KAPILBASTU, 29 Mar 2005 (IRIN) - Dinanath, a Nepalese farmer, was struck by tragedy when he lost his wife following the birth of their child a few months ago.Full report

BARDIYA, 21 Mar 2005 (IRIN) - In July 2000 Nepal's government made a historic move to outlaw the 'Kamiaya' bonded labour system, which was akin to slavery. Kaliram Tharu breathed a sigh of relief that his family of Kamaiyas had been finally freed from bondage to his landlord and debilitating debts. The law has been in operation for five years but the situation hasnt improved and many still suffer.Full report

KABUL, 16 Mar 2005 (IRIN) - Standing out from the crowd in a queue of women waiting outside the Afghan Ministry of Womens Affairs to submit their complaints, Turgul Khan looks a little confused.Full report

KATHMANDU, 14 Mar 2005 (IRIN) - Rajendra Dahal, a widely respected Nepali journalist, is one of the few standing firm against the states near total censorship of the media. King Gyanendra assumed direct rule of the country on 1 February after declaring a state of emergency. As the editor of Nepals top news magazine, Himal Khabarpatrika, Dahal is probably the last editor left in the country who is going to press carrying criticism of the regime, but his days are numbered, fellow journalists say. Full report

KABUL, 14 Mar 2005 (IRIN) - A national campaign to boost girls' enrollment was launched in Afghanistan over the weekend as the country prepares for a new school year at the end of March.Full report

ISLAMABAD, 11 Mar 2005 (IRIN) - Women in Pakistan took to the streets this week in a series of rallies across the country to protest against a court's acquittal of five men convicted of a gang rape in a remote southern part of Punjab province. The accused were released last week due to insufficient evidence. Full report

KABUL, 8 Mar 2005 (IRIN) - Thousands of Afghan women marked International Women's Day in the capital Kabul and some provinces on Tuesday 8 March.Full report

KABUL, 2 Mar 2005 (IRIN) - The United Nations and the Ministry of Womens Affairs (MoWA) called on Afghan political parties on Wednesday to promote and support female candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections.Full report

NURISTAN, 24 Feb 2005 (IRIN) - The wooden hut of Zulaikha, a 45-year-old midwife, remains the only ray of hope for destitute women in the Nuristan valley, in northeastern Nuristan province. Dozens of women gather around Zulaikha, many of them after travelling from snow-capped mountains after a day's journey by foot.Full report

ISLAMABAD, 2 Feb 2005 (IRIN) - Two independent reports on domestic violence against women in Pakistan have found that the country is suffering increasing levels of abuse in spite of legislation to provide women with protection.Full report

NEPAL: Focus on maternal mortality

NEPAL: Focus on former bonded labourers

NEPAL: Focus on media censorship

AFGHANISTAN: Marking International Women's Day

KAZAKHSTAN: Interview with UN Resident Coordinator, Yuriko Shoji