Copyright: imago/eyevisto

Casual sexism has become a hidden part of German culture, says DW’s Kate Brady. She takes a look at the country’s stereotyped gender roles – from Mummy Merkel, to glib dirndl comments, and even gender-specific sausages.

picture-alliance/dpa

India’s image in the world is synonymous with the Taj Mahal, the snake charmers and sexual violence. It is nothing new to hear of another incident of harassment, as it is common knowledge that the women in India are regularly subjected to inappropriate touching, sexual harassment, eve teasing and rape.

Out of over 1,000 applicants, just 155 finally managed to clear all the rounds of selection. A vigorous training has prepared them to do their job with confidence. (Credit: Abha Sharma\WFS)

Jaipur (Women’s Feature Service) – “Dousing the hungry flames is certainly not an easy task. It’s a test of one’s physical strength as well as courage and agility. But if one is determined, one can overcome any risks however daunting they may look,” says Sita Khatik, an officer with the fire department in the desert state of Rajasthan, India. Stationed in Jaipur, the state capital, she is one of the 155 female fire fighters recruited by the state government in March this year. Six from this first batch are serving in the city at present and they are simple, all smiles and, yes, armed with that tremendously daring spirit that makes them perfect of the job.

Copyright: DW/H. Sirat

Germany takes threats from militant Islamists seriously. Now German prosecutors have laid charges against a woman who took her daughters to Syria. Read more to find out which women’s themes made to the headlines this week.

(picture-alliance/dpa)

Here’s a round-up of women’s news that made it to the headlines. Did we miss
something? Let us know through your comments.

Asaro Mudmen. Legend has it that they were defeated by an enemy tribe and forced to flee into the Asaro river. The enemy saw them rise from the muddy banks covered in mud and thought they were spirits. People in PNG have strong connections with the spiritual world (picture-alliance/dpa)

News about atrocities against women in Papua New Guinea (PNG) was commonplace in the last few weeks. Women who have been accused of sorcery were either killed or forced to flee their homes. But this brutal violence against women is not new in PNG. In June 2014 UN rights adviser Signe Poulsen told DW in an interview that the PNG government had failed to protect the victims and bring the attackers to justice. In fact, over the past view years, women accused of being witches have been tortured or burnt in PNG.

“picture-alliance/AP Photo/Saurabh Das”

Here’s a round-up of women’s news that made it to the headlines. Did we miss
something? Let us know through your comments.