JORDAN: IRC Launches Program to Address Violence Against Women in Jordan

The IRC has launched a two-year program in Jordan that will train local aid workers to respond to violence against women, predominantly Iraqi refugees. The program, which is supported by the United Nations Development Fund for Women, UNIFEM, will also help a local aid organization, the Jordan River Foundation, establish a case management center in the eastern part of the capital, Amman, home to the most Iraqi refugees.

IRAN: Iran's Sadr Released, More Freedom Must Follow

Shadi Sadr, the Iranian lawyer and women's rights activist, was just released from prison.

On July 28 she went free.

This is wonderful news. It sends relief and immense joy throughout the ranks of Iran's pro-democracy and humanitarian rights community, all of whom have worked so hard on her behalf.

AFGHANISTAN: 2 Women Vie for Afghan Presidency

In a country where most women leave home only under the cover of a burqa, Shahla Atta wears bright pink nail polish, highlights her eyes with glitter and wants to be Afghanistan's next president.

ISRAEL/OPT: Prison Toughens Palestinian Women

In her office at the Bethlehem women's counselling centre, Khawla Al-Azraq recounts her memories from Israeli prison as vividly as if they were yesterday: the routine physical and psychological abuse, the nightly room searches, the hunger strikes and other collective actions in protest against their conditions, and the intense study sessions with her fellow prisoners.

IRAQ: How are Women in Iraq Faring Now?

Following the recent withdrawal of United States troops in Iraq, Sundus Abass, Director of the Women in Leadership Institute in Baghdad speaks about how violence in the streets and towards women in homes is likely to increase, public violence against women has lessened and socioeconomic conditions are at the heart of Iraqi women's struggles today.

ISRAEL: Traffickers Target Israeli Girls to Replace Foreign Sex Slaves

At the start of the new century, Israel found itself with an unexpected and unwanted reputation - as a destination hotspot for sex trafficking. The government took significant measures against this phenomenon, but the success in stamping out the import of women for sex has led to a new problem.

AFGHANISTAN: For Afghan Women, Rights Again at Risk

When the United States and its allies went to war against the Taliban after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, "liberating the women of Afghanistan" was often cited as one of the reasons to seek "regime change." More than seven years later, however, the situation for Afghan women remains dire.

AFGHANISTAN: Slow Gains for Afghan women

Last spring, I wrote from Kabul about the controversy over a law that would have restored Taliban-style restrictions on women and legalized marital rape. President Hamid Karzai remanded the law for further study after an international furor. But late last month, with an eye toward gaining conservative religious votes in tomorrow's presidential election, he quietly issued the law without resubmitting it to parliament.

AFGHANISTAN: Afghan Elections Seen As A Setback For Women

For women, Afghanistan's recent elections appear to have been more of a setback than a step forward.

Early reports strongly suggest that voter turnout fell more sharply for women than for men in Thursday's polls. Election observers blame Taliban attacks, a dearth of female election workers and hundreds of closed women's voting sites.

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