The Independent | The New Suffragettes

A hundred years after Emily Wilding Davison threw herself under the King’s racehorse at the Derby, the rights she fought for are largely taken for granted in Britain. But there are still many places around the world where women risk their lives in pursuit of basic freedoms.

In Saudi Arabia women cannot drive, have no freedoms and as yet do not have electoral equality with males, although some changes are being introduced, slowly.

Millions of women who stood with men during Arab Spring uprisings are now being pushed back into veils, homes, impotence or imprisonment. In Iran’s elections next month, women are banned from standing. Those we saw in the last election have been suppressed or jailed.

Yet women all around the world, with extraordinary courage, are continuing to fight. Some are among the “New Suffragettes” who will be celebrated in this week-long series.

Case studies

Fighting FGM in Iraq

Special Report:

The New Suffragettes: Unfinished Business

Emily Davison:

How the suffragettes targeted sport

Britain:

A history of women's suffrage

The protest movement:

Witness the bare-chested defiance of Femen

Pussy Riot:

The band that dared rock Russia's establishment

Iran:

Shirin Ebadi - the international figurehead

Saudi Arabia:

Campaigning for the right to drive

Courage in Cairo:

The Arab women’s awakening

Mexico:

Lydia Cacho - justice for women means the right to live in safety

Ireland and abortion:

The powers that be are in the dark ages

Michael Grade: My blueprint for the BBC

The anachronistic public service broadcaster should - and can - survive, but only if it is prepared to make a radical break with the past, says its chairman from 2004-2006

Farewell to America’s little darling

Shirley Temple, who has died aged 85, was the definitive child actress – so much so that when she grew up, there was nothing left for her in Hollywood

Shia LaBeouf’s strangest apology yet?

Tim Walker joins the paper bag clad movie star for some ukulele playing at an LA art exhibit

Thai princess uses social media to ‘declare war’

Flashing the colours of anti-government protesters, the youngest daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand has created a furore

Slow television: chess, trains and knitting

Boring TV? Don’t knock it until you've tried it

Millions are settling in for hours to watch mundane events such as knitting or a train journey

A 3D-film project about the soul of buildings

Arthouse director Wim Wenders has joined forces with Robert Redford to make a movie about architects and buildings

Hotpot: 10 best pan sets

Whether you’ve got cooking skills to rival Nigella or are a novice in the culinary stakes, versatile and durable kitchen kit is a must

Is the power of the puck heading east?

This may be the last great ice hockey tournament at the Olympics as the NHL is considering banning its players. Unless Russia were in a position to take advantage?