Details
by Nina Somera

Days after the international condemnation on Afghanistan’s new Shia Family Law, President Harmid Karzai ordered a review of the legislation. The Shia Family Law effectively allows marital rape and child marriage, a step back that is comparable to the Taliban regime. The law also grants men easier access to divorce and child custody.

Details
by Isis International with the reports from the Asia Pacific Women’s Watch

After lengthy and tense negotiations, the 53rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women came to an end last 13 March 2009 in New York, United States, leaving most feminists satisfied. With the theme, “The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including care-giving in the context of HIV/AIDS,” CSW affirmed the need to put in place responses that will recognise and encourage the equal roles between women and men in caring for people with HIV-AIDS beginning at the community level.

Details
by Nina Somera

Myrna Castelo, 38 counts herself as one of Manila’s urban poor. Last Christmas was a blessing as she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. She could have lost her baby as the city’s health centre refused her, saying that this was already her eighth pregnancy and therefore, she should have prepared beforehand. She delivered her child in their small shack, promising again to herself that this will be her last.

Details
by Nina Somera

Scores of women marched on the streets as the world marked the International Women’s Day. Many activities centred on the worsening economic crisis whose impact has been most deeply felt by poor women. Women also demanded an end to gender-based discrimination and violence and the recognition of women as equal partners in nation-building and peace-building. We! compiled what was seen and heard on this historic day in the Asia Pacific region.

Details

Details
delivered by Ms. Shuwen He of the All China Women's Federation on 9 March 2009

I am pleased to take the floor at the 53rd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, on behalf of the Asia Pacific Caucus which represents 60 per cent of the population in the Asia-Pacific region.