Some sex, gender, and women highlights and lowlights for the week:

In the post “2012: The year in sexism” Laura Bates lists the sexist ‘lowlights’ of each month (from Rush Limbaugh’s slut comment to Todd Akin’s ‘legit’ rape gaff).

The Huffington Post has some high and low gender moments of its own- the high point is Carey Purcell’s “Fifty Shades of Feminism: a response to E.L. James Fifty Shades of Grey.” Parcell summarizes many of the criticisms already waged against the series, but with a refreshing tone.

Speaking of feminism, if you missed the Atlantic article about why Katie Perry’s rejection of feminism might be a good thing, do check it out here.

Protests continue and debates ensue following the death of a young woman who was gang-raped in India. One of the biggest unanswered questions is whether instituting the death penalty for perpetrators would impact India’s high rates of sexual violence. The victim’s family has called for the death penalty for the perpetrators.

In Australia it was reported that the gender gap in wages is increasing, with the median gap in salaries growing from $2000 to $5000 in just one year. Meanwhile over in Britain, a study found that women who worked full-time made 21% less than their male counterparts.