Österreichs SPÖ-Frauenministerin Eva-Maria Holzleitner sieht sich mit Kritik konfrontiert, nachdem ihr Ministerium 118.000 Euro für eine achtteilige Podcastserie mit 'Der Standard' zu den Themen Wissenschaft, Forschung und Frauen ausgegeben hat. Die FPÖ wirft der Ministerin 'Steuergeld-Verschwendung' vor.
The Multifunctional Social Services Center in Copceac, Gagauzia, Moldova, has officially opened its doors to beneficiaries. Renovated with over €86,000 from the European Union and UNDP through the 'Mayors for Economic Growth' initiative, the center offers a social canteen, laundry, and distribution point for donated goods, with a capacity for approximately 100 people daily.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has requested a constitutional review of a reform passed by the San Luis Potosí Congress. The 'Governor's Law' mandates that the next gubernatorial candidate must be a woman, prompting questions about its alignment with national gender parity frameworks.
China announced plans to fully cover childbirth costs for all citizens by 2026, aiming to combat its declining birth rate and population crisis. The policy will eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for standard delivery services, expanding maternity insurance eligibility to more workers.
Austria has reaffirmed its commitment to international justice by making a voluntary contribution of EUR 146,000 to the International Criminal Court's Trust Fund for Victims in 2025. A significant portion of the funds is earmarked for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, highlighting Austria's ongoing support for those affected by international crimes.
Australia has enacted financial sanctions and travel bans against four high-ranking officials of Afghanistan's Taliban-run government. The measures, announced on December 6, 2025, target individuals responsible for severe humanitarian violations, particularly against women and girls, and for undermining governance in Afghanistan.
Norwegian and Swiss envoys in Dhaka, alongside UN Women, emphasized the critical need to end digital and gender-based violence against women in politics. A high-level dialogue highlighted how online harassment undermines democratic participation and called for stronger protections and accountability.
Australia has imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on four senior Taliban officials, including three ministers and the chief justice. The measures, effective December 6, 2025, target individuals deemed responsible for the severe oppression of Afghan women and girls, particularly concerning their rights to education, employment, and public life, under Australia's new autonomous sanctions framework.
Women within Spain's Socialist Party (PSOE) are calling for a profound feminist transformation and an end to the protection of aggressors, intensified by recent sexual harassment allegations against a key party ally. The party's slow response to these claims has sparked outrage and deepened internal divisions, prompting demands for immediate referral of such cases to the prosecutor's office.
Austria convened its sixth Violence Protection Summit on December 2, 2025, bringing together key ministers to discuss and implement enhanced measures against violence, particularly gender-based violence, amidst the '16 Days Against Violence' campaign.
Malta will introduce seven days of fully paid miscarriage leave for women and their partners, effective January 1, 2026. This measure, part of a broader social support package, will be government-funded and applies to all workers, aiming to provide crucial support during pregnancy loss.
Italy marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, 2025, with nationwide events and a significant legislative step. Parliament unanimously approved a bill introducing 'femicide' as a distinct crime, punishable by life imprisonment, reinforcing the nation's commitment to combat gender-based violence. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed the government's dedication to protection and prevention.
Hundreds of women marched in Mexico City on November 25, 2025, to protest pervasive gender violence and femicide, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Authorities reported a peaceful demonstration amidst calls for justice and governmental action.
Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley of Saint Kitts and Nevis addressed the nation on International Men's Day, November 19, 2025. He highlighted the global theme 'Celebrating Men and Boys' and the local focus on 'Power Purpose, Perspective: Shaping a positive future for Caribbean Men,' advocating for positive masculinity, gender equity, and the invaluable contributions of men and boys.
Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, President of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, chaired the 3rd International Conference on Gender Equality (ICGE 2025) in Accra, Ghana, from November 20-22, 2025. She urged urgent global action for gender equality, highlighting the digital divide and the unfinished promise of the Beijing Declaration.
Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, President of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, chaired the 3rd International Conference on Gender Equality (ICGE-25) in Accra, Ghana, from November 20-22, 2025. She delivered a powerful address, calling for urgent global action to advance gender equality, particularly in the digital realm, 30 years after the Beijing Declaration.
Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, President of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, chaired and delivered a powerful address at the 3rd International Conference on Gender Equality (ICGE 2025) in Accra, Ghana, from November 20-22, 2025. She urged urgent global action for gender equality, particularly in a digitalizing world, emphasizing the unfinished promise of the Beijing Declaration.
Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan addressed the 6th High-Level Forum of Women Leaders in Burundi, calling for inclusive and multifaceted strategies to tackle global youth challenges. She emphasized shared responsibility, visionary leadership, and a holistic approach to education, health, and digital safety for the world's largest generation of young people.
Iceland's annual Children's Parliament has commenced, with young delegates visiting Alþingi on International Children's Day before holding formal sessions at Harpa. The event aims to empower youth to develop policy proposals for improving children's welfare, engaging with parliamentary leaders and learning about legislative processes.
Hundreds of South African women, organized by Women for Change, staged lie-down protests in Johannesburg and other cities on November 21, 2025, demanding urgent action against gender-based violence and femicide. The demonstrations, held a day before the G20 Summit, highlighted the country's femicide rate, which is five times the global average. The government responded by declaring GBV a national disaster.
