News Archives - Women's Network for Change

January 13, 2025

Gisèle Pelicot: The Woman Who Made Shame Change Sides

In a small village in southeastern France, Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old woman, transformed her personal tragedy into a beacon of hope and empowerment for victims of sexual violence. Her courage and resilience not only brought her abusers to justice but also sparked a national reckoning on the stigma surrounding rape and abuse. Gisèle’s story is one of defiance, justice, and cultural transformation. For years, Gisèle endured unimaginable abuse at the hands of her then-husband, Dominique Pelicot. Unbeknownst to her, Dominique […]

September 15, 2024

Women’s Right to Education in Afghanistan: The Impact of Fundamentalism

Since the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan in 2021, the right of women and girls to access education has been systematically stripped away, marking a stark regression from the progress achieved in the previous two decades. This repression is a direct result of the fundamentalist ideology embraced by the Taliban, which severely limits women’s rights. The implications of these restrictions are not only devastating for Afghan women, but also for the country’s broader social and economic development. Before the Taliban’s return […]

August 23, 2024

Über Mut by Rita Süssmuth – A Powerful Manifesto for Courage and Democracy

In her final and most compelling work, Über Mut, Rita Süssmuth—esteemed former CDU politician, leading figure in German politics, and Honorary President of the WNC—delivers a passionate call to action. At 87, Süssmuth draws upon her extensive experience to address the pressing challenges of our time, urging citizens to embrace optimism and civic courage in the face of global crises and societal fears. A Legacy of Courage and Engagement Über Mut is more than just a memoir; it is Süssmuth’s […]

April 13, 2024

Challenges Facing Girls in Sports

As we draw closer to the much-anticipated Olympic Games, excitement permeates the air, palpable with every passing day. With the world’s gaze turning towards the host city and athletes gearing up for the pinnacle of their sporting careers, anticipation reaches fever pitch. In this article, we delve into the upcoming Olympic Games, examining the host city, the preparations underway, and the buzz surrounding this global spectacle of athletic prowess and unity., This article sheds light on the challenges facing girls […]

November 4, 2023

Indispensable Role of Women in Promoting Peace Amidst Global Conflicts

In a world riddled with conflicts and crises, the role of women in promoting peace has become increasingly vital. Women’s involvement in peace-building efforts has proven to be not only beneficial but often indispensable, offering fresh perspectives, empathy, and innovative solutions to the complex problems that persist. While women have historically been underrepresented in peace processes and conflict resolution, the 21st century has witnessed a growing recognition of their importance. Today, with numerous conflicts and tensions prevailing across the globe, […]

July 30, 2023

Empowering Women: Unleashing the Potential of Half the World

In our rapidly evolving world, the empowerment of women has become a crucial topic of discussion. While significant progress has been made in recent decades, it is evident that gender disparities and low women’s empowerment still persist in many parts of the globe. A comprehensive study conducted by gender equality and development experts shed light on the prevalent gender gaps and women’s empowerment deficits across various countries. The findings revealed that no nation has achieved full gender parity, indicating that […]

June 2, 2023

The Empowered Iranian Women: A Beacon of Change Nine Months After the Uprising that Shook the Pillars of the Iranian Regime

The Iranian uprising, which erupted nine months ago, marked a pivotal moment in Iran’s history, shaking the foundations of the oppressive regime. Among the countless stories of courage and resilience that emerged from this movement, one group stood out: Iranian women. Despite decades of marginalization and discrimination, Iranian women seized the opportunity to assert their rights and demand equality, driving a profound transformation in society. Iranian women, nine months after the uprising, are catalysts of change. Political Empowerment Nine months […]

January 14, 2023

Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

Women’s rights in Afghanistan have a long and tumultuous history. For much of the 20th century, Afghanistan was a patriarchal society where women were often treated as second-class citizens and had few legal protections. Although it had slowly gotten better, the situation has now set women’s rights in the country back by decades. Outdated infringements on women’s rights are now once again at the forefront of international scrutiny because of the Taliban’s recent and rapid rise to power. Few countries […]

January 14, 2023

Summary Of Women’s Rights Around The World In 2022

The year 2022 had major developments fit to be published in history books, and in no way is it more significant than the events affecting women’s rights around the world. Let’s highlight the significant women’s rights moments that happened in the past year. Women Tackling Climate Change 2022 was a fruitful year for efforts to involve women at the forefront of the fight against climate change. In the months leading up to the International Women’s Day Celebration on March 6, […]

September 2, 2022

Droupadi Murmu becomes the first tribal president of India

India elected its 15th president- Droupadi Murmu, the first tribal president and is second woman after Ms. Pratibha Patil to hold the office. Murmu, born in 1958, hails from Odisha. She represents one of the largest tribal communities, the Santhals. She is also the first president born in independent India. She started her career as a teacher and a clerk at State Irrigation and Power Department. She rose to politics after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1997 as […]