Women

In villages still dominated by householders, women who marry an ‘outsider’ lose access to local services and compensation for expropriated collective land. With increasing levels of education and greater social connections, more and more of them are taking these kinds of disputes to court. But the road to their protection remains an uphill one.

The initiative in response to the latest case of the killing of a baby girl. It was reported by the child's grandfather, who was suspicious of the explanation for the death given by his daughter. Catholic doctor applauds initiative: ‘urgent’ to promote ‘value and dignity’ of women from conception.

The Taliban's repression of women's rights is even more evident for those of a different ethnic origin. Hundreds of thousands of ethnic Turkmen live in the northern regions of Afghanistan, and no one is concerned with the defence of their rights, not least because of the frosty relations with Ashgabt.

Rediscovering the techniques of their grandmothers, which have remained unchanged for hundreds of years, a small farming village in northern Tajikistan has set up a business where women are the protagonists. They produce handmade silky woven carpets that are among the most expensive and valuable in the world.

Arbitrary arrests, humiliating body searches, and denied pre- or post-natal care are the focus of a briefing paper by the International Commission of Jurists, a Geneva-based NGO, with testimonies and complaints from members of a group "targeted" by the military three years since the coup. More than 1,500 women are languishing in Myanmar prisons for political reasons.

A video released on the Caucasian republic's official website about ‘beating’ his wife has caused a stir in Russia. Despite 90% of Russians calling for a law to protect women, the bill remains blocked in the Duma.

The country's Churches have been pushing for this measure to counter the problem of early marriages, often linked to abductions. “We hope the government will take further steps to criminalise forced religious conversions," the Bishops' Conference said.

On the eve of International Women's Day, hundreds of people march to demand an end to abuse in all its forms. They appeal to the government for "new laws" to protect women, who are discriminated in the family and the workplace. This battle is "cultural" as well as societal in a country that does not fully recognise equal rights for women.

Punjab Pakistan People's Party MPA Najmi Saleem introduces proposal in provincial assembly. Christians welcome the decision; however, they note it should have been done when the Catholic air force hero died.