Mali

Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka met with women leaders in Mali, listening as women asked for action to protect women’s rights and train security officers. Pledging robust support from UN Women, she made a strong call for the voices of women to be heard at all levels, saying that, “Women’s full participation is critical for long-term stability across the region.” - See more at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2013/11/ed-visit-to-the-sahel#st…

“I have always wanted to represent the people in my area as a ward councillor, but l gave up this dream because I was afraid to contest against men, thinking that I cannot win.” Sarah Kulemeka of the Ntcheu district also gave up on this dream because she could not afford the nomination fee.

Whenever she's asked why she chose to study something as terrible as war, Joana Cook's response is always the same: Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding.

Cook's PhD research - Increasing women's political representation: A new approach to developing security policy in Mali and Yemen - explores the unique and positive role that women in politics can play in addressing critical human security issues.