Some 15 female peacemakers from Africa, and Asia, including the Middle East, are now in the Philippines for a week-long practical training on gender and peace work.

The 15 women are taking part in a Gender Sensitive Active Nonviolence Training from Jan. 16 to 22, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said.

Positive steps to protect women and girls during armed conflict
Geneva, 4 January 2011

At the invitation of Geneva Call, 23 representatives of eight Asian armed non‐State actors (NSAs) from Burma/Myanmar, India and the Philippines gathered in Geneva, Switzerland in December to discuss ways to improve the protection of women and girls during armed conflict.

Remarks to the Institute for Inclusive Security, Policy Forum 2011

B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs

18 January 2011, Washington D.C.

Lighting a candle and letting the fresh scent waft through your home can bring an instant atmosphere of peace and relaxation. With a Prosperity Candle, you can have a peaceful atmosphere and help war widows in Baghdad rebuild their lives.

In the most fragile states - those engaged in or just emerging from conflict - putting people back to work is a critical step towards a sustainable peace. Most donor efforts in that direction concentrate on short-term public works, targeted interventions to restore basic livelihoods.

With the assassination of Salman Taseer, the Governor of Punjab Province in Pakistan and an outspoken opponent of religious extremism, the divisions within Pakistani society are once again in the news. Perhaps there is no better time to see the documentary Bhutto, which not only tells the story of Pakistan's first woman Prime Minister, but also gives extensive background on this country's history.

Monday marks what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 81st birthday, and though the civil rights icon's legacy is hard to match, he'd likely be honored to find his message carried forth by some of these truly incredible human rights activists.

Marcus Bleasdale talks about a selection of his photographs chronicling the impact of rape in war-torn areas of Africa.

To watch the video click here.

Young women in the 21st century have a lot of opportunities at their fingertips especially when they have access to education and trustworthy, competent role models. While violence, oppression, and discrimination affect women in the third world and first world, the possibility for an accomplished, impassioned life is real.

The Rotary Peace Centers of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is beginning its recruitment of Rotary Peace Fellows for 2012. Over the past ten years, Rotary Peace Centers has provided over 600 future peace leaders with peace and conflict resolution education and field experience. Our alumni work all over the world with organization ranging from grassroots peace initiatives in Africa to the United Nations.