion of patriotism and unhinge it from a white frame of reference.”
To Mr. Garner, it can feel that being patriotic “means you’re being less Black.”
But it doesn’t have to be that way, Dr. Johnson says.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
“The majority of Americans, for the first time in history, are demanding racial justice,” he says. “That changes the national consciousness on what the flag means. So now part of the flag is Black Lives Matter.”
The flag is already becoming a more universal symbol, he adds, and that’s fitting, because “this flag represents our love for this country and our love for [what] this country will eventually become.”


csmonitor--2020-07-02--The NFL’s test on Black quarterbacks

The NFL’s test on Black quarterbacks

The National Football League has its hands full right now .
It ’ s trying to construct a fall season as the United States attempts to tackle a pandemic to the ground .
Sports fans would love the return of pro football , a symbol of normal American life .
Yet a second issue also consumes the world of sports : racial inequity .
The NFL can argue it provides plenty of opportunity for Black players , who make up more than two-thirds of teams .
But that diversity doesn ’ t extend to management .
Only two of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And only three of the 32 head coaches are Black .
Over the history of the league ( Black players were first allowed in the NFL in 1946 ) the lack of Black people in leadership positions has extended onto the field , where quarterbacks , the “ coaches on the field , ” have been overwhelmingly white .
In the 2019 season only 12 Black quarterbacks played in NFL games .
A few of those Black quarterbacks who did play excelled at the position : Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Player , Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals took home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award , and Patrick Mahomes guided his Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl championship .
( Mr. Mahomes ’ father is Black , his mother white . )
Some called 2019 “ the year of the Black quarterback.
” But one year doesn ’ t show that the issue is settled .
Cam Newton won a national championship and Heisman Trophy in 2010 as a college quarterback .
He was named the NFL ’ s Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second Black quarterback to ever earn that honor .
Yet when the Carolina Panthers cut him after the 2019 season , months drifted by without any NFL team trying to hire him .
True , his last couple of seasons had been virtual washouts due to injuries .
But he has appeared to be fit again , and his athletic ability and record of success on the field seemed to demand interest .
Recently the New England Patriots finally gave him a “ show me , ” one-year contract , worth about $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s a fraction of the $ 50 million over two years that Tom Brady , who just departed the Patriots , will receive from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .
Too much shouldn ’ t be made of the single Newton contract .
Time will tell when the contracts of lesser quarterbacks who are white come up for renewal .
Maybe the market has changed .
Meanwhile former starting NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick , who was widely criticized for taking a knee during the national anthem , first at a preseason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains unemployed by any NFL team .
While many saw his protest as unpatriotic , Mr. Kaepernick , who is Black , insisted it was only meant as a gesture for racial justice .
Since the George Floyd killing in late May , citizens of all backgrounds , including some police officers , have taken a knee to end racial injustice .
Mr. Kaepernick ’ s reentry into the NFL would show that the league now knows how to better handle dissent over race .
It begins with tackling racial inequities within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The National Football League has its hands full right now. It’s trying to construct a fall season as the United States attempts to tackle a pandemic to the ground. Sports fans would love the return of pro football, a symbol of normal American life. Yet a second issue also consumes the world of sports: racial inequity.
The NFL can argue it provides plenty of opportunity for Black players, who make up more than two-thirds of teams. But that diversity doesn’t extend to management. Only two of the 32 teams are owned by nonwhites. And only three of the 32 head coaches are Black.
Over the history of the league (Black players were first allowed in the NFL in 1946) the lack of Black people in leadership positions has extended onto the field, where quarterbacks, the “coaches on the field,” have been overwhelmingly white. In the 2019 season only 12 Black quarterbacks played in NFL games.
A few of those Black quarterbacks who did play excelled at the position: Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens was named the league’s Most Valuable Player, Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals took home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and Patrick Mahomes guided his Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl championship. (Mr. Mahomes’ father is Black, his mother white.) Some called 2019 “the year of the Black quarterback.”
But one year doesn’t show that the issue is settled. Cam Newton won a national championship and Heisman Trophy in 2010 as a college quarterback. He was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2015, only the second Black quarterback to ever earn that honor. Yet when the Carolina Panthers cut him after the 2019 season, months drifted by without any NFL team trying to hire him.
True, his last couple of seasons had been virtual washouts due to injuries. But he has appeared to be fit again, and his athletic ability and record of success on the field seemed to demand interest.
Recently the New England Patriots finally gave him a “show me,” one-year contract, worth about $7.5 million if he achieves various incentives. That’s a fraction of the $50 million over two years that Tom Brady, who just departed the Patriots, will receive from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Too much shouldn’t be made of the single Newton contract. Time will tell when the contracts of lesser quarterbacks who are white come up for renewal. Maybe the market has changed.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Meanwhile former starting NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who was widely criticized for taking a knee during the national anthem, first at a preseason game in 2016 and then later, remains unemployed by any NFL team. While many saw his protest as unpatriotic, Mr. Kaepernick, who is Black, insisted it was only meant as a gesture for racial justice.
Since the George Floyd killing in late May, citizens of all backgrounds, including some police officers, have taken a knee to end racial injustice. Mr. Kaepernick’s reentry into the NFL would show that the league now knows how to better handle dissent over race. It begins with tackling racial inequities within the sport, starting at the top.


csmonitor--2020-07-02--Protests, then a pandemic: Can Hong Kong tourism hang on?

Now , Mr. Chan is hopeful that the handouts will generate customers , as he introduces Hong Kongers to new green spots , creating work not only for his employees , but also for local coach drivers , restaurants , and tour guides .
Hong Kong has long had a laissez-faire market system , in which economic growth took priority over welfare .
Yet amid a deepening recession caused by the pandemic and social unrest , the government announced its stimulus package , including a $ 10,000 cash handout for adult residents – despite its first budget deficit in 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a boost from the government ’ s $ 120 billion ( Hong Kong ; U.S. $ 15.4 billion ) stimulus package , he is working to keep his 17-year-old enterprise afloat .
For example , travel agents receive a cash incentive for each Hong Kong resident for whom they arrange a so-called green lifestyle tour to the territory ’ s wetlands , beaches , islands , and country parks , and Mr. Chan is exploring new streams – sometimes literally .
First came Hong Kong ’ s protests .
Then , the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s small , student-oriented travel business has been devastated by the double whammy , with tourism falling to a trickle .
Hong Kong travel agent Denny Chan hikes through lush wetlands near the territory ’ s border with mainland China , snapping photos as he scouts out a possible “ green tourism ” venue that might attract local residents to his excursions .
Mr. Chan is exploring new streams – both for sightseeing and income – as he works to keep his 17-year-old enterprise and its five employees afloat .
His small , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cultural Exchange International Ltd. , has been devastated by the double-whammy of Hong Kong ’ s protest movement followed by coronavirus restrictions .
“ All my clients from overseas and mainland China stopped coming ” after mass protests erupted in June 2019 , he says .
Then came coronavirus , and travel came to a standstill .
Visitor arrivals in Hong Kong , which surged in 2018 and early 2019 , fell to a trickle of 4,100 in April – a year-on-year drop of almost 100 % , as a result of stringent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong and around the world , according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board .
The tourism industry is a major economic pillar in the Asian financial hub of 7 million people , contributing 4 % of gross domestic product and employing about 257,000 people in 2017 .
But Hong Kong ’ s government has moved to rescue the embattled industry , catching firms like Mr. Chan ’ s in a safety net that combines payments to companies , wage subsidies , and green tourism incentives .
The industry is also benefitting from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong ; U.S. $ 1,290 ) for all permanent residents , to be distributed beginning in July .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .
The rescue is unusual for Hong Kong , which has long had a laissez-faire market system in which economic growth has taken priority over welfare .
Yet amid a deepening recession caused by the pandemic and social unrest , in February , the government announced a $ 120 billion stimulus package .
This broke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ causing the first budget deficit in 15 years .
The relief package includes slashed taxes on income and profits , and – the centerpiece – the $ 10,000 cash handout for all residents who are 18 and older .
Together with Mr. Chan ’ s resourcefulness , this support has so far allowed him to make ends meet .
“ I think our business may start again next year , so we still keep our staff at the moment , ” says Mr. Chan .
Indeed , many Hong Kong employers – even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food , and retail , where unemployment rose to 10.6 % this spring – are taking advantage of government incentives to retain workers .
Overall unemployment in Hong Kong has increased from 5.2 % earlier this year to 5.9 % in May , the highest in 15 years , according to government data .
Still , it is unlikely to reach the 8 % high of the 2003 SARS epidemic , says Simon Lee , senior lecturer in the School of Accountancy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong .
“ Many companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If they fire staff , it ’ s hard to get them back , ” says Mr. Lee .
“ So they may ask the employee to take leave without pay , or to work only one or two days a week.
” Mr. Chan has been able to retain his staff , thanks in part to two government lump-sum payments to travel agencies – the first for $ 80,000 and the second for $ 20,000-200,000 , depending on the size of the firm .
And beginning in June , the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of each of his employees for six months .
Hong Kong ’ s $ 10,000 cash handout to residents also helps his employees , Mr. Chan says .
While less significant for Hong Kong ’ s middle class – the territory ’ s median income is $ 18,000 a month – the payment is badly needed by the more than 1 million people in Hong Kong considered poor in 2018 , or 15 % of the population , says the senior lecturer , Mr. Lee .
He favors a handout of $ 20,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic stimulus .
Indeed , Mr. Chan and others working across Hong Kong ’ s large tourism sector , which includes about 300 hotels , are hopeful the handout will bring more spending by residents .
For example , large hotels such as the five-star Hyatt Regency Hong Kong in Sha Tin , located in the vast suburban and rural northern swath of Hong Kong known as the New Territories , are offering “ staycations ” for families stranded in Hong Kong during the summer holidays .
Overlooking Tolo Harbor and surrounded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bicycle trails , the Hyatt is offering creative packages such as “ suite staycations ” for families , says Wilson Lee , the hotel ’ s general manager .
“ Most Hong Kong kids are city kids , ” says Mr. Lee .
To re-create a camping environment , the hotel is putting up tents inside the rooms , complete with a picnic basket of healthy snacks , so “ the children can squeeze into the tent in the suite and enjoy the experience.
” The Hyatt is also preparing to roll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ edutainment ” classes ranging from fencing and taekwondo to computer coding and the pear-shaped Chinese lute , or pipa .
The Hyatt must no longer ask employees to take unpaid leave , says Mr. Lee .
“ Occupancy in every hotel is not high , but we are keeping our people .
It ’ s not just the people working here , but the families they have to look after , ” he says .
“ We have the duty to keep it going.
” For his part , Mr. Chan is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers for his innovative “ green ” tours , creating work not only for his employees but also for local coach drivers , restaurants , and tour guides .
“ We have a subsidy , so we can make the tour price very low , ” says Mr. Chan , speaking by phone as he pauses among tall reeds in the marshy wetlands of Ma Tso Lung near the China border .
Travel agents receive a government cash incentive of $ 200 for each resident for whom they arrange a “ green lifestyle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot ” such as the territory ’ s wetlands , beaches , outlying islands , and country parks , with a guide , meal , and transportation .
Mr. Chan hopes to arrange 20 bus tours for 50 people each – the maximum number allowed to gather , under COVID-19 restrictions – to max-out the government ’ s cap on subsidies of 1,000 tours per travel agent .
It ’ s not much , and he ’ s only promoting the tours by word of mouth .
Still , given these extraordinary times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s quite attractive.
” Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .

Now, Mr. Chan is hopeful that the handouts will generate customers, as he introduces Hong Kongers to new green spots, creating work not only for his employees, but also for local coach drivers, restaurants, and tour guides.
Hong Kong has long had a laissez-faire market system, in which economic growth took priority over welfare. Yet amid a deepening recession caused by the pandemic and social unrest, the government announced its stimulus package, including a $10,000 cash handout for adult residents – despite its first budget deficit in 15 years.
How do you support people during a pandemic? Hong Kong’s approach to propping up the economy has many facets, but a perhaps surprisingly simple centerpiece: $10,000 (Hong Kong; about U.S.$1,300) for every adult resident. Part 4 of “ One pandemic, many safety nets: A global series. ”
But with creativity, and a boost from the government’s $120 billion (Hong Kong; U.S.$15.4 billion) stimulus package, he is working to keep his 17-year-old enterprise afloat. For example, travel agents receive a cash incentive for each Hong Kong resident for whom they arrange a so-called green lifestyle tour to the territory’s wetlands, beaches, islands, and country parks, and Mr. Chan is exploring new streams – sometimes literally.
First came Hong Kong’s protests. Then, the coronavirus pandemic. Now, Denny Chan’s small, student-oriented travel business has been devastated by the double whammy, with tourism falling to a trickle.
Hong Kong travel agent Denny Chan hikes through lush wetlands near the territory’s border with mainland China, snapping photos as he scouts out a possible “green tourism” venue that might attract local residents to his excursions.
Mr. Chan is exploring new streams – both for sightseeing and income – as he works to keep his 17-year-old enterprise and its five employees afloat. His small, student-oriented travel business, Hong Kong Youth Cultural Exchange International Ltd., has been devastated by the double-whammy of Hong Kong’s protest movement followed by coronavirus restrictions.
“All my clients from overseas and mainland China stopped coming” after mass protests erupted in June 2019, he says. Then came coronavirus, and travel came to a standstill.
Why We Wrote This How do you support people during a pandemic? Hong Kong’s approach to propping up the economy has many facets, but a perhaps surprisingly simple centerpiece: $10,000 (Hong Kong; about U.S.$1,300) for every adult resident. Part 4 of “One pandemic, many safety nets: A global series.”
Visitor arrivals in Hong Kong, which surged in 2018 and early 2019, fell to a trickle of 4,100 in April – a year-on-year drop of almost 100%, as a result of stringent immigration control and quarantine measures in Hong Kong and around the world, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board. The tourism industry is a major economic pillar in the Asian financial hub of 7 million people, contributing 4% of gross domestic product and employing about 257,000 people in 2017.
But Hong Kong’s government has moved to rescue the embattled industry, catching firms like Mr. Chan’s in a safety net that combines payments to companies, wage subsidies, and green tourism incentives. The industry is also benefitting from a new cash handout of $10,000 (Hong Kong; U.S.$1,290) for all permanent residents, to be distributed beginning in July.
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.
The rescue is unusual for Hong Kong, which has long had a laissez-faire market system in which economic growth has taken priority over welfare. Yet amid a deepening recession caused by the pandemic and social unrest, in February, the government announced a $120 billion stimulus package. This broke with a pattern of fiscal conservatism, causing the first budget deficit in 15 years. The relief package includes slashed taxes on income and profits, and – the centerpiece – the $10,000 cash handout for all residents who are 18 and older.
Together with Mr. Chan’s resourcefulness, this support has so far allowed him to make ends meet.
Courtesy of Denny Chan View caption Hide caption Hong Kong travel agent Denny Chan photographs fish ponds along Hong Kong's border with mainland China, with the Chinese city of Shenzhen in the background. Mr. Chan was scouting out potential locations for 'green tourism' as part of an initiative to generate business during the pandemic.
“I think our business may start again next year, so we still keep our staff at the moment,” says Mr. Chan. Indeed, many Hong Kong employers – even in hard-hit industries such as tourism, food, and retail, where unemployment rose to 10.6% this spring – are taking advantage of government incentives to retain workers.
Overall unemployment in Hong Kong has increased from 5.2% earlier this year to 5.9% in May, the highest in 15 years, according to government data. Still, it is unlikely to reach the 8% high of the 2003 SARS epidemic, says Simon Lee, senior lecturer in the School of Accountancy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
“Many companies learned the lesson [during SARS]. If they fire staff, it’s hard to get them back,” says Mr. Lee. “So they may ask the employee to take leave without pay, or to work only one or two days a week.”
Mr. Chan has been able to retain his staff, thanks in part to two government lump-sum payments to travel agencies – the first for $80,000 and the second for $20,000-200,000, depending on the size of the firm. And beginning in June, the government began paying 50% of the salaries of each of his employees for six months.
Hong Kong’s $10,000 cash handout to residents also helps his employees, Mr. Chan says. While less significant for Hong Kong’s middle class – the territory’s median income is $18,000 a month – the payment is badly needed by the more than 1 million people in Hong Kong considered poor in 2018, or 15% of the population, says the senior lecturer, Mr. Lee. He favors a handout of $20,000 or $30,000, to add greater economic stimulus.
Summer solutions
Indeed, Mr. Chan and others working across Hong Kong’s large tourism sector, which includes about 300 hotels, are hopeful the handout will bring more spending by residents. For example, large hotels such as the five-star Hyatt Regency Hong Kong in Sha Tin, located in the vast suburban and rural northern swath of Hong Kong known as the New Territories, are offering “staycations” for families stranded in Hong Kong during the summer holidays.
Overlooking Tolo Harbor and surrounded by mountains, country parks, and hiking and bicycle trails, the Hyatt is offering creative packages such as “suite staycations” for families, says Wilson Lee, the hotel’s general manager.
“Most Hong Kong kids are city kids,” says Mr. Lee. To re-create a camping environment, the hotel is putting up tents inside the rooms, complete with a picnic basket of healthy snacks, so “the children can squeeze into the tent in the suite and enjoy the experience.”
The Hyatt is also preparing to roll out a “summer academy” offering “edutainment” classes ranging from fencing and taekwondo to computer coding and the pear-shaped Chinese lute, or pipa.
The Hyatt must no longer ask employees to take unpaid leave, says Mr. Lee. “Occupancy in every hotel is not high, but we are keeping our people. It’s not just the people working here, but the families they have to look after,” he says. “We have the duty to keep it going.”
For his part, Mr. Chan is also hopeful that the handout will generate customers for his innovative “green” tours, creating work not only for his employees but also for local coach drivers, restaurants, and tour guides.
“We have a subsidy, so we can make the tour price very low,” says Mr. Chan, speaking by phone as he pauses among tall reeds in the marshy wetlands of Ma Tso Lung near the China border.
Travel agents receive a government cash incentive of $200 for each resident for whom they arrange a “green lifestyle” tour to a local “green spot” such as the territory’s wetlands, beaches, outlying islands, and country parks, with a guide, meal, and transportation.
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Mr. Chan hopes to arrange 20 bus tours for 50 people each – the maximum number allowed to gather, under COVID-19 restrictions – to max-out the government’s cap on subsidies of 1,000 tours per travel agent. It’s not much, and he’s only promoting the tours by word of mouth. Still, given these extraordinary times, he says, “it’s quite attractive.”
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.


csmonitor--2020-07-02--Ghislaine Maxwell, accused Epstein sex ring operative, arrested

British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested by the FBI on Thursday on charges she helped procure underage sex partners for financier Jeffrey Epstein .
An indictment made public Thursday said Ms. Maxwell , who lived for years with Mr. Epstein and was his frequent travel companion on trips around the world , facilitated Mr. Epstein 's crimes by `` helping Epstein to recruit , groom , and ultimately abuse `` girls as young as 14 .
It also said she participated in the sexual abuse .
Mr. Epstein killed himself in a federal detention center in New York last summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ms. Maxwell has , for years , been accused by many women of recruiting them to give Mr. Epstein massages , during which they were pressured into sex .
Those accusations , until now , never resulted in criminal charges .
Ms. Maxwell was arrested in New Hampshire , where the FBI said it had been keeping tabs on her .
`` More recently we learned she had slithered away to a gorgeous property in New Hampshire , continuing to live a life of privilege while her victims live with the trauma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ William Sweeney , assistant director in charge of the FBI 's New York office , said at a news conference Thursday afternoon .
The indictment included counts of conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts , enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts , conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity , transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity , and two counts of perjury .
`` Maxwell lied because the truth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Audrey Strauss , the acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan , said at the press conference .
She called the charges against Ms. Maxwell a `` prequel '' to the charges prosecutors brought last summer against Mr. Epstein .
Messages were sent Thursday to several of Mr. Maxwell 's attorneys seeking comment .
She has previously repeatedly denied wrongdoing and called some of the claims against her `` absolute rubbish . ''
Among the most sensational accusations was a claim by one Epstein victim , Virginia Roberts Giuffre , that Ms. Maxwell arranged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Prince Andrew at her London townhouse .
Ms. Giuffre bolstered her allegations with a picture of her , Prince Andrew , and Ms. Giuffre that she said was taken at the time .
Prince Andrew denied her story and Ms. Maxwell said in one deposition that Ms. Giuffre was `` totally lying . ''
He was not mentioned by name in the indictment , and the charges covered Ms. Maxwell 's dealings with Mr. Epstein only in the period from 1994 through 1997 , a period well before his alleged encounters with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she would `` welcome Prince Andrew coming in to talk with us , '' but did not answer further questions pertaining to these charges and Prince Andrew .
Brad Edwards , an attorney who represents Ms. Giuffre and several other Epstein victims said his clients were relieved by the charges .
`` Today is a very good day , '' he said .
The indictment focused on Mr. Epstein 's alleged abuse of three specific girls at his Manhattan mansion and other residences in Palm Beach , Florida ; Santa Fe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names were not revealed in court filings .
The indictment mirrored many of the claims previously made in civil lawsuits against Ms. Maxwell , saying she would `` entice and groom '' minor girls by asking them about their lives , their schools , and their families .
`` Through this process , Ms. Maxwell and Mr. Epstein enticed victims to engage in sexual activity with Mr. Epstein .
In some instances , Ms. Maxwell was present for and participated in the sexual abuse of minor victims , '' the indictment said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when questioned about her conduct .
It says she committed perjury in 2016 in a deposition in a civil lawsuit , in part by denying knowledge of Mr. Epstein 's scheme to recruit underage girls .
At the time the crimes occurred , Ms. Maxwell was in an intimate relationship with Mr. Epstein and also was paid by him to manage his various properties , according to the indictment , which included a photograph of Mr. Epstein with his arm around Ms. Maxwell and his head nuzzling hers .
Mr. Epstein was initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state charges in 2008 that allowed him to avoid a lengthy prison sentence .
He was free a little after a year in prison .
At the time , a federal prosecutor in Florida signed off on an agreement , initially filed in secret , that barred the federal government from charging `` any potential co-conspirators of Epstein . ''
Alexander Acosta , President Donald Trump 's former labor secretary , resigned last year after coming under fire for overseeing that deal when he was U.S. attorney in Miami .
Geoffrey Berman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued that federal prosecutors in New York were not bound by that agreement and brought a sweeping indictment against Mr. Epstein .
Mr. Berman vowed to continue seeking justice for Mr. Epstein 's victims even after the financier 's death but was abruptly fired last month .
Ms. Maxwell 's indictment was celebrated by lawyers for some of Mr. Epstein 's accusers .
Jennifer Araoz , a woman who says Mr. Epstein raped her in his New York mansion in 2002 when she was 15 , said she feared the financier 's ring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the ring has been taken down , I know that I ca n't be hurt anymore , '' Ms. Araoz , now 33 , said in a statement .
`` Day after day , I have waited for the news that Maxwell would be arrested and held accountable for her actions .
Her arrest is a step in that direction , and it truly means that the justice system did n't forget about us . ''
Spencer T. Kuvin , who represents some of the women , said Ms. Maxwell was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to face the consequences of this horrific crimes . ''
Ms. Maxwell was described in a lawsuit by another Epstein victim , Sarah Ransome , as the `` highest-ranking employee '' of Mr. Epstein 's alleged sex trafficking enterprise .
She oversaw and trained recruiters , developed recruiting plans , and helped conceal the activity from law enforcement , the lawsuit alleged .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writer Curt Anderson contributed to this report from Miami and Danica Kirka contributed from London .
Editor ’ s note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested by the FBI on Thursday on charges she helped procure underage sex partners for financier Jeffrey Epstein.
An indictment made public Thursday said Ms. Maxwell, who lived for years with Mr. Epstein and was his frequent travel companion on trips around the world, facilitated Mr. Epstein's crimes by "helping Epstein to recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse " girls as young as 14. It also said she participated in the sexual abuse.
Mr. Epstein killed himself in a federal detention center in New York last summer while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Ms. Maxwell has, for years, been accused by many women of recruiting them to give Mr. Epstein massages, during which they were pressured into sex. Those accusations, until now, never resulted in criminal charges.
Ms. Maxwell was arrested in New Hampshire, where the FBI said it had been keeping tabs on her.
"More recently we learned she had slithered away to a gorgeous property in New Hampshire, continuing to live a life of privilege while her victims live with the trauma inflicted upon them years ago," William Sweeney, assistant director in charge of the FBI's New York office, said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.
The indictment included counts of conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and two counts of perjury.
"Maxwell lied because the truth, as alleged, was almost unspeakable," Audrey Strauss, the acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan, said at the press conference.
She called the charges against Ms. Maxwell a "prequel" to the charges prosecutors brought last summer against Mr. Epstein.
Messages were sent Thursday to several of Mr. Maxwell's attorneys seeking comment. She has previously repeatedly denied wrongdoing and called some of the claims against her "absolute rubbish."
Among the most sensational accusations was a claim by one Epstein victim, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, that Ms. Maxwell arranged for her to have sex with Britain's Prince Andrew at her London townhouse. Ms. Giuffre bolstered her allegations with a picture of her, Prince Andrew, and Ms. Giuffre that she said was taken at the time.
Prince Andrew denied her story and Ms. Maxwell said in one deposition that Ms. Giuffre was "totally lying."
He was not mentioned by name in the indictment, and the charges covered Ms. Maxwell's dealings with Mr. Epstein only in the period from 1994 through 1997, a period well before his alleged encounters with Ms. Giuffre in 2001.
Ms. Strauss said she would "welcome Prince Andrew coming in to talk with us," but did not answer further questions pertaining to these charges and Prince Andrew.
Brad Edwards, an attorney who represents Ms. Giuffre and several other Epstein victims said his clients were relieved by the charges.
"Today is a very good day," he said.
The indictment focused on Mr. Epstein's alleged abuse of three specific girls at his Manhattan mansion and other residences in Palm Beach, Florida; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and London. Their names were not revealed in court filings.
The indictment mirrored many of the claims previously made in civil lawsuits against Ms. Maxwell, saying she would "entice and groom" minor girls by asking them about their lives, their schools, and their families.
"Through this process, Ms. Maxwell and Mr. Epstein enticed victims to engage in sexual activity with Mr. Epstein. In some instances, Ms. Maxwell was present for and participated in the sexual abuse of minor victims," the indictment said.
The indictment said Ms. Maxwell repeatedly lied when questioned about her conduct. It says she committed perjury in 2016 in a deposition in a civil lawsuit, in part by denying knowledge of Mr. Epstein's scheme to recruit underage girls.
At the time the crimes occurred, Ms. Maxwell was in an intimate relationship with Mr. Epstein and also was paid by him to manage his various properties, according to the indictment, which included a photograph of Mr. Epstein with his arm around Ms. Maxwell and his head nuzzling hers.
Mr. Epstein was initially investigated in Florida and pleaded guilty to state charges in 2008 that allowed him to avoid a lengthy prison sentence. He was free a little after a year in prison.
At the time, a federal prosecutor in Florida signed off on an agreement, initially filed in secret, that barred the federal government from charging "any potential co-conspirators of Epstein." Alexander Acosta, President Donald Trump's former labor secretary, resigned last year after coming under fire for overseeing that deal when he was U.S. attorney in Miami.
Geoffrey Berman, the former U.S. attorney in Manhattan, argued that federal prosecutors in New York were not bound by that agreement and brought a sweeping indictment against Mr. Epstein. Mr. Berman vowed to continue seeking justice for Mr. Epstein's victims even after the financier's death but was abruptly fired last month.
Ms. Maxwell's indictment was celebrated by lawyers for some of Mr. Epstein's accusers.
Jennifer Araoz, a woman who says Mr. Epstein raped her in his New York mansion in 2002 when she was 15, said she feared the financier's ring of conspirators for years.
"Now that the ring has been taken down, I know that I can't be hurt anymore," Ms. Araoz, now 33, said in a statement. "Day after day, I have waited for the news that Maxwell would be arrested and held accountable for her actions. Her arrest is a step in that direction, and it truly means that the justice system didn't forget about us."
Spencer T. Kuvin, who represents some of the women, said Ms. Maxwell was "hopefully be the first of many co-conspirators to face the consequences of this horrific crimes."
Ms. Maxwell was described in a lawsuit by another Epstein victim, Sarah Ransome, as the "highest-ranking employee" of Mr. Epstein's alleged sex trafficking enterprise. She oversaw and trained recruiters, developed recruiting plans, and helped conceal the activity from law enforcement, the lawsuit alleged.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writer Curt Anderson contributed to this report from Miami and Danica Kirka contributed from London.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-07-02--As society relies on gig workers, will they see a boost in stature?

“ We just want to be heard and acknowledged and appreciated , ” says worker Sharon Goen in Las Vegas .
“ We are the face of Instacart.
” Several trends may already be pointing in gig workers ’ favor .
They are more organized than ever .
Legislation or legal actions have begun to make it harder for companies to treat their workers as disposable .
And some new digital platforms are emerging that give workers a bigger share in profits and decision-making .
That very juxtaposition – the burdened Instacart shoppers and the sidelined Uber drivers – could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules underlying the gig economy .
So-called gig economy workers are among the most affected by 2020 ’ s challenges .
The current pandemic has prompted many Americans to rely heavily on app-based platforms for things like grocery delivery .
At the same time , other workers in the gig economy are among the most deeply hit by job losses .
The U.S. unemployment rate fell in June to 11.1 % , amid a gradual reopening of the economy .
Yet in a sign that the pandemic is far from over , Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide , a new high .
As more than 17 million American workers are out of a job , Sharon Goen , a former hospitality worker in Las Vegas , is having the opposite experience .
“ I work six gigs , ” she says .
These include delivering meals for Grubhub , moving parcels for Amazon Flex and Shipt , picking up groceries for Instacart , and , before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived , pouring drinks for Tend .
And yet despite all the options for work that populate her smartphone screen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still feeling squeezed financially .
“ We ’ re not making a living wage , ” she says of gig workers .
“ With the pandemic , the pay is just lower and lower and lower.
” Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .
The coronavirus economy isn ’ t providing any easy answers .
Yes , a gradual reopening from lockdowns has partially reversed this spring ’ s historic spike in joblessness .
But even as the Labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fell to 11.1 % in June , many places including Ms. Goen ’ s home state of Nevada are seeing COVID-19 caseloads rise .
On Wednesday , over 50,000 new cases were reported nationwide , the highest since the pandemic began .
Despite the widespread slogan “ we are all in this together , ” the coronavirus has widened many class fissures .
It has also prompted some soul-searching about how our society treats the gig workers who bag our groceries and deliver our essentials , often with no sick pay , protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one Instacart customer put it on Twitter , at the very least it may be time to tip generously , given “ the risks they ’ re taking to bring you food.
” Even as socially distanced lifestyles prompt Americans to rely heavily on some app-based platforms , many others in the contingent workforce are now jobless .
That very juxtaposition – the burdened Instacart shoppers and the sidelined Uber drivers – could create a moment ripe for reassessing the rules underlying the gig economy .
Several trends may already be pointing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organized than ever .
New laws are being drafted that make it harder for companies to treat their workers as disposable .
And new digital platforms are emerging that give workers a bigger share in profits and decision-making .
“ In moments of great upheaval , things that seem unimaginable suddenly become commonsense , ” says Trebor Scholz , a professor of culture and media at The New School who studies the digital economy .
Ms. Goen herself epitomizes one of the labor market trends – growing collective action by workers themselves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ other women around the United States who work for Instacart , Ms. Goen founded the Gig Workers Collective to advocate for stronger worker rights and protections .
Now the GWC boasts 17,000 members nationwide .
Instacart is perhaps the most iconic gig platform of the coronavirus era .
The app works by connecting customers with “ shoppers , ” that is , gig workers who go to supermarkets to buy groceries on their behalf in exchange for a fee and , usually , a tip .
The platform experienced a massive surge amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoppers between mid-March and mid-April .
For the workers , one particular sore spot is the default tip setting .
Instacart sets it to just 5 % for first-time customers ( it subsequently defaults to your last tip ; if you tipped below 5 % , it resets to 5 % ) .
Ms. Goen , a former Las Vegas bartender , is well aware of the psychology of tipping .
She knows that the default setting plays a huge role in how customers will behave .
“ For Instacart to ... leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” On March 30 , in response to its members ’ concerns over low tips , no sick pay , and the lack of protective equipment , the GWC organized a nationwide walk-off , an action that drew national media attention .
To protect workers from retaliation , the GWC doesn ’ t keep track of how many people participated .
Instacart said the work stoppage had “ absolutely no impact ” on its operations , but the company did begin offering more resources , including reusable face masks and hand sanitizer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sick pay for shoppers diagnosed with COVID-19 .
“ As part of our unwavering commitment to prioritize the health and safety of the entire Instacart community , ” read a statement from the company , “ we ’ re working closely with the CDC , public health officials and retail partners to make sure we ’ re taking the appropriate precautionary measures to keep our shopper community and customers safe.
” But according to a report by CNET , Instacart shoppers have faced steep bureaucratic hurdles getting their sick pay approved .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker is known to have been approved for sick pay .
“ There is absolutely zero transparency , ’ says Ms. Goen .
“ Every time we have a strike action , they would act like they are giving us something , and [ then ] they would take it away.
” Still , Ms. Goen remains hopeful that actions by the GWC will bear fruit .
“ We just want to be heard and acknowledged and appreciated , ” she says .
“ We are the face of Instacart.
” Past work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
The Uber and Lyft strikes of 2019 , for instance , resulted in higher wages and improved working conditions for some drivers .
These actions are occurring in a larger context of labor flexing its strength .
The past two years have seen remarkably forceful worker revolts , from teachers protesting benefit cuts to tech workers walking out over law enforcement and military contracts .
Indeed , the 2018-19 government shutdown finally came to a halt thanks to the efforts of a handful of air traffic controllers .
A parallel trend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gig landscape , in some cases affirming the idea that contractor status doesn ’ t offer enough protections for gig workers .
Instacart found itself under pressure on this front , too .
Early in June , as part of an agreement with the attorney general of Washington , D.C. , the company agreed to offer its workers paid sick leave nationwide .
In another important case , the 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the National Labor Relations Act does not prevent a state from adopting its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provisions for independent contractors .
Last September , meanwhile , California passed Assembly Bill 5 , a law that classifies app-based gig workers as employees , entitled to minimum wage guarantees and other basic protections .
The law codifies the so-called ABC test , which sets three criteria to determine whether a worker ought to be classified as a contractor or an employee .
According to this standard , a worker is a contractor if ( a ) “ the individual is free from direction and control , ” ( b ) “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course of business of the employer , ” and ( c ) the “ individual is customarily engaged in an independently established trade , occupation , profession , or business of the same nature as that involved in the service performed.
” This law was tested in May at the California Supreme Court , with the state prevailing against Lyft and Uber .
“ A huge landmark deal , ” says Brian Chen , an attorney at the National Employment Law Project .
“ Other states are going to look at that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a model for the federal government eventually.
” In January , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo hinted that his state would be pursuing a law similar to AB 5 .
Speaking in his State of the State address , Mr. Cuomo said , “ A driver is not an independent contractor simply because she drives her own car on the job .
A newspaper carrier is not an independent contractor because they ride their own bicycle .
A domestic worker is not an independent contractor because she brings her own broom and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploitive , abusive , ... and it has to stop here and now.
” Mr. Chen describes the battle over worker classification as a first step , not an end goal .
“ That fight really is to set a floor , ” he says .
“ Strong employment laws are a precondition for workers building power.
” In addition to what ’ s happening in the realms of labor activism , legislation , and the courts , some experts see another trend that could help reshape gig work : the rise of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Platform co-ops are worker-owned entities that rely on shared ownership and democratic decision-making .
These include Up & Go , a cooperatively owned housecleaning platform in New York City , Stocksy United , a stock-photo platform based in Victoria , British Columbia , that ’ s owned by nearly 1,000 photographers , and Green Taxi Cooperative , an 800-person enterprise that has made significant inroads into Denver ’ s ride-hailing market .
The concept of platform cooperativism was introduced in 2014 by The New School ’ s Professor Scholz , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t think I ’ ve met anyone who does not think this is a good idea , ” he says .
“ It ’ s a question of do you want cosmetic change or do you want structural change ?
” Owned by the workers , who guide their businesses democratically , platform co-ops typically take a much smaller cut for overhead costs than do their Silicon Valley counterparts .
For instance , the housecleaning and handyman platform Handy says that it takes about 20 % from each transaction ; Up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Professor Scholz sits on the board of a co-op called Fairbnb.coop , an Airbnb alternative that sends half the booking fees from short-term rentals to projects that promote social welfare in the host communities .
“ It ’ s not about destroying Uber or about destroying Airbnb , ” says Professor Scholz of platform co-ops .
“ They can coexist with corporations.
” But , he says , “ it shows you that it can be different.
” Even before the pandemic struck , public attitudes about digital gig work – and Silicon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sour .
When apps like Uber gained popularity in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crash , they were seen as an opportunity for workers to make money via their smartphone apps while setting their own schedule .
But by 2018 , workers were reporting feeling squeezed .
A study that year by JPMorgan Chase found that for Uber and Lyft drivers , monthly earnings fell from $ 1,469 in 2013 to $ 783 in 2017 , a decline of 53 % .
Also that year , a study by the Federal Reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers said they didn ’ t have an emergency $ 400 on hand , compared with 38 % of those who didn ’ t work in the gig economy .
Ms. Goen ’ s experience reflects this downward pressure on pay .
She says that her earnings with Instacart have declined by 60 % to 70 % over the past three years .
Instacart shoppers can make as little as $ 7 for a grocery run , but Ms. Goen doesn ’ t accept every run that pops up on her phone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vegas .
I ’ m not starting my car for less than $ 20 , ” she says .
“ Gig workers have been free falling , ” she says .
“ It ’ s time for some laws to be put in place.
” The shift in attitudes is perhaps best illustrated by Governor Cuomo ’ s change of heart .
Less than three years before calling the gig economy a “ scam ” and a “ fraud , ” he vigorously defended Uber against attempts by New York City Mayor Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uber is one of these great inventions , startups , of this new economy , ” Mr. Cuomo said in July 2015 .
“ It ’ s offering a great service for people , and it ’ s giving people jobs .
I don ’ t think the government should be in the business of trying to restrict job growth.
” Mr. Chen says the mood in 2020 is very different .
“ This is a moment when the companies ’ ideological spin is starting to run out , ” he says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .

“We just want to be heard and acknowledged and appreciated,” says worker Sharon Goen in Las Vegas. “We are the face of Instacart.”
Several trends may already be pointing in gig workers’ favor. They are more organized than ever. Legislation or legal actions have begun to make it harder for companies to treat their workers as disposable. And some new digital platforms are emerging that give workers a bigger share in profits and decision-making.
That very juxtaposition – the burdened Instacart shoppers and the sidelined Uber drivers – could create a moment ripe for reassessing the rules underlying the gig economy.
The pandemic has prompted some soul-searching about how society treats people who deliver our essentials at the push of a smartphone button. It is also prompting new assertiveness by many of the gig workers themselves.
So-called gig economy workers are among the most affected by 2020’s challenges. The current pandemic has prompted many Americans to rely heavily on app-based platforms for things like grocery delivery. At the same time, other workers in the gig economy are among the most deeply hit by job losses.
The U.S. unemployment rate fell in June to 11.1%, amid a gradual reopening of the economy. Yet in a sign that the pandemic is far from over, Wednesday saw over 50,000 new COVID-19 cases reported nationwide, a new high.
As more than 17 million American workers are out of a job, Sharon Goen, a former hospitality worker in Las Vegas, is having the opposite experience.
“I work six gigs,” she says.
These include delivering meals for Grubhub, moving parcels for Amazon Flex and Shipt, picking up groceries for Instacart, and, before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, pouring drinks for Tend.
Why We Wrote This The pandemic has prompted some soul-searching about how society treats people who deliver our essentials at the push of a smartphone button. It is also prompting new assertiveness by many of the gig workers themselves.
And yet despite all the options for work that populate her smartphone screen, Ms. Goen like many gig workers is still feeling squeezed financially.
“We’re not making a living wage,” she says of gig workers. “With the pandemic, the pay is just lower and lower and lower.”
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.
The coronavirus economy isn’t providing any easy answers. Yes, a gradual reopening from lockdowns has partially reversed this spring’s historic spike in joblessness. But even as the Labor Department reports that the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 11.1% in June, many places including Ms. Goen’s home state of Nevada are seeing COVID-19 caseloads rise. On Wednesday, over 50,000 new cases were reported nationwide, the highest since the pandemic began.
Despite the widespread slogan “we are all in this together,” the coronavirus has widened many class fissures. It has also prompted some soul-searching about how our society treats the gig workers who bag our groceries and deliver our essentials, often with no sick pay, protective gear, or job security.
As one Instacart customer put it on Twitter, at the very least it may be time to tip generously, given “the risks they’re taking to bring you food.”
Even as socially distanced lifestyles prompt Americans to rely heavily on some app-based platforms, many others in the contingent workforce are now jobless. That very juxtaposition – the burdened Instacart shoppers and the sidelined Uber drivers – could create a moment ripe for reassessing the rules underlying the gig economy.
Several trends may already be pointing in this direction. Gig workers are more organized than ever. New laws are being drafted that make it harder for companies to treat their workers as disposable. And new digital platforms are emerging that give workers a bigger share in profits and decision-making.
“In moments of great upheaval, things that seem unimaginable suddenly become commonsense,” says Trebor Scholz, an activist scholar at The New School who studies the digital economy.
Forming a movement
Ms. Goen herself epitomizes one of the labor market trends – growing collective action by workers themselves. A year ago, along with 10 other women around the United States who work for Instacart, Ms. Goen founded the Gig Workers Collective to advocate for stronger worker rights and protections. Now the GWC boasts 17,000 members nationwide.
Instacart is perhaps the most iconic gig platform of the coronavirus era. The app works by connecting customers with “shoppers,” that is, gig workers who go to supermarkets to buy groceries on their behalf in exchange for a fee and, usually, a tip. The platform experienced a massive surge amid the coronavirus outbreak, hiring some 300,000 shoppers between mid-March and mid-April.
Courtesy of Sharon Goen View caption Hide caption Sharon Goen, a former worker in the hospitality industry, makes an Instacart delivery in Las Vegas on April 16, 2020. She says that her earnings with Instacart have declined by 60% to 70% over the past three years.
For the workers, one particular sore spot is the default tip setting. Instacart sets it to just 5% for first-time customers (it subsequently defaults to your last tip; if you tipped below 5%, it resets to 5%). Ms. Goen, a former Las Vegas bartender, is well aware of the psychology of tipping. She knows that the default setting plays a huge role in how customers will behave. “For Instacart to ... leave it at 5% is just crushing.”
On March 30, in response to its members’ concerns over low tips, no sick pay, and the lack of protective equipment, the GWC organized a nationwide walk-off, an action that drew national media attention. To protect workers from retaliation, the GWC doesn’t keep track of how many people participated.
Instacart said the work stoppage had “absolutely no impact” on its operations, but the company did begin offering more resources, including reusable face masks and hand sanitizer. Earlier, the company offered 14 days of sick pay for shoppers diagnosed with COVID-19.
“As part of our unwavering commitment to prioritize the health and safety of the entire Instacart community,” read a statement from the company, “we’re working closely with the CDC, public health officials and retail partners to make sure we’re taking the appropriate precautionary measures to keep our shopper community and customers safe.”
But according to a report by CNET, Instacart shoppers have faced steep bureaucratic hurdles getting their sick pay approved. As of May 20, just one worker is known to have been approved for sick pay.
“There is absolutely zero transparency,’ says Ms. Goen. “Every time we have a strike action, they would act like they are giving us something, and [then] they would take it away.”
Still, Ms. Goen remains hopeful that actions by the GWC will bear fruit.
“We just want to be heard and acknowledged and appreciated,” she says. “We are the face of Instacart.”
Past work stoppages by gig workers have also shown results. The Uber and Lyft strikes of 2019, for instance, resulted in higher wages and improved working conditions for some drivers.
These actions are occurring in a larger context of labor flexing its strength. The past two years have seen remarkably forceful worker revolts, from teachers protesting benefit cuts to tech workers walking out over law enforcement and military contracts. Indeed, the 2018-19 government shutdown finally came to a halt thanks to the efforts of a handful of air traffic controllers.
Legislation and legal battles
A parallel trend: Lawmakers and judges are increasingly influencing the gig landscape, in some cases affirming the idea that contractor status doesn’t offer enough protections for gig workers.
Instacart found itself under pressure on this front, too. Early in June, as part of an agreement with the attorney general of Washington, D.C., the company agreed to offer its workers paid sick leave nationwide.
In another important case, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the National Labor Relations Act does not prevent a state from adopting its own collective bargaining law, one that includes provisions for independent contractors.
Last September, meanwhile, California passed Assembly Bill 5, a law that classifies app-based gig workers as employees, entitled to minimum wage guarantees and other basic protections.
The law codifies the so-called ABC test, which sets three criteria to determine whether a worker ought to be classified as a contractor or an employee. According to this standard, a worker is a contractor if (a) “the individual is free from direction and control,” (b) “the service is performed outside the usual course of business of the employer,” and (c) the “individual is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession, or business of the same nature as that involved in the service performed.”
This law was tested in May at the California Supreme Court, with the state prevailing against Lyft and Uber.
“A huge landmark deal,” says Brian Chen, an attorney at the National Employment Law Project. “Other states are going to look at that, and hopefully these state laws will be a model for the federal government eventually.”
In January, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo hinted that his state would be pursuing a law similar to AB 5. Speaking in his State of the State address, Mr. Cuomo said, “A driver is not an independent contractor simply because she drives her own car on the job. A newspaper carrier is not an independent contractor because they ride their own bicycle. A domestic worker is not an independent contractor because she brings her own broom and mop to the job. It is exploitive, abusive, ... and it has to stop here and now.”
Mr. Chen describes the battle over worker classification as a first step, not an end goal. “That fight really is to set a floor,” he says. “Strong employment laws are a precondition for workers building power.”
Rise of the co-op platform
In addition to what’s happening in the realms of labor activism, legislation, and the courts, some experts see another trend that could help reshape gig work: the rise of new, worker-friendly structures for digital-platform businesses.
Platform co-ops are worker-owned entities that rely on shared ownership and democratic decision-making. These include Up & Go, a cooperatively owned housecleaning platform in New York City, Stocksy United, a stock-photo platform based in Victoria, British Columbia, that’s owned by nearly 1,000 photographers, and Green Taxi Cooperative, an 800-person enterprise that has made significant inroads into Denver’s ride-hailing market.
The concept of platform cooperativism was introduced in 2014 by The New School’s Dr. Scholz, who was researching the digital economy.
“I don’t think I’ve met anyone who does not think this is a good idea,” he says. “It’s a question of do you want cosmetic change or do you want structural change?”
Owned by the workers, who guide their businesses democratically, platform co-ops typically take a much smaller cut for overhead costs than do their Silicon Valley counterparts. For instance, the housecleaning and handyman platform Handy says that it takes about 20% from each transaction; Up & Go takes just 5%.
Dr. Scholz sits on the board of a co-op called Fairbnb.coop, an Airbnb alternative that sends half the booking fees from short-term rentals to projects that promote social welfare in the host communities.
“It’s not about destroying Uber or about destroying Airbnb,” says Dr. Scholz of platform co-ops. “They can coexist with corporations.” But, he says, “it shows you that it can be different.”
Shifts in public opinion
Even before the pandemic struck, public attitudes about digital gig work – and Silicon Valley more generally – were beginning to sour. When apps like Uber gained popularity in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crash, they were seen as an opportunity for workers to make money via their smartphone apps while setting their own schedule.
But by 2018, workers were reporting feeling squeezed. A study that year by JPMorgan Chase found that for Uber and Lyft drivers, monthly earnings fell from $1,469 in 2013 to $783 in 2017, a decline of 53%. Also that year, a study by the Federal Reserve found that 58% of full-time gig workers said they didn’t have an emergency $400 on hand, compared with 38% of those who didn’t work in the gig economy.
Ms. Goen’s experience reflects this downward pressure on pay. She says that her earnings with Instacart have declined by 60% to 70% over the past three years.
Instacart shoppers can make as little as $7 for a grocery run, but Ms. Goen doesn’t accept every run that pops up on her phone. “It’s 110 degrees in Vegas. I’m not starting my car for less than $20,” she says.
“Gig workers have been free falling,” she says. “It’s time for some laws to be put in place.”
The shift in attitudes is perhaps best illustrated by Governor Cuomo’s change of heart. Less than three years before calling the gig economy a “scam” and a “fraud,” he vigorously defended Uber against attempts by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to regulate it.
“Uber is one of these great inventions, startups, of this new economy,” Mr. Cuomo said in July 2015. “It’s offering a great service for people, and it’s giving people jobs. I don’t think the government should be in the business of trying to restrict job growth.”
Mr. Chen says the mood in 2020 is very different.
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“This is a moment when the companies’ ideological spin is starting to run out,” he says. “The bloom is off the rose.”
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify Trebor Scholz's role at The New School. He is an activist scholar. As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.


csmonitor--2020-07-02--End of FGM in Sudan? A draft bill sparks caution, hope.

It 's been more than 60 years .
But the scene is seared still into Kawthar Ali 's mind .
She was maybe 5 1/2 or 6 years old .
At the time , she did n't fully understand what followed .
But that day Ms. Ali joined the many Sudanese girls who had undergone female genital mutilation , a practice that involves partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons .
`` It 's the one incident that has affected my life the most , '' said Ms. Ali .
`` It feels shameful for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this to you , like a rape . ''
The anguish unleashed that day led to an unwavering conviction : No daughter of hers should ever endure that pain .
That decision pitted Ms. Ali against her own mother and a society where nearly 87 % of women between 15 and 49 years old are estimated to have undergone a form of FGM , according to a U.N.-backed 2014 survey .
Soon , Ms. Ali and others like her might have the law on their side .
Sudan 's transitional authorities are expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of up to three years in prison and fines for those who carry out FGM , according to a draft bill obtained by The Associated Press .
The Cabinet has approved a set of amendments that includes criminalizing FGM .
Procedures to pass the law are expected to be completed , by the sovereign council and council of ministers , in the coming few days , Minister of Justice NasrEdeen Abdulbari said in a statement sent in response to AP questions .
`` I 'm very excited , very proud , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation , which works to end FGM .
`` Those are the kind of things that we need to be celebrating because that was a part of democracy coming to Sudan . ''
Although she lauds the move , Kawthar Ali is not celebrating yet .
`` This thing will die very slowly , '' she said of FGM .
`` It 's an issue related to our traditions and the Sudanese culture . ''
Like many in Sudan , Ms. Ali was subjected to an extreme form of FGM known as infibulation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the labia , sometimes through stitching , to narrow the vaginal opening .
The World Health Organization says FGM constitutes an `` extreme form of discrimination '' against women .
Nearly always carried out on minors , it can result in excessive bleeding and death or cause problems including infections , complications in childbirth , and depression .
Millions of girls and women have been cut in countries in Africa , the Middle East , and Asia .
Reasons differ .
Many believe it keeps women clean and protects their chastity by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious leaders run the spectrum .
Some condone the practice , others work to eliminate it , and others consider it irrelevant to religion .
Mohammed Hashim al-Hakim , a Sudanese Muslim cleric who opposes FGM , said religious leaders must confront attempts to put a veneer of religion on a custom largely rooted in culture .
The practice , he said , predates Islam and crosses religious lines .
`` No one in their right mind can say that a harmful practice ... belongs to religion . ''
Under the rule of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ousted in April last year , some Sudanese clerics said forms of FGM were religiously allowed , arguing that the only debate was over whether it was required or not .
It was fear of what people would say , rather than religious beliefs , that led Kawthar Ali 's mother to fight her decision not to subject her own daughter to FGM .
Ms. Ali even feared her mother would have someone commit it on her daughter while she was at work .
She armed her child with a plan : Run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 , the daughter wonders if the police would have helped .
She said she is grateful for her mother 's battle .
Among high school classmates , she was `` the abnormal one '' for not getting cut .
A rights defender , she spoke on condition she not be identified by name because of the sensitivity of her work .
The practice of FGM , she argued , is interwoven with a patriarchal mentality that connects a man 's sexual pleasure to a woman 's pain and exerts control over women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture are much stronger than written laws , '' she said , adding that anti-FGM campaigners need to engage men more .
Neighboring Egypt shows how difficult it is to end the practice .
Egypt banned FGM in 2008 and elevated it to a felony in 2016 , allowing tougher penalties .
Some of Egypt 's top Islamic authorities have said FGM is forbidden .
Still , a 2015 government survey found that 87 % of Egyptian women between the ages of 15 and 49 had undergone FGM , though the rate among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 2008 survey .
Reda el-Danbouki , executive director of the Women 's Centre for Guidance and Legal Awareness , said there have been cases where judges handed down minimum sentences on doctors who broke the law , giving the impression doctors can keep doing so with impunity .
As Sudan 's law is implemented , there is the risk that FGM will go underground , said Othman Sheiba , secretary general of Sudan 's National Council for Child Welfare .
But criminalization sends a strong message , he said : `` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this harm to girls . ''
Women were at the forefront of the protests against Mr. al-Bashir .
Transitional authorities have since taken steps to roll back his legacy , which activists say disenfranchised women in particular .
For FGM truly to end , women must be empowered , Nimco Ali said .
`` You bring in the legislation and then you start having the conversation and then real change happens . ''
A more `` awoken '' generation of young Sudanese rejects the practice and wants equality , she said .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ali underwent FGM in Djibouti at age 7 .
She remembers feeling angry .
A severe kidney infection – a complication from the procedure – almost killed her at 11 , she said .
`` I lost the concept of innocence , '' she said .
`` I felt so broken and so alone . ''
For her own procedure , Kawthar Ali was dolled up `` like a bride . ''
Her body was rubbed with oil and she wore a new dress and gold bracelets .
Although she had anesthesia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who did not .
Physical pain lasted about a month , but the psychological pain has endured a lifetime , she said .
`` It 's like something getting ripped from inside of me , '' she said .
`` Something was forcefully taken from me . ''
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

It's been more than 60 years. But the scene is seared still into Kawthar Ali's mind. She was maybe 5 1/2 or 6 years old.
At the time, she didn't fully understand what followed. But that day Ms. Ali joined the many Sudanese girls who had undergone female genital mutilation, a practice that involves partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.
"It's the one incident that has affected my life the most," said Ms. Ali. "It feels shameful for people to expose your body and do this to you, like a rape."
The anguish unleashed that day led to an unwavering conviction: No daughter of hers should ever endure that pain. That decision pitted Ms. Ali against her own mother and a society where nearly 87% of women between 15 and 49 years old are estimated to have undergone a form of FGM, according to a U.N.-backed 2014 survey.
Soon, Ms. Ali and others like her might have the law on their side. Sudan's transitional authorities are expected to outlaw the procedure and set punishments of up to three years in prison and fines for those who carry out FGM, according to a draft bill obtained by The Associated Press. The Cabinet has approved a set of amendments that includes criminalizing FGM. Procedures to pass the law are expected to be completed, by the sovereign council and council of ministers, in the coming few days, Minister of Justice NasrEdeen Abdulbari said in a statement sent in response to AP questions.
"I'm very excited, very proud," said Nimco Ali, co-founder of The Five Foundation, which works to end FGM. "Those are the kind of things that we need to be celebrating because that was a part of democracy coming to Sudan."
Although she lauds the move, Kawthar Ali is not celebrating yet. "This thing will die very slowly," she said of FGM. "It's an issue related to our traditions and the Sudanese culture."
Like many in Sudan, Ms. Ali was subjected to an extreme form of FGM known as infibulation, which involves the cutting and repositioning of the labia, sometimes through stitching, to narrow the vaginal opening.
The World Health Organization says FGM constitutes an "extreme form of discrimination" against women. Nearly always carried out on minors, it can result in excessive bleeding and death or cause problems including infections, complications in childbirth, and depression.
Millions of girls and women have been cut in countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Reasons differ. Many believe it keeps women clean and protects their chastity by controlling sexual desire. The opinions of religious leaders run the spectrum. Some condone the practice, others work to eliminate it, and others consider it irrelevant to religion.
Mohammed Hashim al-Hakim, a Sudanese Muslim cleric who opposes FGM, said religious leaders must confront attempts to put a veneer of religion on a custom largely rooted in culture.
The practice, he said, predates Islam and crosses religious lines. "No one in their right mind can say that a harmful practice ... belongs to religion."
Under the rule of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in April last year, some Sudanese clerics said forms of FGM were religiously allowed, arguing that the only debate was over whether it was required or not.
It was fear of what people would say, rather than religious beliefs, that led Kawthar Ali's mother to fight her decision not to subject her own daughter to FGM. Ms. Ali even feared her mother would have someone commit it on her daughter while she was at work. She armed her child with a plan: Run to a nearby police station.
Now 35, the daughter wonders if the police would have helped. She said she is grateful for her mother's battle. Among high school classmates, she was "the abnormal one" for not getting cut. A rights defender, she spoke on condition she not be identified by name because of the sensitivity of her work.
The practice of FGM, she argued, is interwoven with a patriarchal mentality that connects a man's sexual pleasure to a woman's pain and exerts control over women.
"Customs, traditions, and culture are much stronger than written laws," she said, adding that anti-FGM campaigners need to engage men more.
Neighboring Egypt shows how difficult it is to end the practice. Egypt banned FGM in 2008 and elevated it to a felony in 2016, allowing tougher penalties. Some of Egypt's top Islamic authorities have said FGM is forbidden.
Still, a 2015 government survey found that 87% of Egyptian women between the ages of 15 and 49 had undergone FGM, though the rate among teens did fall 11 percentage points from a 2008 survey.
Reda el-Danbouki, executive director of the Women's Centre for Guidance and Legal Awareness, said there have been cases where judges handed down minimum sentences on doctors who broke the law, giving the impression doctors can keep doing so with impunity.
As Sudan's law is implemented, there is the risk that FGM will go underground, said Othman Sheiba, secretary general of Sudan's National Council for Child Welfare. But criminalization sends a strong message, he said: "The government of the revolution will not accept this harm to girls."
Women were at the forefront of the protests against Mr. al-Bashir. Transitional authorities have since taken steps to roll back his legacy, which activists say disenfranchised women in particular.
For FGM truly to end, women must be empowered, Nimco Ali said. "You bring in the legislation and then you start having the conversation and then real change happens." A more "awoken" generation of young Sudanese rejects the practice and wants equality, she said.
A British activist of Somali origin, Ms. Ali underwent FGM in Djibouti at age 7. She remembers feeling angry. A severe kidney infection – a complication from the procedure – almost killed her at 11, she said.
"I lost the concept of innocence," she said. "I felt so broken and so alone."
For her own procedure, Kawthar Ali was dolled up "like a bride." Her body was rubbed with oil and she wore a new dress and gold bracelets.
Although she had anesthesia, she remembers the cries of a relative who did not.
Physical pain lasted about a month, but the psychological pain has endured a lifetime, she said.
"It's like something getting ripped from inside of me," she said. "Something was forcefully taken from me."
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.