A machine to check for menstruating women – this was a Hindu priest’s suggestion after being asked why women were being kept off his temple’s premises. The statement triggered an online campaign called #Happytobleed.

© Getty Images/AFP/W. Kohsar

Womens rights and gender equality are in focus in Afghanistan after Kabul University introduced a new course aimed at improving the position of women in Afghan society.

© picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Qadri

The bitter truth can be found in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. I am a woman and I know for sure how far our rights are protected. I understand the problems that could come with our rights but we deserve dignity, respect and to be treated with love.

Bangladeshi women work in a garments factory in Dhaka©MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/GettyImages

After the Rana Plaza garment factory collapsed in 2013 and killed more than 1,100 people, Germany set up an initiative to improve working conditions in Bagladesh’s clothing industry. DW explores how much progress has been made.

Dr. Habiba Sarabi © Ali Sher

A few months ago we have published the story of Dr Habiba Sarabi, who became Afghanistan’s first female provincial governor, appointed by the then President Hamid Karzai in 2005. She governed Bamyan and used this platform to promote the rich cultural heritage of the province.  In this one-on-one Dr Sarabi shares her extraordinary journey towards becoming one of the foremost female voices in the Afghan politics right now.

© picture-alliance/dpa

It is ironic that while India is one of the world’s fastest growing economies, many Indian women are still trapped in the dark ages. Just name it – female feticide, child marriage, sexual violence, dowry, domestic slavery and abuse top gender evils. It might not necessarily be in that order.

DURGA, a photography project by Sharmistha Dutta that addresses the apathy and gender inequality that exists against women, especially widows in India. WTO Reporter Roma Rajpal Weiß spoke to her on the plight of widows in India and the inspiration behind her project.