Participation

The results of Southern Sudan's referendum on secession from the North now seem apparent. According to the first complete results, around 99 per cent of the South Sudanese population which voted has done so in favour of separation. This marks one of the final stages of the historic 2005 agreement to end the long-standing conflict between North and South Sudan.

The United Nations is making progress in its efforts to incorporate women into its conflict mediation activities - but much more still needs to be done,

Nations should invest more to educate and empower women, as they can contribute to economic growth and help reduce poverty, international experts said. The observations came at a discussion styled “Making Economic Progress” on the sideline of the symposium “Imagining Another Future for Asia: Ideas and Pathways for Change” at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka yesterday.

The high popularity levels of their predecessors smoothed the way for Cristina Fernández and Dilma Rousseff to become presidents of Argentina and Brazil. But they also share the challenge of governing the two biggest countries in South America's Mercosur trade bloc, in the shadow of the leaders who went before them.

Last week over 50 UN Women staff based in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Samoa came together for the first time as part of the new UN entity, UN Women.

"Are the politicians of Kurdistan ready to bring the faces of femininity to the world?"

"First, we need to develop a culture of respect and admiration for the role women play in our society: in our families, in our schools and in professional fields."-Nechirvan Barzani

Women constitute the majority of the population in Zimbabwe and often make up the bulk of participants at any rally or big political event, but a new report shows very few are registering as voters.

Ms. Khalida Alkozai and Ms. Wazhma Fazli are journalists and radio hosts for Kabul's Alam Round Table discussion, which brings together local leaders, politicians and even ISAF military leaders to share their views with Afghan citizens. The Alam radio program, which is broadcast in both Dari and Pashto, allows listeners the opportunity to hear often-opposing views of current events.

Colombian Air Force Capt. Maria Andrea Bueno and Peruvian Air Force Capt. Nadia Maycock have several things in common.

Both are the children of military officers, both are human resources specialists, and both were among the first women admitted into the air force academies of their respective countries.

Bueno was admitted in 1997; Maycock, in 1998.