A recent spate of jaw-dropping judgments and statements by judges and lawmakers in different parts of the world somehow seem to suggest that the unmistakable distinction between rape and consensual sex can get blurry in the very domains that should stringently uphold it, namely the courtroom and parliament.

In Nigeria, Boko Haram is recruiting women and girls to carry out suicide bomb attacks. NGOs and the Nigerian government are working to rescue these women and reintroduce them to society and their families.

Last week, Malaysia considered outlawing child marriage, a contentious issue in the Muslim-majority nation, without success. Instead, an MP said nine-year-old girls are “physically and spiritually ready for marriage.”

In Kyrgyzstan, a young woman is abducted roughly every 40 minutes. ‘Ala kachuu’ is the name for the tradition dating from nomadic times. The old custom is becoming more and more common. Women are being kidnapped and forced to marry.

Rebekah Trachsel, Credit: Unconventional Apology Project

Chantal Barlow is the initiator of Unconventional Apology Project. It’s about the powerful women who speak out against domestic violence. Read our interview with Chantal and find out what moved her to set up her unusual project.

Tracy Derraco. Credit: Unconventional Apology Project

Who are the victims of domestic violence? Is there anything that politicians can do to prevent this? Read the second part of the interview with Chantal Barlow, the initiator of Unconventional Apology Project.

#Beboldforchange. This is the motto of this year’s International Women’s Day. The motto itself suggests that change is not something which can be made easily. Are we the ones who boldly need to make the change? Or do we just have to boldly accept changes? What does making bold changes entail?