When people discuss youth in the Middle East and North Africa, the focus tends to be on young people’s potential for turning toward political and social extremism as opposed to more constructive options. Violence and unrest in the region have increased young people’s disenchantment with politics, frustrated progress, and led to hopelessness in prospects for the future. Youth are the largest and fastest expanding population group in the region. Political leaders have important questions to answer if they are to engage young people.

On November 12, 2015, the Malian National Assembly adopted a historic gender quota bill. The new law, which requires that at least 30 percent of elected or appointed officials be women, is a result of concerted action to reverse several years of negative trends in women’s   representation in positions of power.

Georgia witnessed a chilling bout of violence against women and domestic violence in 2014. Almost every month, at least one woman was murdered by her partner, husband or ex-boyfriend. The deaths of many of these women, often at knifepoint or by gunshot, orphaned children who had no other responsible caregivers.

Editor's Note: This op-ed written by former Secretary of State and NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright was published in CNN Opinion on International Women's Day, March 8, 2016. NDI will be launching a global campaign to stop violence against women in politics on March 17, 2016, in New York City. Click here for more information

Widespread sexual violence has characterized the conflict in Syria since its inception. The threat of rape, sexual slavery, and forced marriage impacts every aspect of the lives of Syrian women and girls, and such violence has continually worsened as the country’s civil war heads into its sixth year.