Asha Haji Elmi was born in Somalia in 1962 where she graduated from the Somali National University in Mogadishu. She e also holds a Master's degree in business administration from the International University of the United States.

Egyptian women are livid after an advisor to President Mohamed Morsi said that statistics on sexual harassment and sexual violence in the country are “exaggerated.” Omaima Kamel, on the Board for Women's Affairs, said on Wednesday that the Interior Ministry should “provide realistic numbers” on violence against women in the country.

The Gender Concerns International's Gender Election Monitoring (GEM) Mission has deployed 15 international and 50 national observers to ascertain women's participation in the upcoming elections.

Director Gender Concerns International Sabra Bano who has previously headed similar projects in Libya (2012), Morocco (2011), Tunisia (2011) and Pakistan (2008) is in charge.

Throughout the lengthy regime of President Tubman, murder and rape were considered two terrible crimes that warranted not only drastic punishment for perpetrators, but they were permanently stigmatized in society.

During the rebel takeover of northern Mali in April 2012, many women said they were subjected to rape or sexual assault. Since then, little or no support has come through for these women, say aid workers.

Maghreb women have made many strides towards improved rights, but governments and social pressure continue to stand in their way. This was the tone taken at a two-day forum that ended Saturday (April 27th) in Casablanca.

The event was organised by the Democratic League for Women's Rights (FLDDF) and brought together women's movements and lawyers from across the Maghreb.

SOCIO-POLITICAL and economic advancement of women could mostly be achieved in the shortest- possible time if the global community shows appreciation of the capacity of women. That, experts say, would widen the network of women and build their capacity to do great things.

The Syrian uprising has given the Muslim Brotherhood a chance to emerge as an integral part of the opposition. Following years in exile, leadership crises and numerous political challenges, the group is now a central political player in the country. Interestingly, women are becoming an important part of the Brotherhood.

Despite several amendments in criminal law, women in India continue to suffer, endure denial of constitutional rights and fall prey to the rampant sexual violence in the country, a United Nations rapporteur has said.

UN Special Rapporteur, Rashida Manjoo maintained that mediation and compensation measures are often used to address cases of violence against women, thus violating their fundamental rights.

The new UN special envoy for Africa's Great Lakes region, former Irish president Mary Robinson, expressed her "shock" Tuesday over human rights abuses in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.