Participation

Yemeni women are fighting for their rights in the same way as Western women. It is time for them to ensure their hard won liberties in the new constitution.

April 25th marked a conferenced organized by the Italian organization Minerva and International Law Association, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that was called Women's Rights in the Constitution and Asserting them in Yemeni Society.

Four political parties and seven civil society organisations strongly criticised the passage of laws dealing with upcoming parliamentary elections without consultation with women's groups and organisations.

Sierra Leone is demonstrating that it understands the important role women can play as peacekeepers. Half of the 50 Sierra Leone military personnel participating in a recent workshop by USIP on negotiations and communication in peacekeeping were women, an important development considering the unit will be deployed in Somalia.

Northeast India comprises the contiguous Seven Sister States—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur,Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and a brother Sikkim. The region has been facing the onslaught of multiple armed conflicts for many decades. The issues aggravated after the introduction of the Armed Forces Special Power Act. More than 50,000 lives have been lost in the violence.

On 27 March 2014, a historic first was achieved: a peace agreement led by a woman chief mediator was signed. The Filipino government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), putting an end to four decades of civil war and almost two decades of peace negotiations. This is, clearly, an historical event for the Philippines and the region.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina has reiterated the commitment of the Present Administration to the entrenchment of appropriate mechanisms towards ensuring peace, security and the protection of lives and property in the country.

Several women organizations and groups have been motivated to assist the security sector in consolidating the peace as the United Nations Missions draws down its troops from the country.

The recognition of women's participation in economic development is vital, says Pacific Islands News Association president Moses Stevens.

During the recent ADB Pacific Business Media Summit in Australia, Mr Stevens said this recognition would contribute to a country's "moving-forward process".

"Traditionally, women have always been the centre of life within the families and communities.

The women of South Sudan played an instrumental role in the country's liberation struggle and will continue to make sure their voices ring loud and clear as the world's youngest nation seeks to restore peace and stability amid the recent conflict, women leaders stressed today at the United Nations in New York.

Since late November, Ukrainians have assembled in the capital city to protest current government regime. Despite the traditionally patriarchal society, women have been a powerful presence and political voice for change.