violence against women

• Bangladesh
• United Kingdom

Mahbuba Jebin has been involved in politics since she was a student in Bangladesh. She was a member of the student wing of the current ruling party, the Awami League. For years she lived a life of privilege and power. However, her decision to marry a member of the opposition BNP party put her at odds with many in her own party. A campaign of intimidation started which led her to flee the country she loves and seek asylum in the UK. Despite all the difficulties, she continues to write every day.

• Congo - Kinshasa

The UN special representative on sexual violence in conflict has praised the African Union for their measures to prevent conflict-related sexual violence. The UN documented over 3,000 cases in which rape and abuse were used as a weapon of war in Africa last year.

• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Croatia

A person claiming to be a Croatian policeman has sent an anonymous letter claiming that they receive orders to confiscate migrants' money and destroy their cell phones.

• Germany

Traumatized refugees in need of psychological care have to wait over seven months in Germany before they are granted therapy. The long wait periods were reported in response to an official inquiry submitted by the Left Party (Die Linke).

• Italy

A project titled "The Women's Caravan for Human Gender Rights" is underway in Imola, to prevent and stop social marginalization, discrimination, and male violence against Italian and migrant women in the area.

• Greece

Many refugees and asylum seekers can face discrimination, even on arrival in Europe. For members of the LGBTQI+ community, the threat of violence and discrimination can be even more pronounced. That’s why a project in Greece has been working to create a safe place for LGBTQI+ people in the heart of Athens.

• Cyprus

In an unprecedented serial killing case that has shocked the Mediterranean island, a Greek Cypriot army captain who murdered five migrant women and two girls was handed seven life sentences. Accusations of rampant racism and police negligence had led to the dismissal of the police chief and the resignation of the justice minister.

• United Kingdom

The “Happy Baby Community” is a charity supporting migrant mothers and their babies. It was set up in 2014 by a small group of mothers – together with two volunteers - who had fled to the UK to seek protection for them and their children. Five years later, the group has grown to include around 450 mothers, more than 480 babies and children and 65 volunteers in two locations in London. InfoMigrants' Emma Wallis visited the center in Hackney to find out more.

• Cyprus

In Cyprus, a military officer has confessed to killing seven foreign women and girls, four of whom were Filipino. As authorities in the EU member state are being called to account by protestors, advocates for foreign workers say rampant racism contributed to police bungling.

• United Kingdom

Following last year’s hunger strike by women asylum-seeker detainees in Yarl’s Wood in the UK, DW looks at the impact of the country’s immigration policy. Marianna Karakoulaki reports from London.

• Italy
• Nigeria

Gender-based violence is the main reason why Nigerian women leave their home country and try to reach Italy, according to a new report. In Italy, these women aren't safe either - the IOM estimates that 80 percent of them are potential victims of human trafficking.

• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Norway

As fighting in Syria has slowed down, refugees and internally displaced people have started returning to their former properties - only to often find bombed-out buildings where their homes once stood. Amid a staggering number of land disputes arising as a result of the war, women are sometimes resorting to desperate measures in a bid to escape destitution.