INTERNATIONAL: Not Out of Africa

Former Canadian diplomat Robert Fowler thinks Canada has lost its way in the world, rejecting grand Liberal era foreign policy in favour of narrow strategies.

Invited to address the Liberal Party of Canada's thinkers conference last weekend in Montreal, Fowler blasted the governing Tories for abandoning Africa.

IRAN: Women Online In Iran Brave Heavy Web Surveillance

Iranian women have pushed the battle for equal rights online even as security forces aggressively monitor the Internet and shut down pro-democracy Web sites that fall out of step with the regime.

"Every print magazine for women we had was closed," Parvin Ardalan said in a recent phone interview from Sweden. "So we created a new world for ourselves in cyberspace."

HAITI: Haiti's Emergency Response Must Include Protection from Sexual Violence

Thousands of women living in temporary camps around Haiti are threatened by sexual violence and have inadequate protection from any authorities, Amnesty International said on Wednesday after concluding a three-week visit to the country.

UGANDA: Victims of Rape and Sexual Violence Denied Justice in Uganda

Amnesty International has urged the Ugandan authorities to provide support for women seeking justice for sexual and domestic violence in a new report highlighting the barriers faced by the victims.

I Can't Afford Justice – Violence against women in Uganda documents the economic and social obstacles to justice, including the costs of criminal investigations and discrimination by government officials.

KYRGYZSTAN: President of Kyrgyzstan Signs on to UNiTE Campaign

During a meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Bishkek on 3 April, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kurmanbek Bakiev, signed on to the Secretary-General's UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, committing to make ending violence against women and girls in Kyrgyzstan a top priority.

GEORGIA: Gender Equality Law Adopted in Georgia

The Parliament of Georgia passed a Gender Equality Law on 27 March. The legislation provides for the establishment of a national women's machinery, the enhancement of women's security, equality in the labour market and the strengthening of women's political participation. The law also introduces gender-responsive planning and budgeting on the part of the government.

COLOMBIA: More Than 40 Years on, The Conflict Continues

The population of Colombia is still feeling the impact of a conflict that began in the 1960s. The ICRC continues to help ease the suffering of the most vulnerable – the injured, the displaced, detainees and families of missing persons. These photos were taken in February and March 2009 by war photographer Franco Pagetti, from the VII photo agency.

CHILE: First Woman President Scores Points on Gender Front

When Chile elected Michelle Bachelet as its first woman president in 2005, thousands of women celebrated the historic victory as their own personal triumph, proudly marching in the streets wearing mock presidential sashes. Today, men and women both recognise the concrete and symbolic progress achieved in gender issues under her administration.

CENTRAL AMERICA: Women Make Headway in Politics - and Want More

The victory of Laura Chinchilla in Costa Rica's presidential elections, and the growing participation of women in Central American parliaments, point to their progress in the region's spheres of political power. But they still have a long way to go, experts say.

LATIN AMERICA: Women's Rights Laws - Where's the Enforcement?

Advanced new legislation and constitutional reforms on women's rights are paving the way for equal opportunities for women in Latin America and the Caribbean. But application and enforcement remain a distant goal.

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