Asia

A budget planning which has gender consideration in it from the very start will go a long way to reduce disparities between men and women in Cambodia, allowing them to enjoy more equally the benefits of the budget allocation and spending as well as opportunities to participate in political and socio-economic activities.

The Department of State has awarded $5 million in grants to several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to provide direct support and training to Iraqi widows, female heads of household and other vulnerable women in Iraq in the areas of literacy, entrepreneurship, and vocational skills.

Five months ago, Nepal's fragile peace was on the brink of disintegrating. After ten years of civil war, a newly elected assembly was tasked with writing a constitution that would keep the peace, but was about to dissolve because the country's politicians could not agree on the terms of an extension. Women learned bitter lessons from their exclusion from the peace talks and mobilised.

The current international focus on UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which deals with women's roles in peace and security, makes it an ideal time to take more concrete action on the resolution, UN officials said here Thursday.

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Human rights abuses were causing a health crisis for women and children in eastern Burma, a recent report from an alliance of ethnic minority and health organisations said.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday called on Southeast Asian women to maintain their prominent role in helping develop their countries and the regional community.

The Government leader made his statement at the opening of the ASEAN Council of Women's Organisations (ACWO) General Assembly in Ha Noi yesterday.

Women and children bear brunt of health crisis in eastern Burma | Burman. diagnosis, Thai Children's Trust
A new report released today reveals that the health of populations in conflict-affected areas of eastern Burma, particularly women and children, is amongst the worst in the world, a result of official disinvestment in health, protracted conflict and the abuse of civilians.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa announced his intention on Wednesday to appoint a special league envoy to help promote peace in conflict-ridden areas of the region.

In a press statement, Moussa explained that the envoy would be mandated with protecting civilian populations in areas of conflict and providing care for displaced persons.

Nepal's Ministry of General Administration (MoGA) is gearing up to create government posts for women only.
Xinhua quoted a Himalayan Times report as saying on Wednesday that the cabinet had directed MoGA to create government posts for women.

In an effort to kick-start public debate on Canada's post-combat mission in Afghanistan, CARE Canada recommends the government become an international champion for Afghan women.

Canada should focus on preserving and enhancing gains made by Afghan women, among the poorest and least powerful in the world, after troops withdraw by the end of next year, the non-government aid agency says in a report released Wednesday.