Belgian Budget Minister Sophie Wilmes has been chosen as the country's new caretaker prime minister, a first for a woman, the current premier Charles Michel said on Saturday.

The 44-year-old&nbsp;still has to be sworn in by King Philippe, who is expected to announce the nomination formally on Sunday at the earliest.

Michel, who is set to take over as European Council president on December 1, had said on Friday he intended to step down by the beginning of November "at the latest".

Belgium has not had a fully functioning federal government since a coalition headed up by Michel collapsed in December 2018.

He has stayed on as caretaker premier ever since.

The political situation was further complicated by a very fragmented result of parliamentary elections in May.

"Congratulations Sophie Wilmes, who is being put forward to the King as caretaker prime minister," Michel said on Twitter.

Wilmes, who is seen as an ally of Michel's and was first elected to parliament in 2014, was chosen by a ministerial committee.

Belgium has a reputation for political crises. In 2010-2011 it was without a government for 541 days, a record.

Belgian Budget Minister Sophie Wilmes has been chosen as the country's new caretaker prime minister, a first for a woman, the current premier Charles Michel said on Saturday.

Belgian Budget Minister Sophie Wilmes has been chosen as the country's new caretaker prime minister, a first for a woman, the current premier Charles Michel said on Saturday. The 44-year-old still has to be sworn in by King Philippe, who is expected to announce the nomination formally on Sunday at the earliest. Michel, who is set to take over as European Council president on December 1, had said on Friday he intended to step down by the beginning of November "at the latest". Belgium has not had a fully functioning federal government since a coalition headed up by Michel collapsed in December 2018. He has stayed on as caretaker premier ever since. The political situation was further complicated by a very fragmented result of parliamentary elections in May. "Congratulations Sophie Wilmes, who is being put forward to the King as caretaker prime minister," Michel said on Twitter. Wilmes, who is seen as an ally of Michel's and was first elected to parliament in 2014, was chosen by a ministerial committee. Belgium has a reputation for political crises. In 2010-2011 it was without a government for 541 days, a record.

First woman named as Belgian prime minister

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that the government's schemes have strengthened the objective of women's empowerment which is one of the key messages of the ongoing Sharadiya Navaratri. 
 
"Navaratri is a festival which sends across the message of women's empowerment. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, women's empowerment is a prime objective. The plans like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have bolstered women and girl children's dignity," Adityanath said while addressing a press conference here. 
 
The Chief Minister said that 10 crore families got toilets in five years and 8 crore families received gas connections. He further said that the sex ratio has become more balanced in the past five years. 
 
Adityanath pointed out that the state government has also envisioned plans and schemes for women's empowerment like the Kanya Sumangala Yojana and increasing the financial aid for community marriage programmes for poor women. 
 
"On the occasion of Navaratri, we take the pledge to empower women. Under the Kanya Sumangala Yojana, an amount of Rs 15,000 will be deposited at the time of a girl child's birth. Under the community marriage scheme, our government has increased the support amount to poor girls for marriage from Rs 35,000 to Rs 50,000," he said. 
 
Adityanath further said that the state government has taken several measures to bolster the education of children which is a key step towards creating balance in the society. 
 
"1 crore 80 lakh students have been enrolled in schools in the state under the 'School Chalo Abhiyan'. With the support of the public, 91,000 schools out of around one and a half lakh have been refurbished in UP," he said. 
 
On being asked about the Ram Jamabhoomi case, he said that he welcomed the daily proceedings in the Supreme Court on the matter and that he will welcome the decision of the court when it comes in the public domain. 
 
"We will welcome the honourable Supreme Court's decision on the Ram Janmabhoomi issue. Everybody should abide by the decision of the honourable court. I welcome the daily proceedings on the issue by the Supreme Court," he said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that the government's schemes have strengthened the objective of women's empowerment which is one of the key messages of the ongoing Sharadiya Navaratri.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that the government's schemes have strengthened the objective of women's empowerment which is one of the key messages of the ongoing Sharadiya Navaratri. "Navaratri is a festival which sends across the message of women's empowerment. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, women's empowerment is a prime objective. The plans like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have bolstered women and girl children's dignity," Adityanath said while addressing a press conference here. The Chief Minister said that 10 crore families got toilets in five years and 8 crore families received gas connections. He further said that the sex ratio has become more balanced in the past five years. Adityanath pointed out that the state government has also envisioned plans and schemes for women's empowerment like the Kanya Sumangala Yojana and increasing the financial aid for community marriage programmes for poor women. "On the occasion of Navaratri, we take the pledge to empower women. Under the Kanya Sumangala Yojana, an amount of Rs 15,000 will be deposited at the time of a girl child's birth. Under the community marriage scheme, our government has increased the support amount to poor girls for marriage from Rs 35,000 to Rs 50,000," he said. Adityanath further said that the state government has taken several measures to bolster the education of children which is a key step towards creating balance in the society. "1 crore 80 lakh students have been enrolled in schools in the state under the 'School Chalo Abhiyan'. With the support of the public, 91,000 schools out of around one and a half lakh have been refurbished in UP," he said. On being asked about the Ram Jamabhoomi case, he said that he welcomed the daily proceedings in the Supreme Court on the matter and that he will welcome the decision of the court when it comes in the public domain. "We will welcome the honourable Supreme Court's decision on the Ram Janmabhoomi issue. Everybody should abide by the decision of the honourable court. I welcome the daily proceedings on the issue by the Supreme Court," he said.

Government schemes have bolstered women's empowerment, says Yogi Adityanath

European football's governing body (UEFA) said on Tuesday it would tell member clubs and national teams not to play games in countries where women do not have full access to stadiums.

UEFA's ruling executive committee agreed that it would "recommend to its 55 national associations and all European clubs not to play matches in countries where women have restricted access to stadiums".

UEFA did not specify which countries the action would affect.

Iran, however, has been the focus of attention since a female fan died earlier this month, after setting herself on fire to protest against her arrest for attending a match.

Soccer's world governing body FIFA says it has been given assurances by Iranian authorities that their World Cup qualifier against Cambodia in Tehran on Oct. 10 will be open to women.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said his body did not have the power to punish European teams who might play in countries that do not allow unrestricted access to women, but stressed that there was wide support in his organisation for the approach and for not playing teams from those countries.

"We cannot punish anyone if they play (in these countries) because it is out of our jurisdiction but that doesn't mean we should be quiet and say we can't do anything and we (just) develop European football," said the Slovene.

"Our advice to 55 associations and all the clubs... will be not to play there or with the teams from those countries where the basic rights of women are not respected.

"The representatives of the clubs and the leagues agreed with us".

European football's governing body (UEFA) said on Tuesday it would tell member clubs and national teams not to play games in countries where women do not have full access to stadiums.

European football's governing body (UEFA) said on Tuesday it would tell member clubs and national teams not to play games in countries where women do not have full access to stadiums. UEFA's ruling executive committee agreed that it would "recommend to its 55 national associations and all European clubs not to play matches in countries where women have restricted access to stadiums". UEFA did not specify which countries the action would affect. Iran, however, has been the focus of attention since a female fan died earlier this month, after setting herself on fire to protest against her arrest for attending a match. Soccer's world governing body FIFA says it has been given assurances by Iranian authorities that their World Cup qualifier against Cambodia in Tehran on Oct. 10 will be open to women. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said his body did not have the power to punish European teams who might play in countries that do not allow unrestricted access to women, but stressed that there was wide support in his organisation for the approach and for not playing teams from those countries. "We cannot punish anyone if they play (in these countries) because it is out of our jurisdiction but that doesn't mean we should be quiet and say we can't do anything and we (just) develop European football," said the Slovene. "Our advice to 55 associations and all the clubs... will be not to play there or with the teams from those countries where the basic rights of women are not respected. "The representatives of the clubs and the leagues agreed with us".

UEFA tells teams not to play where women can't watch

UN Declares Israel As The Sole Violator Of Women's Rights In The World. And India Votes Against Israel Is Israel the sole violator of women's rights in the world? United Nations has singled out Israel in a vote on the issue. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen - all these countries with a dodgy reputation on the matter voted against Israel? What's more ironical is the fact that India too voted against Israel. Palki explains.

Gravitas: India votes against Israel on UN vote on women rights

An agreement by the Taliban to respect women's rights may seem like a breakthrough, but activists have questioned how the hardline Islamists -- notorious for stomping on freedoms -- will interpret the careful wording.

A historic meeting between Afghan representatives and the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-rivals-conclude-talks-with-taliban-on-roadmap-for-peace-234134&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiErNmi-afjAhVZ7HMBHS_2Bt4QFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw05NxYR43W-5iKLz3qab0Gm">Taliban</a> concluded late Monday with the longtime foes issuing a joint statement, including a reference to women's rights.

Participants at the Doha summit agreed that "assuring women rights in political, social, economic, educational, cultural affairs as per (and) within the Islamic framework of Islamic values", is vital for a durable peace.

The wording appears significant, as the Taliban are notorious for their longstanding subjugation of women that has included stonings, honor killings and a ban on education.

Observers have cautioned the pledge is open to broad interpretation, depending on who is defining the values of Islam.

"Our rights were completely respected in 'frames of Islamic values' under the (Taliban)," prominent women's rights activist Wazhma Frogh wrote sarcastically on Twitter.&nbsp;

"What an achievement of the Doha meeting. Going back!"

Manizha Qurban, an Afghan Facebook user, said "a few ignorant people" should not be left to interpret Islamic values.&nbsp;

Otherwise "they will become nightmares, especially for women. We should invite scholars from other Islamic countries to interpret the values for us," she wrote.

Further fuelling concern and confusion, only the English and Dari versions of the joint resolution include the reference to women's rights. One version being circulated in Pashto, spoken mainly by the Taliban, did not mention women's rights.

The joint statement came at the end of two days of talks between Afghan delegates, including a small group of women, and senior Taliban officials who are separately negotiating with the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/afghanistan-war-18-years-later-no-end-in-sight-us-taliban-talks-amid-more-attacks-234049&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiErNmi-afjAhVZ7HMBHS_2Bt4QFjAIegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2hC3sh0HKa-gxfVXoEvEUz">US</a> for a peace deal.

Such a deal would end America's 18-year involvement in Afghanistan in return for various guarantees, but the US insists the Taliban first hold comprehensive talks with Afghan stakeholders.

Lip service&nbsp;

The Taliban have paid increasing lip service to women's rights, but always include the caveat of defining these through Islam.

For instance, in areas of the country now under the Taliban -- the insurgents essentially control or influence about half of Afghanistan -- residents report modest changes in the militants' hardline stance.

In some areas, the Taliban do now allow girls to attend primary school, but they are still segregated by gender and the Taliban control the curriculum.

Nonetheless, reports of floggings and the stoning of women, as well as so-called honour killings -- where a girl is accused of bringing a home into disrepute -- remain common.

"Please please don't let the Taliban interpret Islamic principles for women again. Islamic principles for them mean beating and imprisoning women," Facebook user Samira Samim wrote.

Heather Barr, the acting co-director of the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, said it appeared positive that the words "women's rights" appeared in the statement.&nbsp;

"But this language about women's rights within the Islamic framework is classic Taliban rhetoric," she told AFP.

The Taliban "remain fundamentally opposed to gender equality. So the Afghan women at the negotiating table know that they're in for the fight of their life as they try to preserve the Afghan constitution's promise of gender equality," Barr said.

In May, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said "we do not have any problem with" women's rights based on Islamic values.

"We have a different culture and different values. Our values, Afghan values, are different from that of Western values," he told AFP.

The joint statement also included a pledge to decrease violence in some cases and to bring civilian casualties to "zero".

However, the two-page document made no promise of a ceasefire and Afghanistan's war rages on.

An agreement by the Taliban to respect women's rights may seem like a breakthrough, but activists have questioned how the hardline Islamists -- notorious for stomping on freedoms -- will interpret the careful wording.

An agreement by the Taliban to respect women's rights may seem like a breakthrough, but activists have questioned how the hardline Islamists -- notorious for stomping on freedoms -- will interpret the careful wording. A historic meeting between Afghan representatives and the Taliban concluded late Monday with the longtime foes issuing a joint statement, including a reference to women's rights. Participants at the Doha summit agreed that "assuring women rights in political, social, economic, educational, cultural affairs as per (and) within the Islamic framework of Islamic values", is vital for a durable peace. The wording appears significant, as the Taliban are notorious for their longstanding subjugation of women that has included stonings, honor killings and a ban on education. Observers have cautioned the pledge is open to broad interpretation, depending on who is defining the values of Islam. "Our rights were completely respected in 'frames of Islamic values' under the (Taliban)," prominent women's rights activist Wazhma Frogh wrote sarcastically on Twitter. "What an achievement of the Doha meeting. Going back!" Manizha Qurban, an Afghan Facebook user, said "a few ignorant people" should not be left to interpret Islamic values. Otherwise "they will become nightmares, especially for women. We should invite scholars from other Islamic countries to interpret the values for us," she wrote. Further fuelling concern and confusion, only the English and Dari versions of the joint resolution include the reference to women's rights. One version being circulated in Pashto, spoken mainly by the Taliban, did not mention women's rights. The joint statement came at the end of two days of talks between Afghan delegates, including a small group of women, and senior Taliban officials who are separately negotiating with the US for a peace deal. Such a deal would end America's 18-year involvement in Afghanistan in return for various guarantees, but the US insists the Taliban first hold comprehensive talks with Afghan stakeholders. Lip service The Taliban have paid increasing lip service to women's rights, but always include the caveat of defining these through Islam. For instance, in areas of the country now under the Taliban -- the insurgents essentially control or influence about half of Afghanistan -- residents report modest changes in the militants' hardline stance. In some areas, the Taliban do now allow girls to attend primary school, but they are still segregated by gender and the Taliban control the curriculum. Nonetheless, reports of floggings and the stoning of women, as well as so-called honour killings -- where a girl is accused of bringing a home into disrepute -- remain common. "Please please don't let the Taliban interpret Islamic principles for women again. Islamic principles for them mean beating and imprisoning women," Facebook user Samira Samim wrote. Heather Barr, the acting co-director of the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, said it appeared positive that the words "women's rights" appeared in the statement. "But this language about women's rights within the Islamic framework is classic Taliban rhetoric," she told AFP. The Taliban "remain fundamentally opposed to gender equality. So the Afghan women at the negotiating table know that they're in for the fight of their life as they try to preserve the Afghan constitution's promise of gender equality," Barr said. In May, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said "we do not have any problem with" women's rights based on Islamic values. "We have a different culture and different values. Our values, Afghan values, are different from that of Western values," he told AFP. The joint statement also included a pledge to decrease violence in some cases and to bring civilian casualties to "zero". However, the two-page document made no promise of a ceasefire and Afghanistan's war rages on.

Taliban assurance of 'women's rights' has big caveat

Um Yusuf is the widow of an Islamic State (IS) group member. Her husband, Abu Yusuf, who worked as a policeman for IS, died in an airstrike in February 2017, during the battle to retake Mosul from the extremists.

IS families face exclusion in Iraq

An Academy Award-nominated Mexican actress Yalitza Aparicio said in an interview with EFE in this capital that she wants to use her meteoric rise to fame to fight for women's rights and urged people not to distort the definition of feminism.

Feminism is fight for equality not women's superiority, says 'Roma' star Yalitza Aparicio

The Supreme Court Tuesday held that a woman driven out of her matrimonial home can file a criminal case against her estranged spouse and in-laws at a place where she has taken shelter.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi delivered an important judgment with regard to the territorial jurisdiction of a place where a married woman can file cases against her estranged husband and in-laws after being subjected to dowry harassment and cruelty.

The bench said besides the place where a woman was living before and after marriage, the place of shelter will also have territorial jurisdiction for filing matrimonial cases.

The apex court verdict came on a plea filed by one Rupali Devi of Uttar Pradesh.

The Supreme Court Tuesday held that a woman driven out of her matrimonial home can file a criminal case against her estranged spouse and in-laws at a place where she has taken shelter.

The Supreme Court Tuesday held that a woman driven out of her matrimonial home can file a criminal case against her estranged spouse and in-laws at a place where she has taken shelter. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi delivered an important judgment with regard to the territorial jurisdiction of a place where a married woman can file cases against her estranged husband and in-laws after being subjected to dowry harassment and cruelty. The bench said besides the place where a woman was living before and after marriage, the place of shelter will also have territorial jurisdiction for filing matrimonial cases. The apex court verdict came on a plea filed by one Rupali Devi of Uttar Pradesh.

Woman driven out of matrimonial home can file case at place where she has taken shelter: Supreme Court

Only six countries currently give the same legal rights as men to women in the world, a World Bank report has found.

The report titled&nbsp;"Women, business and the law" revealed the world is moving to equal legal rights to both gender, however, the development is taking place at such a slow pace that so far only six countries have equal gender rights.

The six countries are Belgium, Denmark, France, Latvia, Luxembourg and Sweden.

"Six economies—Belgium, Denmark, France, Latvia, Luxembourg and Sweden—score 100 in the Women, Business and the Law index, meaning they give women and men equal legal rights in the measured areas," read the World Bank report.&nbsp;

The report also found that a decade ago none of these economies scored '100'&nbsp;in the 'Women, business and the law index'&nbsp;indicating that they reformed over the past ten years.

According to the report, France had the biggest improvement among the top performers, going from a score of 91.88 in the index ten years ago to 100 now by implementing a domestic violence law, providing criminal penalties for workplace sexual harassment and introducing paid parental leave.

The average global score is 74.71, indicating that a typical economy gives women only three-fourths the legal rights of men in the measured areas.

The report also had some optimistic findings that showed significant progress in this issue over the past decade.

"Ten years ago, the global average score was 70.06. Since then, 131 economies have made 274 reforms to laws and regulations increasing gender equality in the areas measured in the index. These reforms led to a 4.65 point increase in the average global score," the report read.

Another way to interpret this improvement is that on average, two of the 35 data points measured in the index reformed. These reforms include the 35 economies that introduced laws protecting women from sexual harassment at work, protecting nearly two billion more women than a decade ago.&nbsp;

Sub-Saharan Africa had the most reforms promoting gender equality. Six of the top reforming economies are in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Malawi, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe and Zambia. The remaining three top reformers are in East Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean and South Asia respectively, Samoa, Bolivia and Maldives.

Meanwhile, South Asia had the biggest improvement in average regional score, moving from 50 to 58.36, an increase of 8.36 points. This was followed by East Asia and the Pacific, which went from 64.80 to 70.73, an increase of 5.93 points.

Most top reformers introduced sexual harassment laws or mandated nondiscrimination in access to credit. One-third of the top reforming economies removed job restrictions on night work or on certain job types.

"Reforming economies tend to perform better than non-reformers in other measures of gender equality. The economies that reformed under the Women, Business and the Law index also tended to experience bigger increases in the percentage of women working overall, and in the percentage of women working relative to men," the report added.

Only six countries currently give the same legal rights as men to women in the world, a World Bank report has found. The report titled "Women, business and the law" revealed the world is moving to equal legal rights to both gender, however, the development is taking place at such a slow pace that so far only six countries have equal gender rights.

Only six countries currently give the same legal rights as men to women in the world, a World Bank report has found. The report titled "Women, business and the law" revealed the world is moving to equal legal rights to both gender, however, the development is taking place at such a slow pace that so far only six countries have equal gender rights. The six countries are Belgium, Denmark, France, Latvia, Luxembourg and Sweden. "Six economies—Belgium, Denmark, France, Latvia, Luxembourg and Sweden—score 100 in the Women, Business and the Law index, meaning they give women and men equal legal rights in the measured areas," read the World Bank report. The report also found that a decade ago none of these economies scored '100' in the 'Women, business and the law index' indicating that they reformed over the past ten years. According to the report, France had the biggest improvement among the top performers, going from a score of 91.88 in the index ten years ago to 100 now by implementing a domestic violence law, providing criminal penalties for workplace sexual harassment and introducing paid parental leave. The average global score is 74.71, indicating that a typical economy gives women only three-fourths the legal rights of men in the measured areas. The report also had some optimistic findings that showed significant progress in this issue over the past decade. "Ten years ago, the global average score was 70.06. Since then, 131 economies have made 274 reforms to laws and regulations increasing gender equality in the areas measured in the index. These reforms led to a 4.65 point increase in the average global score," the report read. Another way to interpret this improvement is that on average, two of the 35 data points measured in the index reformed. These reforms include the 35 economies that introduced laws protecting women from sexual harassment at work, protecting nearly two billion more women than a decade ago. Sub-Saharan Africa had the most reforms promoting gender equality. Six of the top reforming economies are in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Malawi, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe and Zambia. The remaining three top reformers are in East Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean and South Asia respectively, Samoa, Bolivia and Maldives. Meanwhile, South Asia had the biggest improvement in average regional score, moving from 50 to 58.36, an increase of 8.36 points. This was followed by East Asia and the Pacific, which went from 64.80 to 70.73, an increase of 5.93 points. Most top reformers introduced sexual harassment laws or mandated nondiscrimination in access to credit. One-third of the top reforming economies removed job restrictions on night work or on certain job types. "Reforming economies tend to perform better than non-reformers in other measures of gender equality. The economies that reformed under the Women, Business and the Law index also tended to experience bigger increases in the percentage of women working overall, and in the percentage of women working relative to men," the report added.

Only 6 countries in world give women equal legal work rights as men: World Bank report

Hundreds of women took to the streets in the Tunisian capital on Saturday to demand equal inheritance rights as men, a subject often seen as taboo in the Arab world.

The North African Muslim country grants women more rights than other countries in the region, and since last year has allowed Muslim women to marry non-Muslim men.

But the protestors marching to the parliament building in Tunis on Saturday said they wanted to be compared with European women and to be entitled to the same inheritance rights.

Joined by some men, they carried slogans such as &quot;In a civil state I take exactly what you take&quot;, demanding an end to inheritance laws based on Islamic law. This usually grants men the double of what women get.

&quot;It is true that Tunisian women have more rights compared to other Arab women but we want to be compared with European women,&quot; said Kaouther Boulila, an activist.&nbsp;

&quot;We just want our rights.&quot;

In August, President Beji Caid Essbsi, a secular politician, set up a committee to draft proposals to advance women`s rights.

Tunisia has been hailed as the only &quot;Arab spring&quot; success story following political freedoms introduced after the ousting of autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011.

Economic growth has been disappointing, however, with high unemployment driving many young Tunisians who had joined the uprising, abroad.

The protestors marching to the parliament building in Tunis on Saturday said they wanted to be compared with European women and to be entitled to the same inheritance rights

Hundreds of women took to the streets in the Tunisian capital on Saturday to demand equal inheritance rights as men, a subject often seen as taboo in the Arab world. The North African Muslim country grants women more rights than other countries in the region, and since last year has allowed Muslim women to marry non-Muslim men. But the protestors marching to the parliament building in Tunis on Saturday said they wanted to be compared with European women and to be entitled to the same inheritance rights. Joined by some men, they carried slogans such as "In a civil state I take exactly what you take", demanding an end to inheritance laws based on Islamic law. This usually grants men the double of what women get. "It is true that Tunisian women have more rights compared to other Arab women but we want to be compared with European women," said Kaouther Boulila, an activist. "We just want our rights." In August, President Beji Caid Essbsi, a secular politician, set up a committee to draft proposals to advance women`s rights. Tunisia has been hailed as the only "Arab spring" success story following political freedoms introduced after the ousting of autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011. Economic growth has been disappointing, however, with high unemployment driving many young Tunisians who had joined the uprising, abroad.

Tunisian women march for equal inheritance rights

In a celebratory news,&nbsp;Maharaja Ranjit Singh&rsquo;s granddaughter, Princess Sophia Duleep Singh was honoured with a Royal Mail stamp Tuesday for her women&#39;s rights activism that led to women getting right to vote in UK parliamentary elections.&nbsp;

The stamp features a photograph of Sophia -- daughter of Bamba Mueller and Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last ruler of the Sikh empire -- selling copies of the Suffragette newspaper in 1913 outside Hampton Court Palace.&nbsp;

She is now celebrated as a symbol and unsung heroine of&nbsp;the British movement to get equal voting rights for women.

The &pound;1.57 stamp is one of the eight stamps issued by the Royal Mail&nbsp;to &ldquo;mark the centenary of the Representation of the People Act (in the UK) where for the first time women won the right to vote in parliamentary elections.&rdquo; The stamps will be released for public use on February 15.

With this stamp, it will be the first time a&nbsp;person of Sikh background has been featured on a Royal Mail stamp.

Sophia and her Indian connection

Sophia was the youngest of Maharaja Duleep Singh&rsquo;s five surviving children. She was born in the UK in 1876 during her father&rsquo;s lifelong exile -- had Queen Victoria for godmother and was brought up as &ldquo;a thoroughly anglicized aristocrat,&rdquo; till she swapped the English high society for the Suffragettes, much against the liking&nbsp;of the royal family and the British government of that time.&nbsp;

She transformed from a British aristocrat to a conscientious woman of her age after she started travelling to India. Her visits to India in&nbsp;1902 and 1906 made her aware of India&rsquo;s freedom struggle and her own heritage.

She was inspired by the story of freedom fighter&nbsp;Lala Lajpat Rai. His death after being lathi-charged by the British played a significant role in her change of heart.

Sophia initially served as a nurse in WWI focusing on the welfare of Indian soldiers. She started with serving mainly the Punjabis who were fighting on the Western front. Subsequently, she became a prominent member of the women&rsquo;s rights group, the Suffragettes.&nbsp;On 18 November 1910, known as &lsquo;Black Friday&rsquo;, she led a 400-strong demonstration to UK Parliament together with Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst, the leader of the British suffragette movement. As clashes broke out, over 150 women were physically assaulted.

Sophia was not the only Indian suffragette, just the most prominent one, according to the British Library. An Indian women&rsquo;s group took part in the 1911 coronation procession of 60,000 suffragettes.

It is said that King George V hated her guts. He wanted her thrown out of Hampton Court where she and her siblings had been given &ldquo;grace and favour&rdquo; rooms by Queen Victoria. She was arrested several times and charged, but never jailed.

Sophia also belonged to the Women&rsquo;s Tax Resistance League, whose slogan was &lsquo;No Vote, No Tax&rsquo;. &nbsp;

She died in August 1948, a year after India gained independence, but she was cremated&nbsp;in India.

&nbsp;

Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, Maharaja Ranjit Singh's granddaughter honoured with a Royal Mail stamp fro her rights activism

In a celebratory news, Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s granddaughter, Princess Sophia Duleep Singh was honoured with a Royal Mail stamp Tuesday for her women's rights activism that led to women getting right to vote in UK parliamentary elections. The stamp features a photograph of Sophia -- daughter of Bamba Mueller and Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last ruler of the Sikh empire -- selling copies of the Suffragette newspaper in 1913 outside Hampton Court Palace. She is now celebrated as a symbol and unsung heroine of the British movement to get equal voting rights for women. The £1.57 stamp is one of the eight stamps issued by the Royal Mail to “mark the centenary of the Representation of the People Act (in the UK) where for the first time women won the right to vote in parliamentary elections.” The stamps will be released for public use on February 15. With this stamp, it will be the first time a person of Sikh background has been featured on a Royal Mail stamp. Sophia and her Indian connection Sophia was the youngest of Maharaja Duleep Singh’s five surviving children. She was born in the UK in 1876 during her father’s lifelong exile -- had Queen Victoria for godmother and was brought up as “a thoroughly anglicized aristocrat,” till she swapped the English high society for the Suffragettes, much against the liking of the royal family and the British government of that time. She transformed from a British aristocrat to a conscientious woman of her age after she started travelling to India. Her visits to India in 1902 and 1906 made her aware of India’s freedom struggle and her own heritage. She was inspired by the story of freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai. His death after being lathi-charged by the British played a significant role in her change of heart. Sophia initially served as a nurse in WWI focusing on the welfare of Indian soldiers. She started with serving mainly the Punjabis who were fighting on the Western front. Subsequently, she became a prominent member of the women’s rights group, the Suffragettes. On 18 November 1910, known as ‘Black Friday’, she led a 400-strong demonstration to UK Parliament together with Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst, the leader of the British suffragette movement. As clashes broke out, over 150 women were physically assaulted. Sophia was not the only Indian suffragette, just the most prominent one, according to the British Library. An Indian women’s group took part in the 1911 coronation procession of 60,000 suffragettes. It is said that King George V hated her guts. He wanted her thrown out of Hampton Court where she and her siblings had been given “grace and favour” rooms by Queen Victoria. She was arrested several times and charged, but never jailed. Sophia also belonged to the Women’s Tax Resistance League, whose slogan was ‘No Vote, No Tax’. She died in August 1948, a year after India gained independence, but she was cremated in India.

UK honours exiled Indian princess who fought for women's right to vote in UK elections

Ahead of the tabling of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=The%20Muslim%20Women%20(Protection%20of%20Rights%20on%20Marriage)%20Bill%202017">The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017</a>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Parliament">Parliament</a>, Shayara Bano, the petitioner who had filed a plea in Supreme Court to ban&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Triple%20Talaq">Triple Talaq</a>&nbsp;said that she will continue her fight for women rights.

Speaking to ANI, Shayara Bano said, &quot;After triple talaq I feel even ill practices like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=polygamy">polygamy</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=nikah%20halala">nikah halala</a>&nbsp;should be banned in our society. The way in which women are tortured in the name of these ill-practices should be stopped.&quot;

&quot;I will once again file petition to &#39;ban&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=polygamy">polygamy</a>&#39; and &#39;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=nikah%20halala">nikah halala</a>&#39; in the top court,&quot; added Bano

Bano further averred that she will continue her fight against ill-practices among the Muslim.

&quot;Similarly like triple talaq I would fight for the banning of ill-practices like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=polygamy">polygamy</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=nikah%20halala">nikah halala</a>. These types of practices should be abolished from the Indian society for the development of our country,&quot; said Bano.

Shayara Bano was given triple &#39;talaq&#39; by her husband soon after she filed a petition in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Supreme%20Court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;for a ban on triple talaq,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=polygamy">polygamy</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=nikah%20halala">nikah halala</a>&nbsp;in February 2016.

Following which, thousands of Muslim women across the country can together demanding that triple talaq be abolished.

<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=The%20Muslim%20Women%20(Protection%20of%20Rights%20on%20Marriage)%20Bill%202017">The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017</a>, which seeks to criminalise the practice of triple talaq, is expected to be tabled in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Parliament">Parliament</a>&nbsp;by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday.

The draft bill says, &quot;Any pronouncement of talaq by a person upon his wife, by words, either spoken or written or in electronic form or in any other manner whatsoever, shall be void and illegal&quot;.

Earlier in August, in a historic judgement, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Supreme%20Court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;had ruled that the practice of divorce through triple talaq among Muslims is &quot;void&quot;, &quot;illegal&quot; and &quot;unconstitutional&quot;.&nbsp;

The petitioner assured to fight against the ill-practices among the Muslim

Ahead of the tabling of The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 in the Parliament, Shayara Bano, the petitioner who had filed a plea in Supreme Court to ban Triple Talaq said that she will continue her fight for women rights. Speaking to ANI, Shayara Bano said, "After triple talaq I feel even ill practices like polygamy and nikah halala should be banned in our society. The way in which women are tortured in the name of these ill-practices should be stopped." "I will once again file petition to 'ban polygamy' and 'nikah halala' in the top court," added Bano Bano further averred that she will continue her fight against ill-practices among the Muslim. "Similarly like triple talaq I would fight for the banning of ill-practices like polygamy and nikah halala. These types of practices should be abolished from the Indian society for the development of our country," said Bano. Shayara Bano was given triple 'talaq' by her husband soon after she filed a petition in the Supreme Court for a ban on triple talaq, polygamy and nikah halala in February 2016. Following which, thousands of Muslim women across the country can together demanding that triple talaq be abolished. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017, which seeks to criminalise the practice of triple talaq, is expected to be tabled in the Parliament by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday. The draft bill says, "Any pronouncement of talaq by a person upon his wife, by words, either spoken or written or in electronic form or in any other manner whatsoever, shall be void and illegal". Earlier in August, in a historic judgement, the Supreme Court had ruled that the practice of divorce through triple talaq among Muslims is "void", "illegal" and "unconstitutional".

Triple talaq Petitioner Shayara Bano to continue fight for women rights

Sara Manca is a 28-year-old designer from Naples in Italy, who loves to draw. She started drawing cartoons at an early age and believes that this creative line of work has chosen her. For her, &ldquo;drawing is life&rdquo; and after having studied at Naples Academy of Art, she knew for sure &ldquo;her future lies in imagining cartoons and drawing them&rdquo;. She designs under the username of Blatterbury on DeviantArt.

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Sara Manca, Italian artist (WION)
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How do you identify yourself, I ask?

&ldquo;I like to introduce myself with a Pirandello&nbsp;quote: I&#39;m&nbsp;one, nobody and a hundred thousand.&rdquo;

A budding designer, Manca became famous for what she calls &ldquo;Disney Princesses as Belly Dancers&rdquo;. Even though several artists have given their own rendition to Disney&rsquo;s most loved characters--Manca&rsquo;s belly dancers have something unique about them--a different instrument, outfit and a unique style of belly dancing, for each princess.

How did she come up with this idea--of drawing princesses as belly dancers?

&ldquo;Disney Girls have been redesigned in so many ways in the past--and I always wished to try a design of my own. I am a belly dancer; I studied this discipline for the past 7 years, so I decided to merge art, belly dance and costume design. I learned how to sew thanks to cosplay and I&#39;m the one who projects and makes all dresses for my belly dance friends and me.&rdquo;

Much before drawing belly dancer princesses, she drew a lot of other characters. &ldquo;As a kid, I had a collection of Barbies and I liked them, but I was more attached to her horses. I had a pretty big collection of Barbie&#39;s horses and I loved every kind of toy that represented an animal. Cat, dog, rabbit, horse--I was pretty obsessed by animals. But my favorite toy was my imagination. I loved role play--maybe that&#39;s why I started with cosplay&rdquo;, adds Manca. &nbsp;

Everybody is inspired from someone or something, what was it for her? &nbsp;

Manca says, &ldquo;I get inspired from anything--books, movies, past works of artists. Alphonse Mucha, Glen Kean, Adam Hughes, Barbara Canepa, are my absolute favourites but I also follow a number of young and&nbsp;talented web artists such as Fedini, Valeria Favoccia, Orpheeline, Phobs, Tracy Butler, Mirka Andolfo. Every time I see their art, it inspires me.&rdquo;

On gender equality in her line of work in Italy,&nbsp;Manca says, &ldquo;In my field of work, many things have changed through the years. When I was a child, I remember only male artists designed comic books. But now, more number of women are getting featured in comic book&rsquo; credits. I am happy that sex doesn&#39;t matter anymore--the important thing is your&nbsp;aesthetic sense, imagination, sensibility and&nbsp;versatility.&rdquo;

Towards the end of the interview, she says, &ldquo;I want to share with the world my passion and my little knowledge. In belly dancers series when I choose a design, a style and a dress of each princess--I also add a description to explain where the dance styles came from.&nbsp;It&#39;s very important for me to let people know about this&nbsp;ancient and underestimated discipline.&rdquo;

<h3>How&nbsp;Disney Princesses would look as&nbsp;Belly Dancers:</h3>

&nbsp;

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Belle has a shamadan to dance with. Using it is considered advanced, and is used in the zeffeh, or wedding procession. (WION)
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Rapunzel according to Manca is fit for Khaliji: traditional folkloric dance from the Persian Gulf. The form uses hair as the main element used to dance. Women let their long hair &ldquo;dance&rdquo; moving it from side to side, back and forth, in circle etc. (WION)
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For Pocahontas, Manca gives a tribal look to do the aboriginal dance. (WION)
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Ariel has double veils, Raqs Sharqi style. The veils are an extension of the Little Mermaid&#39;s body, creating a beautiful ripple effect around her waist. (WION)
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Esmerelda, the gypsy from the Hunchback of Notre Dame, is not one of the official princesses. Manca gives her a gypsy style dance, which she calls the &quot;classic&quot;. (WION)
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Baladi style goes perfectly with Jasmine, as according to Manca, it is the dance of beauty, strength, and art. (WION)
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Elsa has &quot;Isis wings&quot; an instrument used in belly dance. Isis is the ancient Egyptian goddess, mother of Horus. It has nothing in common with the Islamic jihadist militant group. (WION)
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&nbsp;

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A brave princess, Merida has a sword to dance. It was used by the Ghawazee dancers of Egypt (group of female travelling dancers of the Dom people) who would entertain the Napoleonic troops. (WION)
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&nbsp;

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Aurora has fan veils, one of designer&#39;s favorite instruments. They express elegance but also pathos and the effect of the silk veils wrapping Aurora&#39;s figure is a perfect image. (WION)
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Manca is passionate about drawing, dancing and sewing. In the&nbsp;future, she wants to assemble her drawings in an art book and sell--and also do web comics.&nbsp;

(WION)

&nbsp;

Merging art, belly dance and costume design--the designer reimagines 'Disney Princesses as Belly Dancers'

Sara Manca is a 28-year-old designer from Naples in Italy, who loves to draw. She started drawing cartoons at an early age and believes that this creative line of work has chosen her. For her, “drawing is life” and after having studied at Naples Academy of Art, she knew for sure “her future lies in imagining cartoons and drawing them”. She designs under the username of Blatterbury on DeviantArt. Sara Manca, Italian artist (WION) × How do you identify yourself, I ask? “I like to introduce myself with a Pirandello quote: I'm one, nobody and a hundred thousand.” A budding designer, Manca became famous for what she calls “Disney Princesses as Belly Dancers”. Even though several artists have given their own rendition to Disney’s most loved characters--Manca’s belly dancers have something unique about them--a different instrument, outfit and a unique style of belly dancing, for each princess. How did she come up with this idea--of drawing princesses as belly dancers? “Disney Girls have been redesigned in so many ways in the past--and I always wished to try a design of my own. I am a belly dancer; I studied this discipline for the past 7 years, so I decided to merge art, belly dance and costume design. I learned how to sew thanks to cosplay and I'm the one who projects and makes all dresses for my belly dance friends and me.” Much before drawing belly dancer princesses, she drew a lot of other characters. “As a kid, I had a collection of Barbies and I liked them, but I was more attached to her horses. I had a pretty big collection of Barbie's horses and I loved every kind of toy that represented an animal. Cat, dog, rabbit, horse--I was pretty obsessed by animals. But my favorite toy was my imagination. I loved role play--maybe that's why I started with cosplay”, adds Manca. Everybody is inspired from someone or something, what was it for her? Manca says, “I get inspired from anything--books, movies, past works of artists. Alphonse Mucha, Glen Kean, Adam Hughes, Barbara Canepa, are my absolute favourites but I also follow a number of young and talented web artists such as Fedini, Valeria Favoccia, Orpheeline, Phobs, Tracy Butler, Mirka Andolfo. Every time I see their art, it inspires me.” On gender equality in her line of work in Italy, Manca says, “In my field of work, many things have changed through the years. When I was a child, I remember only male artists designed comic books. But now, more number of women are getting featured in comic book’ credits. I am happy that sex doesn't matter anymore--the important thing is your aesthetic sense, imagination, sensibility and versatility.” Towards the end of the interview, she says, “I want to share with the world my passion and my little knowledge. In belly dancers series when I choose a design, a style and a dress of each princess--I also add a description to explain where the dance styles came from. It's very important for me to let people know about this ancient and underestimated discipline.” How Disney Princesses would look as Belly Dancers: Belle has a shamadan to dance with. Using it is considered advanced, and is used in the zeffeh, or wedding procession. (WION) × Rapunzel according to Manca is fit for Khaliji: traditional folkloric dance from the Persian Gulf. The form uses hair as the main element used to dance. Women let their long hair “dance” moving it from side to side, back and forth, in circle etc. (WION) × For Pocahontas, Manca gives a tribal look to do the aboriginal dance. (WION) × Ariel has double veils, Raqs Sharqi style. The veils are an extension of the Little Mermaid's body, creating a beautiful ripple effect around her waist. (WION) × Esmerelda, the gypsy from the Hunchback of Notre Dame, is not one of the official princesses. Manca gives her a gypsy style dance, which she calls the "classic". (WION) × Baladi style goes perfectly with Jasmine, as according to Manca, it is the dance of beauty, strength, and art. (WION) × Elsa has "Isis wings" an instrument used in belly dance. Isis is the ancient Egyptian goddess, mother of Horus. It has nothing in common with the Islamic jihadist militant group. (WION) × A brave princess, Merida has a sword to dance. It was used by the Ghawazee dancers of Egypt (group of female travelling dancers of the Dom people) who would entertain the Napoleonic troops. (WION) × Aurora has fan veils, one of designer's favorite instruments. They express elegance but also pathos and the effect of the silk veils wrapping Aurora's figure is a perfect image. (WION) × Manca is passionate about drawing, dancing and sewing. In the future, she wants to assemble her drawings in an art book and sell--and also do web comics. (WION)

International Women's Day: In conversation with Sara Manca

An outspoken billionaire Saudi prince, Alwaleed bin Talal has called for an &quot;urgent&quot; end to his country&#39;s ban on women driving.

A long time advocate of women&#39;s rights in the kingdom, the Prince posted on his twitter account, &quot;Stop the debate: Time for women to drive.&quot;&nbsp;

Alwaleed, a member of the Saudi royal family, holds no political posts. In conjunction with his short tweet, Alwaleed&#39;s office issued a statement on Tuesday outlining his reasons for supporting an end to the ban.

&quot;Preventing a woman from driving a car is today an issue of rights similar to the one that forbade her from receiving an education or having an independent identity,&quot; Alwaleed said in the statement.

The kingdom has some of the world&#39;s tightest restrictions on women and is the only country where they are not allowed to drive.&nbsp;

&quot;They are all unjust acts by a traditional society, far more restrictive than what is lawfully allowed by the precepts of religion.&quot;

He also detailed the &quot;economic costs&quot; caused by women having to rely on &quot;foreign&quot; private drivers or taxis. Even if their husbands can take time out to transport them, that requires temporarily leaving the office and &quot;undermines the productivity of the workforce,&quot; he said.

In April, the kingdom announced its Vision 2030 plan to diversify its oil-dependent economy and employ more Saudis, including women.

But on the issue of women driving, the deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said social change cannot be forces adding, &quot;it is up to the Sausi society, so far they have not persuaded.&quot;

(WION with inputs from AFP)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Alwaleed said preventing a woman from driving is an unjust act by a traditional society, far more restrictive than what is lawfully allowed

An outspoken billionaire Saudi prince, Alwaleed bin Talal has called for an "urgent" end to his country's ban on women driving. A long time advocate of women's rights in the kingdom, the Prince posted on his twitter account, "Stop the debate: Time for women to drive." Alwaleed, a member of the Saudi royal family, holds no political posts. In conjunction with his short tweet, Alwaleed's office issued a statement on Tuesday outlining his reasons for supporting an end to the ban. "Preventing a woman from driving a car is today an issue of rights similar to the one that forbade her from receiving an education or having an independent identity," Alwaleed said in the statement. The kingdom has some of the world's tightest restrictions on women and is the only country where they are not allowed to drive. "They are all unjust acts by a traditional society, far more restrictive than what is lawfully allowed by the precepts of religion." He also detailed the "economic costs" caused by women having to rely on "foreign" private drivers or taxis. Even if their husbands can take time out to transport them, that requires temporarily leaving the office and "undermines the productivity of the workforce," he said. In April, the kingdom announced its Vision 2030 plan to diversify its oil-dependent economy and employ more Saudis, including women. But on the issue of women driving, the deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said social change cannot be forces adding, "it is up to the Sausi society, so far they have not persuaded." (WION with inputs from AFP)

Let women drive, urges Saudi prince

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