"Since the first sparks of the revolution, women have defied national stereotypes."

Emad Karim, a young Egyptian who took part in a debate with the Elders during their visit to Cairo in October 2012, blogs about the challenges facing women in Egypt's patriarchal society, arguing that men and boys should be actively involved in the campaign for equality.

Rana Zincir Celal coordinates the Cyprus Chapter of the Greek-Turkish Forum. Following a meeting between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot women and Elders' Lakhdar Brahimi and Gro Brundtland, she writes about the need for women to be more involved in the peace process in Cyprus

Sari Freitekh discovers the hidden serenity of the Qalandia Camp Handicraft Cooperative and meets the women who are empowering their peers through literacy and skills training.