Valeria Costa-Kostritsky

Valeria Costa-Kostritsky is editorial assistant at oDR, openDemocracy's post-Soviet space project, and is a French journalist based in London. She writes about politics, women's rights and social issues for publications including L'Obs, the London Review of Books and Index on Censorship.

Beyond a war of words: will the UN agree to act to end violence against women?

The 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women opens today with member States - and thousands of women's rights advocates and organisations - set to debate how to end violence against women. Valeria Costa-Kostritsky reports from New York

By Valeria Costa-Kostritsky

/ 4 Mar 2013

A French debate on prostitution

Back from Paris where she has been interviewing prostitutes, politicians, police, and feminists who argue both for and against legalising prostitution, Valeria Costa-Kostritsky asks whether legalising it would benefit both those who want to leave prostitution, and those who feel it is their only w

By Valeria Costa-Kostritsky

/ 21 Jan 2013

France and the veil – the dark side of the law

French anti-veil laws are steeped in racism and have opened the door to abuse against Muslims, argues Valeria Costa-Kostritsky .

By Valeria Costa-Kostritsky

/ 28 Nov 2012

France: licence to rape?

A lenient gang-rape verdict has prompted outcry and a debate on France's inadequate response to rape. The French media's ambivalence towards rape victims also needs to be examined, says Valeria Costa-Kostritsky

By Valeria Costa-Kostritsky

/ 30 Oct 2012

"Is Hollande going to expel us all?"

Like their classmates, Roma children in one Paris suburb are getting to grips with a new school year - but French ministers continue to play politics with their future

By Valeria Costa-Kostritsky

/ 28 Sep 2012

Is feminism in Russia a mortal sin?

The trial of Pussy Riot is encouraging Russians to talk openly about corruption. But how is their message being received in a country where feminism is still a dirty word?

By Valeria Costa-Kostritsky

/ 15 Aug 2012

Olympic winners and losers

Adidas has good reason to celebrate Team GB’s success. It is the main sponsor of the Games and the official sponsor of the British team. But while the sports group bathes in reflected glory, the workers who stitch their gear work in conditions that fall far short of Olympic ideals of “human dignit

By Valeria Costa-Kostritsky

/ 6 Aug 2012