Circumcision: South Africans should stop allowing our boys to be butchered

Fezisa Mdibi’s 11-year-old son will soon be called to take part in the Xhosa rite of passage – circumcision. But with dozens dying each year from botched operations, she believes it’s time the practice was banned

Six reasons why women should fake a pregnancy

Naomi McAuliffe: A panda in China has duped its keepers into giving it more food by appearing to be pregnant. You too can reap the benefits of a faked foetus

Labour appoints shadow minister to tackle violence against women and girls

Ed Miliband says appointment of Seema Malhotra shows importance Labour government would place on tackling problem

Is the era of the virgin over?

Jessica Valenti: New research proves that a generation of women knows there’s nothing wrong with having sex – no matter what the purity-obsessed crusaders say

How Ireland’s abortion laws made me feel like a criminal

Henry McDonald: Ruth Bowie had to go to England to terminate for medical reasons. She now offers help to others in the same situation

‘I was fired for having a miscarriage’: the truth about pregnancy and work

Bim Adewunmi: Six out of 10 mothers believe their careers suffered after they became pregnant. How have you found managing pregnancy, motherhood and work?

Ex-EastEnders star criticises Disney for unrealistic depiction of women

Tamzin Outhwaite says princesses with tiny waists waiting to be rescued by men was not a good role model for her daughters

If you cheer breastfeeding women and jeer bottle-feeders, you’re the problem

Jessica Valenti: By judging mothers’ choices, we reinforce the idea that women can’t be trusted to decide what’s right for their bodies

World Breastfeeding Day: been to Breastival this year?

Homa Khaleeli: Mothers across the UK celebrated the day with a simultaneous feeding session. But campaigners and health workers say women still don't get enough support

Domestic violence refuge provision at crisis point, warn charities

Women's groups say broadscale closure of safe houses putting support for some of most vulnerable people back 40 years