On his third day in office, President Obama issued an executive order lifting the odious “global gag rule” that denied federal money for family planning work abroad to any group that performed abortions or counseled about the procedure, even with its own money.

The United Nations today marked the annual International Day of Peace with tributes to those working to build a better future as well as a call to people everywhere to make their voices heard to strengthen peace and democracy.

After more than 10 years since it was passed, the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women, Peace and Security) is gaining more attention with the opportunity to develop and present a Regional Action Plan at the 2012 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

Just a few days after independence was declared, the South Sudan Women Lawyers Association (SSWLA) issued a rallying call to supporters of women's rights, demanding greater equality and human rights for the women of South Sudan.

Regional women's rights experts say there's not enough female involvement in conflict resolution, and peacekeeping.
At its inaugural meeting in Thailand this week, the Regional Advisory Group on Women, Peace and Security discussed how to implement a UN security council resolution from 2000, calling for action to address the impact of war on women and girls.

Many female migrants from Mexico to the U.S. have been displaced by violence, often linked to organized crime, with Mexican women targeted by sex traffickers, gender-based killings, and often recruited by criminal gangs themselves.

Ms. Almas Jiwani, President of the UN Women Canada National Committee is pleased to announce that a celebration of the National Committee for the newly established United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) will be held in Quebec City on September 6, 2011.

The ten year long armed conflict started by the Communist Party of Nepal -Maoist (CPN Maoist), with the objective of establishing a Republican state, claimed more than 13,000 lives and forced millions to live as internally displaced.

Besides being a fundamental violation of human rights, violence against women represents one of the most critical public health challenges and is a major factor contributing to poverty

Peace is not made with friends, it is made with enemies. Peace deals are then about finding a minimum common ground and making compromises: It comes at a cost, but the price is not necessarily equal for everybody. Sari Kouvo, AAN Senior Analyst, discusses some of the key themes that came up in her meetings with Afghan women about reconciliation and what is needed to make peace in Afghanistan.