A nation that can take pride in leading women in fields including politics, education and cyber security is ranked almost the worst for gender equality. DW’s head of Urdu, Kishwar Mustafa, explores this dilemma.

Around 100 German women left to fight for the “Islamic State” and half of them are under 25. Read more about it here, and other news about women that made it to the headlines.

Copyright: picture-alliance/AP

This week, we dedicate this post to every woman and every girl who knows that education is her way to liberation.

Kailash Satyarthi has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his fight against child labor. In an exclusive DW interview, the activist talks about the importance of the prize and plans to work alongside co-winner Malala.

Media reports indicate that the Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is planning to lower the age of marriage for women. Afghanistan’s First Lady Rula Ghani wants to set an example for women in her country. Will she be succesful? Read more for women’s news that made it to the headlines in the last few days.

2013 has been yet another tumultuous year for women in Pakistan. When I look back, many tragic incidents stand out but quite a few women have had successes to make us proud.

While the world is giving Malala Yousafzai outstanding accolades, Pakistan is on the brink of a wild frenzy on coming up with conspiracy theories. There is a limited group of people who hail her as a hero, but most have labelled her a traitor.