Asia

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LAUNCH: The Global Room for Women Launches

Straight from the frontlines in Gaza, Pakistan, Egypt, and Iraq, they are women peace builders who are changing the world one step at a time, in the midst of an unprecedented degree of war, revolution and strife besieging their communities every day.

CONFERENCE: A Day-by-Day Struggle

From the struggle to keep domestic violence shelters open to the machinations of which mullah to align with, a discussion with four Afghan politicians reveals the challenges women face. Helen G reports.

Four Afghan women met in London this International Women's Day to talk with UK women's rights campaigners about their achievements and day-to-day challenges.

INTERVIEW: Women's Rights Help Individuals, not Statistics

Indonesia is planning a national action plan to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, security and peace. The Jakarta Post's Tifa Asrianti talked to Elizabeth Rehn, former defense minister of Finland, on the importance of gender equality in society. Below are excerpts from the interview.

Question: How do you see the condition of women in Indonesia?

FILM FESTIVAL: Women in the Muslim World, as Captured on Film

Filmmakers Mostafa Heravi, Alka Sadat and Laila Hotait Salas may hail from three different countries — Iran, Afghanistan and Lebanon — and represent a cross-section of vastly divergent backgrounds. But they speak a common language: filmmaking.

TRAINING: Expanding Access to the Internet for Women in Turkmenistan

The U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan just finished hosting "First Time Online for Women" week. Every day this week, we dedicated our Information Resource Center to hosting six sessions designed to teach women of all ages how to access and use the Internet.

WORKSHOP: Uzbek Police Learn to Uphold Int'l Laws Governing Women's Rights

Uzbek police officers on Wednesday attended a seminar on ensuring women's rights are protected.

The Police Academy of Uzbekistan gave a workshop this week set up by the local office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to inform the police that they must uphold international laws that govern the rights of women and encourage their greater participation in the law enforcement institutions.

EXHIBIT: Life-Size Photography Exhibition Re-creating Life in Afghanistan Will Tour Major U.S. Cities

An interactive exhibition of life-size photography that re-creates urban and rural life in Afghanistan will begin touring the United States this spring. “Streets of Afghanistan” immerses visitors in an area of the world most will never see, while exploring themes of shared humanity and compassion.

ANALYSIS: Middle East's Paradigm Shift: Rape is No Longer Accepted Here

“Women and men of the Middle East condemn the rape of our bodies, the rape of our dignity and freedoms.”

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Former President of Israel Moshe Katsav was sentenced to seven years by the Tel Aviv District Court on March 22nd for two counts of rape and other sexual offenses against female employees. Once enjoying public acclaim and attention at the top of Israeli society, Katsav is now to enter prison in May.

ANALYSIS: Muslim Women's Self-reliance and Clinton's Guidance Could Ensure Reforms

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has correctly warned that women's rights in Tunisia and Egypt risk being undermined, endangering reforms to gender discriminatory laws and jeopardizing the vital social, economic and political contribution of half the population.

In this crucial post-coup stage, women who fought for change should heed the betrayals of gender rights in Algeria and Iran during periods of crisis.

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