Asia

US Ambassador to Nepal Peter W Bodde has said that the US government will work with the government of Nepal and civil society to encourage participation of women and underrepresented groups in politics.

Bangladesh Nari Mukti Sangsad in a statement on Saturday said ‘Shafi in his remarks have disrespected and offended women'.

“For this, he should be arrested and brought to justice immediately,” said a statement signed by the rights body's Presdient Hajera Sultana and General Secretary Saleha Sultana.

A group of prominent Iranian women's rights activists and intellectuals have outlined some of their main demands for Iran's President-elect Hassan Rohani, who spoke against gender discrimination during his campaign and said women and men should enjoy the same rights and opportunities.

Speakers stressed on the need for education, awareness and training to enhance participation of women in the electoral politics. They were speaking at a conference titled ‘Enhancing the Role of Women for Participation in Electoral Process' organised by the UN Women in collaboration with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday.

(Phnom Penh, 10 July 2013) On 3 July 2013, a group of civil society organizations ("CSOs") jointly organized a national political platform debate on "Special Measures to Solve Women's and Children's Issues" (the "Debate"). CSOs were pleased to welcome to the Debate representatives from seven of the eight political parties who are contesting the National Assembly elections to be held on Sunday, 28 July 2013.

Women political prisoners of the Damascus Central Prison, many held without charge, have begun an indefinite hunger strike to protest the conditions in which they are detained. “We are the detainees of conscience in prison of Adra in Damascus, who are in the waiting period to appear for trial ... officially announce today that we are on hunger strike ...

A court has reversed the convictions of three Afghans jailed for torturing a young relative who had refused to become a prostitute, alarming activists who had celebrated the guilty verdicts as a warning to all those who would seek to reverse the strides made by women here in the past 12 years.

UN Women is set to launch a five-year programme on social stabilisation and reconstruction.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Programme Specialist Fehmida Iqbal said that the plan was aimed at ensuring institutional accountability and facilitating women by giving them a forum to voice their demands.

Nearly one week into an election campaign period that has seen Phnom Penh's streets play host to thousands of political party supporters, attention turned Wednesday to policy, when representatives from seven of the eight parties running for seats delivered their manifestos on issues affecting women and children.

The South Asia Women's Network (SWAN) found an opportunity to hold a Strategic Planning Workshop in Male (Maldives), and witness firsthand claims by scientists that the waters surrounding the Maldives have risen significantly, and that the island may disappear in less than 200 years.