Dr. Habiba Sarabi, a trailblazing leader in Afghanistan, is one of only four women negotiating peace with the Taliban as part of the ongoing intra-Afghan talks. Trained as a hematologist, she became a peace activist, politician and reformer in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. She has served as Minister of Women’s Affairs and in 2005 became the first Afghan woman to serve as a governor. She continues to be instrumental in promoting women’s rights and peacebuilding at a crucial turning point for her nation.

Sat in the cozy classroom of a cyber-celebrity incubator in Aba, Sichuan, Li Ying gestures towards her smartphone with an enthusiastic smile. “I want to study as much as I can,” says the 54-year old, the colours of her clothing bright against the mountain view behind her. “It's much better to make money on my own than to reach out for my husband.

With the support of the Japanese Government, UN Women Timor-Leste launched a new four-year, 294 million Japanese Yen (USD 2.74 million) project that aims to support the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in Timor-Leste. Resolution 1325 is the first of 8 resolutions that call on Member States to recognize women’s leadership and participation in all matters of peace and security. Toward this end, the project will partner with the Ministry of Interior, Secretary of...

The grand prize winner and two runners up were announced for the UN-sponsored photo contest that invited residents of Asia-Pacific to send in their best shots that reflect UN values in their neighborhoods, cities, countries or the region. Ms. Dwi Kristyadi took the grand prize, with her submission of “On the Wet Ground” which shows a volunteer giving lesson to street children in Jakarta. In a makeshift classroom on a bare concrete are gathering impoverished children of the Indonesian capital.