Participation

The Women's Network for Rural Development has received an international award in recognition of its role in transforming the lives of rural women in Rwanda.

Ambassador Rice: I want to begin by thanking Assistant Secretary General Khare and SRSG Wallstrom for what was both in the chamber and in our consultations a very frank, comprehensive and we think illuminating briefing on the tragic events that transpired over the last several weeks in Eastern DRC. The rapes, the sexual violence are outrageous and the United States and the Council have condemned them in the most forceful terms.

Taliban violence and intimidation are threatening Afghanistan's parliamentary elections as the government fails to protect candidates, especially women, a human rights watchdog said Thursday.

Afghanistan is due to go to the polls on September 18, when around 2,500 candidates will contest the 249 seats in the lower house of parliament, the Wolesi Jirga.

With international forces edging close to withdrawal and Taliban violence on the rise, Afghanistan's women appears to be facing a grim future.

A suspected poison gas attack on a girl's school in Kabul last month highlights the dangers that exist in a society dominated by patriarchal tribal traditions. Dozens of students were injured in the kind of incident that is becoming commonplace across the country.

Ninety years after the 19th Amendment enshrined women's right to political participation in the US Constitution, women may be having one of their most influential years yet in American politics, analysts say.

In Afghanistan and Iraq, the U.S. military has fought wars unlike any in American history. Neither war has had clear front lines — meaning that anywhere can turn into a combat zone.

And that means that women, who officially don't have combat roles, have been battle-tested — few more so than Chief Warrant Officer Stephanie Rose.

The United Nations is seeking to empower women candidates ahead of Tanzania's general elections in October, including by improving their skills in public speaking, media engagement, campaign planning, presentations, community mobilization, advocacy and lobbying.

Afabet, 6 September 2010 - The head of the NUEW branch in Afabet sub-zone, Ms. Saediya Mohammed Adem, said that women are becoming not only beneficiaries of the newly available social services but are also being competitive in various aspects thanks to the vigorous efforts made to promote the all-round participation of Eritrean women.

Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan- Five years ago, when Afghanistan was last preparing to hold parliamentary elections, Rahela Alamshahi would sometimes hop into her car and drive herself to campaign events in her home province.

Afghans go to the polls on September 18 to elect a total of 249 members to the country's lower house of parliament, or Wolesi Jirga. Here are some of the main issues surrounding the election: