women's rights

Why are there so few female elected officials in the second largest city in the country? Of 18 elected positions in City Hall, only one is held by a woman — Nury Martinez, who joined the council in July.

By comparison, at least 36 percent of the New York City Council is female (at least, there are 18 members of the women’s caucus, and with 50 council members, do the math) as is the speaker, Christine Quinn.

Most American media coverage of the Middle East paints a bleak picture of the status of women. There certainly is reason for pessimism given the perpetuation of honor killings and child marriages and, more generally, the exclusion of women from economic and political life. However, it’s not all gloomy.

We invite our users to read the full article published September 18 2013

Women make up 34% of the 8th Parliament of Zimbabwe, with 32% in the National Assembly and 48% of Senate. Although the quota for women in parliament led to the dramatic increase from 19% in 2008 to 34%, the number of women who actually won, fell from 34 to 26. The cabinet appointments were the country's last opportunity to bolster the numbers of women in power.

We invite our users to read the full article published September 18 2013

Progressive groups unveiled a major initiative on Wednesday to draw attention to challenges that women still face and to promote public policies to address gender disparities.

Organizing for Action, dedicated to promoting President Barack Obama's agenda, is launching a "Stand with Women" effort on Wednesday night with more than 100 events in homes around the country.

Egypt's National Council for Women (NCW) said in a statement issued Wednesday that new amendments under-discussion to the currently suspended 2012 constitution are "fairer" to women.

The Fundamental Principles subcommittee of the 50-member constitution amending body agreed to suggestions filed by NCW head Mervat El-Tallawy, who also sits on the committee, the statement said.

President Goodluck Jonathan has been urged to replace sacked female ministers with women in order to keep and perhaps surpass the 35 per cent affirmative action as favoured by the current administration.

Female stakeholders, including politicians, made the plea on Monday in Abuja. It was at a one-day forum on Dissemination of Framework for Implementation of at least 35 percent Affirmative Action on Women’s Political Advancement and Representation in Democratic Governance in Nigeria.