Through the training of women in disaster management, as well as national lobbying, the contribution of women has been recognized and a government decree now gives the Women’s Union an official space in decision-making bodies.

We invite you to read the full article published June 4, 2014 by our partner, UN Women

On FORBES list of the world’s most powerful women, three of the top five positions are held by female politicians. On the list of 100, 20 total spots went to influential women in international politics. Many of most powerful women in politics hold the highest-ranking executive offices in their respective countries, including that of prime minister, president, chancellor, and more. Long muted, the voice of women around the world has found an important medium for expression: elected and appointed officials who represent their nations and gender on the world stage.

Kosovo’s first woman mayor, Mimoza Kusari-Lila of Gjakova, thinks that politics is a bit like riding a bicycle. You shouldn’t look down, but concentrate on the road ahead. “When you run for office, you shouldn’t focus on bumps and obstacles in the road,” she said, “but bear in mind the reason you entered politics.”  Read the article here. 

NGO Women leaders attended a two day forum in Suva on 22-23 April, to discuss the role of women in relation to ‘Rethinking Development, Reshaping the Pacific We Want – Beyond 2015′. The discussions centred on how to progress the re-thinking agenda and influence the Post 2015 development goals after the expiry of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015. Read the article here. 

The 2014 national elections in India recorded the highest ever turnout. Women voters outnumbered their male counterparts in 16 of 28 states. a story by UNDP India

Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delivered the keynote address at NDI’s May 19 Madeleine K. Albright Grant luncheon, encouraging people to “dare the difference” through the three “L’s” of women’s empowerment — learning, labor and leadership.

The stories of gang-rape, forced marriage and fathers being forced to rape their own daughters at gunpoint keep her awake at night. Saran Keïta Diakité has listened to countless women recount the atrocities that the people of her war-torn country (Mali) have endured at the hands of armed groups since a military coup d’état in March 2012.