As the world marks International Women’s Day, two parades in Pakistan – the Aurat March and Haya March – are scheduled to happen and the same time and same place. The problem though, as Pakistani correspondent Sarmad Shahbaz points out, is that these groups have radically different approaches while claiming to share the same goal. …

Pakistan’s Paradoxical Phobia Against Gender Equality Read More »

The outrage that followed a brutal rape in Delhi could be a turning-point in a democracy where hundreds of unreported rape cases each month reveal social failure and a misogynist mind-set, writes Tabish Azeem, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Gaya in India. On the chilly winter night of December 16th, a 23 year old woman …

“Discrimination against women begins at home” Read More »

Women in Pakistan live under threat of violence no matter what their socio-economic level, writes Naseema Perveen, 21, of Islamabad in Pakistan. Some legislation has been enacted to address the violence, but she argues it will not be effective until women have freedom of speech. Mukhtar Mai, Fakhra Younis, Samia Sarwar… these are women victimized …

“Legislation by a broken system is not going to work” Read More »

Some of the most inspiring figures in his life are women, writes Olajide Omojarabi, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Zaria in Nigeria, yet it is a disturbing fact that issues of child marriage and violence towards women are still topics of debate.  I recently caught a glimpse of an accident scene. It was a bright …

“Moving beyond the debate about women's role” Read More »

An unlikely revolutionary in women’s struggle for equality stood her ground nearly 200 years ago, writes Naaz Fahmida, 27, a Correspondent living in Dhaka, Bangladesh, who says revolution comes through great sacrifice. When I hear women today being extremely vocal about the power struggle with their male counterparts or simply speaking about a revolution, it …

"She achieved nothing short of a revolution" Read More »

Women are guaranteed equality under the law and hold powerful roles, writes Achuth Menon, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from India, but many women around the world still face violence and exclusion. Although the 21st century has witnessed drastic changes in all dimensions, the orthodox mindset of the masses still continues to haunt the population of women in …

"Empowering women to ensure equality" Read More »

“Come, let’s discuss men!” encourages Naaz Fahmida, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bangladesh, who states that both sexes need to acknowledge their roles in the perpetuation of how society understands traditional gender roles. As reports of a Danish woman being gang-raped in Delhi created headlines around the world at the beginning of the year, I remember …

"Balancing the roles between men and women" Read More »

Kenya has created new laws to give women protection and equality, but Brian Dan Migowe, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kenya, says gaps in legislation and lack of enforcement mean women still face hurdles. In the recent years, Kenya has put into place important legal protections for women. These include  provisions of the Bill of Rights in …

"Ways to improve the legal status of Kenyan women" Read More »

Joining the workforce can be a controversial step for some women, but Monica Islam, 23, a Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh, argues that assuming work is a choice can have deep implications for society and gender equality.  I had a conversation with a male friend on whether employment should be a choice for women. “Yes, those who …

"Is employment a valid choice for women?" Read More »

Climate change affects entire populations, but Renice Bostic, 24, a Correspondent from Christ Church in Barbados, says that addressing the impact on women must be part of the conversation. Mary Robinson said that “climate change is the greatest human rights issue of the 21st century”. Indeed, the manifestations of climate change are likely to threaten the human …

“Gender equality and climate change” Read More »