by Katie Palmer
-Philippines-

What happens to a country where there is a tight marriage between the State and the Catholic Church as well as an absence of a national population policy and nationwide inaccessibility to contraceptives, particularly among the poorest of the poor? A population crisis—much like the one seen in the contemporary Philippines.

by Liz McGinn
-UK-

Northern Ireland is still recovering from its troubled history. Like many countries worldwide it has had to come to terms with being a segregated society, where religion divided, rather than united, communities. The signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 gave Northern Ireland a vision of a shared future where government was at a local level and where Protestants and Catholics could live harmoniously together without fear of sectarianism or violence.

by Gulayim Myrzaeva
-Russia-

A wedding in Kyrgyzstan is a huge celebration. For most girls it is an event they await from their birth. Parents spend a great amount of money preparing the dowry and the feast. However, there is one moment that can ruin not only the outcome of the event and the fate of the bride, but also tarnish the family honor - the display of the first night bed sheet.

by Afsaana Rashid
-Indian-administered Kashmir-

Multiple forms of domestic violence compel Sayeeda Chisti, mother of four and a resident of the village of Kona Gabra, to abandon her native place and seek ‘refuge’ in the city. Tossed between post and pillar, the middle-aged woman struggles to find a shelter above her head.

by Aloosh Devrim
-Syria-

When I saw the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt I felt happy. I knew that soon the domino effect would spread change throughout the Arab world.

Before the popular upheaval, like many in the West, I never expected a pro-democracy movement here in Syria. I used to subscribe to the older generation’s view that Facebook and Twitter cannot change the world. But I am witnessing reality to the contrary.

by Manar Ammar
-Egypt-

On Friday, February 11, 2011 President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt stepped down, ceding power to the Egyptian military. Vice President Omar Suleiman made the announcement via state television. - Ed.

The news from Egypt arrived: People are revolting against Mubarak. They are marching in the thousands, chanting their demands. The fear that had its tight fist around our necks has been broken. And in revolting, we won back part of our freedom: the freedom to say no.

by Sarah Irving
- Australia -

The past few weeks have brought confusion and uncertainty for many of the estimated 40-50,000 West Bank Palestinians who work in illegal Israeli settlements. Are they breaking the law by not giving up their jobs? And if they are, will they actually be punished for it?

In spring 2010, Palestinian Authority (PA) economic minister Hassan Abu Libdeh announced penalties of up to five years in jail or a $14,000 fine for anyone found working in settlements after the start of 2011. The ban was one of a range of economic boycott measures announced by the PA.