Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken the country out of an international treaty that was designed to protect women. The move has come in spite of the calls from campaigners against it. The treaty is seen as a key to combating rising cases of domestic violence in the country.

The Council of Europe accord, forged in Istanbul, pledged to prevent, prosecute and eliminate domestic violence and promote equality. Turkey, which signed the accord in 2011, saw a rise in femicides last year.

No reason has been provided for the withdrawal.

Conservatives in Turkey have been claiming that the pact undermines family structure, encouraging violence. They are also hostile to the principle of gender equality in the Istanbul Convention and see it as promoting homosexuality, given its principle of non-discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.

Turkey is not the first country to move towards ditching the accord. Poland's highest court scrutinized the pact after a cabinet member said Warsaw should quit the treaty which the nationalist government considers too liberal.

Turkey does not keep official statistics on femicide. World Health Organization data has shown 38% of women in Turkey are subject to violence from a partner in their lifetime, compared to about 25% in Europe.

(With Reuters inputs)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken the country out of an international treaty that was designed to protect women. The move has come in spite of the calls from campaigners against it.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken the country out of an international treaty that was designed to protect women. The move has come in spite of the calls from campaigners against it. The treaty is seen as a key to combating rising cases of domestic violence in the country. The Council of Europe accord, forged in Istanbul, pledged to prevent, prosecute and eliminate domestic violence and promote equality. Turkey, which signed the accord in 2011, saw a rise in femicides last year. No reason has been provided for the withdrawal. Conservatives in Turkey have been claiming that the pact undermines family structure, encouraging violence. They are also hostile to the principle of gender equality in the Istanbul Convention and see it as promoting homosexuality, given its principle of non-discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. Turkey is not the first country to move towards ditching the accord. Poland's highest court scrutinized the pact after a cabinet member said Warsaw should quit the treaty which the nationalist government considers too liberal. Turkey does not keep official statistics on femicide. World Health Organization data has shown 38% of women in Turkey are subject to violence from a partner in their lifetime, compared to about 25% in Europe. (With Reuters inputs)

Erdogan takes Turkey out of treaty designed to protect women

US Vice President Kamala Harris made her debut at the United Nations on Tuesday, telling a meeting on gender equality that democracy fundamentally depends on the empowerment of women and that democracy globally is increasingly 'under great strain'.&nbsp;

The United States would work to improve both, Harris said in a video statement to the 65th Commission on the Status of Women.&nbsp;

"Democracy requires constant vigilance, constant improvement. It is a work in progress. And today, we know that democracy is increasingly under great strain," said the first female vice president of the United States.&nbsp;

"The status of democracy also depends fundamentally on the empowerment of women. Not only because the exclusion of women in decision-making is a marker of a flawed democracy, but because the participation of women strengthens democracy," she said.&nbsp;

Harris said that President Joe Biden's administration would&nbsp;revitalise&nbsp;Washington's partnership with UN Women - a UN body dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.&nbsp;

Under former US President Donald Trump's administration, the United States led a push at the United Nations against the promotion of women's sexual and reproductive rights and health because it sees that as code for abortion. It opposed such language in UN resolutions.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

US Vice President Kamala Harris made her debut at the United Nations on Tuesday, telling a meeting on gender equality that democracy fundamentally depends on the empowerment of women and that democracy globally is increasingly 'under great strain'.

US Vice President Kamala Harris made her debut at the United Nations on Tuesday, telling a meeting on gender equality that democracy fundamentally depends on the empowerment of women and that democracy globally is increasingly 'under great strain'. The United States would work to improve both, Harris said in a video statement to the 65th Commission on the Status of Women. "Democracy requires constant vigilance, constant improvement. It is a work in progress. And today, we know that democracy is increasingly under great strain," said the first female vice president of the United States. "The status of democracy also depends fundamentally on the empowerment of women. Not only because the exclusion of women in decision-making is a marker of a flawed democracy, but because the participation of women strengthens democracy," she said. Harris said that President Joe Biden's administration would revitalise Washington's partnership with UN Women - a UN body dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. Under former US President Donald Trump's administration, the United States led a push at the United Nations against the promotion of women's sexual and reproductive rights and health because it sees that as code for abortion. It opposed such language in UN resolutions. (With inputs from agencies)

Kamala Harris makes UN debut, pledges to fight for women, democracy 

Findings at a Bronze Age burial site in Spain have revealed that women were among rulers in an urban culture that at its zenith spanned 35,000 sq km and built complex urban centres between 2200 and 1559 BC. The archaeological finding has found women buried at places that were used to bury elite warriors. This suggests that these burial grounds were for those accorded high status.

Moreover, these graves were found beneath a palace. This further consolidates the inference of respect accorded to the women buried there.

Scientists are carrying out research at the site at La Almoloya in Spain since 2013. The findings have been published online by Cambridge University Press.

These ruins were once home to El Argar, a society that was among the first to use Bronze. El Argar built complex urban centres at time when other people in Spain were living in bands of 50 to 100.

The published study mentions that the researchers found a man and a woman buried in a ceramic jar. 29 valuable objects were found to have been buried and nearly all of them belonged to the woman.

Among the valuables was a rare type of crown, known as a diadem. It was made of Siver. This diadem has been considered to be reflective of honour the society gave the women.

<img alt="Didem" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2e85067b-a833-440c-b506-1a28b2e82a32" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pjimage%20%287%29_0.jpg" />

(The Diadem, Image source: Cambridge University Press)

Similar crowns were found at other female burial sites. These sites were later used to bury elite warriors. This indicates that the women were earlier buried at places that had high honour associated with them.

The inference that El Argar women were among the rulers was reinforced as scientists found that these graves were beneath a Bronze Age palace.

Scientists think that El Argar men were warriors while the power with the women stemmed from politics.

Findings at a Bronze Age burial site in Spain have revealed that women were among rulers in an urban culture that at its zenith spanned 35,000 sq km and built complex urban centres between 2200 and 1559 BC.

Findings at a Bronze Age burial site in Spain have revealed that women were among rulers in an urban culture that at its zenith spanned 35,000 sq km and built complex urban centres between 2200 and 1559 BC. The archaeological finding has found women buried at places that were used to bury elite warriors. This suggests that these burial grounds were for those accorded high status. Moreover, these graves were found beneath a palace. This further consolidates the inference of respect accorded to the women buried there. Scientists are carrying out research at the site at La Almoloya in Spain since 2013. The findings have been published online by Cambridge University Press. These ruins were once home to El Argar, a society that was among the first to use Bronze. El Argar built complex urban centres at time when other people in Spain were living in bands of 50 to 100. The published study mentions that the researchers found a man and a woman buried in a ceramic jar. 29 valuable objects were found to have been buried and nearly all of them belonged to the woman. Among the valuables was a rare type of crown, known as a diadem. It was made of Siver. This diadem has been considered to be reflective of honour the society gave the women. (The Diadem, Image source: Cambridge University Press) Similar crowns were found at other female burial sites. These sites were later used to bury elite warriors. This indicates that the women were earlier buried at places that had high honour associated with them. The inference that El Argar women were among the rulers was reinforced as scientists found that these graves were beneath a Bronze Age palace. Scientists think that El Argar men were warriors while the power with the women stemmed from politics.

Spain: Bronze Age burial site suggests women were among the rulers

March 8 is celebrated as International Women's Day all across the globe. It marks the success and highlights the challenges faced by women.

Thousands of&nbsp;women&nbsp;from Tokyo to Manila&nbsp;marched on Monday in defiance of power-grabbing generals and patriarchal governments, as rallies across the world&nbsp;kicked off a global&nbsp;day&nbsp;of action for International&nbsp;Women's&nbsp;Day.

The protests highlighted several issues ranging from the gender pay gap to sexual harassment.

Also see|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/this-is-how-womens-day-was-celebrated-world-over-368963" hreflang="en">This is how Women's Day was celebrated world over</a>

How far have we come?

The sati system, wherein a widow would throw herself on her husband's pyre and burn to death prevailed in India during the early 19th century. However, it is banned now.

Unfortunately, widows are still ostracised in several parts of the country.&nbsp;

There was a time when&nbsp;child marriage was rampant. However, today it is outlawed.

But according to a&nbsp;report,&nbsp;27 per cent&nbsp;of girls in India are married before their 18th birthday.&nbsp;Out of this,&nbsp;7 per cent&nbsp;are married before the age of 15.

Today, in theory, women are at par with men, at&nbsp;least in most countries.

How much of it translates into practice?

About a hundred people joined a march for International Women's Day in central&nbsp;Tokyo&nbsp;on Monday to call for gender equality in Japan.

Holding banners and chanting slogans such as "stop sexual harassment", protesters started the march from Shibuya, one of&nbsp;Tokyo's busiest shopping districts, and walked through the streets.

Hundreds of mostly female workers gathered outside government buildings in Sydney to condemn violence against women and call for greater gender equality in workplaces, amid growing scrutiny over the treatment of women in&nbsp;Australian politics.

A variety of workers - from nurses and teachers to hairdressers and transport workers - took part in the gathering. It comes as the government launched a A$19 million ($14.57 million) campaign urging people to speak up when they witness disrespect against women.

Hundreds of female&nbsp;demonstrators rallied in the Philippine capital on Monday to mark International Women's Day and took aim at the country's president Rodrigo Duterte for alleged rights abuses against women.

The protesters, most members of&nbsp;women's&nbsp;group Gabriela, marched through the streets of the capital near the presidential palace, and held a rally to criticise the government's efforts during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the deadly crackdown.

Several hundred Muslim Uighur&nbsp;women&nbsp;in Turkey staged an International&nbsp;Women's&nbsp;Day&nbsp;march along the Bosphorus on Monday, demanding the closure of mass incarceration camps in China's Xinjiang region.

The protesters chanted "stop the genocide" and "close the camps" as they marched within a few hundred metres of China's walled-off consulate in Istanbul.

Hundreds gathered in the centre of&nbsp;Paris&nbsp;on Monday as they called for a day of "feminist strikes" and rallies, to denounce the injustices suffered by women.&nbsp;Several organisations and unions are calling for a strike to denounce pay inequality as women earn only 77 per cent of men's income.

According to Anna Azaria, the president of Women Equality Organisation,&nbsp;"Feminist jobs are poorly paid, and not valued. The pandemic shed light to their importance. So really, we're here to shout loud and clear that these jobs need to be re-evaluated and salaries need to be increased."

Hundreds of feminist protesters on Monday defied the government's ban of marches to celebrate International Women's Day and gathered in small groups across&nbsp;Madrid.

Last year's marches, which were attended by tens of thousands and promoted heavily by the left-wing coalition government, stirred a bitter row over whether they were super-spreader events for the coronavirus.

On March 4, the central government's chief representative in&nbsp;Madrid, Jose Manuel Franco, said proposed marches on March 7-8, would have brought at least 60,000 people to the capital's streets.

The decision sparked anger among feminists, and some gathering at Sol square slammed the government for not authorising the marches.

Women around the world are desperate to&nbsp;get the rights they are entitled to.&nbsp;They have been fighting for too long for the most basic of rights such as equality, safety and the right to work.

As per Article 14 of the Indian constitution, ''the state shall not deny to any person equality before the law.''

Last year, the government of India told the country's apex court,&nbsp;male troops won't accept women commanders.

In Nepal, women still die in menstrual huts because of cold and hunger and lack of proper healthcare.&nbsp;As a result of this, there is a rise in the number of cervical cancer cases.

In Afghanistan, women journalists are still attacked. While in&nbsp;Bangladesh, women sex workers are denied a proper funeral.

In El Salvador, women are jailed for miscarriage, while in&nbsp;Argentina, women are killed-- because they are women.

So while we celebrate the road we've travelled so far, we should&nbsp;not lose focus on the road ahead.

March 8 is celebrated as International Women's Day all across the globe. It marks the success and highlights the challenges faced by women. Thousands of women from Tokyo to Manila marched on Monday in defiance of power-grabbing generals and patriarchal governments, as rallies across the world kicked off a global day of action for International Women's Day.

March 8 is celebrated as International Women's Day all across the globe. It marks the success and highlights the challenges faced by women. Thousands of women from Tokyo to Manila marched on Monday in defiance of power-grabbing generals and patriarchal governments, as rallies across the world kicked off a global day of action for International Women's Day. The protests highlighted several issues ranging from the gender pay gap to sexual harassment. Also see| This is how Women's Day was celebrated world over How far have we come? The sati system, wherein a widow would throw herself on her husband's pyre and burn to death prevailed in India during the early 19th century. However, it is banned now. Unfortunately, widows are still ostracised in several parts of the country. There was a time when child marriage was rampant. However, today it is outlawed. But according to a report, 27 per cent of girls in India are married before their 18th birthday. Out of this, 7 per cent are married before the age of 15. Today, in theory, women are at par with men, at least in most countries. How much of it translates into practice? About a hundred people joined a march for International Women's Day in central Tokyo on Monday to call for gender equality in Japan. Holding banners and chanting slogans such as "stop sexual harassment", protesters started the march from Shibuya, one of Tokyo's busiest shopping districts, and walked through the streets. Hundreds of mostly female workers gathered outside government buildings in Sydney to condemn violence against women and call for greater gender equality in workplaces, amid growing scrutiny over the treatment of women in Australian politics. A variety of workers - from nurses and teachers to hairdressers and transport workers - took part in the gathering. It comes as the government launched a A$19 million ($14.57 million) campaign urging people to speak up when they witness disrespect against women. Hundreds of female demonstrators rallied in the Philippine capital on Monday to mark International Women's Day and took aim at the country's president Rodrigo Duterte for alleged rights abuses against women. The protesters, most members of women's group Gabriela, marched through the streets of the capital near the presidential palace, and held a rally to criticise the government's efforts during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the deadly crackdown. Several hundred Muslim Uighur women in Turkey staged an International Women's Day march along the Bosphorus on Monday, demanding the closure of mass incarceration camps in China's Xinjiang region. The protesters chanted "stop the genocide" and "close the camps" as they marched within a few hundred metres of China's walled-off consulate in Istanbul. Hundreds gathered in the centre of Paris on Monday as they called for a day of "feminist strikes" and rallies, to denounce the injustices suffered by women. Several organisations and unions are calling for a strike to denounce pay inequality as women earn only 77 per cent of men's income. According to Anna Azaria, the president of Women Equality Organisation, "Feminist jobs are poorly paid, and not valued. The pandemic shed light to their importance. So really, we're here to shout loud and clear that these jobs need to be re-evaluated and salaries need to be increased." Hundreds of feminist protesters on Monday defied the government's ban of marches to celebrate International Women's Day and gathered in small groups across Madrid. Last year's marches, which were attended by tens of thousands and promoted heavily by the left-wing coalition government, stirred a bitter row over whether they were super-spreader events for the coronavirus. On March 4, the central government's chief representative in Madrid, Jose Manuel Franco, said proposed marches on March 7-8, would have brought at least 60,000 people to the capital's streets. The decision sparked anger among feminists, and some gathering at Sol square slammed the government for not authorising the marches. Women around the world are desperate to get the rights they are entitled to. They have been fighting for too long for the most basic of rights such as equality, safety and the right to work. As per Article 14 of the Indian constitution, ''the state shall not deny to any person equality before the law.'' Last year, the government of India told the country's apex court, male troops won't accept women commanders. In Nepal, women still die in menstrual huts because of cold and hunger and lack of proper healthcare. As a result of this, there is a rise in the number of cervical cancer cases. In Afghanistan, women journalists are still attacked. While in Bangladesh, women sex workers are denied a proper funeral. In El Salvador, women are jailed for miscarriage, while in Argentina, women are killed-- because they are women. So while we celebrate the road we've travelled so far, we should not lose focus on the road ahead.

International Women's Day: When will they be treated as equals

On the morning that Shelly Kendeffy received her second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, she felt fine. By afternoon, she noticed a sore arm and body aches, and by evening, it felt like the flu.

“My teeth were chattering, but I was sweating — like soaked, but frozen,” said Kendeffy, 44, a medical technician in State College, Pennsylvania.

The next day, she went to work and surveyed her colleagues — eight men and seven women — about their vaccine experiences. Six of the women had body aches, chills and fatigue. The one woman who didn’t have flu symptoms was up much of the night vomiting.

The eight men gave drastically different reports. One had mild arm pain, a headache and body aches. Two described mild fatigue and a bit of achiness. One got a headache. And four had no symptoms at all.

“I work with some very tough women,” Kendeffy said. But “clearly, us women suffered a severity of the side effects.” She felt better after 24 hours and is thrilled she got the vaccine. “I wouldn’t change a thing, because it sure beats the alternative,” she said. “But I also didn’t know what to expect.”

The differences Kendeffy observed among her co-workers are playing out across the country. In a study published last month, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed safety data from the first 13.7 million COVID-19 vaccine doses given to Americans. Among the side effects reported to the agency, 79.1% came from women, even though only 61.2% of the vaccines had been administered to women.

Nearly all of the rare anaphylactic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines have occurred among women, too. CDC researchers reported that all 19 of the individuals who had experienced such a reaction to the Moderna vaccine have been female and that women made up 44 of the 47 who have had anaphylactic reactions to the Pfizer vaccine.

“I am not at all surprised,” said Sabra Klein, a microbiologist and immunologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “This sex difference is completely consistent with past reports of other vaccines.”

In a 2013 study, scientists with the CDC and other institutions found that four times as many women as men between ages 20 and 59 reported allergic reactions after receiving the 2009 pandemic flu vaccine, even though more men than women got those shots. Another study found that between 1990 and 2016, women accounted for 80% of all adult anaphylactic reactions to vaccines.

In general, women “have more reactions to a variety of vaccines,” said Julianne Gee, a medical officer in the CDC’s Immunization Safety Office. That includes influenza vaccines given to adults, as well as some given in infancy, such as the hepatitis B and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines.

The news isn’t all bad for women, though. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived. And these physical reactions are a sign that a vaccine is working — that “you are mounting a very robust immune response, and you will likely be protected as a result,” Klein said.

But why do these sex differences happen? Part of the answer could be behavioural. It’s possible that women are more likely than men to report side effects even when their symptoms are the same, said Rosemary Morgan, an international health researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. There’s no vaccine-specific research to support this claim, but men are less likely than women to see doctors when they are sick, so they may also be less likely to report side effects, she said.

Still, there’s no question that biology plays an important role. “The female immune response is distinct, in many ways, from the male immune response,” said Eleanor Fish, an immunologist at the University of Toronto.

Research has shown that, compared with their male counterparts, women and girls produce more — sometimes twice as many — infection-fighting antibodies in response to the vaccines for influenza, MMR, yellow fever, rabies, and hepatitis A and B. They often mount stronger responses from immune fighters called T cells, too, Gee noted. These differences are often most robust among younger adults, which “suggests a biological effect, possibly associated with reproductive hormones,” she said.

Sex hormones including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone can bind to the surface of immune cells and influence how they work. Exposure to estrogen causes immune cells to produce more antibodies in response to the flu vaccine, for example.

And testosterone, Klein said, “is kind of beautifully immunosuppressive.” The flu vaccine tends to be less protective in men with lots of testosterone compared with men with less of the sex hormone. Among other things, testosterone suppresses the body’s production of immune chemicals known as cytokines.

Genetic differences between men and women may also influence immunity. Many immune-related genes are on the X chromosome, of which women have two copies and men have only one. Historically, immunologists believed that only one X chromosome in women was turned on, and that the other was inactivated. But research now shows that 15% of genes escape this inactivation and are more highly expressed in women.

These robust immune responses help to explain why 80% of autoimmune diseases afflict women. “Women have greater immunity, whether it’s to ourselves, whether it’s to a vaccine antigen, whether it’s to a virus,” Klein said.

The size of a vaccine dose may also be important. Studies have shown that women absorb and metabolize drugs differently than men do, often needing lower doses for the same effect. But until the 1990s, drug and vaccine clinical trials largely excluded women. “The drug dosages that are recommended are historically based on clinical trials that involve male participants,” Morgan said.

Clinical trials today do include women. But in the trials for the new COVID vaccines, side effects were not sufficiently separated and analyzed by sex, Klein said. And they did not test whether lower doses might be just as effective for women but cause fewer side effects.

Until they do, Klein said, health care providers should talk to women about vaccine side effects so they are not scared by them. “I think that there is value to preparing women that they may experience more adverse reactions,” she said. “That is normal, and likely reflective of their immune system working.”

On the morning that Shelly Kendeffy received her second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, she felt fine. By afternoon, she noticed a sore arm and body aches, and by evening, it felt like the flu.

On the morning that Shelly Kendeffy received her second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, she felt fine. By afternoon, she noticed a sore arm and body aches, and by evening, it felt like the flu. “My teeth were chattering, but I was sweating — like soaked, but frozen,” said Kendeffy, 44, a medical technician in State College, Pennsylvania. The next day, she went to work and surveyed her colleagues — eight men and seven women — about their vaccine experiences. Six of the women had body aches, chills and fatigue. The one woman who didn’t have flu symptoms was up much of the night vomiting. The eight men gave drastically different reports. One had mild arm pain, a headache and body aches. Two described mild fatigue and a bit of achiness. One got a headache. And four had no symptoms at all. “I work with some very tough women,” Kendeffy said. But “clearly, us women suffered a severity of the side effects.” She felt better after 24 hours and is thrilled she got the vaccine. “I wouldn’t change a thing, because it sure beats the alternative,” she said. “But I also didn’t know what to expect.” The differences Kendeffy observed among her co-workers are playing out across the country. In a study published last month, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed safety data from the first 13.7 million COVID-19 vaccine doses given to Americans. Among the side effects reported to the agency, 79.1% came from women, even though only 61.2% of the vaccines had been administered to women. Nearly all of the rare anaphylactic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines have occurred among women, too. CDC researchers reported that all 19 of the individuals who had experienced such a reaction to the Moderna vaccine have been female and that women made up 44 of the 47 who have had anaphylactic reactions to the Pfizer vaccine. “I am not at all surprised,” said Sabra Klein, a microbiologist and immunologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “This sex difference is completely consistent with past reports of other vaccines.” In a 2013 study, scientists with the CDC and other institutions found that four times as many women as men between ages 20 and 59 reported allergic reactions after receiving the 2009 pandemic flu vaccine, even though more men than women got those shots. Another study found that between 1990 and 2016, women accounted for 80% of all adult anaphylactic reactions to vaccines. In general, women “have more reactions to a variety of vaccines,” said Julianne Gee, a medical officer in the CDC’s Immunization Safety Office. That includes influenza vaccines given to adults, as well as some given in infancy, such as the hepatitis B and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines. The news isn’t all bad for women, though. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived. And these physical reactions are a sign that a vaccine is working — that “you are mounting a very robust immune response, and you will likely be protected as a result,” Klein said. But why do these sex differences happen? Part of the answer could be behavioural. It’s possible that women are more likely than men to report side effects even when their symptoms are the same, said Rosemary Morgan, an international health researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. There’s no vaccine-specific research to support this claim, but men are less likely than women to see doctors when they are sick, so they may also be less likely to report side effects, she said. Still, there’s no question that biology plays an important role. “The female immune response is distinct, in many ways, from the male immune response,” said Eleanor Fish, an immunologist at the University of Toronto. Research has shown that, compared with their male counterparts, women and girls produce more — sometimes twice as many — infection-fighting antibodies in response to the vaccines for influenza, MMR, yellow fever, rabies, and hepatitis A and B. They often mount stronger responses from immune fighters called T cells, too, Gee noted. These differences are often most robust among younger adults, which “suggests a biological effect, possibly associated with reproductive hormones,” she said. Sex hormones including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone can bind to the surface of immune cells and influence how they work. Exposure to estrogen causes immune cells to produce more antibodies in response to the flu vaccine, for example. And testosterone, Klein said, “is kind of beautifully immunosuppressive.” The flu vaccine tends to be less protective in men with lots of testosterone compared with men with less of the sex hormone. Among other things, testosterone suppresses the body’s production of immune chemicals known as cytokines. Genetic differences between men and women may also influence immunity. Many immune-related genes are on the X chromosome, of which women have two copies and men have only one. Historically, immunologists believed that only one X chromosome in women was turned on, and that the other was inactivated. But research now shows that 15% of genes escape this inactivation and are more highly expressed in women. These robust immune responses help to explain why 80% of autoimmune diseases afflict women. “Women have greater immunity, whether it’s to ourselves, whether it’s to a vaccine antigen, whether it’s to a virus,” Klein said. The size of a vaccine dose may also be important. Studies have shown that women absorb and metabolize drugs differently than men do, often needing lower doses for the same effect. But until the 1990s, drug and vaccine clinical trials largely excluded women. “The drug dosages that are recommended are historically based on clinical trials that involve male participants,” Morgan said. Clinical trials today do include women. But in the trials for the new COVID vaccines, side effects were not sufficiently separated and analyzed by sex, Klein said. And they did not test whether lower doses might be just as effective for women but cause fewer side effects. Until they do, Klein said, health care providers should talk to women about vaccine side effects so they are not scared by them. “I think that there is value to preparing women that they may experience more adverse reactions,” she said. “That is normal, and likely reflective of their immune system working.”

Women report worse side effects after a Covid vaccine

The biggest brands and advertisers regale us with stories of empowered women during International Women's Day but what about the women themselves? WION brings you the voices of women from around the world and different walks of life and all about what they want.

Women around the globe voice their hopes for 2021

World Bank Chief Economist Carmen Reinhart on Monday said that there are still almost 40 countries where women can be fired from their jobs simply for getting pregnant.

Reinhart said the economic fallout from covid-19 had been “very regressive,” hitting the most vulnerable hardest, including women and girls. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-child-brides-10-million-more-girls-can-be-pushed-into-child-marriage-warns-unicef-report-368823">Covid child brides: 10 million more girls can be pushed into child marriage, warns Unicef report</a> 
 
“We are seeing big setbacks on schooling, girls are taken out that will not return,” said Reinhart, speaking on International Women’s Day.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-firms-lag-on-sex-harassment-says-report-368806/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The pandemic has contributed to an increase in violence against women and is reinforcing gender inequality in many countries, with women on average having roughly three-quarters of the legal rights of men, according to the World Bank.

Meanwhile, According to a new analysis released by Unicef, &nbsp;the outsized impact Covid-19 has had on women in some countries could result in an additional 10 million child marriages in this decade.

"School closures, economic stress, service disruptions, pregnancy and parental deaths due to the pandemic are putting the most vulnerable girls at increased risk of child marriage," said a study titled "Covid-19: A threat to progress against child marriage."

That trend, if confirmed, would represent a serious retreat from recent years of progress against child marriage.

In the last 10 years, according to the study, the proportion of young women globally who were married as children had declined by 15 per cent, from nearly one in four to one in five.

(With inputs from agencies)

World Bank Chief Economist Carmen Reinhart on Monday said that there are still almost 40 countries where women can be fired from their jobs simply for getting pregnant.

World Bank Chief Economist Carmen Reinhart on Monday said that there are still almost 40 countries where women can be fired from their jobs simply for getting pregnant. Reinhart said the economic fallout from covid-19 had been “very regressive,” hitting the most vulnerable hardest, including women and girls. Covid child brides: 10 million more girls can be pushed into child marriage, warns Unicef report “We are seeing big setbacks on schooling, girls are taken out that will not return,” said Reinhart, speaking on International Women’s Day. The pandemic has contributed to an increase in violence against women and is reinforcing gender inequality in many countries, with women on average having roughly three-quarters of the legal rights of men, according to the World Bank. Meanwhile, According to a new analysis released by Unicef, the outsized impact Covid-19 has had on women in some countries could result in an additional 10 million child marriages in this decade. "School closures, economic stress, service disruptions, pregnancy and parental deaths due to the pandemic are putting the most vulnerable girls at increased risk of child marriage," said a study titled "Covid-19: A threat to progress against child marriage." That trend, if confirmed, would represent a serious retreat from recent years of progress against child marriage. In the last 10 years, according to the study, the proportion of young women globally who were married as children had declined by 15 per cent, from nearly one in four to one in five. (With inputs from agencies)

Women can be fired for pregnancy in 40 nations, says World Bank Chief Economist

An NGO in Karachi is helping women living in poverty to earn living by making bricks for heritage projects. The women were previously beggars and have no other source of income. WION tells you more.

Pak NGO hires women to build bricks to heritage projects

PODUJEVA, Kosovo — Saranda Bogujevci gazed without flinching at a cluster of bullet holes left in the garden wall by a massacre two decades ago that wiped out most of her family and put 16 rounds into her own body.

She said her mind had erased visual memories of the slaughter by the Scorpions, a Serb paramilitary unit. But, she said, “I can still smell the earth mixed with the smell of blood.”

Bogujevci’s against-the-odds survival — she was left for dead in a heap of bodies in her neighbor’s garden — and her subsequent determination to testify against the men who murdered her mother, grandmother, two brothers and four other relatives have made her a symbol of uncommon fortitude in Kosovo, a land still scarred by the traumas of war in the 1990s.

But Bogujevci, 35, is far more than a symbol. She is part of an unlikely wave of women being elected to parliament in Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008 and remains one of the poorest countries in Europe. When final results of a Feb. 14 election were finally announced Thursday in Pristina, the capital, they showed that women had won more seats in parliament than ever before — nearly 40% of the total.

That surge reflects growing discontent with the endemic corruption and bullying ways of a postwar order dominated by swaggering male veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army, the now disbanded guerrilla force that battled Serbia and paved the way for Kosovo’s declaration of independence.

These elected women have convinced voters that they can stand up to Serbia, which has refused to recognize Kosovo as an independent state, and also confront the corruption, criminality and poor governance that dashed the high hopes that attended the end of Serbian rule.

Nazlie Bala, a women’s activist who was a KLA helper during the war, said Bogujevci’s strength and resolve had made her an emblem of Kosovo’s ordeals and hopes: “She is a survivor. She is strong as stone. She is our truth.”

As Bogujevci takes her place in the new legislature, which will select Kosovo’s president, she wants to see that job, the country’s highest office, go to another woman and fellow wartime survivor, Vjosa Osmani, 38.

Osmani — who has been acting president since November, when the male incumbent was arrested on war crimes charges — is expected to be selected outright in the coming days. Osmani, who ran for election on the same ticket as Bogujevci, won more votes than any other candidate — and also more votes than anyone else since Kosovo started holding elections two decades ago.

Her appeal is particularly strong among young people and women, more than 60% of whom, according to exit polls, voted for a slate of candidates that she led along with Albin Kurti, a longtime champion of progressive causes.

When Osmani fled as a young girl with her parents from their home in northern Kosovo in 1999 to escape pogroms of ethnic Albanians, they were stopped on the road by Serbian soldiers who threatened to kill her father. She had a gun barrel thrust into her mouth when she protested.

Such traumas, she said, “touched every family in Kosovo” and help explain public anger and frustration over the country’s stumbling postwar progress.

Her performance in the election, Osmani said in an interview, shows that “Kosovo is not only ready for a female president, but voted for one,” despite entrenched misogyny and a “patriarchal mentality built up over centuries.”

Osmani was thrust into a leadership role in November when Kosovo’s president, veteran guerrilla commander Hashim Thaci, resigned and was then detained to face war crimes charges at a tribunal in the Netherlands. She took over as acting president because of her position as speaker of parliament.

As speaker, Osmani was regularly insulted and threatened by male rivals. When she disconnected the microphone of an unruly legislator last year, he stormed up to her, screaming curses. A video of the incident circulated online, convincing even skeptics that Osmani, an expert in international law and former professor at the University of Pittsburgh, could hold her own and bring real change.

“This made me realize that we had a chance, that she is not just bargaining for power and will stand up for herself and all of us,” said Elife Krasniqi, a Kosovar anthropologist who researches Balkan women’s movements at the University of Graz in Austria.

A rival would-be president, Ramush Haradinaj, a wartime KLA commander and former nightclub bouncer, said during the campaign that Serbia would cheer if Osmani were selected because it feared a strong male leader like himself, preferring a “weak woman.”

An ally of Haradinaj’s derided Osmani as a “fat woman.” After a public uproar, he said that he had been misunderstood and that he had meant she was “fat in the brain.”

Such appeals to machismo did not help in the election: Haradinaj’s party won only 7% of the vote.

The challenges facing the new female lawmakers are immense. Corruption is rampant, inequality huge and development scarce. Nearly a third of the population is unemployed, with a jobless rate at over 50% for young people and 80% for women, by some counts. Bala, the activist, said that while 60% of university graduates each year are women, 70% of job offers go to men.

Many of the female candidates explicitly targeted those issues in their campaigning.

Doarsa Kica, a 30-year-old lawyer, gave up her job to run on an anti-corruption platform, citing encounters in court with corrupt judges and anger at politicians “who live in million-dollar houses when they only have a $1,000 monthly salary.” Kica joined the ticket of Osmani, her former professor at Pristina University, and won a seat.

The emergence of women in Kosovo politics has been a long, painful process.

Kosovo has had one female president, but that was the result of a backroom deal engineered by the United States, which led a NATO bombing campaign that broke Serbia’s grip on the territory in 1999 and has since played a major role in its affairs.

The United Nations, which administered Kosovo for nearly a decade after the war, also imposed a quota system in 2000 that guaranteed women 30% of the seats in parliament.

But with voters now accustomed to women in parliament and disenchanted with many male politicians, female candidates are winning representation outright. Bogujevci, for instance, first entered parliament in 2017 under the quota system but, after doubling her vote count on Feb. 14, won on her own.

Igballe Rogova, a women’s rights activist, said voters were now looking at female candidates “not as quota women, but as politicians who make promises and keep them and deserve votes.”

Kurti, who leads a center-left party that joined forces with Osmani, has a strong record of promoting women. Briefly prime minister last year, he put women in charge of one-third of Kosovo’s ministries. Previous governments appointed just one or none.

The joint election ticket he headed with Osmani pledged that all state agencies and enterprises would be ordered to enforce hiring equality. Governments dominated by former KLA commanders had for years resisted giving women who had fought in the war the status and pensions accorded to male fighters.

Bala, the activist, who carried a gun in the war, said that many women had taken part in the armed struggle against Serbian forces but were later written out of the script. “A myth was created that only men are strong and can fight,” she said.

(BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.)

Another fraught issue has been whether rape survivors, of which there were thousands during the war, should be recognized as war victims entitled to a monthly government stipend.

Legislation allowing rape survivors to apply for compensation was passed in 2014 after intense lobbying by Osmani. That was despite demands from some male legislators that women who had been raped in the 1990s get a medical certificate from a doctor — more than 20 years later — to prove that they were not lying.

Such demands, Osmani said, were “ridiculous and very insulting toward women.”

Bogujevci’s road to parliament was also a long one. “I always said I would never enter politics,” she said in an interview in her family’s hometown, Podujeva.

She was flown to Britain for medical treatment soon after the fighting ended, and spent nearly 15 years building a new life in Manchester in the north of England, but started making increasingly frequent trips back to her home region.

She testified against her family’s killers before a court in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and exhibited an art display she had created chronicling her family’s story. She has now moved back to Kosovo, where strangers stop her on the street to voice admiration and support.

Like most Kosovo towns, Podujeva has a hulking war monument in its center featuring statues of burly men with guns. When Bogujevci visited before the election, however, she immediately became the center of attention, thronged by well-wishers.

Bokim Gashe, standing in the snow outside his wife’s tailoring business, said he would “of course” vote for her.

“She is stronger than all the men around here,” he said.

PODUJEVA, Kosovo — Saranda Bogujevci gazed without flinching at a cluster of bullet holes left in the garden wall by a massacre two decades ago that wiped out most of her family and put 16 rounds into her own body.

PODUJEVA, Kosovo — Saranda Bogujevci gazed without flinching at a cluster of bullet holes left in the garden wall by a massacre two decades ago that wiped out most of her family and put 16 rounds into her own body. She said her mind had erased visual memories of the slaughter by the Scorpions, a Serb paramilitary unit. But, she said, “I can still smell the earth mixed with the smell of blood.” Bogujevci’s against-the-odds survival — she was left for dead in a heap of bodies in her neighbor’s garden — and her subsequent determination to testify against the men who murdered her mother, grandmother, two brothers and four other relatives have made her a symbol of uncommon fortitude in Kosovo, a land still scarred by the traumas of war in the 1990s. But Bogujevci, 35, is far more than a symbol. She is part of an unlikely wave of women being elected to parliament in Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008 and remains one of the poorest countries in Europe. When final results of a Feb. 14 election were finally announced Thursday in Pristina, the capital, they showed that women had won more seats in parliament than ever before — nearly 40% of the total. That surge reflects growing discontent with the endemic corruption and bullying ways of a postwar order dominated by swaggering male veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army, the now disbanded guerrilla force that battled Serbia and paved the way for Kosovo’s declaration of independence. These elected women have convinced voters that they can stand up to Serbia, which has refused to recognize Kosovo as an independent state, and also confront the corruption, criminality and poor governance that dashed the high hopes that attended the end of Serbian rule. Nazlie Bala, a women’s activist who was a KLA helper during the war, said Bogujevci’s strength and resolve had made her an emblem of Kosovo’s ordeals and hopes: “She is a survivor. She is strong as stone. She is our truth.” As Bogujevci takes her place in the new legislature, which will select Kosovo’s president, she wants to see that job, the country’s highest office, go to another woman and fellow wartime survivor, Vjosa Osmani, 38. Osmani — who has been acting president since November, when the male incumbent was arrested on war crimes charges — is expected to be selected outright in the coming days. Osmani, who ran for election on the same ticket as Bogujevci, won more votes than any other candidate — and also more votes than anyone else since Kosovo started holding elections two decades ago. Her appeal is particularly strong among young people and women, more than 60% of whom, according to exit polls, voted for a slate of candidates that she led along with Albin Kurti, a longtime champion of progressive causes. When Osmani fled as a young girl with her parents from their home in northern Kosovo in 1999 to escape pogroms of ethnic Albanians, they were stopped on the road by Serbian soldiers who threatened to kill her father. She had a gun barrel thrust into her mouth when she protested. Such traumas, she said, “touched every family in Kosovo” and help explain public anger and frustration over the country’s stumbling postwar progress. Her performance in the election, Osmani said in an interview, shows that “Kosovo is not only ready for a female president, but voted for one,” despite entrenched misogyny and a “patriarchal mentality built up over centuries.” Osmani was thrust into a leadership role in November when Kosovo’s president, veteran guerrilla commander Hashim Thaci, resigned and was then detained to face war crimes charges at a tribunal in the Netherlands. She took over as acting president because of her position as speaker of parliament. As speaker, Osmani was regularly insulted and threatened by male rivals. When she disconnected the microphone of an unruly legislator last year, he stormed up to her, screaming curses. A video of the incident circulated online, convincing even skeptics that Osmani, an expert in international law and former professor at the University of Pittsburgh, could hold her own and bring real change. “This made me realize that we had a chance, that she is not just bargaining for power and will stand up for herself and all of us,” said Elife Krasniqi, a Kosovar anthropologist who researches Balkan women’s movements at the University of Graz in Austria. A rival would-be president, Ramush Haradinaj, a wartime KLA commander and former nightclub bouncer, said during the campaign that Serbia would cheer if Osmani were selected because it feared a strong male leader like himself, preferring a “weak woman.” An ally of Haradinaj’s derided Osmani as a “fat woman.” After a public uproar, he said that he had been misunderstood and that he had meant she was “fat in the brain.” Such appeals to machismo did not help in the election: Haradinaj’s party won only 7% of the vote. The challenges facing the new female lawmakers are immense. Corruption is rampant, inequality huge and development scarce. Nearly a third of the population is unemployed, with a jobless rate at over 50% for young people and 80% for women, by some counts. Bala, the activist, said that while 60% of university graduates each year are women, 70% of job offers go to men. Many of the female candidates explicitly targeted those issues in their campaigning. Doarsa Kica, a 30-year-old lawyer, gave up her job to run on an anti-corruption platform, citing encounters in court with corrupt judges and anger at politicians “who live in million-dollar houses when they only have a $1,000 monthly salary.” Kica joined the ticket of Osmani, her former professor at Pristina University, and won a seat. The emergence of women in Kosovo politics has been a long, painful process. Kosovo has had one female president, but that was the result of a backroom deal engineered by the United States, which led a NATO bombing campaign that broke Serbia’s grip on the territory in 1999 and has since played a major role in its affairs. The United Nations, which administered Kosovo for nearly a decade after the war, also imposed a quota system in 2000 that guaranteed women 30% of the seats in parliament. But with voters now accustomed to women in parliament and disenchanted with many male politicians, female candidates are winning representation outright. Bogujevci, for instance, first entered parliament in 2017 under the quota system but, after doubling her vote count on Feb. 14, won on her own. Igballe Rogova, a women’s rights activist, said voters were now looking at female candidates “not as quota women, but as politicians who make promises and keep them and deserve votes.” Kurti, who leads a center-left party that joined forces with Osmani, has a strong record of promoting women. Briefly prime minister last year, he put women in charge of one-third of Kosovo’s ministries. Previous governments appointed just one or none. The joint election ticket he headed with Osmani pledged that all state agencies and enterprises would be ordered to enforce hiring equality. Governments dominated by former KLA commanders had for years resisted giving women who had fought in the war the status and pensions accorded to male fighters. Bala, the activist, who carried a gun in the war, said that many women had taken part in the armed struggle against Serbian forces but were later written out of the script. “A myth was created that only men are strong and can fight,” she said. (BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.) Another fraught issue has been whether rape survivors, of which there were thousands during the war, should be recognized as war victims entitled to a monthly government stipend. Legislation allowing rape survivors to apply for compensation was passed in 2014 after intense lobbying by Osmani. That was despite demands from some male legislators that women who had been raped in the 1990s get a medical certificate from a doctor — more than 20 years later — to prove that they were not lying. Such demands, Osmani said, were “ridiculous and very insulting toward women.” Bogujevci’s road to parliament was also a long one. “I always said I would never enter politics,” she said in an interview in her family’s hometown, Podujeva. She was flown to Britain for medical treatment soon after the fighting ended, and spent nearly 15 years building a new life in Manchester in the north of England, but started making increasingly frequent trips back to her home region. She testified against her family’s killers before a court in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and exhibited an art display she had created chronicling her family’s story. She has now moved back to Kosovo, where strangers stop her on the street to voice admiration and support. Like most Kosovo towns, Podujeva has a hulking war monument in its center featuring statues of burly men with guns. When Bogujevci visited before the election, however, she immediately became the center of attention, thronged by well-wishers. Bokim Gashe, standing in the snow outside his wife’s tailoring business, said he would “of course” vote for her. “She is stronger than all the men around here,” he said.

In a land dominated by ex-rebels, Kosovo women find power at the ballot box

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on Saturday that the pandemic risked rolling back progress made on gender equality, as women take on the lion's share of childcare in lockdown and are more likely to work in at-risk jobs.&nbsp;

"We have to make sure that the pandemic does not lead us to fall back into old gender patterns we thought we had overcome," Merkel said in a video message ahead of International Women's Day on March 8.&nbsp;

Women have been disproportionately affected by the health crisis, she said, while being underrepresented in decision-making positions.&nbsp;

"Once again it's more often women who have to master the balancing act between homeschooling, childcare and their own jobs," said the veteran leader.&nbsp;

Women also outnumber men in care professions at a time when those jobs are "particularly challenging".&nbsp;

"More than 75 per cent of those working in the health sector are women, from doctor's offices and hospitals, to labs and pharmacies," Merkel said -- yet women account for barely 30 per cent of management positions in those areas.&nbsp;

"It cannot be that women are to a large extent carrying our society yet at the same time are not equally involved in important political, economic and societal decisions," she added.&nbsp;

Merkel welcomed recent legislation requiring listed German companies to include more women on their executive boards.&nbsp;

But she said more should be done to support women, including through expanding childcare facilities and equal pay.&nbsp;

"Women must finally earn the same as men," she said.&nbsp;

Germany has one of the European Union's largest gender pay gaps, with women earning on average 19 per cent less than men in 2019 -- partly because many German women work part-time.&nbsp;

The gap narrows to six per cent when comparing men and women in the same jobs.&nbsp;

Merkel's warnings were echoed in the EU's annual report on gender equality released earlier this week.&nbsp;

The study found that the pandemic "has exacerbated existing inequalities between women and men in almost all areas of life".&nbsp;

On top of increased childcare burdens from school and nursery closures, it said women were also more likely to work in low-paid jobs in the services sector worst affected by the shutdowns, leaving them at higher risk of unemployment.&nbsp;

It could "take years, or even decades" to overcome the gender setbacks caused by the pandemic, it said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on Saturday that the pandemic risked rolling back progress made on gender equality, as women take on the lion's share of childcare in lockdown and are more likely to work in at-risk jobs.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on Saturday that the pandemic risked rolling back progress made on gender equality, as women take on the lion's share of childcare in lockdown and are more likely to work in at-risk jobs. "We have to make sure that the pandemic does not lead us to fall back into old gender patterns we thought we had overcome," Merkel said in a video message ahead of International Women's Day on March 8. Women have been disproportionately affected by the health crisis, she said, while being underrepresented in decision-making positions. "Once again it's more often women who have to master the balancing act between homeschooling, childcare and their own jobs," said the veteran leader. Women also outnumber men in care professions at a time when those jobs are "particularly challenging". "More than 75 per cent of those working in the health sector are women, from doctor's offices and hospitals, to labs and pharmacies," Merkel said -- yet women account for barely 30 per cent of management positions in those areas. "It cannot be that women are to a large extent carrying our society yet at the same time are not equally involved in important political, economic and societal decisions," she added. Merkel welcomed recent legislation requiring listed German companies to include more women on their executive boards. But she said more should be done to support women, including through expanding childcare facilities and equal pay. "Women must finally earn the same as men," she said. Germany has one of the European Union's largest gender pay gaps, with women earning on average 19 per cent less than men in 2019 -- partly because many German women work part-time. The gap narrows to six per cent when comparing men and women in the same jobs. Merkel's warnings were echoed in the EU's annual report on gender equality released earlier this week. The study found that the pandemic "has exacerbated existing inequalities between women and men in almost all areas of life". On top of increased childcare burdens from school and nursery closures, it said women were also more likely to work in low-paid jobs in the services sector worst affected by the shutdowns, leaving them at higher risk of unemployment. It could "take years, or even decades" to overcome the gender setbacks caused by the pandemic, it said. (With inputs from agencies)

Merkel warns coronavirus pandemic risks undoing gains for women  

China, under growing global pressure over its treatment of a Muslim minority in its far west, is mounting an unprecedented and aggressive campaign to push back, including explicit attacks on women, who have made claims of abuse.&nbsp;

As allegations of human rights violations in Xinjiang mount, with a growing number of Western lawmakers accusing China of genocide, Beijing is focussing on discrediting the female Uighur witnesses behind recent reports of abuse.&nbsp;

Chinese officials have named women, disclosed what they say is private medical data and information on the women's fertility, and accused some of having affairs and one of having a sexually transmitted disease. The officials said the information was evidence of bad character, invalidating the women's accounts of abuse in Xinjiang.&nbsp;

"To rebuke some media's disgusting acts, we have taken a series of measures," Xu Guixiang, the deputy head of Xinjiang's publicity department, told a December news conference that was part of China's pushback campaign. It includes hours-long briefings, with footage of Xinjiang residents and family members reading monologues.&nbsp;

A Reuters review of dozens of hours of presentations from recent months and hundreds of pages of literature, as well as interviews with experts, shows a meticulous and wide-reaching campaign that hints at China's fears that it is losing control of the Xinjiang narrative.&nbsp;

"One reason that the Communist Party is so concerned about these testimonies from women is because it undermines their initial premise for what they're doing there, which is anti-terrorism", said James Millward, a professor of Chinese history at Georgetown University and expert in Xinjiang policy.&nbsp;

"The fact that there are so many women in the camps ... who don't have the faintest appearance of being violent people, this just shows how this has nothing to do with terrorism."&nbsp;

China, under growing global pressure over its treatment of a Muslim minority in its far west, is mounting an unprecedented and aggressive campaign to push back, including explicit attacks on women, who have made claims of abuse.

China, under growing global pressure over its treatment of a Muslim minority in its far west, is mounting an unprecedented and aggressive campaign to push back, including explicit attacks on women, who have made claims of abuse. As allegations of human rights violations in Xinjiang mount, with a growing number of Western lawmakers accusing China of genocide, Beijing is focussing on discrediting the female Uighur witnesses behind recent reports of abuse. Chinese officials have named women, disclosed what they say is private medical data and information on the women's fertility, and accused some of having affairs and one of having a sexually transmitted disease. The officials said the information was evidence of bad character, invalidating the women's accounts of abuse in Xinjiang. "To rebuke some media's disgusting acts, we have taken a series of measures," Xu Guixiang, the deputy head of Xinjiang's publicity department, told a December news conference that was part of China's pushback campaign. It includes hours-long briefings, with footage of Xinjiang residents and family members reading monologues. A Reuters review of dozens of hours of presentations from recent months and hundreds of pages of literature, as well as interviews with experts, shows a meticulous and wide-reaching campaign that hints at China's fears that it is losing control of the Xinjiang narrative. "One reason that the Communist Party is so concerned about these testimonies from women is because it undermines their initial premise for what they're doing there, which is anti-terrorism", said James Millward, a professor of Chinese history at Georgetown University and expert in Xinjiang policy. "The fact that there are so many women in the camps ... who don't have the faintest appearance of being violent people, this just shows how this has nothing to do with terrorism."

Under pressure, China goes aggressive to push back Uighur women claims

Washington [US], December 6 (ANI): A study published online on Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) found that earlier development of menopause symptoms can be alleviated with sufficient volume and intensity of physical activity. Menopause is the natural suspension, of a woman`s menstrual cycle, which marks the end of fertility. In most cases, women experience menopause by the age of 52, but pelvic or ovarian damage may cause sudden menopause earlier in life. 
 
Genetics or underlying conditions may also be a reason for an early onset of menopause. The symptoms of Menopause may also arise as a result of radiotherapy to the pelvic field, surgical removal of the ovaries, or systemic chemotherapy. When such procedures occur in pre-menopausal or peri-menopausal women, they often result in sudden and sometimes irreversible menopause that is accompanied by more frequent and severe menopause symptoms. Various cancer-treating endocrine therapies, such as the use of tamoxifen, can also amplify symptoms, especially hot flashes. 
 
The study involved nearly 300 women to investigate the association between self-reported physical activity and menopause symptoms. In addition, the researchers evaluated whether intervention targeting lifestyle behaviour could improve changes in physical activity levels and menopause symptoms. 
 
Results suggest that menopause symptoms are less severe in women with medium to high levels of physical activity than in women with low levels of such activity. The intervention, however, was not determined to play a role in increasing physical activity in women being treated for breast, reproductive, or blood cancers. 
&nbsp;

Although this was not the first study to examine the association of physical activity with menopause symptoms, it was the first to look specifically at the volume and intensity of physical activity.Severe menopause symptoms, including poor mental well-being, are associated with a sedentary lifestyle and low physical activity, even in women experiencing natural menopause. 
 
Researchers of the current study additionally found that women being treated for breast cancer, for example, who experience worse menopause symptoms are less likely to engage in health-promoting behaviours. On the basis of study results, researchers suggest that an increased focus on exercise training should be part of the long-term maintenance program for women after cancer treatment. 
 
The results were published in the article `Physical activity and menopausal symptoms in women who have received menopause-inducing cancer treatments: results from the Women`s Wellness After Cancer Program.`Dr Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director said, "This study highlights some of the many known benefits of exercise in women with or without cancer. Although the exercise was not associated with less bothersome hot flashes, findings consistent with prior studies, it may help with other menopause symptoms, including mood and sleep disturbances."&nbsp;

Washington [US], December 6 (ANI): A study published online on Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) found that earlier development of menopause symptoms can be alleviated with sufficient volume and intensity of physical activity.

Washington [US], December 6 (ANI): A study published online on Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) found that earlier development of menopause symptoms can be alleviated with sufficient volume and intensity of physical activity. Menopause is the natural suspension, of a woman`s menstrual cycle, which marks the end of fertility. In most cases, women experience menopause by the age of 52, but pelvic or ovarian damage may cause sudden menopause earlier in life. Genetics or underlying conditions may also be a reason for an early onset of menopause. The symptoms of Menopause may also arise as a result of radiotherapy to the pelvic field, surgical removal of the ovaries, or systemic chemotherapy. When such procedures occur in pre-menopausal or peri-menopausal women, they often result in sudden and sometimes irreversible menopause that is accompanied by more frequent and severe menopause symptoms. Various cancer-treating endocrine therapies, such as the use of tamoxifen, can also amplify symptoms, especially hot flashes. The study involved nearly 300 women to investigate the association between self-reported physical activity and menopause symptoms. In addition, the researchers evaluated whether intervention targeting lifestyle behaviour could improve changes in physical activity levels and menopause symptoms. Results suggest that menopause symptoms are less severe in women with medium to high levels of physical activity than in women with low levels of such activity. The intervention, however, was not determined to play a role in increasing physical activity in women being treated for breast, reproductive, or blood cancers. Although this was not the first study to examine the association of physical activity with menopause symptoms, it was the first to look specifically at the volume and intensity of physical activity.Severe menopause symptoms, including poor mental well-being, are associated with a sedentary lifestyle and low physical activity, even in women experiencing natural menopause. Researchers of the current study additionally found that women being treated for breast cancer, for example, who experience worse menopause symptoms are less likely to engage in health-promoting behaviours. On the basis of study results, researchers suggest that an increased focus on exercise training should be part of the long-term maintenance program for women after cancer treatment. The results were published in the article `Physical activity and menopausal symptoms in women who have received menopause-inducing cancer treatments: results from the Women`s Wellness After Cancer Program.`Dr Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director said, "This study highlights some of the many known benefits of exercise in women with or without cancer. Although the exercise was not associated with less bothersome hot flashes, findings consistent with prior studies, it may help with other menopause symptoms, including mood and sleep disturbances."

Women with low levels of physical activity can experience severe menopause:Study

In early 2020, Awa had just turned 15 years old when she heard that her marriage was being arranged. Escaping it seemed difficult, but Awa found the courage to defy her father’s decision. Her small village in Mali had a committee for the prevention of early marriage, and she took her case to them. This body of respected people presented Awa’s father with all the arguments against early marriage and managed to convince him. It is to help the cause of young girls like Awa that the European Union supports this committee and many other projects in this area around the world.

Our goal as EU is for everyone to have the same power to shape society and their own lives. We are putting it black on white in our third Gender Action Plan, adopted on 24 November calling for a gender-equal world. Now, due to the significant setback that COVID-19 has brought on the global work on equality and as we watch civil society organisations, including women’s and LGBTIQ organisations facing shrinking civic and democratic space, stepping up in building gender-equal world is more important than ever.

Awa’s story is similar to those of many girls around the world who manage to gain control over their lives and stand up to gender-based inequalities and discrimination. They have a voice, they drive change, and they have the European Union by their side to support. Because women’s rights are human rights and because gender equality is a non-negotiable value of the EU, a value which should be reflected in EU’s external action and in the design of all EU development programmes.

It is with EU support that Tufahah Amin, Aziza Al-Hassi and Amine Kashrouda developed an application for online education in Benghazi. And that the Gaziantep Women Platform was launched last year to help more women participate in Syria’s political process. It is in the framework of the EU supported Digital2Equal initiative for online platforms that 15,000 women in India will get training in hospitality skills and can improve their earnings.

The challenges to gender equality are as varied as the contexts in which they emerge and call for context-specific responses whether through multilateral fora, dialogues with partner countries to EU policy proposals or financing of concrete projects. Through our programmes on education, we aim to help more girls attend, learn and think of themselves as future drivers of change. We believe that education is also one of the most powerful ways of putting an end to isolation and abuse, for there is no exit option without economic self-sufficiency. We are embracing the notion of human security and integrating gender equality into our training programmes for EU crisis management operations, for example in the EUCAP Sahel Mali programme for internal security forces (EU Capacity Building Mission).&nbsp;

During the coronavirus pandemic the level of gender-based violence increased significantly and the EU partnered with the United Nations to offer shelters and helplines, and to give lifeline support to women’s grassroots organisations. The gender- and age-sensitive measures and mitigating the risks of gender-based violence are part of the DNA of our Team Europe global response to COVID-19. Yet beyond immediate action, we must remain aware of the challenges facing women in a shrinking labour market and shifting global economy. &nbsp;But challenges also bring opportunities. We celebrate the fact that women and girls are increasingly taking part in shaping global transformations, with new generations active in grassroots movements for a green and just transition, equal rights for all, democracy, and for peaceful and inclusive societies. Positive change is possible and the post-COVID-19 recovery must be an opportunity to address structural inequalities and build more inclusive societies. Underscoring women’s role in the green and digital transitions ahead is key.

Change is still needed. This year it is 25 years since the Beijing Declaration on women’s rights and 20 years since UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women and peace and security were adopted. While progress has been achieved since, not a single country in the world is on track to achieve gender equality by 2030. Not even Europe, as revealed by the European Institute for Gender Equality´s recent update of the gender equality index. Too many women still do not have access to resources, essential social services and equal power. The call for more action is therefore immediate.

The EU’s Gender Action Plan is not a paper exercise. It is a call for action, with concrete measures. &nbsp;We want to empower more women and girls, in all their diversity, to be economic, political, or environmental actors and leaders. We want to continue integrating Women, Peace and Security in the broader gender equality and women’s empowerment agenda. We want to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights and make gender-responsive leadership the norm in the EU institutions, leading by example. &nbsp;

We believe that gender equality deserves to be put at the heart of European policies. Not only because a gender-equal, fair and inclusive world means a more prosperous and safer world for all of us, but because we see gender equality is an objective in its own right and a mission for Europe, at home and abroad.&nbsp;

(Josep Borrell is High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Jutta Urpilainen is EU Commissioner for International Partnerships. The joint OpEd has been written exclusively for WION.)

In early 2020, Awa had just turned 15 years old when she heard that her marriage was being arranged. Escaping it seemed difficult, but Awa found the courage to defy her father’s decision.

In early 2020, Awa had just turned 15 years old when she heard that her marriage was being arranged. Escaping it seemed difficult, but Awa found the courage to defy her father’s decision. Her small village in Mali had a committee for the prevention of early marriage, and she took her case to them. This body of respected people presented Awa’s father with all the arguments against early marriage and managed to convince him. It is to help the cause of young girls like Awa that the European Union supports this committee and many other projects in this area around the world. Our goal as EU is for everyone to have the same power to shape society and their own lives. We are putting it black on white in our third Gender Action Plan, adopted on 24 November calling for a gender-equal world. Now, due to the significant setback that COVID-19 has brought on the global work on equality and as we watch civil society organisations, including women’s and LGBTIQ organisations facing shrinking civic and democratic space, stepping up in building gender-equal world is more important than ever. Awa’s story is similar to those of many girls around the world who manage to gain control over their lives and stand up to gender-based inequalities and discrimination. They have a voice, they drive change, and they have the European Union by their side to support. Because women’s rights are human rights and because gender equality is a non-negotiable value of the EU, a value which should be reflected in EU’s external action and in the design of all EU development programmes. It is with EU support that Tufahah Amin, Aziza Al-Hassi and Amine Kashrouda developed an application for online education in Benghazi. And that the Gaziantep Women Platform was launched last year to help more women participate in Syria’s political process. It is in the framework of the EU supported Digital2Equal initiative for online platforms that 15,000 women in India will get training in hospitality skills and can improve their earnings. The challenges to gender equality are as varied as the contexts in which they emerge and call for context-specific responses whether through multilateral fora, dialogues with partner countries to EU policy proposals or financing of concrete projects. Through our programmes on education, we aim to help more girls attend, learn and think of themselves as future drivers of change. We believe that education is also one of the most powerful ways of putting an end to isolation and abuse, for there is no exit option without economic self-sufficiency. We are embracing the notion of human security and integrating gender equality into our training programmes for EU crisis management operations, for example in the EUCAP Sahel Mali programme for internal security forces (EU Capacity Building Mission). During the coronavirus pandemic the level of gender-based violence increased significantly and the EU partnered with the United Nations to offer shelters and helplines, and to give lifeline support to women’s grassroots organisations. The gender- and age-sensitive measures and mitigating the risks of gender-based violence are part of the DNA of our Team Europe global response to COVID-19. Yet beyond immediate action, we must remain aware of the challenges facing women in a shrinking labour market and shifting global economy. But challenges also bring opportunities. We celebrate the fact that women and girls are increasingly taking part in shaping global transformations, with new generations active in grassroots movements for a green and just transition, equal rights for all, democracy, and for peaceful and inclusive societies. Positive change is possible and the post-COVID-19 recovery must be an opportunity to address structural inequalities and build more inclusive societies. Underscoring women’s role in the green and digital transitions ahead is key. Change is still needed. This year it is 25 years since the Beijing Declaration on women’s rights and 20 years since UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women and peace and security were adopted. While progress has been achieved since, not a single country in the world is on track to achieve gender equality by 2030. Not even Europe, as revealed by the European Institute for Gender Equality´s recent update of the gender equality index. Too many women still do not have access to resources, essential social services and equal power. The call for more action is therefore immediate. The EU’s Gender Action Plan is not a paper exercise. It is a call for action, with concrete measures. We want to empower more women and girls, in all their diversity, to be economic, political, or environmental actors and leaders. We want to continue integrating Women, Peace and Security in the broader gender equality and women’s empowerment agenda. We want to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights and make gender-responsive leadership the norm in the EU institutions, leading by example. We believe that gender equality deserves to be put at the heart of European policies. Not only because a gender-equal, fair and inclusive world means a more prosperous and safer world for all of us, but because we see gender equality is an objective in its own right and a mission for Europe, at home and abroad. (Josep Borrell is High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Jutta Urpilainen is EU Commissioner for International Partnerships. The joint OpEd has been written exclusively for WION.)

Towards a gender-equal world: A mission for all

Women are not immune to misogyny in public life. In politics, the open targeting just makes it clear the deep patriarchal bias that runs in our society despite laws in place.

Why successful women politicians are called temperamental | Opinion | WION

As for sexism, harassment and violence are rising against women is rising across the world, French women are learning to face their fears through self defence. Watch report.

French women learn self-defence in Strasbourg

A new report estimates that 29 million women and girls are victims of modern slavery, exploited by practices including forced labour, forced marriage, debt-bondage and domestic servitude.

Report: 29 million girls, women victims of modern slavery

As per a report by the United Nations, called "Stacked odds", close to 29 million women and young girls are victims of 'modern slavery' — including practises such as debt-bondage and domestic servitude.

This report has come as an eye-opener for the world where women and young girls are ill-treated on a daily basis in various countries.

According to this report,&nbsp;one in every 130 women and girls are subjected to forced labor, forced marriage, debt-bondage and domestic servitude on a daily basis.

This number is&nbsp;more than the population of Australia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-stillbirth-every-16-seconds-and-this-could-get-worse-due-to-covid-19-pandemic-333385">Also read|&nbsp;One stillbirth every 16 seconds and this could get worse due to COVID-19 pandemic</a>

"The reality is that there are more people living in slavery today than any other time in human history,”&nbsp;Grace Forrest, the co-founder of the Walk Free anti-slavery organization said in a UN press conference.

Modern slavery is defined&nbsp;as "the systematic removal of a person’s freedom, where one person is exploited by another for personal or financial gain,” Forrest explained.

This report has been combined with observations, data and studies conducted by&nbsp;Walk Free, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-ngos-shaken-by-dr-congo-sex-abuse-claims-332143">Also read|&nbsp;UN, NGOs shaken by DR Congo sex abuse claims</a>

As per the report, 99 per cent of the victims of forced sexual exploitation are women. Additionally, 84 per cent&nbsp;of all victims of forced marriage and 58 per cent of all victims of forced labor are also women.

What is more saddening is that the researchers found out that this exploitation is slowly becoming a normalised concept and the pandemic is only making things worse for these victims.&nbsp;

"We’re seeing normalized exploitation in our economy in transnational supply chains and also in migration pathways,” Forrest said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beirut-blast-has-caused-trauma-to-600000-children-says-unicef-325388">Also read|&nbsp;Beirut blast has caused trauma to 600,000 children, says Unicef</a>

However, she explained that the report does not have the values of the year of pandemic, but the exploitation of women and young girls in the onademic has increased.&nbsp;"The world’s most vulnerable people have been pushed even further into this practice of modern slavery because of COVID-19.”

In order to help the ailing women and bring global attention towards this issue,&nbsp;Walk Free and the U.N.’s Every Woman Every Child program are launching a global campaign.

One of the main motives of this campaign will be to urge governments around the world to criminalise child and forced marriage — practises that are yet popular and decrimnalised in nearly 136 countries.

Forrest also aims to completely eliminate the practice of&nbsp;kefala — a bondage programme that legally binds a migrant worker to an employer or sponsor&nbsp;for the period of their contract.

She has also urged people to turn towards the exploitation-free products, rather than buying the products which are made by forced labour.&nbsp;"We know that women and girls are experiencing unprecedented levels of exploitation and forced labor in supply chains of the goods we buy and use every day – clothing, coffee, technology," Forest said.

As per a report by the United Nations, called "Stacked odds", close to 29 million women and young girls are victims of 'modern slavery' — including practises such as debt-bondage and domestic servitude.

As per a report by the United Nations, called "Stacked odds", close to 29 million women and young girls are victims of 'modern slavery' — including practises such as debt-bondage and domestic servitude. This report has come as an eye-opener for the world where women and young girls are ill-treated on a daily basis in various countries. According to this report, one in every 130 women and girls are subjected to forced labor, forced marriage, debt-bondage and domestic servitude on a daily basis. This number is more than the population of Australia. Also read| One stillbirth every 16 seconds and this could get worse due to COVID-19 pandemic "The reality is that there are more people living in slavery today than any other time in human history,” Grace Forrest, the co-founder of the Walk Free anti-slavery organization said in a UN press conference. Modern slavery is defined as "the systematic removal of a person’s freedom, where one person is exploited by another for personal or financial gain,” Forrest explained. This report has been combined with observations, data and studies conducted by Walk Free, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Also read| UN, NGOs shaken by DR Congo sex abuse claims As per the report, 99 per cent of the victims of forced sexual exploitation are women. Additionally, 84 per cent of all victims of forced marriage and 58 per cent of all victims of forced labor are also women. What is more saddening is that the researchers found out that this exploitation is slowly becoming a normalised concept and the pandemic is only making things worse for these victims. "We’re seeing normalized exploitation in our economy in transnational supply chains and also in migration pathways,” Forrest said. Also read| Beirut blast has caused trauma to 600,000 children, says Unicef However, she explained that the report does not have the values of the year of pandemic, but the exploitation of women and young girls in the onademic has increased. "The world’s most vulnerable people have been pushed even further into this practice of modern slavery because of COVID-19.” In order to help the ailing women and bring global attention towards this issue, Walk Free and the U.N.’s Every Woman Every Child program are launching a global campaign. One of the main motives of this campaign will be to urge governments around the world to criminalise child and forced marriage — practises that are yet popular and decrimnalised in nearly 136 countries. Forrest also aims to completely eliminate the practice of kefala — a bondage programme that legally binds a migrant worker to an employer or sponsor for the period of their contract. She has also urged people to turn towards the exploitation-free products, rather than buying the products which are made by forced labour. "We know that women and girls are experiencing unprecedented levels of exploitation and forced labor in supply chains of the goods we buy and use every day – clothing, coffee, technology," Forest said.

Around 29 million women and girls victims of modern slavery: UN report

Alcohol consumption among women in the United States rose during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new study published Tuesday.

Researchers found that women drank about 5.4 days per month compared to their 2019 average of 4.6 days

What's more, women drank heavily on average 0.6 days a month during the pandemic compared to 0.4 before, according to the study in JAMA Network Open.

Heavy drinking was defined as five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women within a couple of hours.&nbsp;

The authors used survey data from April-June of 2019 to establish a baseline and compared those responses to May-June 2020, when bars and restaurants were again open in many parts of the US after virus-related shutdowns.

The data firm Nielsen had previously reported a 21 percent increase in off-premise alcohol sales in the week ending June 13, 2020 compared to the year before, but it wasn't clear how much more people were actually drinking.

This gap has now been partly filled by the new study, which compared the responses of the same 1,500 people in the two waves.

The results also suggested that men drank more frequently, but the data was inconclusive.

What was more certain was men continued to be the biggest drinkers, with around 23 drinks per month compared to 15 for women.

The authors cautioned that a limitation of their study was it was based on self-reporting, which could have distorted the results

Alcohol consumption among women in the United States rose during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new study published Tuesday. Researchers found that women drank about 5.

Alcohol consumption among women in the United States rose during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new study published Tuesday. Researchers found that women drank about 5.4 days per month compared to their 2019 average of 4.6 days What's more, women drank heavily on average 0.6 days a month during the pandemic compared to 0.4 before, according to the study in JAMA Network Open. Heavy drinking was defined as five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women within a couple of hours. The authors used survey data from April-June of 2019 to establish a baseline and compared those responses to May-June 2020, when bars and restaurants were again open in many parts of the US after virus-related shutdowns. The data firm Nielsen had previously reported a 21 percent increase in off-premise alcohol sales in the week ending June 13, 2020 compared to the year before, but it wasn't clear how much more people were actually drinking. This gap has now been partly filled by the new study, which compared the responses of the same 1,500 people in the two waves. The results also suggested that men drank more frequently, but the data was inconclusive. What was more certain was men continued to be the biggest drinkers, with around 23 drinks per month compared to 15 for women. The authors cautioned that a limitation of their study was it was based on self-reporting, which could have distorted the results

US women drank more during pandemic: Study

Afghanistan has been living under the shadow of war for 18 years now. For the women of Afghanistan, these 18 years have been a nightmare. Their plight has been largely hidden away due to the repressive social norms.

While no one knows when peace will return to Afghanistan, the women have secured a major victory as the Afghan government has announced that the name of the mother will now be printed on every identity card in Afghanistan.

In most countries around the world,&nbsp;one's mother's name will be part of the government records, and any form without mother's name is considered incomplete. However, in Afghanistan, sharing your mother's name is considered a matter of shame.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-womens-names-can-now-appear-on-afghan-govt-id-325081/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

After a relentless campaign, the women in Afghanistan have registered a small victory. Afghan citizens will soon have the names of their mother printed along with their father. It will appear on Afghanistan's national identification card.

For three years now, #WhereIsMyName has been amplifying the voices of women. It's a significant effort in a country like Afghanistan where even using a woman's name in public is frowned upon. So much so, many consider it an insult&nbsp; — enough to trigger violence.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/female-poverty-rate-in-south-asia-projected-to-rise-due-to-covid-19-un-324975">Also read|&nbsp;Female poverty rate in South Asia projected to rise due to covid-19: UN&nbsp;</a>

Women are referred to in vague terms such as 'Mother of children', 'My household' and 'My weak one'. Men in remote towns even use names of animals such as goat and chicken.

Afghanistan wasn't always so misogynistic. In the 1960s and early 70s,&nbsp;it had a very progressive outlook. Women could pursue an education, get a job and even vote in an election. Women in Afghanistan got the right to vote in 1919, a&nbsp;year before women were allowed to cast their ballot in the United States.

However, all of this changed with the rise of the Taliban.

In 2011, Afghanistan was ranked the most dangerous country for women. In the last two decades, women have gone back to school and they hold important government jobs. However,&nbsp;the threat from the Taliban is persistent. By November 2019, nearly 6,500 cases of violence against women were recorded.

With the United States chasing a peace deal in Afghanistan, women fear that their voices will be left out. At this time of uncertainty, the decision to add names of mothers on government identification is a boost for women rights.

This is a change that still requires parliamentary approval. Officials are confident the amendment will sail through.&nbsp;

The lawmakers may have taken a small step here, but for the women of Afghanistan, this is a giant leap towards equality.

Afghanistan has been living under the shadow of war for 18 years now. For the women of Afghanistan, these 18 years have been a nightmare. Their plight has been largely hidden away due to the repressive social norms.

Afghanistan has been living under the shadow of war for 18 years now. For the women of Afghanistan, these 18 years have been a nightmare. Their plight has been largely hidden away due to the repressive social norms. While no one knows when peace will return to Afghanistan, the women have secured a major victory as the Afghan government has announced that the name of the mother will now be printed on every identity card in Afghanistan. In most countries around the world, one's mother's name will be part of the government records, and any form without mother's name is considered incomplete. However, in Afghanistan, sharing your mother's name is considered a matter of shame. After a relentless campaign, the women in Afghanistan have registered a small victory. Afghan citizens will soon have the names of their mother printed along with their father. It will appear on Afghanistan's national identification card. For three years now, #WhereIsMyName has been amplifying the voices of women. It's a significant effort in a country like Afghanistan where even using a woman's name in public is frowned upon. So much so, many consider it an insult — enough to trigger violence. Also read| Female poverty rate in South Asia projected to rise due to covid-19: UN Women are referred to in vague terms such as 'Mother of children', 'My household' and 'My weak one'. Men in remote towns even use names of animals such as goat and chicken. Afghanistan wasn't always so misogynistic. In the 1960s and early 70s, it had a very progressive outlook. Women could pursue an education, get a job and even vote in an election. Women in Afghanistan got the right to vote in 1919, a year before women were allowed to cast their ballot in the United States. However, all of this changed with the rise of the Taliban. In 2011, Afghanistan was ranked the most dangerous country for women. In the last two decades, women have gone back to school and they hold important government jobs. However, the threat from the Taliban is persistent. By November 2019, nearly 6,500 cases of violence against women were recorded. With the United States chasing a peace deal in Afghanistan, women fear that their voices will be left out. At this time of uncertainty, the decision to add names of mothers on government identification is a boost for women rights. This is a change that still requires parliamentary approval. Officials are confident the amendment will sail through. The lawmakers may have taken a small step here, but for the women of Afghanistan, this is a giant leap towards equality.

Taliban's defeat: Mother's name to be added in Afghanistan's nation ID cards

The women of Belarus are sounding the wake-up call to everyone out there who thinks that a woman's rightful place is her home and her kitchen.

This young woman is holding on tightly to that man as she is keeping him from being arrested.

More women join in, and ultimately the cops give up.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-australia-sinks-into-recession-324846/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

These women are challenging a 26-year-old dictatorship in Belarus. Sometimes with force and sometimes with love.

Opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova is asking the policemen whether their boss will talk to her.

"Take care, you guys", she said, "We are with you until the end."

The women of Belarus are determined to free their country from the clutches of President Alexander Lukashenko.

They are fighting Europe's last dictator with flags, flowers and balloons. Many women have spent days on the streets. Many have been harassed by the police.

Then others are bringing these protesters coffee and cookies.&nbsp;

These teachers have left their classrooms to protest an unfair presidential election.&nbsp;

These women are protesting police violence.&nbsp;

It all started when one 37-year-old woman challenged a 26-year-old dictatorship.

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya took it upon herself to not just fight for her jailed husband. But also for her country's democracy. Today, thousands of stay at home mothers-- like Tikhanovskaya-- are out on the streets. It is not easy to bring down a dictator.

Sometimes it requires you to put up a fight with all your might. And sometimes you need to clean up, and put on your best smile.

The women of Belarus are ready for both.

The women of Belarus are sounding the wake-up call to everyone out there who thinks that a woman's rightful place is her home and her kitchen. This young woman is holding on tightly to that man as she is keeping him from being arrested.

The women of Belarus are sounding the wake-up call to everyone out there who thinks that a woman's rightful place is her home and her kitchen. This young woman is holding on tightly to that man as she is keeping him from being arrested. More women join in, and ultimately the cops give up. These women are challenging a 26-year-old dictatorship in Belarus. Sometimes with force and sometimes with love. Opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova is asking the policemen whether their boss will talk to her. "Take care, you guys", she said, "We are with you until the end." The women of Belarus are determined to free their country from the clutches of President Alexander Lukashenko. They are fighting Europe's last dictator with flags, flowers and balloons. Many women have spent days on the streets. Many have been harassed by the police. Then others are bringing these protesters coffee and cookies. These teachers have left their classrooms to protest an unfair presidential election. These women are protesting police violence. It all started when one 37-year-old woman challenged a 26-year-old dictatorship. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya took it upon herself to not just fight for her jailed husband. But also for her country's democracy. Today, thousands of stay at home mothers-- like Tikhanovskaya-- are out on the streets. It is not easy to bring down a dictator. Sometimes it requires you to put up a fight with all your might. And sometimes you need to clean up, and put on your best smile. The women of Belarus are ready for both.

Women in Belarus challenge 26-year-old dictatorship of Alexander Lukashenko

The sectors that women work in and the informality of these roles means women are more likely to lose their jobs when compared to their male counterparts.

COVID-19 crisis exposes women's uncertain economic security

To maintain gender balance, Snapchat's parent company, Snap Inc, has announced that the company will be hiring more women this year.

This announcement has come in specifically for the tech teams. It was observed by company experts that while the company has 32.9 per cent women workers in their team, the tech team only had 16.1 per cent women.

The decision was announced in Snap Inc's first annual diversity report.

Snap Inc is aiming to improve its staggering gender balance within its tech team. The report claimed that the social media giant is aiming to double the number of women employees in tech roles by the year 2023.

"We are determined to do what it takes to improve these numbers, because behind the numbers are real people," the report stated.

In addition to this, Snap Inc will also be hiring more people from the minority groups&nbsp;to give them equal opportunities and to make sure that the company helps everyone grow and not discriminate. Snap aims to increase the number of underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities in the United States by 2025.

This move has been welcomed and has received positive feedback by people of the United States.

To maintain gender balance, Snapchat's parent company, Snap Inc, has announced that the company will be hiring more women this year. This announcement has come in specifically for the tech teams.

To maintain gender balance, Snapchat's parent company, Snap Inc, has announced that the company will be hiring more women this year. This announcement has come in specifically for the tech teams. It was observed by company experts that while the company has 32.9 per cent women workers in their team, the tech team only had 16.1 per cent women. The decision was announced in Snap Inc's first annual diversity report. Snap Inc is aiming to improve its staggering gender balance within its tech team. The report claimed that the social media giant is aiming to double the number of women employees in tech roles by the year 2023. "We are determined to do what it takes to improve these numbers, because behind the numbers are real people," the report stated. In addition to this, Snap Inc will also be hiring more people from the minority groups to give them equal opportunities and to make sure that the company helps everyone grow and not discriminate. Snap aims to increase the number of underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities in the United States by 2025. This move has been welcomed and has received positive feedback by people of the United States.

Snap to hire more women and minorities in tech teams

The biggest job loss America history has revealed a deep gender bias, according a recent jobs report. In the United States, 20.5 million jobs were wiped out in April with unemployment rising to 14.7 per cent, the highest since the Great Depression. As per the report, it appears that women, especially single moms have been hit harder by the economic downturn.

US: Unemployment among women 3 points higher than men

Female athletes in Iran are determined to carry on training and keeping fit despite the restrictions imposed by anti-coronavirus measures. Life for female athletes in the strict Muslim nation was already complicated by the regulations on clothing and the virus outbreak added to their problems.

Iran's sportswomen fight to keep fit despite coronavirus curbs

Pakistan's top cleric Tariq Jamil, who commented that women's dressing sense has brought the wrath of coronavirus upon the country on live television has come out to apologize for the statements.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-top-cleric-tariq-jamil-claims-women-caused-covid-19-294965">Pakistan's top cleric Tariq Jamil claims women caused COVID-19</a>

The cleric took to Twitter to clarify and apologise for what he said: "Recently I made some comments that I wish to clarify. My aim was to point out that WE are all to blame for our current state. It was meant to be a general remark not targeting any specific men, women, persons or gender, but as a reminder to get closer to what Allah teaches us."

Jamil also said that his sole aim was to remind everyone to be "spiritual" and to stay away from the "desires and the materialistic". He said: My goal was to remind us all to focus on the spiritual and away from our desires and the materialistic. I am the first to admit as I have taught over the years, that there is no excuse for making any hurtful comments about anyone or making anyone feel uncomfortable."&nbsp;

He apologised for the statements he made: For which I sincerely apologize to anyone who may been inadvertently hurt. I pray that Allah accept our good deeds and forgive our shortcomings.

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Recently I made some comments that I wish to clarify 
My aim was to point out that WE are all to blame for our current state. It was meant to be a general remark not targeting any specific men, women, persons or gender, but as a reminder to get closer to what Allah teaches us.
— Tariq Jamil (@TariqJamilOFCL) <a href="https://twitter.com/TariqJamilOFCL/status/1254906518832635905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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For which I sincerely apologize to anyone who may been inadvertently hurt. 
I pray that Allah accept our good deeds and forgive our shortcomings.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tariqjamil?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tariqjamil</a>
— Tariq Jamil (@TariqJamilOFCL) <a href="https://twitter.com/TariqJamilOFCL/status/1254907765451034625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The cleric blamed the pandemic on the women calling it a "wrongdoing of women". According to Jameel, women who "often scantily" dress were the reason for an outbreak in the country. He condemned the women and said their behaviour has put the country in jeopardy. &nbsp;These comments were made during the Ehsaas Telethon fundraising event on live television in the presence of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Pakistan's top cleric Tariq Jamil, who commented that women's dressing sense has brought the wrath of coronavirus upon the country on live television has come out to apologize for the statements.

Pakistan's top cleric Tariq Jamil, who commented that women's dressing sense has brought the wrath of coronavirus upon the country on live television has come out to apologize for the statements. Also read: Pakistan's top cleric Tariq Jamil claims women caused COVID-19 The cleric took to Twitter to clarify and apologise for what he said: "Recently I made some comments that I wish to clarify. My aim was to point out that WE are all to blame for our current state. It was meant to be a general remark not targeting any specific men, women, persons or gender, but as a reminder to get closer to what Allah teaches us." Jamil also said that his sole aim was to remind everyone to be "spiritual" and to stay away from the "desires and the materialistic". He said: My goal was to remind us all to focus on the spiritual and away from our desires and the materialistic. I am the first to admit as I have taught over the years, that there is no excuse for making any hurtful comments about anyone or making anyone feel uncomfortable." He apologised for the statements he made: For which I sincerely apologize to anyone who may been inadvertently hurt. I pray that Allah accept our good deeds and forgive our shortcomings. Recently I made some comments that I wish to clarify My aim was to point out that WE are all to blame for our current state. It was meant to be a general remark not targeting any specific men, women, persons or gender, but as a reminder to get closer to what Allah teaches us. — Tariq Jamil (@TariqJamilOFCL) April 27, 2020 × For which I sincerely apologize to anyone who may been inadvertently hurt. I pray that Allah accept our good deeds and forgive our shortcomings.#tariqjamil — Tariq Jamil (@TariqJamilOFCL) April 27, 2020 × The cleric blamed the pandemic on the women calling it a "wrongdoing of women". According to Jameel, women who "often scantily" dress were the reason for an outbreak in the country. He condemned the women and said their behaviour has put the country in jeopardy. These comments were made during the Ehsaas Telethon fundraising event on live television in the presence of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Pakistan cleric Tariq  Jamil apologises for his remarks claiming women caused COVID-19

Pakistan's well-known cleric Maulana Tariq Jameel has said that women are the cause of coronavirus pandemic. These comments were made during the Ehsaas Telethon fundraising event on live television in the presence of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/people-say-i-am-the-hardest-working-president-says-trump-in-a-twitter-tirade-against-media-294940" hreflang="en">People say I am the hardest-working president, says Donald Trump</a>

The cleric called it "wrongdoing of women". According to Jameel, women who "often scantily" dress were the reason for an outbreak in the country. He condemned the women and said their behaviour has put the country in jeopardy.&nbsp;

Jameel went on to lash out on media and accused them of spreading lies. He said: "This is not just restricted to Pakistani media. Foreign media are also liars." But he later on apologised by calling it a "slip of tongue".&nbsp;

But the cleric has yet not apologised for his sexist take on the cause of coronavirus pandemic. Pakistan's newspaper Dawn posted an editorial calling it a "shame" that the cleric was not questioned for such remarks and these comments were passed on live television from a platform that involved the country's top brass.&nbsp;

Human Right Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has questioned the cleric for his remarks on women, calling it "blatant objectification". The commission took to Twitter to condemn the cleric's statement.&nbsp;

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HRCP is appalled at Maulana <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TariqJamil?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TariqJamil</a>'s recent statement inexplicably correlating women's 'modesty' to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Covid19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Covid19</a> pandemic. Such blatant objectification is unacceptable and, when aired on public television, only compounds the misogyny entrenched in society.
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) <a href="https://twitter.com/HRCP87/status/1253622000012099584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Coronavirus pandemic has spiked the cases of domestic abuse across the globe. This has happened due to extended lockdowns forcing them to stay at home.&nbsp;

Pakistan has crossed the 10,000 mark in the coronavirus cases. The cases currently stand at 11,940 with 253 death across the nation.

Pakistan's well-known cleric Maulana Tariq Jameel has said that women are the cause of coronavirus pandemic. These comments were made during the Ehsaas Telethon fundraising event on live television in the presence of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Pakistan's well-known cleric Maulana Tariq Jameel has said that women are the cause of coronavirus pandemic. These comments were made during the Ehsaas Telethon fundraising event on live television in the presence of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Also read: People say I am the hardest-working president, says Donald Trump The cleric called it "wrongdoing of women". According to Jameel, women who "often scantily" dress were the reason for an outbreak in the country. He condemned the women and said their behaviour has put the country in jeopardy. Jameel went on to lash out on media and accused them of spreading lies. He said: "This is not just restricted to Pakistani media. Foreign media are also liars." But he later on apologised by calling it a "slip of tongue". But the cleric has yet not apologised for his sexist take on the cause of coronavirus pandemic. Pakistan's newspaper Dawn posted an editorial calling it a "shame" that the cleric was not questioned for such remarks and these comments were passed on live television from a platform that involved the country's top brass. Human Right Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has questioned the cleric for his remarks on women, calling it "blatant objectification". The commission took to Twitter to condemn the cleric's statement. HRCP is appalled at Maulana #TariqJamil's recent statement inexplicably correlating women's 'modesty' to the #Covid19 pandemic. Such blatant objectification is unacceptable and, when aired on public television, only compounds the misogyny entrenched in society. — Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) April 24, 2020 × Coronavirus pandemic has spiked the cases of domestic abuse across the globe. This has happened due to extended lockdowns forcing them to stay at home. Pakistan has crossed the 10,000 mark in the coronavirus cases. The cases currently stand at 11,940 with 253 death across the nation.

Pakistan's top cleric Tariq Jamil claims women caused COVID-19

So, they are marching. They are marching in Lahore and in many other Pakistani cities despite being threatened, abused and harassed on social media and otherwise.

They are marching in Lahore holding placards with the picture of the late Asma Jehangir, an icon and the symbol of the fight against human rights abuses in Pakistan.

And they are marching shouting the slogan which with any evidence touched a raw nerve for a still patriarchal society: "Mera Jism, Meri Marzi", (my body my choice).

That reminds me of what we were shouting during the seventies in the streets of Italy: "Il corpo e mio e lo gestisco io" (The body is mine, and I`ll do what I want with it). Our other slogan was: "Tremble, Tremble, Witches are back". Because, for a patriarchal society, and unfortunately not only for that, an assertive woman is, of course, a witch, a prostitute, a danger for society and for the holy institution of the family.

An assertive, strong, independent woman is a threat for both patriarchal and religious institutions because she does not allow her life and her consciousness to be ruled by priests or mullahs or men.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/coronavirus-may-cause-61-million-loss-to-pakistan-adb-284934">&nbsp;Coronavirus may cause $61 million loss to Pakistan: ADB</a>

But, unlike us during the seventies, women, and girls of Pakistan, the ones marching and the ones still without a voice, are facing more, much more than being insulted or undermined and that`s why they are marching.

Reports, in fact, both national and international, more than reports look like war news. In the 2019 Women, Peace and Security Index, Pakistan ranked 164 out of 167 countries, only above Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen, and worst among nine South Asian countries on access to mobile phones, financial inclusion, and discriminatory norms for women.

According to Amnesty International, who released a statement supporting the Aurat March: "Women in Pakistan are consistently deprived of education, justice, health care, political representation, and economic opportunities. They live under the constant threat of violence". And "the threats of violence, intimidation, and harassment being hurled at marchers who are merely demanding their due rights underscores the necessity of the Aurat March".

According to the same Amnesty statement: "In the World Economic Forum`s Global Gender Gap Index Report 2020, Pakistan ranked 151 out of 153 countries, indicating a dismal record on human rights for women. It charts at the very bottom of the seven South Asian countries included in the Index".

Human Rights Watch maintains that "violence against women and girls -- including rape, so-called honour killings, acid attacks, domestic violence, and forced marriage -- remains a serious problem" in Pakistan.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/central-asia/womens-rights-activists-attacked-then-detained-in-kyrgyzstan-285086">Women's rights activists attacked then detained in Kyrgyzstan</a>

Around 12.2 million girls, compared with 10.6 million boys, remain out of school in the country because of poverty compounding challenges related to girls` educational opportunities.

Less-educated girls marry young, become mothers at an early age, and often face health challenges throughout their lives.

Women around the country have to face domestic violence, rape, honour killings, being thrown acid at, kidnapping and enforced disappearances. Especially in regions like KPK or Balochistan.

"The Baloch women not only have to deal with a regressive society and a regressive state but also with a brutal, repressive state which denies them and the men of their nation of rights which are thought acceptable for others. The fallout of the brutality of the state affects the women even more than it does the men" says Mir Mohammed Talpur, a very well known intellectual.

There have been several cases of women being abducted, detained and tortured, used as sex slaves by military personnel and then thrown away when they were tired of playing with them.

Watch:&nbsp;

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However, is difficult to get numbers because, as it always happens in these cases, women feel ashamed and scared and don`t want to disclose their misery.

Recently HRW issued a warning over the role of police in sexual violence cases, with officers both committing offences themselves and harassing and intimidating those who made allegations, not only in Balochistan but all over the country.

After the insults and the intimidations, Analyst Marvi Sirmed has been once more insulted live on TV and her private cellphone contacts have been put on social media after they tried to stop the march with Court orders, now many politicians are jumping on the boat of freedom and are congratulating "daughters and sisters" for their determination.

It would be enough, more than enough, being sure every day, not only today, that their rights are not violated and their lives are not in danger.

It would be enough to consider women and their bodies as humans and not as properties. But it will take years, many years, and will never go completely.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/20-killed-several-injured-as-heavy-rains-lash-pakistan-284953">20 killed, several injured as heavy rains lash Pakistan</a>

In my country, Italy, according to official data every day 88 women are victims of violence: one every 15 minutes. In 2019 more than 90 women have been killed. We even invented a word for it `femminicidio` (femmina means female in Italian, and the word for murder is `omicidio`): a totally new word to show the amount of violence against women.

Data for 2019 are still partial, but those of 2018 is certain and say that violence against women is still growing. There were 142 victims of `femminicidio` in 2018, 119 in the family. This tells the annual Eures report: "Femminicidio` and gender-based violence in Italy". Reports of sexual violence, stalking and abuse in the family also increased. It is within the walls of the house that 85 per cent of women are affected more and more often, mainly by their partners.

We are not marching this year because all public gatherings have been stopped because of coronavirus threat but will do it again and again. `Mera Jism, Meri Marzi`. My body, my choice, my life.&nbsp;

So, they are marching. They are marching in Lahore and in many other Pakistani cities despite being threatened, abused and harassed on social media and otherwise.

So, they are marching. They are marching in Lahore and in many other Pakistani cities despite being threatened, abused and harassed on social media and otherwise. They are marching in Lahore holding placards with the picture of the late Asma Jehangir, an icon and the symbol of the fight against human rights abuses in Pakistan. And they are marching shouting the slogan which with any evidence touched a raw nerve for a still patriarchal society: "Mera Jism, Meri Marzi", (my body my choice). That reminds me of what we were shouting during the seventies in the streets of Italy: "Il corpo e mio e lo gestisco io" (The body is mine, and I`ll do what I want with it). Our other slogan was: "Tremble, Tremble, Witches are back". Because, for a patriarchal society, and unfortunately not only for that, an assertive woman is, of course, a witch, a prostitute, a danger for society and for the holy institution of the family. An assertive, strong, independent woman is a threat for both patriarchal and religious institutions because she does not allow her life and her consciousness to be ruled by priests or mullahs or men. Also read: Coronavirus may cause $61 million loss to Pakistan: ADB But, unlike us during the seventies, women, and girls of Pakistan, the ones marching and the ones still without a voice, are facing more, much more than being insulted or undermined and that`s why they are marching. Reports, in fact, both national and international, more than reports look like war news. In the 2019 Women, Peace and Security Index, Pakistan ranked 164 out of 167 countries, only above Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen, and worst among nine South Asian countries on access to mobile phones, financial inclusion, and discriminatory norms for women. According to Amnesty International, who released a statement supporting the Aurat March: "Women in Pakistan are consistently deprived of education, justice, health care, political representation, and economic opportunities. They live under the constant threat of violence". And "the threats of violence, intimidation, and harassment being hurled at marchers who are merely demanding their due rights underscores the necessity of the Aurat March". According to the same Amnesty statement: "In the World Economic Forum`s Global Gender Gap Index Report 2020, Pakistan ranked 151 out of 153 countries, indicating a dismal record on human rights for women. It charts at the very bottom of the seven South Asian countries included in the Index". Human Rights Watch maintains that "violence against women and girls -- including rape, so-called honour killings, acid attacks, domestic violence, and forced marriage -- remains a serious problem" in Pakistan. Also see: Women's rights activists attacked then detained in Kyrgyzstan Around 12.2 million girls, compared with 10.6 million boys, remain out of school in the country because of poverty compounding challenges related to girls` educational opportunities. Less-educated girls marry young, become mothers at an early age, and often face health challenges throughout their lives. Women around the country have to face domestic violence, rape, honour killings, being thrown acid at, kidnapping and enforced disappearances. Especially in regions like KPK or Balochistan. "The Baloch women not only have to deal with a regressive society and a regressive state but also with a brutal, repressive state which denies them and the men of their nation of rights which are thought acceptable for others. The fallout of the brutality of the state affects the women even more than it does the men" says Mir Mohammed Talpur, a very well known intellectual. There have been several cases of women being abducted, detained and tortured, used as sex slaves by military personnel and then thrown away when they were tired of playing with them. Watch: × However, is difficult to get numbers because, as it always happens in these cases, women feel ashamed and scared and don`t want to disclose their misery. Recently HRW issued a warning over the role of police in sexual violence cases, with officers both committing offences themselves and harassing and intimidating those who made allegations, not only in Balochistan but all over the country. After the insults and the intimidations, Analyst Marvi Sirmed has been once more insulted live on TV and her private cellphone contacts have been put on social media after they tried to stop the march with Court orders, now many politicians are jumping on the boat of freedom and are congratulating "daughters and sisters" for their determination. It would be enough, more than enough, being sure every day, not only today, that their rights are not violated and their lives are not in danger. It would be enough to consider women and their bodies as humans and not as properties. But it will take years, many years, and will never go completely. Also read: 20 killed, several injured as heavy rains lash Pakistan In my country, Italy, according to official data every day 88 women are victims of violence: one every 15 minutes. In 2019 more than 90 women have been killed. We even invented a word for it `femminicidio` (femmina means female in Italian, and the word for murder is `omicidio`): a totally new word to show the amount of violence against women. Data for 2019 are still partial, but those of 2018 is certain and say that violence against women is still growing. There were 142 victims of `femminicidio` in 2018, 119 in the family. This tells the annual Eures report: "Femminicidio` and gender-based violence in Italy". Reports of sexual violence, stalking and abuse in the family also increased. It is within the walls of the house that 85 per cent of women are affected more and more often, mainly by their partners. We are not marching this year because all public gatherings have been stopped because of coronavirus threat but will do it again and again. `Mera Jism, Meri Marzi`. My body, my choice, my life.

Women in Pakistan protest against violence, rape, honour killings

On the occasion of International Women's Day, WION met these inspiring women who chosen to take up one of the toughest jobs in the country i.e., of the Indian Army. Have a look...

Meet these inspiring women, chosen to take up the toughest job in the country!

On the occasion of international women's day. The govt of Argentina displayed a special performance by the women musicians of the country's defence forces.

The Argentinian govt honoured the women of the forces saying that the incorporation of women in the armed forces has been the most important cultural change for the military since the recovery of their democracy in 1983.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-converted-women-are-women-too-34956">Opinion: International Women's day is for transgender-women too</a>

Argentina faces a glim reality. The Latin American country has one of the worst figures of violence against women.

Femicide is rampant in the country.

In order to come out in support of women's rights in the country. Women musicians from the argentine army, navy and air force played together for the very first time outside the defence ministry in Buenos Aires in honour of the international women's day.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/international-womens-day-spanish-women-stage-unprecedented-strike-for-rights-35149">International Women's Day: Spanish women stage unprecedented strike for rights</a>

The defence around the world can be a sexist profession where women aren't perceived as being as physically capable as men.

"We were very few women playing the french horn and now women are being incorporated as French horn players and percussionists. That did not happen in the past, because it was believed that to blow an instrument with a certain airflow that maybe men and women don't have the same (capacity), because the French horn is complicated, but we have demonstrated that regardless of the genre we can blow any instrument."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/international-womens-day-inclusion-tolerance-end-of-misogyny-the-changes-that-women-want-35085">International Women's Day: Inclusion, tolerance, end of misogyny — the changes that women want</a>

Soundbite Spanish Andre Singh, 23, Navy lance corporal para dun.

 
Present at the performance was Argentina's defence minister Agustin Rossi. Rossi said that the incorporation of women in the armed forces has been the most important cultural change for the military since the recovery of democracy in 1983.

"I believe that the incorporation of women in the framework of the armed forces has been the most important cultural change that the forces have had during all these last 30 years, I could almost say coinciding with the recovery of democracy."

On the occasion of international women's day. The govt of Argentina displayed a special performance by the women musicians of the country's defence forces. The Argentinian govt honoured the women of the forces saying that the incorporation of women in the armed forces has been the most important cultural change for the military since the recovery of their democracy in 1983.

On the occasion of international women's day. The govt of Argentina displayed a special performance by the women musicians of the country's defence forces. The Argentinian govt honoured the women of the forces saying that the incorporation of women in the armed forces has been the most important cultural change for the military since the recovery of their democracy in 1983. Also Read: Opinion: International Women's day is for transgender-women too Argentina faces a glim reality. The Latin American country has one of the worst figures of violence against women. Femicide is rampant in the country. In order to come out in support of women's rights in the country. Women musicians from the argentine army, navy and air force played together for the very first time outside the defence ministry in Buenos Aires in honour of the international women's day. Also Read: International Women's Day: Spanish women stage unprecedented strike for rights The defence around the world can be a sexist profession where women aren't perceived as being as physically capable as men. "We were very few women playing the french horn and now women are being incorporated as French horn players and percussionists. That did not happen in the past, because it was believed that to blow an instrument with a certain airflow that maybe men and women don't have the same (capacity), because the French horn is complicated, but we have demonstrated that regardless of the genre we can blow any instrument." Also Read: International Women's Day: Inclusion, tolerance, end of misogyny — the changes that women want Soundbite Spanish Andre Singh, 23, Navy lance corporal para dun. Present at the performance was Argentina's defence minister Agustin Rossi. Rossi said that the incorporation of women in the armed forces has been the most important cultural change for the military since the recovery of democracy in 1983. "I believe that the incorporation of women in the framework of the armed forces has been the most important cultural change that the forces have had during all these last 30 years, I could almost say coinciding with the recovery of democracy."

Women's are never less than man

Recently, a chilling report of the United Nations has emerged after studying on 80% of the world population that 9 out of 10 people biased against women. This report was released ahead of the International Women's Day.

UN study reveals that 9 out of 10 people biased against women

World Bank analyses violence against women.40 years since first law on domestic violence was passed. 35% women experienced physical/ sexual violence by their intimate partner. 137 women murdered everyday by a family member.

Pointing  fingesr at Domestic Violence

women

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