From Ignorance to Inclusion

- Gender-Responsive Multilateral Adaptation Investments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region – This study analyses how gender-responsive multilateral adaptation projects in the MENA region are, finding and discussing both best and worst practice examples. The authors demand that multilateral institutions in all their MENA adaptation projects have to implement gender safeguard policies consistent with existing international conventions and instruments on gender equality.  Liane Schalatek, Sarah Little, Sarah Bibler, Celine Salcedo-La Vina more»

Democratizing Financing for Sustainable Development: Gender Equality is the Key

- Providing adequate financing resources for gender equality through more democratic, participatory and gender-responsive budget processes and financing mechanisms is key for sustainable development.   Liane Schalatek more»

A Caring Approach to Sustainable Development: A Feminist Perspective on Why the Green Economy Concept Falls Short

- The green economy concept pays scant or no attention to the interconnected crises in the market economy and the care economy, negatively affecting women all over the world in disproportionate numbers.  Daniela Gottschlich more»

Gays and the Syrian Revolution

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Russian Federation: Situation Of LGBT In The Russian Federation (2009 Report)

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"Discrimination hampers development" – Commissioner Piebalgs launches a new initiative to fight discrimination in developing countries

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European Parliament resolution of 5 July 2012 on violence against lesbian women and the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons in Africa

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UN Women announces members of Global Civil Society Advisory Group

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News Archive

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The Invisible Hands - India

- What is the impact on the country's economy and society when its women double up as unpaid and underpaid labourers? Are these women subsidising the economy? If yes, how much is it? This short documentary raises such questions and provides apparent answers so that you will raise even more questions. Presenting "The Invisible Hands… that build India"- a curtain raiser on Gender and Macroeconomics.  Pramod Dev more»

Gender Equality in the Post-2015 Development Agenda: Where Does it Stand?

- The Rio + 20 Conference ‘The Future We Want’ took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 2012. Women’s groups were critical of the Conference because it failed to make a stronger link between women’s rights and the environment, and to bring more women experts and activists into the official dialogue and meeting structure. Alexandra Spieldoch more»

Missing Women: The G20, Gender Equality and Global Economic Governance

- The policy priorities of the G20 have profound gender implications, although the G20 rarely recognizes this fact. This report explores the possibilities for gender bias in the G20's policies, including those related to: fiscal and monetary priorities, employment, social protection, and development.  James Heintz - University of Massachusetts, Amherst more»

Perspectives –Political analysis and commentary from Turkey #1.12

- The feature articles of this first issue deal with the historical background and recent developments concerning the “deep state” of Turkey. We regard the “deep state” as one of the important impediments in the democratization of this country. With the different reforms that led to a change in the civil-military relationship, with the law suits such as the Ergenekon trial, and with the trial against responsible personality of the coup d’état in 1980, it became a much discussed topic; if the AKP government attempts to destroy the deep state; if it is accommodating to it or just changing the actors of the “deep state”. In our first issue, we try to give answer to these questions. In addition to the feature articles, topical articles on issues such as the reform of the educational system, censorship in the arts as well as the renewable energy law and the reform of the health system are addressed.  more»

Shadow report on the Violations of the Rights of LGBT in Serbia

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In March 2009, the Serbian National Assembly narrowly passed the Anti-Discrimination Law despite immense opposition from religious leaders and right-wing political parties. Nevertheless, breaches of Human Rights of LGBT are still common in Serbia today. This Shadow Report evaluates the law’s application and provides recommendations of how to improve implementation and thus the Human Rights situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Inter* individuals in Serbia.

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The Challenge of Becoming Invisible:Understanding Women’s Security in Kabul

- Although the overthrow of the Taliban opened up new opportunities for women, it did not give rise to the “women’s liberation” many were expecting. Currently, there are growing concerns about an “apparent backlash against the empowerment of women and their participation in public life.” The current situation in Afghanistan demonstrates that while conflict and its aftermath can shake up gender roles, rapid social change can also provoke “a retreat to conservative notions of masculinity and femininity.” more»

Round Table Meeting - "Are we moving forward: Review of Legal and Political Framework"

- The Heinrich Böll Stiftung and the National Commission on the Status of Women jointly organized a one day round table meeting on 12th April, 2013 where more than 22 eminent women from civil society, women organizations, gender experts, media, EU and government bodies participated and actively took part in the discussion. Kulsoom Monica more»

Men to Men Strategy Toolkit: For Working with Men to Combat Gender Based Violence

- The Toolkit shares information, tools, activities, and skills building ideas and methods to support organisations and individuals to better understand the needs of working with men to address sexual and gender based violence and the spread of HIV in collaboration with women’s rights organisations in Africa. The African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) more»

Situation of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) people in South Caucasus, 2012

- 2012 was a special year in terms of publicity of the LGBT community and the LGBT movement in all three South Caucasian countries. Several important steps have been made towards raising acute issues about sexual identity, differences/diversity and social constructs in Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. Nino Lejava more»

Russian Federation: Situation Of LGBT In The Russian Federation (2009 Report)

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Although the report is from 2009, it seems quite up-to date when you read the news. The Report is the result of the specialized monitoring of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the Russian Federation carried out by the Moscow Helsinki Group in cooperation with the Russian LGBT Network in 2007–2008. This is the first specialized study of the legal situation of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgenders (LGBT community) in Russia.

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“A Room of My Own” at the Centre for Visual Cultural Research, Kiev

- On May 19th, two unknown assailants attacked an exhibition by photographer Yevgenia Belorusets at the Centre for Visual Cultural Research (VCRC) in Kiev. The artist's photoworks are dedicated to the lives of Ukrainian LGBT and Queer families, who have to deal with harassment and threats of violence on a daily basis. It's not the first time that the center, which is under constant danger of being closed down by the authorities, is a target of censorship.  more»

„Law in China is a sleeping Beauty“

- Through her legal advice association the „Beijing Zhongze Women Legally Consultant & service centre“ the lawyer Guo Jianmei is committed to promoting women’s rights in china for over 15 years. By Peer Junker more»

Unveiled or unemployed: The German unveiling policies - An ultimatum between Allah and work?

-  As a symbol of ‘Islamic’ oppression and backwardness for some and an emblem of dignity and devout faith for others, veiling has sparked discussions centered on religion. However, recent unveiling policies in several European countries have characterized veiling as far more than an expression of religious faith. Veiling is now also understood as a political statement. Lara-Zuzan Golesorkhi more»

Import Ban on Bridal Dresses: A draft law of the Ministry for Women’s Affairs asks for moral guards to control private celebrations

- Wedding ceremonies have become ruinous for many Afghans. A new law now aims at limiting the expenses. The good intention of the initiative is tarnished, however, because the draft at the same time sanctions heavy governmental interference into personal affairs. Ten years after the fall of the Taliban, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs revives the institution of moral guards.  Bente Aika Scheller more»

Religion, Politics and Gender Equality

- Religion has an important function in the public and political life of many societies, and from the point of view of women’s rights to equality, there is much at stake in how religion and politics intertwine. For that purpose the Heinrich Boell Foundation conducts an extensive research project in collaboration with the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) which includes case studies from 11 countries. more»