KATHMANDU, NEPAL (Catholic Online) - Attracted to the Army by promises of equality and justice during the decade of conflict from 1996 to 2006, many have since formed families while staying on with the Maoist guerrilla group, the PLA. Now, many are looking for an alternative to the PLA as they turn their attentions toward raising their families and homemaking.

More than 50 percent of peace agreements fail within five years of being signed. This is partly due to the fact that peace negotiations and peace agreements do not address the underlying causes of the conflict.

Many Afghan women find themselves suffering from violence and abuse, with virtually no legal protection. Recently, authorities sentenced Gulnaz, a 21 year old rape victim, to 12 years in prison for adultery.

Dalit Baum has found an effective strategy to discourage multinational corporations from doing business in the Israeli-occupied territories: showing the link between profits and the suffering of Palestinians.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has organised a community sensitisation programme on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence for Ivorian refugees and Ghanaians.

The programme, held at Egyeikrom in the Central Region, was to educate the participants on how to fight violence against women and children in all situations especially, among populations in crisis.

Twenty years ago, the first “Zene u Crnom” demonstration in Belgrade was held on October 11, 1991 to protest against rape and ethnic cleansing. This was one of the first Women in Black demonstrations to be held outside Jerusalem, where Israeli and Palestinian women had started a weekly vigil in 1989. Since then, the Women in Black movement has spread around the world, from India to Colombia, London to Seattle.

A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has - Margaret Mead

Two women Members of Parliament from the Central African Republic (CAR), yesterday met with members of National Women's Council (CNF) in Musanze district, to draw lessons on various women activities in political and economic development.

Rachel Ningawong Mallo, and Alima Diarra, both members of the gender and development commission, are in the country on a three-day visit to learn about Rwanda's achievements in women emancipation.

A week of events to highlight human rights issues in the Commonwealth began yesterday with the testimony of Ugandan activist Marjorie Nshmere Ojule.

You believe the future of the planet is in women's hands.

Absolutely. Women can lift the world with the help and the friendship of men. But first we have to free the women. They are in fetters. To mobilize women to save the earth, information must be at hand. This means literacy, information, books and pamphlets to spread the word.