The 21st century is witnessing a profound shift in global dynamics;; driven by the fast-rising new powers of the developing world. China has overtaken Japan as the world's second biggest economy;; lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in the process. India is reshaping its future with new entrepreneurial creativity and social policy innovation. Brazil is raising its living standards by expanding international relationships and antipoverty programmes that are emulated worldwide. But the “Rise of the South” is a much larger phenomenon. Indonesia;; Mexico;; South Africa;; Thailand;; Turkey and other developing countries are becoming leading actors on the world stage. The 2013 Human Development Report identifies more than 40 developing countries that have done better than expected in human development in recent decades;; with their progress accelerating markedly over the past 10 years.

This 23rd annual World Report summarizes human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide in 2012. It reflects extensive investigative work that Human Rights Watch staff has undertaken during the year;; often in close partnership with domestic human rights activists.

This report was compiled from the findings and case studies presented at a workshop held on 5-6 December 2004;; in Cairo Egypt. This report contains an overview on global trends and regional analyses;; implementing legislated quotas for women;; quota adopted by political parties;; methods on enhance women’s participation;; and the role of the international community and international instruments. The international IDEA had convened a series of regional workshops to gather qualitative data. The report also has 6 case studies about women’s participation and quota include comparative experiences with quotas;; address the culture challenges to women’s representation in the Arab world;; and point the opportunities that could be seized in order to meet those challenges.