18-11-2009Women's political participation is a fundamental prerequisite for gender equality and genuine democracy, says Ines Alberdi, executive director, UNIFEM in an interview with Pamela Philipose. She avers that a lot has been achieved but there is still a great deal more to do.
more...
16-11-2009In a discussion held recently in India’s national capital, Nobel Peace Prize winners emphasised on the need for peace in today's world. They felt that that if the humanity wants to reap the harvest of peace and justice, there is a need to sow seeds of non violence, reports Swapna Majumdar.
more...
30-10-2009For the internally displaced people living in India's north-eastern state of Assam, life is nowhere near normal. Living in refugee camps under pathetic conditions, they lack basic facilities such as clean water, sanitation and education, writes Ratna Bharali Talukdar.
more...
Image: Internal displacement in India, Kokrajhar district, Assam/ Photo credit: IDMC
25-10-2009Policymakers, strategists and activists have increasingly acknowledged the role of HIV Positive women in the fight against the dreaded disease. Susan Paxton’s new book, Diamonds, has testimonies of such women from as distant a place as Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam and more. Ranjita Biswas reviews the book.
more...
24-10-2009Debates around climate change need to focus more on governance, integrating institutions and addressing gender inequalities than just advocating market-based technical solutions, says Dr Sara Ahmed, senior programme specialist, IDRC. On the occasion of International Day for Climate Action, she argues that the world should espouse gender-sensitive solutions for mitigation and adaptation.
more...
Image: Dr Sara Ahmed/ Photo credit: Anna Nath/ OWSA
08-10-2009Anwara Begum’s new book takes a look at women in the Bangladesh media. She argues that TV ads don’t only sell products but also attitudes and in the process set standards of beauty and mannerism, as defined by men. Hana Shams Ahmed reflects on the stereotyping of women.
more...
02-10-2009Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was one of the few in his generation who recognised the central role of women in society. Yet, he was no feminist. Kamayani Bali-Mahabal, explores the many facets of the Father of the Nation.
more...
Image: A shot from Richard Attenborough film, Gandhi/ Photo credit: Beyond Media Online
30-09-2009Gender advocate Cate Owren wants to make gender issues integral to climate change policies. At the latest round of climate talks at Bangkok, she talks of her expectations from Copenhagen and the lack of research data about climate change impacts on women.
more...
24-09-2009Whether or not the greater cause of 'women's rights' will move beyond rhetoric in Afghanistan remains to be seen. There is, however, a sense that the initial enthusiasm among donors and Afghan returnees to push forward an agenda of women's rights is dissipating, write Tanya Goudsouzian and Fatima Rabbani.
more...
Image: International gender equality values have failed to take root in Afghan society even after the fall of Taliban/ Photo credit: Al Jazeera
17-09-2009Hailing the Indian government’s move to reserve 50% quota for women in local bodies, Pamela Philipose, Director, Women’s Feature Service, says it is important to translate numerical strength into meaningful empowerment. The proposed amendment must create spheres of influence where women can act decisively.
more...
