Jerusalem is a city blessed but also cursed by its own holiness. No more so than here at 'Ground Zero', the religious epicentre within the walled Old City, beneath the most disputed holy site -- the Haram al-Sharif or Noble Sanctuary as known to Muslims, Har Habayit or the Temple Mount for Jews.

Following the inaugural 'Legacy Dialogue by South African Women Leaders' on Friday, 13 August 2010, in Sandton, Johannesburg, the 13 top political, business and NGO speakers so enthused delegates that there was a call to not only continue these dialogues on a regular basis but also a call to action.

As reported last month by MediaGlobal, women activists are working in Iraq to increase women's participation in the government, economic, and legal sectors. Their work in the legal sector is particularly significant as it has the potential to strengthen laws regarding women's rights nationally, regionally, and on a global scale.

Amnesty International criticized the TV “confession” of an Iranian woman on Wednesday night in which Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, awaiting execution by stoning for adultery, appears to implicate herself in the murder of her husband.

Women have become more forthcoming as news sources than before as indicated by findings of the Gender and Media Progress Study (GMPS) that show that during the past seven years women sources have risen from 4% to 20% in Botswana.

In presenting these findings, Binki Kerileng a gender activist, said that during her time as a councillor she would attend rallies and functions with her male counterparts yet she would not be quoted.

A leading women's organisation in the country has appealed to newly elected members of Parliament to show integrity and good judgment and act with responsibility and accountability in the process of electing a new prime minister and forming government.

The Solomon Islands caretaker deputy prime minister says if women are successful at next month's national election there will be no need to reserve seats for them.

Fred Fono from the People's Congress Party says when the government rejected a proposal from women's groups that 10 seats be reserved for women, he had argued that that number was too high and should be reduced to 2 or 4 as a compromise.

Namibia's First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba has called for the enactment of stricter laws to deter criminals from harming and abusing women and other vulnerable people.

The first ladies Tuesday 10th Aug. signed a memorandum of understanding that will foresee the enhancement of girl education and women empowerment in Sudan. Mary Ayen Mayardit, wife to Goss president Salva Kiir Mayardit and Widad Babiker Omer, wife to President Hassan Omer Bashir are both heading organizations that raise awareness on the discrimination against women and girls.

Sudanese Activists, men and women denounce Violence against Women being legalised in Sudan and call upon the Sudan Parliament to rise to the expectations of the Sudanese Society We call upon the Sudan government, UN agencies, the African Union countries, Human Rights organizations, the International community and men and women of faith across the world to join hands and stop the Sudan Parliament whose majority represents the current Sudan ruli