Asia

Ms. Sarvnaz Chitsaz, NCRI Women's Committee Chair, described the barbaric execution of Ms. Zahra Bahrami as an indication of the weakness of a regime that is becoming increasingly loathed by the Iranian people, especially women, who are resolute in bringing down this misogynist religious fascism ruling Iran and in replacing it with a democracy and popular rule.

Last week over 50 UN Women staff based in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Samoa came together for the first time as part of the new UN entity, UN Women.

Private security personnel employed at a gold mine in Papua New Guinea have been implicated in alleged gang rapes and other violent abuses, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The Porgera mine has produced billions of dollars of gold in its twenty years of operation, and is operated and 95 percent owned by Barrick Gold, a Canadian company that is the world's largest gold producer.

Gender-based violence in the occupied Palestinian territory remains at epidemic levels, according to UN agencies, local NGOs and women, while victims lack legal recourse and often face a family backlash for reporting crimes.

"Are the politicians of Kurdistan ready to bring the faces of femininity to the world?"

"First, we need to develop a culture of respect and admiration for the role women play in our society: in our families, in our schools and in professional fields."-Nechirvan Barzani

Islamabad, Jan 25 (IANS) Vigilante justice is haunting women in Pakistan, a leading daily said Tuesday adding: 'Aside from violating human rights, these are blatantly extrajudicial actions that cannot go unpunished in any society that claims to value law and order.'

Ms. Khalida Alkozai and Ms. Wazhma Fazli are journalists and radio hosts for Kabul's Alam Round Table discussion, which brings together local leaders, politicians and even ISAF military leaders to share their views with Afghan citizens. The Alam radio program, which is broadcast in both Dari and Pashto, allows listeners the opportunity to hear often-opposing views of current events.

India has underlined the need for the UN to prioritise its goals on gender equality and empowerment of women so as to prevent efforts becoming diffused at a key meeting of the world body. “Unless there is effective prioritisation, efforts will get diffused,” Hardeep Singh Puri, India's ambassador to the UN said.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has issued instructions for taking forward the campaign against violence against women in a coordinated manner.