Participation

Late October, a new government was approved by the newly elected Georgian parliament. Many analysts call this a historical election – for the first time ever Georgia experienced a peaceful transition of power. And three of the key positions within the government went to women.

When Mabrouka M'barek is in the Tunisian capital these days, much of her time is spent writing a new constitution as an elected member of the National Constituent Assembly. It is a role the 32-year-old mother of two embraces with idealistic passion and more than a little amazement.

It's been almost two years since revolution swept across parts of the Arab world. Women organized and led demonstrations that toppled decades-old regimes in Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen -- and helped the rebels who overthrew Muammar Gaddafi in Libya.

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women Peace and Security, a two-day regional dialogue under the theme, "Enhancing Women's Leadership in Peace and Security in West Africa' ended today in Monrovia.

The French capital of Paris, especially the location of the presidential residence (Elysee Palace) is expected to come to a standstill today Wednesday as President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will be ushered later in the day in to receive one of the country's befitting honors.

By Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Monrovia. Of the world's 1.3 billion poor people, nearly 70 per cent are women. According to reports by UN Women, women perform 66 per cent of the world's work and produce 50 per cent of the world's food, yet earn only 10 per cent of the world's income and own only one per cent of land.

Brian Ngugi interviews Winnie Lichuma, chairwoman of the National Gender and Equality Commission.

As Kenya gets ready for voter registration this month, ahead of the country's Mar. 4, 2013 polls, women's rights organisations are hoping that the provisions for gender equality in the new constitution will mean significantly increased representation in the government.

Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam is to be Somalia's first female foreign minister in a cabinet formed by new Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon.

"After long discussions and consultations, I have named my cabinet which consists of only 10 members. Among them is a female foreign affairs minister for the first time in Somali history," the prime minister said, according to Agence France-Presse.

This has been a great year for women in power in Africa with the election of a second female president, the appointment of the first female head of the African Union and not one, but two female Nobel prizewinners.

With today's challenges, UN peacekeepers continue to play an essential role in furthering global peace and stability. Supporting these efforts is the United States' Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI). GPOI has worked tirelessly to build the peacekeeping capacity of countries currently contributing or preparing to contribute forces to global peacekeeping operations.