A Dark Secret: Trading Sex For Fish

Tree Man Syndrome; Abortion Rates; Music Videos With A Message [NPR] editor's note Julia Gunther Last week there were fireworks on Thursday but no newsletter -- we took the week off for Independence Day. This week, we have a number of important stories to highlight -- starting with "Sex for fish." Photographer Julia Gunther came to us a few months ago with [a project that revolved around that unlikely phrase.]( It's used in some lakefront communities in sub-Saharan Africa where men catch the fish and women sell the catch to local customers -- and sometimes pay off what they owe for the fish by engaging in a sexual encounter. Her photos from Malawi are beautiful and haunting. But in the villages she visited, the women see little hope for ending the practice of transactional sex. As we looked into the topic, we found interesting projects that seek to give women the power to stop "sex for fish" -- in one case, by giving them funds to buy their own boats so they can hire men to do the fishing for them. [See Gunther's photos -- and read the story -- here.]( Marc Silver Editor, Goats and Soda in the news Malaka Gharib [The Famous Big 5 Personality Test Might Not Reveal The True You]( The survey gauges people on five traits. It's used to screen applicants for jobs and predict earning potential. But its accuracy may depend on whether you live in a rich country or a poor country. [Squatters In Wine Country: South Africa Struggles With Land Reform]( The newly re-elected president made a promise to redistribute white-owned land to blacks. But it's a tense and controversial process. And there are unsolved murders in the mix. [Study: U.S. Ban On Aid To Foreign Clinics That 'Promote' Abortion Resulted In More Abortions]( The aid cutoff is called the Mexico City policy. Republican presidents instate it. Democratic presidents call it off. A report looks at the impact on abortion rates in sub-Saharan Africa. infertility videos Merck Foundation Via YouTube/Screenshot by NPR [Merck Wants To 'Empower' Infertile Women In Africa. Can Music Videos Help?]( The songs tell women they are "more than a mother" -- then promote the pharmaceutical company's fertility treatment programs. Experts give credit to Merck for focusing on a neglected issue -- but the videos raise some concerns. follow up Hadassah Medical Center [Patient With 'Tree Man' Syndrome Says He 'Can Finally Live A Normal Life']( We first wrote about the man, who lives in Gaza, in 2017. He has made remarkable progress as he undergoes a pioneering treatment by Israeli surgeons for a severe case of this rare condition. call-out What Stories Would You Like Us To Follow Up? We like to revisit stories we've run in [Goats and Soda]( to find out what's new -- as we did with the story we published this week about the [Gazan with "tree man syndrome."]( If there's a Goats and Soda story that you'd like to see us update let us know by emailing us. We're planning a week of follow-ups later this summer, [as we've done in summers past.]( We're particularly interested in following up stories that have run in the past year, but we're also happy to look at older stories that readers are curious about. Send your suggestions by August 1 to [goatsandsoda@npr.org](mailto:goatsandsoda@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) links we like The latest episode of NPR’s Rough Translation looks at [failure among entrepreneurs]( around the world. Tanzania’s president urged his country’s women to [“set your ovaries free”]( and have more children as a way to boost the economy. Inside India’s [obsession with skin whitening](. What Venezuelans are drinking [instead of beer.]( What happened when Ecuador [legalized gangs.]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [goatsandsoda@npr.org](mailto:goatsandsoda@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Health, Daily News, Code Switch and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to our Goats and Soda emails. | [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002 [NPR]