World News

Voters across Israel choose new mayors and city councilors in local elections Tuesday. In one small town, a handful of ultra-Orthodox Jewish women are defying the norms of their community by running for office.

Betraying their own biases, various Western commentators have frequently expressed shock at the visible and active presence of women and girls in demonstrations across the region.

 The focus of the Triennial today is forward looking and starts by addressing the upcoming regional and international processes which provide an opportunity for the visibility of the issues that the 12th

In 2008, only six Arab women were elected to local office, but this year, that number is seen rising to 15.

The Pacific region has the lowest level of representation of women in national legislatures, a tag that it would like to shake off.

But one woman who has made it into her national parliament is Charmaine Scotty.

Hundreds of Paktia Province women October 23 rallied in Gardez to announce their intentions to actively participate in the upcoming elections next year.

"We will be voting for the candidates who could help us achieve our rights," civil society activist Anar Gula said.

Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., once said her experience as a preschool teacher was excellent training for Congress.