‘Ageing is a mixture of gains and losses’: why we shouldn’t fear getting old

Today the rich, multi-faceted experience of getting older has been pathologised and reduced to shame about looking old. But it doesn't have to be this way, says Anne Karpf

FGM inquiry launched to uncover reasons for lack of prosecution in UK

Major inquiry will look at current legal framework's suitability given there has not been a single prosecution in three decades

Ethiopian women pay high price for US aid abortion restrictions

Claire Provost: Reproductive health has risen up aid donors' agendas, but USAid restrictions mean NGOs are shying away from working on abortion

NHS maternity care can be ‘truly shocking’, says regulator

Chief inspector of hospitals finds women are being left alone in labour and waiting hours for pain relief

NHS maternity services not good enough, says chief inspector

Survey shows 'truly shocking picture' of women's childbirth experiences despite recent improvements, according to regulator

Mothers over 30 at greater risk of negative birth outcome, study finds

Research showing higher incidence of premature and stillbirths could change medical thinking about age of 'older mothers'

Can Clare’s Law really stem the violence towards women that young people feel is ‘normal’ and deserved?

After Christmas, Clare's Law will allow us to ask the police if our partner has a history of domestic violence. But that's where even bigger problems start, says Eva Wiseman

Test could help prevent unnecessary breast cancer treatment, say scientists

Women with early stages of breast cancer may no longer face treatment without knowing whether it will become life-threatening

Sexual violence against girls – we must open our eyes

Deborah Orr: A report this week revealed that girls are being abused by other children. Why do adults fail to understand how vulnerable and alone adolescent girls can be?

One in 10 women have been forced into sex against their will, Lancet study says

Sexual coercion is becoming normalised, warns researcher, urging early intervention at schools to curb stereotypes