Women in the Balkans are leading a political revolution.

Historically given little say in the politics of the conservative region, they are increasingly taking top leadership posts, signaling that the traditional rules are changing as Balkan countries shake off their war pasts and move toward membership in the European Union.

Another world is not only possible…She is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing. (Arundhati Roy)

The United Nations theme this year for International Women's Day, celebrated annually on 8 March, is:

"A promise is a promise: Time for Action to End Violence against Women"

Amnesty International outlines the life of former Colombian human rights defender and activist Angélica Bello who died under ‘mysterious' circumstances on February 16, 2013.

It was winter when I interviewed Tahmina at a Kabul prison for girls. Six to eight girls lived in each room, and although I preferred to interview each of them privately, the girls all wanted to stay together and hear what everyone had to say. So together, we sat on the carpeted floor and listened to Tahmina's story.

A few reflections after the Missing Peace Symposium 2013. The West's response to sexual violence in armed conflicts: Is fighting impunity the only answer we have? Whose Impunity? Do we need a paradigm shift?

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has organised a three-day workshop to design strategies to help increase the number of women in decision-making positions in the country.

INTRO

Blogging can be a powerful tool to raise awareness on global issues. The Women, Peace and Security Academic Collective knows it well and is using a blog campaign to draw attention on the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda (WPS).

Kapuscinski Lecture: Michelle Bachelet United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women : “The century of inclusion and women's full participation”. Dublin, Ireland. 21 February, 2013.

The video is available here.

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Lebanese women are taking to the streets to demand that the government takes domestic violence seriously, by introducing laws to protect women from abusive partners.

Feminist activists have been demanding that politicians ignore the objections of Muslim religious authorities and pass a stalled law protecting women from domestic violence.