Asia

KATHMANDU, NEPAL (Catholic Online) - Attracted to the Army by promises of equality and justice during the decade of conflict from 1996 to 2006, many have since formed families while staying on with the Maoist guerrilla group, the PLA. Now, many are looking for an alternative to the PLA as they turn their attentions toward raising their families and homemaking.

More than 50 percent of peace agreements fail within five years of being signed. This is partly due to the fact that peace negotiations and peace agreements do not address the underlying causes of the conflict.

Many Afghan women find themselves suffering from violence and abuse, with virtually no legal protection. Recently, authorities sentenced Gulnaz, a 21 year old rape victim, to 12 years in prison for adultery.

Dalit Baum has found an effective strategy to discourage multinational corporations from doing business in the Israeli-occupied territories: showing the link between profits and the suffering of Palestinians.

A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has - Margaret Mead

The same sea, the same sky. The distance between Mumbai and Karachi is only 877 km. But the distance created by politics and religion is so much more! Before landing at the Jinnah International Airport, my views about Pakistan were mixed. Pakistan is a “declared enemy” for India; for religious and political reasons, it was separated from India in 1947.

Coverage on Afghan women who have traveled the distance to be part of the Bonn Conference in Germany this week did show up short as global media placed more attention on international politics instead of participation for the women who wanted to discuss on-the-ground security needs.

As part of its commitment to the process of peace-building between India and its neighboring countries, WISCOMP - Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace recently hosted its Ninth Annual Conflict Transformation Workshop from 1st to 4th December, 2011 which brought together participants from all over South Asia.

Kamindanawan, a celebratory gathering of Mindanao women leaders, is set to honor tomorrow some 11 Mindanawon women and one man who have “broken silences, barriers and new ground for women.”

The Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW) will give honor and recognition to the Mindanawon achievers in time for MCW's 10th anniversary on December 8 when the Kamindanawan event will take place.

Armed with only a slightly used copy book sent by her aunt from Peshawar, the capital of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtoomkhw'a province, Azeera Gul, 12, is fighting for the rights of girls to an education.