International Day of Friendship

Sharing the human spirit through friendship Our world faces many challenges, crises and forces of division — such as poverty, violence, and human rights abuses — among many others — that undermine peace, security, development and social harmony among the world’s peoples. To confront those crises and challenges, their root causes must be addressed by … Continued

International Day of Parliamentarism

One hundred years after women won the vote or were first elected to parliament in some EU countries, the data show that women continue to be under-represented in politics and public life, in the European Parliament, national parliaments and governments, and local assemblies. The arguments for gender balance in politics are numerous and benefit not … Continued

Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day

The COVID-19 crisis has taught us that the pandemic and containment measures do not impact everyone in the same way. Among the private sector, Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), especially those led by women, youth, ethnic minorities and migrants, suffered the most. An International Trade Centre survey on COVID-19 impact among businesses in 136 … Continued

International Widows’ Day

Invisible Women, Invisible Problems For many women around the world, the devastating loss of a partner is magnified by a long-term fight for their basic rights and dignity. Despite the fact that there are more than 258 million widows around the world, widows have historically been left unseen, unsupported, and unmeasured in our societies. The … Continued

International Day of Family Remittances

The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) recognizes more than 200 million migrant workers, women and men, who send money home to over 800 million family members. A remittance is money sent back home by a worker who works in a foreign land. This money that is sent back home by migrant workers is considered … Continued

World Environment Day

While men and women must work hand in hand to confront the environmental challenges of our time, considerations of gender and environment are crucial to our ability to achieve a just and sustainable future. Gender inequalities, such as weak rights to own land and reduced access to energy, water and sanitation facilities for women, have … Continued

Global Day of Parents

Like no one else, parents and caregivers shape the experiences that build their children’s brains and set them on a path towards healthy development. Parenting is too big a job for parents and caregivers to do alone. They need support to give their children the best possible start in life. The LAB4GE’s partners unite to … Continued

International Day of Families

Today, on International Day of Families, the partners of the LAB4GEproject celebrate all families. We recognize that on the gender equality agenda there is still progress to be made. Family law is 1 of the 4 legal frameworks that we must reform to accelerate our progress toward gender equality. Some family laws even hinder women’s … Continued

World Press Freedom Day

As we join together to recognise World Press Freedom Day, the Partners of the LAB4GE project focus their attention on combating the additional disadvantages women face in their access and participation in the world of news and reporting. More women are needed to help promote gender diverse reporting and a balanced and non-stereotyped portrayal of … Continued

International Workers’ Day

For International Workers’ Day, we celebrate the hard-working women and men in the world. The partners of the #LAB4GE project, commemorate all the women at work anywhere in the world. At a time when gender equality has seen needed changes in labour laws and the work environment, we are now standing in a crisis that … Continued

World Health Day

On the 74th anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization, the LAB4GE Partners join the force to raise awareness of World Health Day. In a world that has been significantly impacted by the consequences of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the Partners shine a light on the increased effect this has on the topic … Continued

e-Journal Edition: August 2021

Dear Reader, This time we are paying tribute. I have heard people say that explaining Brexit using the example of Erasmus+ is a strange thing to do. And it may indeed be so, but my friend’s sister would probably disagree. OK, maybe this is not how she explains Brexit, but this is at least one … Continued

Education as Soft Power and Beyond

Education is a good thing. This is a generalisation, but one of the very few with which most people would agree. Now, what education delivered to whom, where and how are issues which have led to wars, both verbal and physical, both of epic scale. While, historically, contemplating these questions has been considered a male-brain … Continued

From Alat to Aktau on the Caspian Sea

In 2019, my partner and I wanted to travel through Central Asia, by land only. Our mission was to begin in Antalya on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, and travel all the way to Almaty, Kazakhstan, strictly by land, across the Caucasus and Central Asia. No airplanes; just trains, coaches, and boats. One of the most daunting … Continued

Aleksa Santic – Poet of the Balkan Soul, a Signpost of Unity

Introduction- Between Two Empires The city of Mostar first appeared in history books in 1474.[i] Its strategic location contributed to its fast development and expansion. From once a tiny kasaba (settlement), it has since developed into a strong economic and cultural centre. The city itself has a mixed demographic structure with Muslims, Eastern Orthodox and … Continued

All writers' views in articles are their own and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Asfar team.

Published by Asfar in London, UK - ISSN 2055-7957 (Online)