By Mangla Sharma

Mangla Sharma , WRN core member from Pakistan  shares few reflections  on over all state of women's rights in South Asia. To read her thoughts click here 

By: Padmini Ghosh WRN India Coordinator

Read more from the WRN India Coordinator Padmini Ghosh on the Rohingya crisis in South Asia here.

WRN spoke with Beth Woroniuk, co-founder and coordinator of Women Peace and Security Network-Canada (WPSN-Canada) with over 25 years of experience. We were excited to speak with her about Canada’s new Feminist International Assistance Policy, upcoming WPS National Action Plan and its positive impact on women peace and security. Read more here

An article on tolerance and sisterhood by Sadia Bibi one of the newest young women leaders and WRN members currently working with Insan Foundation Trust in Islamabad. Read more of her experience here

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An article reflecting resilience, challenges, struggles and hopes in Afghanistan by Palwasha Hassan, the Executive Director of AWEC in Afghanistan, WRN member and longtime Peace Activist. Read more here

WRN intern and undergraduate student at the University of Denver, Ingrid von Kleydorff, discusses the many possibilities for women's roles in times of conflict in light of India's recent advances towards including women in such efforts. Read more on why women should be included here. 

Huma Fouladi, WRN member and peace activist, writes on the many forms of barriers that still face women across the world today. Read her perspective here. 

WRN's most recent interview was held with Kyleanne Hunter, a former United States Marine officer, AH-1W pilot and liaison officer to the House of Representatives. She discussed with us the many experiences she had in combat while also being a woman and how she fought stereotypes. Kyleanne also gives us insight into the future implications for women in hard security. Read more here. 

WRN communications intern, Trishna Rana, continues discussion on gendered politics in Nepal. After recent elections, votes and policies show dangerous promises for women in the region. Find out why and read more here. 

WRN's current Communications Intern, Trishna Rana, recently discussed the role of structural gender based violence in India and how to combat prejudice to promote effective legal remedies and beneficial social advances. Read more here.

In a recent interview with Sajia Behgam, associate professor at Kabul University, WRN discussed the importance of gender in the leadership of Afghanistan. Read more here. 

WRN interviewed Aarya Nijat, founding partner at Duran. She spoke to us about how to further ensure equality between men and women through education and leadership. Click here to read more.

WRN Board member and founder of Jagori Delhi and Jagori Rural, Abha Bhaiya describes the increasing challenges that face many minorities in India today after the recent murder of Pehlu Khan and his sons. How can we combat this senseless violence? Read more here. 

WRN recently spoke with Rangina Hamidi, female entrepreneur in Kandahar, Afghanistan and founder of Kandahar Treasure. She discussed the many challenges that face female entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and the importance of economic independence for women. Read more here. 

Beena Sarwar, an award winning journalist and activist from Pakistan, the Editor of the WRN Community Conversation reports and a great friend to the Network, talks about the role of mothers in times of conflict and common themes of conflict in South Asia. Read more here.

WRN's Regional Advisor, Nooria Sultani recently addressed Afghanistan's widespread street harassment and why it is dangerous for the country's development. Read more here.

Founding president of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies and Diplomatic Relations Professional, Farhat Asif provides insight into the Emerging Young Leaders Congress and the work that the female Fellows accomplished. Read more here.

Editor and activist Anuradha Bhasin Jamwal discusses the role of social media in nationalism and its effects on Zaira Wasim and Gurmehar Kaur. Read more here.

Judge Najla Ayoubi sat down to speak with us about the role and importance of women at the grassroots in the global fight against violent extremism. Click here to read more.

By Swarna Rajagopalan, WRN Founding Member

Click here to read the presentation made at the India Community Conversation launch event (Jan. 28, 2017)

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By Swarna Rajagopalan, WRN Founding Member

How it started does not matter. Everything is different now.

A spark, a simmer, a stranger’s torch—everything burns anyway.

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The first insult, the first stone—remote realities, not mine.

To rage, to wage, to flee—nothing decided by me.

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The shells hurt us all, but they wound the least.

Our heavy, aching hearts by fear and uncertainty are besieged.

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We wait in our homes, fretting over a hundred things.

Will she return? Did they reach safe? What is happening?

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Did she run? Or was she taken? Make no sound.

Did he die? Or was he disappeared? Ask no questions.

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Not knowing is the worst part. Our imaginations outdo reality.

And who do we trust? They were our best friends.

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The lines cut between us, shifting constantly, landmines of betrayal.

But we will survive. We adapt. We innovate. We live.

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Like weeds, we find invisible routes to seek the sun.

We learn, we teach, we write, we share, we connect.

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Like water, we prevail. No fire can resist our flood.

We build as you break—homes, lives, spirits, relationships--tirelessly.

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My sisters stay, tenaciously holding on to homes and lands.

My sisters leave, protecting parents and children, from terrible violence.

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And then my sisters learn to fight—guns, bombs, mines.  

Their bodies are now the battleground for someone else’s war.

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War is a strange land. And so is this peace.

This strange pause where we now wait—my new home.

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Still marginal.

Still unsafe.

Still silent.

Still vigilant.

Still alive.