India votes for a new parliament. Nepalese women are campaigning against harassment on the streets of Kathmandu. Indonesian women are well-represented in politics, but power does not mean that they get enough respect from society. Read more for women’s stories that made it to the headlines.

11 things to know about world’s largest election

Polling has begun in India, the world’s largest democracy. More than 800 million people are voting this year for their representatives in the Indian parliament. Read more.

Malala Scholarship Programme

A powerful congressional panel approved a proposal on Monday to increase the number of US scholarships available to women in Pakistan. Read more here.

Campaigning for safer public spaces for women

The last day of the “International Anti-Street Harassment Week” was celebrated in Kathmandu with a flash mob, music and dance performances and flash cards. Read more here.

Bangladeshi delegation in Mumbai to tackle problems of trafficked women

A special Bangladeshi delegation, which held a meeting with its Indian counterpart on Sunday, will sign a pact with India on preventing trafficking of women to India. Read more here.

Indonesia’s Elections Feature Plenty of Women, but Respect in Short Supply

The world’s largest Muslim-majority nation has imposed a strict quota on women standing in this year’s parliamentary elections, but critics say the plethora of celebrities and political scions show they are pawns manipulated to prop up the established elite. Read more here.

Xi’an Holds Hair-Pinning Rites Ceremony for Girls

According to this ancient Chinese custom, 50 girls pull the hair up tight in a bun with a hairpin, to celebrate their coming-of-age ceremony. Read more here.

9 Historic Photos of Afghan Women Standing Up to the Taliban

Check out these pictures of women voting in Afghanistan. Read more here.