As in India, Brazilian women, too, are at high risk of domestic violence but they now have one of the most comprehensive legislations in the world to protect their interests. (© WFS)

Maria da Penha Maia Fernandes was fast asleep when her husband, Antonio Heredia Vivero, a teacher, shot at her. Though she was rushed to the hospital the attack left her paraplegic. Four months later, when she came back home Vivero made another attempt on her life – he tried to electrocute her. But Maria survived yet again.

(Copyright: picture-alliance/dpa)

Women in Bolivia are at higher risk to become victim to violence than elsewhere in Latin America. Read more about what the government has done to protect women and find out which other themes made it to the headlines.

Marriage at age nine is permitted, working is not; make-up is evil. Those are points written in a new treatise by female “Islamic State” supporters. Now three schoolgirls from London are believed to have crossed from Turkey into Syria. Read more for women’s news that made it to the headlines.

Little girls and dolls are synonymous. They are the best of friends all over the world except perhaps in Jaunpur in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. In Jaunpur, these dolls meet a horrifying fate at the hands of little boys.

Maria Jose Cristerna, a Mexican tattoo artist said she started to cover her body in tattoos, piercings, titanium implants and dental fangs to re-invent herself as a vampire, her reaction after suffering domestic violence.

’16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence’ is a campaign by the United Nations to promote awareness and motivate people around the world to act towards ending all forms of violence against women and girls.  The ‘Days of Activism’ begin on November 25, the International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women, and lasts until December 10, the International Human Rights Day.