In August, shocking reports emerged that armed groups had systematically attacked villages in the Walikale territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), raping more than 300 women, girls, men and boys. Government security forces and United Nations peacekeepers stationed nearby failed to protect them. Survivors were left traumatized, sexually assaulted, in pain, without clothes or belongings.

Since the 1967 occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Israel has demolished close to 25,000 Palestinian homes in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem in violation of both human rights law and international humanitarian law, leading to mass displacement and violations of their housing, land and property rights.

Due to the poor representation and perceived marginalisation of women in politics with Nigeria toping the list by 6% in Africa, KIND, an advocacy group for women participation in politics, with its allies, has launched an activation project to train women political aspirants interested in 2011 general elections.

It was just minutes into our conversation when Layla's tears began to fall.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I don't normally cry. I'm just upset today. It's because it's Eid."

Eid al Adha, or Feast of the Sacrifice, begins tomorrow according to the Islamic calendar, and it is normally a joyous occasion.

But it is a trying time for the many in Shatila who've lost loved ones.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) should start investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by various warring groups in Afghanistan since 2002 to help end a culture of impunity, says Sima Samar, chairwoman of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC).

“Without genuine justice, Afghanistan will continue suffering from rights violations, war and lawlessness,” she told IRIN.

Ten years ago, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security.

In short, “1325” (as the international law is known among advocates) seeks to elevate the decision-making of women in war zones and protect women during armed conflict.

I recently made my way through the same Central African countryside as I traveled through two years ago with Population Services International (PSI), the global health organization for which I serve on the board of directors. This time, I was in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the Center for American Progress' to investigate mineral mining in conflict areas and advocate for the ban of their use.

Marking the tenth anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), three organizations (Women's International League for Peace and Freedom/PeaceWomen, the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security and Global Action to Prevent War) collaborated on launching their publications: Women, Peace and Security Handbook, Promoting Women's Participation in Conflict and Post-Conflict Societies, and Mapping Women, Pe

Ladies and Gentlemen, good evening.

It was the night between the 30th and the 31st of May, when Israeli commandos attacked a ship in the Mediterranean. The ship, the Mavi Marmara, was part of a flotilla making its way towards Gaza to break the siege. 9 people died on the ship during the military takeover. Israel became a target to political attacks and condemnations coming from all over the world, and from within as well.

There is bad news every day: wars, disasters, violence, poverty and misery on a global scale. We would like to counteract these depressing facts with some hopeful information in the form of Visionews, which will publish success stories and inspiring visions of peace from all over the world, providing encouraging examples of achievements.