women's empowerment

When Anna Margareth Abdallah entered the Tanzanian parliament in 1975, she was one of only five female MPs. Today, she is one of 126 – more than a third of the total – and the first woman to chair the standing committee on defence and security.

Africa now has three female heads of state, after Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic took office in January. Though women leaders remain the exception in African politics, activists say things are looking up.

Women are breaking into the "boys club" of the African presidency.

We invite you to read the full article published February 8, 2014

Pioneers may be picturesque figures, but they are often rather lonely ones. Or so said Nancy Astor, who certainly should have known: as the first female MP to take a seat in the House of Commons, Samantha Cameron's step great-grandmother surely expected to meet her share of resistance.

A MOCK parliament for women will be conducted at the National Parliament from February 10 to 13.

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in close collaboration with the UNDP Pacific Centre, the  National Parliament of Solomon Islands and the Solomon Islands Government are organising the event.

This is part of moves to advance women’s participation in leadership and decision making.

According to TOLO News, many of the 11 candidates have focused on similar, broad issues so far, including security, human rights, women’s participation in government, corruption, and economic development.

Sandra Fluke, the 32-year-old activist and well-known reproductive rights advocate famous for being labeled a “slut” by Rush Limbaugh, is not running for Congress. She was never officially a candidate for the seat opened up by the retirement of veteran lawmaker Henry Waxman, it turns out, and after a short-lived trial balloon, has filed to run for a state Senate seatinstead.

Women who work at the crossroads of politics and technology are working at two heavily male-dominated fields. Yet there are ways to build a career and thrive at work, and at home.

It’s deliberative, and it’s ongoing, but it’s worth it if you want to work at changing the world.

We invite you to read the full article published February 6, 2014

Democratic attorney and activist Sandra Fluke has decided against running for retiring Rep. Henry A. Waxman’s congressional seat, instead planning a bid for the state Senate.

David Cameron has been accused of running the country like an old boys' network after he turned up to prime minister's questions with an entirely male frontbench.