As someone born and brought up outside the UK but now living here, one of the things I most admire about the British people is that they hold in their hearts the struggle against global poverty. The 'Enough Food for Everyone IF' campaign has united in one voice all the...

Why campaigners are urging the UK to ban caste discrimination

"What is your caste?" I would be asked. In London. When walking with my husband, who is white, I'd be asked, "Could your parents not find any good Indian boy? What is your caste anyway?" When my answer was just...

It's clear that last week's London Family Planning Summit was a success. The vibe at the Summit was electric with many global leaders making big promises. A massive well done to Melinda Gates, who nudged world leaders to pledge more $2.8 billion in support of family planning up to 2020.

Could this be a good news year for women and children?

Over the years we have seen a lot of good, bad and ugly promises, campaigns and programmes. Some, such as increasing child vaccinations, have been very successful. But in the run up to the finish line for the Millennium...

The women come one by one. Some bring blankets and some little brown sacks to sit on. They spread the blankets and the sacks neatly in front of the house. One of them starts counting the heads and figuring out who is not yet there. After a few more minutes...