The central Indian state of Chhattisgarh has become a dangerous place for those who question the government. This, especially after the Indian government has vowed to unleash a massive offensive on Maoist rebels that human rights groups say doesn’t address the factors that has led to the Maoist insurgency in the first place.

The city of Vrindavan in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is also known as the ‘City of Widows’ and is home to an estimated number of 20,000 women who have lost their husbands. These women have been abandoned by their families and are shunned by the society because of many superstitions. Widows are said to bring bad luck and being a widow is considered the biggest curse for a woman.

Malala Yousafzai © picture-alliance/Geisler/D. Van Tine

Malala Yousafzai said it, and it is true. Education is a right that is under threat by the Taliban in Pakistan. Police often have to stand guard outside schools. In the past the Taliban has attacked schools and killed children and teachers were killed. It could happen again any time. In Pakistan: education is an act of courage. See more here!

Maldivian Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon poses for a photograph during an interview with The Associated Press in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015. © AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena

On the occasion of International Women’s Day Dunya Maumoon, Foreign Minister of the Maldives has been speaking out on women’s rights in her island nation. Maumoon, for many years has been an ardent supporter of human rights and women’s rights in the Maldives, is the daughter of a former president. In a DW interview she underlined her commitment to women’s rights at home and abroad. 

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We are living in the 21th century. In this modern age we tend to think that men and women are equal. But are they really? Ahead of International Women’s Day 2016, DW spoke with activist and feminist Kristina Lunz about how far we’ve come and how far we’ve yet to go regarding gender equality.

© reuters

There’s something we missed in recent media coverage of the two Pakistani stories, writes feminist writer, academic Ayesha Hasan.  

© Roheena Sajid

A few months ago some women from Islamabad (Pakistan) organized a conference to raise awareness about rape and sexual assault. This conference was organized in one of the universities in Islamabad by the collaboration of “Gender And Woman Studies” department professionals. People from different walks of life attended the conference including politicians, teachers, students and social workers. The basic purpose of this conference was to raise awareness about the rape and harassment.