Women's Rights

Why Women's Day matters: Leaders across sectors reflect on its significance

Women leaders across sectors reflect on why Women's Day 2025 matters, and how it impacts their lives. We spoke to influential leaders breaking barriers in their own sectors on what makes it special

Women's rights will be raised at UN meeting with Taliban, says official

The UN political chief who will chair the first meeting between Afghanistan's Taliban rulers and envoys from about 25 countries answered sharp criticism that Afghan women have been excluded, saying Wednesday that women's rights will be raised at every session. Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo stressed to a small group of reporters that the two-day meeting starting Sunday is an initial engagement aimed at initiating a step-by-step process with the goal of seeing the Taliban at peace with itself and its neighbours and adhering to international law, the UN Charter, and human rights. This is the third UN meeting with Afghan envoys in Qatar's capital, Doha, but the first that the Taliban are attending. They weren't invited to the first and refused to attend the second. Other attendees include envoys from the European Union, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the United States, Russia, China and several of Afghanistan's neighbours, DiCarlo said. The Taliban seized power in .

NCW receives 12,600 complaints so far in 2024, highest from UP, Delhi

As many as 12,600 complaints have been received by the National Commission for Women (NCW) so far this year, with Uttar Pradesh achieving the dubious distinction of registering the highest number of complaints, according to official data. The highest number of complaints were received in the right to dignity category that involves harassment other than domestic violence. It stood at 3,107, according to the NCW data. This was followed by 3,544 complaints of domestic violence. Dowry harassment complaints stood at 1,957, molestation complaints at 817, police apathy against women complaints at 518, and rape and attempt to rape complaints at 657, the data showed. There were 493 complaints of sexual harassment, 339 of cyber crime, 345 of stalking and 206 of honour crimes, it stated. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of complaints at 6,470 followed by Delhi at 1,113 and Maharashtra at 762, according to the data. Bihar recorded 584 complaints, Madhya Pradesh 514, Haryana 506, ...

Ohio law banning nearly all abortions now invalid post referendum: Official

A 2019 law banning most abortions in Ohio is unconstitutional following an abortion referendum last year, the state's Republican attorney general has said in a court filing. Monday's filing comes after abortion clinics asked a Hamilton County judge to throw out the law since Ohio voters decided to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution last November. They argue that under the new constitutional amendment, the law, which bans most abortions once fetal cardiac activity can be detected, is invalid. Attorney General Dave Yost, for the most part, agreed. However, the attorney general asked the court to only strike down the core prohibition of the law banning abortions after six weeks and let other portions remain. These include requiring a doctor to check for a heartbeat and inform a patient, as well as documenting the reason someone is having an abortion. Yost said in the filing that the plaintiffs have not demonstrated how such provisions violate the constitutional ...

Women's day: Indian army to launch 2 sports companies for 'Nari Shakti'

In sync with the national vision of "women empowerment" & demonstration of "Nari Shakti", the Indian Army is raising two Army Girls Sports Companies (AGSC) in a phased manner.The AGSCs will be located at two Army's Centre of Excellence nodes i.e. Army Marksmanship Unit, Mhow in Madhya Pradesh and Army Sports Institute, Pune.The AGSC will be fully functional with effect from April 2024.The AGSC will train young girls from all parts of the country in Shooting, Archery, Athletics, Boxing & Weightlifting.To identify the young talent, provide them with formal education apart from other administrative requirements & train them to be champions in their respective sporting discipline.These two locations have world-class training infrastructure, sports medicine centre, rehabilitation facility and related coaching facilities.Indian Army has rich experience in scouting for young talent as demonstrated by the success of Boys Sports Companies.This young talent will also benefit ..

International Women's Day 2024: Wishes, messages, quotes to share

On International Women's Day 2024, how about we collectively celebrate the achievements of women all from all places, intensify their voices, and to renew our obligation to gender equality

Resolve to build 'Viksit Bharat' will be fulfilled by nation's women: Birla

Addressing the 58th Annual Function of Laxmibai College, Delhi University, on Wednesday, Birla said the women of India will lead the nation on the path of prosperity and glory

International Women's Day 2024: Date, History, Theme and Importance

International Women's Day is celebrated yearly on March 8. It is observed worldwide to recognise and celebrate women's contribution in social, culture, political and other human spheres

US first lady Jill Biden honours 'women of courage' at White House

First lady Jill Biden hosted a White House ceremony on Monday for women of courage who have fought political repression, sexual violence, economic hardship and gender discrimination around the world. You've spoken out for yourselves and for others in the face of fear and risk, and those who have tried to steal your voices away," Biden said. She added, Change never happens on its own. There is power in this community of women. Twelve women received the awards, which were distributed by the U.S. Department of State. It was the 18th year the awards have been given out. Among the honourees were a lawyer from Myanmar, a former political prisoner from Belarus, a disability rights advocate from Afghanistan and a teacher from Ecuador. One of the honourees, Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello, was not able to attend because she was not allowed to leave her home country of Cuba. She's faced detention and harassment during her decades of advocacy for human rights and political freedom. Marta may no

UN deputy secretary-general initiates women-centric talks in Afghanistan

According to The Khaama Press, Wignaraja maintains her role as the Regional Director for Asia-Pacific at the UN Development Office

Women in legislature would help in evolution of policies: VP Dhankhar

Women are the backbone of Parliament and the country's economic development, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Thursday asserting that women in legislatures would help the governance in evolution of policies that would lead to the resolution of larger issues. "Giving justice to your gender is automatic justice to my gender," he said as he invited students of Delhi University's Miranda House College to witness the proceedings of the Winter session of Parliament. The Rajya Sabha chairman was delivering an address on the 'Role of Women in Indian Parliament' to mark the platinum jubilee of the college. He said the role of women in Parliament is enormous and that their presence by itself will surcharge the atmosphere in legislatures. Talking about women's representation in legislature, he said a minimum of one-third of seats each in Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies would soon be reserved for women candidates. The vice-president said India made history on September

What's point of women's quota Bill if not implemented immediately: Priyanka

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday said the BJP-led Union government was treating women as a "joke" as the newly enacted legislation which reserves seats for them in legislatures can not be implemented for ten years. Speaking at a rally at Mohankheda in Dhar district of poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, she asked why the government brought in the bill at this stage if the quota could not be put into effect immediately. The BJP-led Union government brought in the women's reservation bill.... all of us Opposition parties also supported it.Then we learnt that it will not be implemented for ten years, before that the census will be conducted. Then what was the point of this announcement?.....You are treating women as a joke," Gandhi said. The government will have to carry out the delimitation exercise before implementing the new Act (which reserves 33 per cent seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures), and this will take ten years, the Congress leader .

Global acceptance of Taliban depends on respecting women's rights: US Envoy

According to Amiri, officials delivered a clear message: The Taliban must respect Afghan and women's rights to be part of the international community, according to Khaama Press

UN Dy Secy-General calls to put pressure on Taliban to ensure girl's rights

Mohammed while speaking at a press conference, said that the situation of women and girls is getting worse day by day in Afghanistan

UN meeting presses Taliban for violating women's rights in Afghanistan

The Women's Rights Council representative further called for global support to define "gender apartheid" in international law

More women in legal profession is a steps towards inclusivity: SC judge

Supreme Court Judge Justice Hima Kohli on Saturday said the entry of first-generation lawyers from diverse backgrounds and the increased representation of women in the legal profession are steps towards inclusivity. Justice Kohli was speaking at the Forbes India-Legal Power List 2022 finale to felicitate lawyers. She said that the Indian legal profession no longer operates in silos but has witnessed remarkable changes in its demographic composition over the past few decades. It is a vibrant, ever evolving organism that grows richer with each new voice that joins the chorus, Justice Kohli said. "The entry of first-generation lawyers from different backgrounds and the increased representation of women in the legal profession are steps towards inclusivity. They send a powerful message across the country that the tide has truly turned and status quo is passe," she added. The Supreme Court judge said that the first-generation lawyers coming from diverse socio-economic backgrounds often

Women's representation in policymaking set to increase, says Anurag Thakur

With the passing of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam bill, women's representation in policymaking is also set to increase significantly, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Anurag Thakur said here on Saturday. Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as saying "Yahi Samay Hai, Sahi Samay Hai", he urged the women to come forward, "chase your dreams, grab the opportunities available all around, and take India forward to the status of a developed country by 2047." "The special session of the Parliament was truly historic as we moved to the new parliament building and the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam bill got passed," Thakur, who is also Youth Affairs and Sports Minister said at an interaction with the youth at the PSG College of Arts and Sciences, Coimbatore. Under the leadership of the PM, sincere efforts have been made to empower women and provide them with opportunities. "The result is clearly visible, as today our #NariShakti is represented in the Army, Navy, and Air ...

Flower petals showered on PM in Varanasi for passage of women's quota Bill

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attended an all-women public meeting in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, where the women showered flower petals on him for the Parliament's nod to the women's reservation bill. The event was organised at the ground of Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accompanied Modi at the function. The prime minister reached the venue after laying the foundation stone of an international cricket stadium in Varanasi. Modi is currently representing Varanasi in the Lok Sabha for a second consecutive term. The 128th Constitution amendment bill, referred to as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, to reserve one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women received the Parliament's nod on Thursday.

Delimitation poor excuse for postponement of women's quota Bill: Jairam

Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh said the delimitation exercise and caste census "poor excuses for the postponement" of the Women's Reservation Bill

Taliban bans women's beauty salons in Afghanistan, gives 1 month to wind up

It's the latest curb on the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls, following edicts barring them from education, public spaces and most forms of employment