A two-day Seminar on 'Women in the armed conflict and their role: The experience of Manipur' commenced today at S.Kula Women's College, Nambol.

The Human Rights Study Centre of the college organized the seminar under the sponsorship of University Grants Commission.

Professor N.Lokendro, Registrar, Manipur University, was the chief guest of the inaugural function.

Professor Ksh.

I frequently visit the Chicago Council on Global Affairs website to peruse their schedule of multidisciplinary programs, always hoping to find programs on microfinance. When I saw that the Women and Global Development Forum was hosting a program called Rebuilding Afghanistan: A Civilian and Military Perspective, I knew it would be an event not to miss.

Conference

Pink saris are worn by the Gulabi Gang, a group of women vigilantes in Northern India. They have united and formed resistance to being mistreated as women and of a lower social class, led by Sampat Pal Devi. Kim Longniotto's documentary film highlights the plight of these women.

At a summit for Muslim women Sunday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called feminism "a cry of protest of crushed women in a capitalist system," state media said.

Speaking at the third meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Tehran, Ahmadinejad criticized countries that prevent women from education, the Iranian Student News Agency, ISNA, said.

Gender equality is very important to us girls and young women. All over the world we suffer a lot because of the gender imbalance. In some places women are not given the right to talk, participate or be educated. Women are suppressed by old traditions, which do not improve their lives.

All we are asking for is equal opportunities for all, whether male or female.

Click here to watch video.

Since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001, Afghanistan has received billions of dollars in aid from Canada and other foreign governments. While assistance programs typically are billed as a means of winning the hearts and minds of the people by lifting them out of poverty, many have the unintended side effect of empowering women and introducing them to a lifestyle that would be unthinkable under the Taliban.

Natalie Sharples is campaigns officer for No Women, No Peace., a campaign by Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS UK), a network of 14 NGOs working on women and peacebuilding

On 25 November, the government announced Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone MP as the new champion to tackle international violence against women.

SAMIRA HAMIDI & NAJLA AYUBI (AFGHANISTAN)

Afghan women call for International support for nine female members of the Afghan High Peace Council, created following the Peace Jirga in June 2010, which provides the framework for negotiations with the Taliban, including: