During the past year, the US and its NATO allies have placed increasing emphasis on bringing an end to the war in Afghanistan through negotiations. With the Taliban on the verge of getting a political office in Qatar, substantive talks now appear closer than ever before.
When India made it law in 1993 that a third of all seats on local government councils had to be held by women, the vision was that those female-headed councils would spend more government funds on public goods such as schools and wells. As a byproduct, women's status might improve.
In the past, Kenyan women were kept out of standing in the elections or even voting on election day because of violence and huge financial costs.
Members of the Kenyan Constitutional Review Committee had to ensure space existed for women enabling them to participate in the constitutional making process, to vote in an election and to stand as a candidate.
Women should be included in the ongoing Burma's peace-talk process between the government and ethnic armed groups, a statement by the Karen Women Organization (KWO) said yesterday.
In their recent meeting on the Thai-Burma border, KWO which formed a peace committee said it has decided to send representatives and participate in the Karen peace process.
