Asia

If and when Sri Lanka's Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) releases its report later this month, as scheduled, it will do so amid wide scepticism on many critical fronts – except, it seems, for one. The credibility, independence and the ethnic balance of the post-war commission have been well-challenged internationally, since it was established by the President last year to ostensibly help reconcile the nation.

IMPORTANT talks are coming up where discussions about the peace of Afghanistan will take place.

Whilst much news on Afghanistan centres on the potential withdrawal of military troops, I would like to draw readers' attention to another aspect of the Afghan conflict - women's forgotten role in building peace.

Afghanistan is still one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a woman.

“Pakistanis can feel the pain of the victims of 26/11. We have also gone through similar terror attacks. We have also lost our own people. Our heart reaches out to victims of terror attacks, especially when it comes to our neighbouring nations. Youths in Pakistan strongly condemn these attacks.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today discussed security in Central Asia with regional leaders following recent unrest, and underscored the vital need to end gender-based violence and discrimination and empower women as essential building blocks in ensuring peace and stability.

One World South Asia

To mark the global 16 days campaign against gender violence that kicked off on Nov 25, OneWorld speaks to writer-activist Binalakshmi Nepram of Manipuri Women Gun Survivor Network who shares her absolute passion to empower women in conflicted areas.

BETHLEHEM Palestinian rights groups spoke out Thursday on the role of women in conflict and peace-building.

Gaza-headquartered Palestinian Center for Human Rights said Israeli forces killed three women and injured 35 in 2011 in the West Bank and Gaza, in a statement to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Friday.

Security Council-"Women and Peace and Security"

Statement by
H.E. Mr. Ron Prosor, Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN

Thank you, Madame President. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his remarks. I would also like to thank Under-Secretary-General Bachelet for her briefing and her leadership on the pressing issues before us.

Nahid Hoseini and Golaleh Kamangar, two exiled Kurdish women fighting for their homeland.

Incidences of violence against women are not isolated or sporadic, but a daily occurrence in Asian countries.