Participation

Across the world, women make up about half the population yet they never come close to holding 50 percent of the positions of power in any government.

Women must play a greater role in South Sudan's political life, from drawing up the country's constitution to translating it into law, a United Nations official has urged, as the African nation prepares to draft its first legal framework.

A constitutional body in Iran has ruled that women cannot run in presidential elections scheduled for June 14.

Mohammad Yazdi, a clerical member of the Guardian Council, said the Constitution ruled out the participation of women, British broadcaster BBC reported May 17. Thirty women registered as candidates, but there had been little expectation they would be allowed to stand.

Despite threats from militant groups, many women headed to the polls in Pakistan to vote in the country's historic elections Saturday.

Attacks killed 24 and wounded dozens more during the day in a continuation of what has been a brutal election season with more than 130 people killed in bombings and shootings.

The Gender Concerns International's Gender Election Monitoring (GEM) Mission has deployed 15 international and 50 national observers to ascertain women's participation in the upcoming elections.

Director Gender Concerns International Sabra Bano who has previously headed similar projects in Libya (2012), Morocco (2011), Tunisia (2011) and Pakistan (2008) is in charge.

SOCIO-POLITICAL and economic advancement of women could mostly be achieved in the shortest- possible time if the global community shows appreciation of the capacity of women. That, experts say, would widen the network of women and build their capacity to do great things.

The Syrian uprising has given the Muslim Brotherhood a chance to emerge as an integral part of the opposition. Following years in exile, leadership crises and numerous political challenges, the group is now a central political player in the country. Interestingly, women are becoming an important part of the Brotherhood.

Women in Southeast Asian countries are urged to play more role in the government sector as an effort towards equality to men, ASEAN Foundation Executive Chairman Makarim Wibisono said here on Wednesday.

“My sole motive is to serve my people, especially women who have had no role in politics so far. I feel we can make progress only by bringing in women into mainstream politics.”

The Taliban may have placed a ban on theatre, but women in Pakistan's northern provinces won't allow the threat of the militants' reprisals to keep them off the stage.