In many of the conflicts of the last decades – from Afghanistan to Somalia, from the Balkans to the Democratic Republic of the Congo – violence against women has reached horrific proportions and constitutes the most difficult challenge confronting the relief community.

A French envoy on Saturday described the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a "shipwreck" after a week-long visit to the country.

"I saw in Goma (eastern DR Congo) a prison with space for 140 people where 1,046 people were living in appalling conditions of overcrowding and hygiene," said Francois Zimeray, French ambassador for human rights.

Two female radio journalists working for a Goma-based station have significantly improved their skills and gained in confidence as a result of IWPR training in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the director of the station.

Around 700 people, many of them women, attended a memorial march in the West Bank on Friday to honour a woman who died after being tear-gassed by Israeli troops, organisers said.

Indonesian women are largely unfamiliar with the Millennium Development Goals despite being a key target demographic, hence hurting the government's chances of achieving the campaign's objectives, experts say.

The MDGs that specifically target women include reducing the maternal and infant mortality rates, ensuring universal primary education for girls and providing decent employment for women and men alike.

In a dimly lit room at the back of an Afghan house, 21-year-old Zahara is crouched on a plank of wood weaving a large carpet on a loom that she was able to buy using a microfinance loan of USD 1,100.

President Hifikepunye Pohamba has expressed grave concern about the escalating incidence of violent crime against vulnerable members of society.

In his New Year's message Pohamba lashed out at domestic and gender-based violence, especially those violent crimes committed against women, children and the elderly.

Pohamba said he condemned, in the strongest possible terms, all the violent acts that rocked the nation in 2010.

The issue of women's rights was used as a political tool by the government and other entities in 2010, according to an annual report by the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights (ECWR).

The report, which is based on the findings of international human rights organizations, stated that Egypt was ranked 125th out of 134 countries regarding women's rights, and was ranked 13th among countries in the Middle East/North Africa region.

The protection of women and girls in camps for people displaced by the earthquake which devastated Haiti last January is being stepped up. Sexual violence against women has been a growing problem in the Caribbean island following the earthquake as communities were broken up and strangers thrown together. But now women are getting the extra support they need to help them to stay safe. Daniel Dickinson reports.

Sfx women chatter

In Abyei, women and children pay the heaviest price for the lack of healthcare

While the whole world is interested in southern Sudan's political situation ahead of the referendum on self-determination, the region is in the midst of a humanitarian and medical crisis. More than 75% of the population does not have even basic healthcare.