women's empowerment

Do not be misled by the depiction of Pakistani women in popular media. While the thought of Pakistani women may conjure a stereotypical oppressed and burqa-clad image, times are changing fast. 

Arab women played a central role in the Arab Spring, but their hopes the revolts would bring greater freedom and expanded rights for women have been thwarted by entrenched patriarchal structures and the rise of Islamists, gender experts in the countries say.

MBABANE – A segment of the women electorate is disappointed with the poor representation of women in Parliament.

The Chairperson of the Gender Consortium under the Co-ordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Orga-nisations (CANGO), Hleli Luhlanga, feels that some of the constitutional provisions for the election of women into Parliament have been violated.

In Nepal, only twenty percent of women have some form of land ownership. Deprivation of land rights is synonymous with poverty and denial of rights. But over time a number of women-led land rights campaigns have brought about important changes at the national policy level.

We invite our users to read the complete article published November 11 2013 

The Nationwide Women Forum on Peace, Security and Development, jointly organized by women’s human rights organizations and Columbia University, began at the Sky Star Hotel in Yangon yesterday.

The five-day forum is aimed at promoting the participation of women in politics, peace, development, and business activities, in particular to encourage women suffering from conflict and natural disasters to take part during Myanmar’s democratization period.

We are so fortunate to have been able to interview Betsy Hodges, who is currently running for Mayor of Minneapolis. She's been the representation for Ward 13 on the Minneapolis City Council for seven years, during which time she has chaired the Intergovernmental Relations Committee and the Ways & Means Committee. The mayoral race is coming to a close (get out and vote November 5th if you live in Minneapolis!), so we're thankful that Ms. Hodges took the time to answer some of our questions about her political career.

Madi Jobarteh, the programme manager of The Association of Non-governmental Organisations (TANGO) has said that women are the major players in politics but quality participation of women in politics is needed.

He made these remarks during an interview with this reporter at his office in Fajara, after his institution held a two-day workshop on gender quota in politics under its Women in Politics Project funded by the American Embassy in Banjul.

IF elected, Chief Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has promised to ensure that women constitute at least 35 per cent of all his appointments.

In an interview with reporters shortly after attending the sensitisation workshop for political parties and stakeholders in Awka, Obiano also promised to establish more vocational and skills acquisition centres in the state.

We invite you to read the full article published October 29, 2013