Author Gayle Tzemach Lemmon discusses the challenges facing Afghan businesswomen.

Kai Ryssdal: Defense Secretary Robert Gates met with his NATO colleagues on Afghanistan today. There's too much talk about leaving Afghanistan, Gates said, not enough talk about getting the job done right.

This past Tuesday was the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day and March is Women's History Month. In honor of women around around the world, the Global Fund for Women looks back over the past year and celebrates the extraordinary victories by women's movements around the world. We first spotted it over at Ms. Magazine.

In Libya, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, Tunisia, and elsewhere, women have stood with men pushing for change. In Libya, Iman and Salwa Bagaighif are helping lead, shape, and support protesters. And in Egypt, the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, one of the oldest and most well-known non-governmental organizations in Egypt, estimated that at least 20 percent of the protesters were women.

Former Director of UN WILPF, Felicity Hill speaks at Voices of Activism: An Informal Networking Reception to Discuss the Women, Peace & Security Agenda with Women Leaders in the Movement, February 24, 2011 during the Commission on the Status of Women. Hosted by Maria Butler of Peacewomen.

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Burma's newly formed Parliament has a total of 659 elected members. Of these, 20 are women. National Democratic Force (NDF) MP Khin Waing Kyi, 64, talked with Mizzima reporter Phanida about her role in Parliament, women MPs and the topics and issues women can bring to the debates and actions in the new lawmaking body. No women have been appointed or elected to serve as ministers in Burma's new government.

Air India and Air France are among the airlines flying "100% female-operated" flights today, efforts mean to commemorate International Women's Day.

Air India says it's flying 11 such flights, including on one of its ultra-long haul routes between New Delhi and Toronto.

This week marked the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day.

In two South Asian countries, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, women seeking equality have seen some surprising gains despite ongoing setbacks.

Your Excellencies, the Ministers
Special Representative of UN Secretary-General
Your Excellencies the Ambassadors
Generous Members of the House of Representatives

In the 1970s, the women's liberation movement had a badge that proclaimed: women who seek equality with men lack ambition. We don't want to participate as equals in the violence, oppression and greed of patriarchal power, says Rebecca Johnson.