The practice of female genital mutilation is declining, but violence against women is still rampant across the world. More women are taking up work traditionally done by men, but they still don't have access to jobs of status and power.

Two U.N. reports, out this week, describe some progress for women in areas such as poverty, education, health and work. But on the whole women still far short of men in many measures of success.

Can art change the world? The people at Freedom to Create believe it can. Since 2008, Freedom to Create has awarded its annual prize to honor "the power of art to fight oppression, break down stereotypes and build trust in societies where the social fabric has been ripped apart by conflict, violence and misunderstanding."

Women from Indonesia's conflict zones called upon the government to finalize a national action plan to end the violence, sexual abuse and suppression suffered by many women in times of conflict.

The drafting of the national action plan has entered its 10th year, after the release of the plan's basis, United Nations Resolution 1325, in 2000.

A budget planning which has gender consideration in it from the very start will go a long way to reduce disparities between men and women in Cambodia, allowing them to enjoy more equally the benefits of the budget allocation and spending as well as opportunities to participate in political and socio-economic activities.

Women continue to pay a heavy price in ongoing conflicts around the world. Impunity for crimes against women in conflict-affected countries is the norm. Equally troubling, when women stand up and make their voices heard in peace negotiations and post-conflict reconciliation they often face security risks, are denied seats at the table, and are excluded from planning that determines their futures.

The Estonian government approved on Thursday of the Estonian action plan for implementing the UN Security Council resolution “Women, Peace and Security” in Estonia in 2010–2014, which supports bigger role of women in state defense, informed BC foreign ministry.

This year's United Nations report on State of World Population 2010 shows that women and children suffer most in conflict and disaster situations which make them most vulnerable to gender based violence.

Speaking during the launch of the report, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative Fidelis Zama Chi asked governments to pay attention to sexual violence especially in countries affected by conflict.

American men who maintain they are doing more housework have a second source to back their claim — a United Nations report released Wednesday — although it would be premature to argue that the sexes had reached parity on domestic chores or nearly any other issue.

Violence against women remains widespread across the world, exacerbated by traditions and customary practices that determine the way women are treated in families, places of work and communities, according to a United Nations report unveiled today.

The Department of State has awarded $5 million in grants to several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to provide direct support and training to Iraqi widows, female heads of household and other vulnerable women in Iraq in the areas of literacy, entrepreneurship, and vocational skills.