Aamir LatifApril 19, 2013 06:01

BAJAUR, Pakistan — In a district known more for militants and drones than women’s lib, Badam Zari is receiving some early support. Outside a small courtroom in Khar, the capital of Bajaur Province, a dozen of her supporters — almost all men — cheered when the election commission official announced that Zari would be allowed to run.

Indian parliament signs off on anti-rape bill

Jessica Phelan and Jason OverdorfMarch 21, 2013 08:26

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde called the legislation the most stringent in years, and said it would "impact the society for years to come."

India passes tough new rape law - but does it go far enough?

Jessica PhelanMarch 20, 2013 09:34

The new legislation does not criminalize the rape of a woman by her husband, or ban politicians charged with rape from running for public office.

House Republicans clear path to renew the Violence Against Women Act

Jennifer MattsonFebruary 27, 2013 16:32

House Republicans appear to be bowing to their party, as the Senate tackles reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.

Claire McCartneyFebruary 15, 2013 14:46

Emergency contraception use more than doubles

A recent NCHS report shows that more American women than ever are using the morning after pill.

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5.8 million American women reported using an emergency contraception pill, like Plan B, between 2006 and 2010. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The use of emergency contraception by American women has more than doubled in recent years, according to a study released yesterday.

The study by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) surveyed more than 12,000 women and found that 11 percent of sexually active women between the ages of 15 and 44 had used the morning after pill at least once between 2006 and 2010. In 2002, the study said, four percent of women had used the drug.

Clerics in Saudi Arabia come out to protest appointment of women to Shura Council (VIDEO)

Faine GreenwoodJanuary 16, 2013 12:38

A group of Saudi Arabian clerics protested outside the Royal Court in Riyadh on Tuesday, railing against King Abdullah's surprising decision to appoint 30 women to the Middle Eastern nation's Consultative Council for the first time ever.

Faine GreenwoodJanuary 3, 2013 12:03

Indonesian city demands women not 'straddle' motorbikes

"When you see a woman straddle, she looks like a man. But if she sits side-saddle, she looks like a woman," Mayor Suaidi Yahya told the BBC.

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Motorists inch their way in a heavy traffic in Sumatra, Indonesia, on November 19, 2011. (Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images)

Are you a woman in the Indonesian city of Lhokseumawe? Be forewarned: female passengers now are only permitted to ride motorcycles side-saddle, as local authorities have concluded that "straddling" the bikes is a violation of Shariah law.

Arab women express solidarity on Facebook (PHOTOS)

Kristin DeasyOctober 19, 2012 12:46

As the case of Malala Yousafzai, a 14-year-old education and gender activist shot and wounded last week by the Taliban in Pakistan, focuses the world's attention on the issue of global women's rights, a group of women and men have been flocking to Facebook to make their voices heard.

Samira's Story: Why she fights for freedom, in her own words

Samira IbrahimAugust 1, 2012 06:15

CAIRO, Egypt — Although the doctor who administered the tests was acquitted, Ibrahim won her case ending the practice — to the joy of many Egyptians and spectators worldwide. She has been called a radical, a freedom fighter, a feminist, a role model and a hero.

The Partner: Ahmed Awadalla

Kristin DeasyAugust 1, 2012 06:15

CAIRO — A regular participant in women’s rights protests around Cairo, Awadalla regularly takes on taboo issues like gender discrimination on his “Rebel with a cause” blog.