Europe | Russia | Leadership

Eurasian Women’s Forum: Women in the Changing World

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Women play an increasingly important role in resolving issues that society and the state encounter and in the modern world, they should not face the choice between family and self-fulfillment, According to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the third Eurasian Women’s Forum held in St. Petersburg on October 13-15. “It is completely obvious that in modern conditions a woman should not face the choice between children and family or professional fulfillment. That is why in Russia the conditions are consistently created for a woman after childbirth to begin or resume her professional ca
International | Society

Are women better ultra-endurance athletes than men?

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Through thunderstorms, scorching heat and icy rain, Fiona Kolbinger cycled 2,485 miles (3,999km) in a little more than 10 days over some of Europe's most demanding terrain. In doing so, the German cyclist became the first woman to win the Transcontinental Race this week. That in itself was remarkable: it was the first time she had formally competed in an ultra-cycling event. But what was all the more remarkable was the fact she finished the brutal journey from Bulgaria to France a full 10 hours ahead of her closest opponent. "I am so, so surprised to win," she said. "When I was coming i
North America | United States | Culture

Women In National Security Push To Move Beyond ‘The First’ And ‘The Only’

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In her 30 years as a U.S. diplomat, Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley served as ambassador to Malta, monitored elections in Gaza, led a diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia, expanded counterterrorism partnerships and oversaw a mass evacuation of Americans from a war zone. But no matter how many postings she racked up, Abercrombie-Winstanley said, she often saw shock spread across the faces of men when she walked into rooms for high-level meetings. That's because Abercombie-Winstanley is a woman – a black woman – in the male-dominated world of national security. She's part of a cohort of wo
North America | United States | Career

New Report Says Women Will Soon Be Majority Of College-Educated U.S. Worker

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Women are on track to make up a majority of the college-educated labor force this year, marking a historic turning point in gender parity. While women have made up a majority of college-educated adults for roughly four decades, that strength has not always been reflected in the work force, where men have traditionally dominated. Men still outnumber women as a percentage of U.S. workers, but the gap has narrowed significantly in recent years. This year's first-quarter findings reported 29.5 million women in the labor force had at minimum a bachelor's degree, compared to 29.3 million me
Middle East | Saudi Arabia | Culture

A year on the road: how life has changed for Saudi women since taking the wheel

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Ammal Farahat has been driving in Saudi Arabia for a year. To celebrate, she’s finally registering her car under her own name. She bought her VW Passat five years ago, but had relinquished control of it to her drivers – until now. A year on from the historic decision to lift the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia, thousands of women across the kingdom have spent 12 months leading a freer existence. The move came as part of a series of reforms implemented by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman since he assumed the role of heir apparent last year. It comes as part of a larger pla
South Asia | Afghanistan | Culture

Kabul’s Women Find Power and Liberation in the City’s Vibrant Cafes

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On some days, life as a young woman in Kabul can feel suffocating for Hadis Lessani Delijam, a 17-year-old high school senior. Once, a man on the street harangued her for her makeup and western clothes; they are shameful, he bellowed. A middle-aged woman cursed her for strolling and chatting with a young man. “She called me things that are so terrible I can’t repeat them,” Delijam says. For solace, Delijam retreats to an unlikely venue – the humble coffee shop. “This is the only place where I can relax and feel free, even if it’s only for a few hours,” Delijam said recen
Latin America | Argentina | Society

How Argentina’s women took on blatant sexism to reach the World Cup

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Argentina had just drawn 0-0 against Japan at Parc des Princes in Paris on Monday, yet the players collapsed in joy as if celebrating an epic victory. For the casual viewer it must have seemed an exaggerated celebration but for anyone familiar with what the Argentinian players have gone through it was completely understandable. Going back just one year, it was unclear if the team would be able to travel to France at all. Unlike the regional power that is Brazil, who can count on regular training camps and tournaments, the Argentinian women’s team has been shockingly neglected by its fede
Africa | Zimbabwe | Crimes

These women survived domestic abuse, now they’re sharpshooters protecting animals from poachers

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Abused and disadvantaged women have become Zimbabwe's hidden weapon against poachers who kill elephants and rhinos for their tusks and horns. The Akashinga squad, or "The Brave Ones," is Zimbabwe's first all-female anti-poaching team that has quickly earned a top reputation as sharpshooters. They've arrested 80 armed poachers in the past year. Petronella Chigumbura, the star sniper of the squad, wears a full camouflage suit for solo night patrols. "When I wear this suit no one can see me, and I can hide from the poacher," Chigumbura told CBS News foreign correspondent Debora Patta in a
North America | United States | Activism

Moms March Movement Takes Declaration of Mothers to Congress

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National Movement of Moms head to D.C. March 8th giving voice to the Silent Majority of Moms in America. On March 8, 2018, Moms across America will join a national press conference to present the Declaration of Mothers to Congress and the nation declaring the self-evident truths that will dramatically decrease violence, increase prosperity, promote civility, and heal our nation from the inside out. The Press Conference will be held at the Phyllis Schlafly Center in Washington D.C., the perfect backdrop to honor the mothers of America and the values Phyllis spent her life defending. HomeM
Middle East | Iran | Activism

Iran frees woman who took off headscarf – lawyer

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An Iranian woman detained after defiantly taking off her headscarf and holding it on a stick in Tehran has been freed, a human rights lawyer says. The woman - whose name remains unknown - became the face of protests in the country in December, and images of her were widely shared on social media. Iranian officials have so far made no public comments on the issue. Meanwhile, images of another three women repeating the act have gone viral after appearing on social media. The three unidentified women were also protesting in the capital - one at what appeared to be the same spot as the
South Asia | India | Activism

Thousands of Women in India Create World’s Largest Crochet Blanket

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The all-woman team made a blanket the size of a soccer-pitch It took over two thousand women, six months and lots of yarn to break the Guinness World Record for largest crochet blanket on Sunday in the city of Chennai, India. The efforts of the all-female group of crocheting enthusiasts— known as Mother’s India’s Crochet Queens— payed off on Jan. 31, when they broke South Africa’s record. Their finished product was a 120 thousand square-foot blanket, around the size of a soccer pitch. It is reported that the blanket was disassembled and sections donated to needy Indian f
Africa | South Sudan | Society

The Resilient Women Holding South Sudan Together

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A woman walks into the labor ward, straight through to the delivery table. Five minutes later her baby is born. Two hours ago, she was in active labor and told to stay in the hospital for monitoring, however she went to the market to do some last minute errands. Women in South Sudan are fierce and resilient and this is seen every day when they labor with no expectation of pain relief, carry construction supplies across thorn-filled dirt paths and pump and carry endless jerry-cans of water to their families. The media reports on the blood-filled disputes of men – cattle raids, failed
Africa | Kenya | Business

How Maasai women in Kenya are helping to make your cosmetics

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It’s a day-long drive from Kenya's capital Nairobi to Twala in Laikipia County. The last 50 miles is along a dusty road, and then you arrive at the farm of the Twala Cultural Manyatta. It’s oasis-like, and the moment you enter the gate, the fresh smell of greenery strikes a contrast with the aridity you leave behind. Even more striking for me are the two dozen Maasai women lined up in front of the mud wall of their compound, bedecked in brightly colored beaded jewelry. The second my car door opens, they break into song. I had inquired how much press they’ve received. “Not much,
Middle East | Saudi Arabia | Politics

SAUDI WOMEN FACE OFF AGAINST MEN FOR FIRST TIME IN ELECTIONS

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Outside of the Saudi capital, in one of the country's most conservative provinces, Jowhara al-Wably is making history. She's running in this weekend's elections. Saturday's vote for local council seats marks two milestones for Saudi women: Not only can they run in a government election for the first time, it is the first time they are permitted to vote at all. The municipal councils are the only government body in which Saudi citizens can elect representatives, so the vote is widely seen as a small but significant opening for women to play a more equal role in Saudi society.