Things that made us go whoa!
THIS year has been an interesting one for women. From a senior citizen giving birth to triplets, to women being raped in the aftermath of the Haiti quake, 2010 was a year of wows. Here are some jaw-dropping moments.
Sixty-six-year-old woman gives birth to triplets
In June 66-year-old Bhateri Devi of India became the oldest known mother of triplets. Devi, who had been childless for the 44 years of her marriage, became the mother of two healthy boys and a girl via artificial insemination. Mothers across the world were joyful and shared her excitement as the babies came after Devi’s ex-husband divorced her because she could not give him an heir.
Nine-year-old gives birth in China
When the average nine-year-old was playing with her doll, a Chinese girl of similar age was giving birth to a healthy six-pound baby boy via Caesarean section thus, making her the youngest mother of 2010. The details of the birth were not clear, but in China having sex with a girl under 14 is considered rape.
Disaster in Haiti
The world watched tearfully as the impoverished nation of Haiti partially collapsed as a result of a catastrophic earthquake that destroyed major buildings, including the Presidential Palace, other government buildings and claiming the lives of more than 300,000. Bodies piled up in the streets while most survivors went for days without food, water and medical assistance. Bandits preyed on vulnerable survivors raping women while children as young as two were left traumatised and orphaned. As if that wasn’t agonising enough for the battered nation, tragedy struck again several months later. This came in the form of a cholera epidemic which has so far claimed the lives of more than 2,500 and hospitalised more than 63,000.
The Tiger Woods scandal
The Tiger Woods scandal was named Top Sports Story of 2010 by the Associated Press. Woods’ admission of infidelity and having a number of mistresses came as a surprise to many. Then came the split from his wife Elin Nordegren but most shocking was a winless season on the golf course for the first time in Tiger Woods’ history.
The Tredegar Park killings
Just a quick flashback to the Tredegar Park massacre that claimed the lives of three women will give one the chills. On August 13, gunmen went on a rampage killing seven including Hopelin Dennis, 43, and her daughters Alexifa, 11, and 23-year-old Nekfifa. Dennis died leaving five children. More than 100 women have been murdered in Jamaica since the start of 2010.
