Balance of Power

Kashmiri girls stand on a roadside

How the US distributes $1.3 billion in aid for women around the world

Afghanistan alone is allocated one-fifth of the aid — $16 per woman in that country.

How the US distributes $1.3 billion in aid for women around the world
Umaima Awan sits with her mother, Um-E Salma, at the family’s house in Jauharabad, Pakistan.

This Pakistani mother was married off as a child — but she didn't let it stop her

This Pakistani mother was married off as a child — but she didn't let it stop her
1 billion dollar question

Hey Donald Trump — here's what women around the world need your help with

Hey Donald Trump — here's what women around the world need your help with
A member of the campaign staff of former Democratic US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton

Women worldwide react to Clinton's defeat

Women worldwide react to Clinton's defeat
Yolanda Perea Mosquera is a survivor of sexual violence

Colombian war victims struggle to find justice. For a while, this girl only wanted revenge.

Colombian war victims struggle to find justice. For a while, this girl only wanted revenge.
A woman cries during a meeting between FARC guerrilla leaders and victims of the La Chinita massacre

Schools help Colombians remember what it means to forgive

Special programs are helping men and women in Colombia learn how to connect with, understand and forgive those on the other side of the decades-long civil war.

Schools help Colombians remember what it means to forgive
A Colombian female leftist rebel looks at the photo of legendary guerrilla leader Ernesto "Che" Guevara in a temporary rebel headquarters in San Vicente del Caguan in 1999.

For some Colombian guerrilla fighters, the rebels offered an escape

Unlike other wars, as many as 40 percent of the Colombian guerrilla forces are women. Many join the ranks to seek protection.

For some Colombian guerrilla fighters, the rebels offered an escape
Birgitta Jonsdottir of the Pirate Party reacts alongisde party members

When it comes to gender-equality aid, the US lags behind its peers

As a portion of its aid budget, the US doesn't give a high amount to programs supporting gender equality. But in absolute dollars, the US is the largest provider of aid focused on gender equality.

When it comes to gender-equality aid, the US lags behind its peers
FARC rebels pose with an unidentified girl holding a weapon in southern Colombia in this undated photo confiscated by the Colombian police and released to the media on November 12, 2009. Police said that the photo was found on the body of a rebel FARC kil

She misses being a guerrilla, but this former FARC fighter is starting a new life back home

When she was 14, Xiomara picked up a gun and joined Colombia's Marxist guerrilla group, the FARC. She stayed in the wilderness for 15 years. Now she faces the challenges of thousands of other women who have left the rebel group: how to come back.

She misses being a guerrilla, but this former FARC fighter is starting a new life back home
Eman Khan is 5 years old

When being forcibly removed from your home isn't entirely bad news

Pakistan's US-backed campaign against terrorists in its tribal areas forced this family from home. But it's not all bad news.

When being forcibly removed from your home isn't entirely bad news
Nabila ur Rehman

A drone has left this 12-year-old girl as the keeper of her grandparents' story

How a US drone strike upended the life of a 12-year-old Pakistani girl.

A drone has left this 12-year-old girl as the keeper of her grandparents' story
Women leaders increase the peace

Feminist foreign policies are gaining popularity, and increasing the peace

Feminist foreign policies are spreading as world leaders recognize the critical role women play in ensuring peace and security.

Feminist foreign policies are gaining popularity, and increasing the peace
Marvi Memon

The woman leading Pakistan's welfare program puts cash in the hands of women

This Pakistani politician got into office on a women's quota system. Now she's giving millions of women a leg up.

The woman leading Pakistan's welfare program puts cash in the hands of women
afghanistan model un

What's the best way to spend $1 billion on women? These teens have some thoughts

Ninth-graders in the "immigrant city" of Lawrence, Massachusetts dig into global gender issues during a Model UN meeting.

What's the best way to spend $1 billion on women? These teens have some thoughts
Women legislators take photos as US President Barack Obama signs two new executive actions

The real impact of a female president? More women in politics.

When a woman is elected to lead a country, it jumpstarts the future prospects for women politicians all down the ballot.

The real impact of a female president? More women in politics.
Women chant slogans during a protest in Kabul, Afghanistan

For a generation of Afghan women, US foreign policy changed everything

She was a teenager in Afghanistan during 9/11. US intervention in Afghanistan and subsequent foreign policy has reshaped the life of young Afghan women.

For a generation of Afghan women, US foreign policy changed everything
Asima Naqvi

This Pakistani police officer is part of a trend that could make a more peaceful world

More female police officers means more stability for everyone, researchers say. Meet one policewoman in Pakistan helping to bear that out.

This Pakistani police officer is part of a trend that could make a more peaceful world