Asia and the Pacific

Dr. Sima Samar, head of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), has been named one of the Top 10 Most Influential Women in South and Central Asia for 2013 by Central and South Asia Business.

We invite our users to read the complete article published October 2 2013

On Tuesday, September 17, the 

A brand-new grain subsidy ration card that requires women be listed as head of the household is one boon. One beleaguered woman said the food security it brings her could be a means of escaping an abusive husband.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban ambushed a convoy of a female Afghan senator on Wednesday, seriously wounding her in the attack and killing her 8-year-old daughter and a bodyguard, officials said.

Senator Rouh Gul Khirzad's husband, son and another daughter were also wounded in the attack in the Muqur district of Gazni province, according to Deputy Governor Mohammad Ali Ahmadi.

India may boast a woman President, Prime Minister and Speaker, but when it comes to selecting candidates, key political parties still have a long way to go.

In the past 10 years, only 7 per cent or 4,148 candidates out of the 62,847 candidates were women, says an analysis. Of these, 675 won to become MPs or MLAs.

Samoa’s Parliament has decided to unanimously endorse an amendment to the constitution which will allow five parliamentary seats to be allotted to women candidates.