Women's civil society groups were noticeable by their absence from the landmark Haiti donor conference on 31 March, which secured pledges of US$5.3 billion over the next two years to support the country's post-quake recovery.

When Iraq finally forms a new government, one thing is certain -- there will be many new faces. Only 62 of 275 incumbents were re-elected.

In particular, some of the new faces will be women. By law, 25 percent of the parliament must be female. In some cases, that means replacing men who would have won seats -- which isn't always welcome news to the men.

Congolese laws against sexual violence are not being implemented and a withdrawal of United Nations peacekeepers from the country would make the struggle against endemic rape "a lot more difficult," the U.N. said.

A survey by Senegalese so ciologist, Mrs Fatou Sow Sarr , which focuses on strengthening of capacities of women to keep peace and securi ty was launched in Dakar on Monday as part of activities marking international women's day.

According to the Alerta 2010! Report on Conflicts, Human Rights and Peacebuilding, sexual violence was used as a weapon in most armed conflicts taking place in 2009. In addition to the report, the School for a Culture of Peace of Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona also published the Yearbook 2010 on Peace Processes.

The fight against sexual violence and the reign of impunity are a growing concern for the United Nations.

The Government of Spain and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) today signed a three-year Strategic Partnership Framework for almost EUR 100 million (€99,500,000) to promote gender equality worldwide.

Femmes Africa Solidarité has honoured the Mozambique's President, Armando Emilio Guebeza, with its African Gender Award, for his efforts in championing wider participation of women in his government. The award came on 4 April, just a few days before the southern African nation celebrates its national Women's Day on 7 April, which acknowledges efforts of women in the liberation struggle.