The women of South Sudan played an instrumental role in the country's liberation struggle and will continue to make sure their voices ring loud and clear as the world's youngest nation seeks to restore peace and stability amid the recent conflict, women leaders stressed today at the United Nations in New York.

Some 15 years after the conflict in Kosovo ended, parliament has decided to offer legal rights to wartime rape victims by amending existing legislation.

Changes to an existing law that grants benefits to war victims and veterans were approved by 69 lawmakers on Thursday.

Human rights campaigners in Pristina welcomed the decision, saying it was “high time” to legally acknowledge rape victims of the conflict.

The 45-member U.N. Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) concluded its annual 10-day session Saturday with several key pronouncements, including on reproductive health, women's rights, sexual violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and the role of women in implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Since late November, Ukrainians have assembled in the capital city to protest current government regime. Despite the traditionally patriarchal society, women have been a powerful presence and political voice for change.

A number of alleged domestic violence killings in the past year in Lebanon have fueled a renewed attention on women's rights in the country, as victims' families and activists speak out.

Rights groups said two women lost their lives in tragic circumstances last month.

Manal Assi died after her husband reportedly beat her with a pressure cooker and Christelle Abu Shaqra died after her husband allegedly poisoned her.

So much has been said about it, so many small and international-scale conferences have been held in big salons, and so many informal talks in coffee bars...

Today we join the people of the world in celebration of the progress made for women's rights, women's empowerment and gender equality. We also acknowledge that progress has been slow, uneven and in some cases women and girls face new and more complex challenges.

The important role women play in peace and security was discussed March 12 at a William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies forum held at the National Defense University on the Fort McNair portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2014 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to draw attention to the prevalence of honor violence – including forced marriage, disfigurement and female genital mutilation – in advance of International Women's Day, and to promote passage of the International Violence Against Women Act now pending in the U.S.

On February 25, Georgetown University will host former Secretary of State and likely 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton for the presentation of the annual Hillary Rodham Clinton Awards for Advancing Women in Peace and Security, according to the University's website.