In June 2011, Iraqi Kurdistan passed a landmark law that criminalised female circumcision and domestic violence, but one year on, activists remain frustrated with its patchwork implementation.

Abdolfattah Soltani, a well-known Iranian lawyer who co-founded an organization that defends the rights of women, minorities and political prisoners, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his work and for what Iran's hard-line judiciary called spreading anti-government propaganda and endangering national security.

On one Sunday morning, Madam Mary Haruna and her two daughters went to a nearby church in Jos for their weekly devotion.

Few minutes into the service, however, Haruna and her children were killed in a suicide attack on the church that left several worshippers dead.

The following day, her father-in-law travelled from Kaduna to condole with the bereaved family members but he was killed in a fatal accident on his way to Jos.

Filmmakers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering explore rape within the U.S. military in the documentary "The Invisible War", which opens in select movie theaters on Friday.

Population growth and women's right to choose when to have children could become hot issues again. Gro Harlem Brundtland, the former prime minister of Norway, has warned against “backsliding” in the draft outcome document being negotiated at the Rio+20 conference, which opens on 20 June.

On a trip to Mumbai a few months ago, we went to the south to see the sights and enjoy a bit of the other Mumbai – the posh life of Bollywood, rooftop bars and fancy hotels. The king of these hotels is the Taj. We went inside to take a peek at the floor-to-ceiling flower arrangements that are changed daily, the stunning Indian architecture, the fancy shops and the view from the roof.

Events this week that raised questions on women's rights and ethnic tensions have added to long-term concerns about Afghanistan after American-led forces withdraw in 2014 and new elections are held.

Major improvements to women's rights in Bahrain has lead to greater equality in the country's courts, said Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad and Supreme Council for Women president.

However, Princess Sabeeka said more needed to be done to reform the judicial system to protect the rights of women and children in Bahrain.

A law obliging Colombian authorities to investigate reports of domestic violence and alimony evasion will be presented in the Senate, local media reported Tuesday.

Under the new law, once a party has filed a domestic violence report he or she will not be able to withdraw it or reconcile the case outside of the law.

Some experts say only cultural transformation will effect gender equality, others say change will occur differently. But all believe equality, empowerment and sustainable development are linked

Can a conference in Rio de Janeiro achieve gender equality? Not according to Thais Corral. The Brazilian activist and social entrepreneur believes it will take something much trickier: a shift in cultural attitudes.