Focus
The Women's Reporting & Dialogue Programme
Years active: 2005-2006
The Women's Reporting & Dialogue Programme - covering non-Arab Muslim countries - will seek to strengthen the capacity of local media and individual journalists to cover gender issues through training and information provision. It also seeks to create a regional network of female journalists whose high-quality output will provide a much-needed source of comprehensive information on gender issues in the regions.
Shamed Women Enter Sex Trade in Azerbaijan
As prostitutes are exploited in the cafes, police officers sit back and watch the profits roll in.
Iraq: Culture Clash for Returning Kurdish Women
Many young women who have lived abroad find it hard to adjust to social strictures as well as economic difficulties when they come back to Iraqi Kurdistan.
Alarm Over Intermarriage Health Risks in Tajikistan
Calls for restrictions on weddings between close relatives are falling on deaf ears.
Afghan Poet's Death Raises Many Questions
While her husband proclaims his innocence, the death of Nadia Anjuman has attracted international attention to the plight of many women in this country.
Afghanistan: See You in Court
Women are beginning to break their code of silence and stand up for their rights.
Kyrgyz Cancer Sufferers Turn to Healers
The lives of many women could be saved if they sought conventional medical treatment.
Turkmenistan: One Wife or Two?
Polygamy has staged a comeback, though opinion is split on legalisation.
Is Afghanistan Ready for Women in Parliament?
The recent elections showed some surprising gains for women, but it is far too soon to herald a new age of sexual equality.
Azeri Bride Kidnappers Risk Heavy Sentences
Lawmakers have cracked down, but activists fear promise of long prison terms for kidnappers may prove hollow.