Pathways of Women's Empowerment: all articles

Pathways is a partnership with the Institute of Development Studies, which is running a research and communications programme linking academics, activists and practitioners to find out 'what works' to empower women. openDemocracy brings you the voices and views of women working in Ghana, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Palestine, Sudan and Nigeria. Articles for the initiative include contributions by Srilatha Batliwala, Andrea Cornwall, Mulki Al-Sharmani, Cecilia Sardenberg, Takyiwaa Manuh (you can also listen to Takyiwaa's interview here), Firdous Azim, Naila Kabeer, Emily Esplen, Ana Alice Alcântara and Rosalind Eyben.

Musawah: solidarity in diversity

Cassandra Balchin, 23 February 2009

In her concluding report from the launch of a global initiative to reform Muslim Family Law, Cassandra Balchin finds solidarity in diversity and a growing convergence around human rights values.

Friday 13th February

Musawah: there cannot be justice without equality

Cassandra Balchin, 13 February 2009

Muslim scholars and activists from forty eight countries are today launching a global initiative insisting that in the twenty first century "there cannot be justice without equality" between men and women.

Thursday 12th February

Home truths in the Muslim family

Cassandra Balchin, 12 February 2009

Sky rocketing rates of women's employment in Muslim countries and recent scholarship that has developed a vision of Islam that insists on equality between men and women, mean that the global pressure to reform Muslim family law is mounting, writes Cassandra Balchin.

Thursday 3rd July

Women and Memory: “I’m the Story”

Jane Gabriel, 3 July 2008

Jane Gabriel meets the actors and writers of the Cairo-based Women and Memory forum. Listen now

Tuesday 24th June

Brazil: searching for a violence-free life

Jane Gabriel, 24 June 2008

Meeting women's rights activists in Salvador, Brazil, Jane Gabriel finds there can be no talk of empowerment without first tackling endemic violence. Listen now

Thursday 29th May

Making women work for development - again

Rosalind Eyben, 29 May 2008

Development policy is embracing market-led growth and neglecting gender equality

Friday 14th March

Rebuilding civil society in Sierra Leone

Jane Gabriel, 14 March 2008

Hussaina Abdullah spoke to Jane Gabriel about rebuilding civil society in Sierra Leone in the aftermath of civil war. Listen now

Tuesday 11th March

Women and politics: the Brazil paradox

Ana Alice Alcântara, 11 March 2008

Despite an effective women's movement, Brazil has one of the lowest rates of female political participation in the world. Why?

Thursday 28th February

Making development work for women

Jane Gabriel, 28 February 2008

What has happened to the argument for women's human rights in international policy? Rosalind Eyben of IDS, Maitrayee Mukhopadhyay of the Royal Tropical Insititute in the Netherlands and Helen O'Connell of One World Action spoke to Jane Gabriel. Listen now