Asia

The attacks follow the same scenario.

A naked woman lies sobbing as a group of Kyrgyz-speaking men brutally cross-examine her. They punch and kick her, pull her hair, and curse at her.

Sometimes, the aggressors shave their victim's eyebrows or threaten her with a knife.

Her phone rang at 9 p.m. “Can you come tonight? He's home.” The voice was anxious. “My son left those extremists he took up with, but maybe just for the night.”

Including women in the peacemaking process could bring about a speedier and more durable resolution to Myanmar's ethnic conflicts, activists say.

Daw Ja Nan, vice president of non-govern-ment organisation Nyein (Shalom) Foundation, said sustainable peace required the involvement of all citizens but women were normally excluded from the process, both formally and informally.

Lawmakers from 110 countries, representing all continents, pledged here last week to intensify efforts, individually and collectively, aiming to attain the goals on safeguarding people's rights to sexual health and freedom to determine their reproductive choices. The goals were set at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), held in 1994 in Cairo.

Introduction

While I was visiting Saudi Arabia last week, King Abdullah fired one of the most popular Islamic leaders in the Kingdom from his government position. Sheikh Abdel Mohsen Obeikan was an advisor to the royal court until last week when, in a single line, the king ordered that the sheikh resign from his post. The reaction was swift.

Anchor Aaron Schachter talks with journalist Gayle Lemmon about a “shadow summit” on Afghanistan's women that took place Sunday in Chicago alongside the NATO summit there.

The summit was organized by Amnesty International.

Meanwhile, protesters have been demonstrating outside the main NATO summit in Chicago.

To support greater engagement for women's leadership inside the expanding political terrain in Kyrgyzstan, the NDI – National Democratic Institute will be hosting a luncheon to celebrate the Albright grant award for supporting democracy in action to bring women into the process. With celebrity studded hosts that include PBS News Hour moderator Judy Woodruff, former United States Secretary of State Madeline K.

At an event in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office last night, the foreign secretary will launch a high-profile new initiative on tackling sexual violence in conflict.

As Papua New Guinea is gearing up for elections next month, four women candidates have come forward in the autonomous region of Bougainville to contest seats against 65 men.

Magdeline Toroansi is vying for the Bougainville regional seat.

Rachael Konaka and Francesca Semoso are endorsed by the People Party for the North Bougainville seat.

Theresa Jaintong is the People Party candidate for the Central Bougainville seat.