The haunting portrait of a young, disfigured Afghan woman on Time magazine's cover this summer issued a stark reminder that the stakes in Afghanistan are high -- and that the consequences of failure are brutal, especially for women.

Iceland remains the country that has the greatest equality between men and women, according to an annual report by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

It is the second year in succession that Iceland has topped the foundation's Global Gender Gap Report.

Nordic nations dominate the top of the list of 134 countries, with Norway in second place and Finland third.

Barentu — Women in Gash-Barka region who received training on handicraft by the NUEW said that conducive ground should be created that would enable them to form a group and supply products to the market, and thus improve their living standard.

Hargeisa (Somalilandpress) – The first lady opened a national conference for the women at Ambassador Hotel. The conference was attended by 120 women from regions of Somaliland. The conference was organized by Nagaad Umbrella, which is an umbrella for Somaliland women organizations.

TENSION exists in every community but the role of men and women in conflicts must be analysed separately, says a gender and conflict advisor.

Addressing participants at a regional training on eliminating violence against women yesterday, Office of the Commissioner of Human Rights representative Indai Sajor said despite the cause of conflict, the impacts of violence on men and women varied.

Vice Kalonzo Musyoka has called on women to fully involve themselves in political affairs and governance issues.

Mr. Musyoka said time for women to participate only as bystanders, cheerleaders or passive observers is long gone and urged the Women, Gender and Development Directorate to support women's participation in political and electoral processes in countries scheduled to hold elections.

Kyrgyz voters cast their ballots yesterday to create the first parliamentary democracy in Central Asia in an election many hope can unite the country four months after the widespread bloodshed.

Women are not being adequately utilized to bring about peace in the Middle East, according to Finnish President Taria Halonen. Speaking at news conference in Helsinki before departing for the region, Halonen suggested that women should become more active players in bridging gaps and correcting misconceptions in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Female servicemembers are going where their male counterparts often can't: inside Afghan homes to engage with women barred by custom from talking to male strangers.

The Female Engagement Team program officially started Oct. 1, though some teams have been operating since late May.

The United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women (UN Trust Fund) announced Wednesday awards of US$10 million in grants to 13 initiatives in 18 countries. The grants complete the UN Trust Fund's 14th grant-making cycle of 2009, delivering a total of US$20.5 million for 26 projects in 33 countries and territories.