Latest Women's rights News

'Women farmers are invisible': A West African project helps them claim their rights — and land

Mar. 27, 2024 14:27 PM EDT

ZIGUINCHOR, Senegal (AP) — Mariama Sonko’s voice resounded through the circle of 40 women farmers sitting in the shade of a cashew tree. They scribbled notes, brows furrowed in concentration as her lecture was punctuated by the thud of falling fruit. This quiet village in Senegal...

After a county restricted transgender women in sports, a roller derby league said, 'No way'

Mar. 27, 2024 01:07 AM EDT

SEAFORD, N.Y. (AP) — They zip around the rink, armed with helmets, pads and mouthguards. They push, bump and occasionally crash out as they jostle for position on the hardwood floor. But for the women of the Long Island Roller Rebels, their biggest battle is taking place outside...

A Pakistani court sentences a woman to life in prison for burning pages from Islam's holy book

Mar. 22, 2024 03:08 AM EDT

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A Pakistani court sentenced a Muslim woman to life in prison after finding her guilty of burning pages of Islam's holy book, a prosecutor said Friday. Under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, anyone found guilty of insulting the religion or religious figures can...

Gambia lawmakers refer a repeal of the ban on female genital cutting to more committee discussions

Mar. 19, 2024 02:00 AM EDT

SERREKUNDA, Gambia (AP) — Lawmakers in Gambia referred an attempted repeal of the 2015 ban on female genital cutting for further committee discussions on Monday. Gambian activists fear a repeal would overturn years of work to better protect girls and women. The legislation was...

Japanese table tennis star reaches an agreement with ex as parliament considers a joint custody bill

Mar. 15, 2024 09:43 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — A once-beloved Japanese table tennis star said Friday she has reached a settlement with her ex-husband, a Taiwanese star in the sport, ending a high-profile battle over custody of their 4-year-old son. The move comes at a time when Japan's parliament is discussing...

A young Belarusian woman who died after attack in Warsaw is laid to rest

Mar. 14, 2024 14:14 PM EDT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A young Belarusian woman who died after being attacked and raped in central Warsaw was laid to rest Thursday, with both loved ones and strangers turning out to mourn the loss of a young woman who had sought a better future in Poland. Lizaveta Hertsen, 25, was...

A meeting of the UN body promoting equality for women starts with 5 male speakers

Mar. 11, 2024 21:39 PM EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N.’s preeminent body promoting equality for women and girls opened its annual meeting Monday with five male speakers in a row – a lineup that made some of the men uneasy and was somewhat baffling to the hundreds of women in the packed General Assembly chamber. ...

UN chief: Legal equality for women could take 300 years as backlash rises against women's rights

Mar. 09, 2024 00:11 AM EST

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Legal equality for women could take centuries as the fight for gender equality is becoming an uphill struggle against widespread discrimination and gross human human rights abuses, the United Nations chief said on International Women’s Day. Secretary-General...

Facing historic shifts, Latin American women bathe streets in purple on International Women's Day

Mar. 08, 2024 21:47 PM EST

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Cities across Latin America were cloaked in purple Friday as hundreds of thousands of women marched to commemorate International Women’s Day, coming at a moment of change in a region marred by soaring levels of violence against women. While some are celebrating...

Duchess of Sussex, others on SXSW panel discuss issues affecting women and mothers

Mar. 08, 2024 18:03 PM EST

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A panel featuring Meghan the Duchess of Sussex came together on International Women’s Day to discuss how women and mothers are portrayed in traditional media and across social media, among other issues. The panel was part of the annual SXSW (South by...