While the debate continues over whether 2012 really was the so-called 'year of the woman' (or "year of the year of the woman" as the New York Times dubbed it, 2013 has so far been something of a mixed bag for the fairer sex. The news, uncovered on Friday, that the Church of England is to lift its ban on gay members of the clergy from becoming bishops, was undoubtedly a huge step in the right direction for the Church, but it rather showed up the fact that women still don't get the same privilege.
Our most recent occupation of Afghanistan has been marked, much like the others, by a directionless war that turns Afghans into enemies while getting bogged down in mud and blood. The growing occurrence of so called 'green on blue' attacks on allied forces are not simply a failure of security checks but a deeper sign that more Afghan's than ever are unconvinced that the 11 year occupation has been for their benefit. We should bring home the 9,000 British service men and women still stationed in Afghanistan, taking them out of harm's way.
The barriers to education faced by Pakistani girls like Malala are stark in comparison with the rest of South Asia. The poorest girls in Pakistan are twice as likely to be out of school as the poorest girls in India, almost three times as likely as the poorest girls in Nepal and at least six times as likely as the poorest girls in Bangladesh.
Arriving in zone one ahead of the union members, police outnumbered tourists on the streets, before the quiet gave way to the TUC-organised crowds, which numbered anywhere between 100,000 and 130,000 depending on whose calculations you want to believe. Thousands more congregated in Glasgow and Belfast. Support the march and the proposed strikes or not, the theme of Saturday's action - youth unemployment - is one that affects far too many to be ignored, and I'm not just talking about the million under 25s out of work.
A vigil for the Pakistani schoolgirl shot in the head by Taliban gunmen was held in Birmingham city centre on Thursday. Malala Yousafzai is being t...
A vigil will be held today for the Pakistani schoolgirl shot in the head by Taliban gunmen. Malala Yousafzai is being treated at Birmingham's Queen...