From artisanal fishing to working in fruit plantations nearly 100,000 women have secured gainful employment thanks to the vocational training provided under the Chapéu de Palha Mulher, a ground-breaking government initiative in Brazil. (© UN Women/ Lianne Milton)

When Maria Jose Pereira was growing up in the rural town of Escada, Brazil, her father’s tools were off limits. “Everyone in my house worked in construction. My father and brothers were all stonemasons,” Maria says. “I wanted to work with them, but they said I couldn’t because I was a woman.”

© picture-alliance/da

Two posts in Facebook got many comments this week. They were about blue jeans and men’s thighs. Check it out here, and don’t forget to leave a comment on our posts in Facebook and Twitter.

Although Geena Davis played the role of President of United States of America in TV show, Commander-in-Chief, she believes that women are far less likely to be a judge or doctor or in any other professional or leadership position.

What do we learn about women and girls when we turn on the television or go to the movies? Around the world, female characters in films and television take far less space than male characters. They do less interesting things. They are judged by their appearance. That is Geena Davis‘ opinion.

The news that at least 12 young Australian women from Melbourne have attempted to join the so-called Islamic State demonstrates its enduring attraction on young impressionable Moslem women in western countries. It is time to rethink western strategies, writes DW’s Grahame Lucas.

For her latest work, Delhi-based artist Mithu Sen, spent a month at a Kerala orphanage to experience firsthand what life was like for these marginalised young girls, who had already been through a lot of trials. © WFS

In her latest multimedia presentation, ‘I Have One Language; It’s Not Mine’, celebrated artist Mithu Sen describes the home as a temporary place. In this video installation she is Mago, a person who knows no language, at a home for girl orphans and abuse victims somewhere in Kerala.

Things are on the move in the world of gaming. About half of all gamers are female. Now game producers are starting to employ more female developers. And women in tech are also a key focus of this year’s “International Games Week” in Berlin.