We look to the French and international media after a fresh day of strikes in France against pension reforms. The papers also pay tribute to Iranian women's brave fight for freedom. Finally, we look at the front page of The Independent by eminent British artist Tracey Emin, who recounts her battle with cancer.

We look to the French and international media after a fresh day of strikes in France against pension reforms. The papers also pay tribute to Iranian women's brave fight for freedom. Finally, we look at the front page of The Independent by eminent British artist Tracey Emin, who recounts her battle with cancer.

Indeed, Iceland has a lengthy history of passionate political action and discourse surrounding women's rights, and they're still setting the standard for equal treatment today.

The coronavirus pandemic has meant progress on gender equality in the European Union is slower than hoped, the Gender Equality Index reports. The domains of work, education and health were hardest hit.

In this special edition, we're in Spain, which is listed as one of the world's top 15 countries in fighting gender discrimination. It is also a pioneer in the field of gender violence. So how did a once traditionally Catholic nation that spent years under dictatorship now become a world leader in promoting equality? In seeking to find out, Annette Young speaks to the Secretary for Equality, Ángela Rodríguez, and other activists as to why the nation is pursuing such a progressive path.

A report on gender equality in the EU has shown a dismal rate of improvement in recent years. At the current rate, gender parity is still a long way off.

So what exactly is holding Japan back when it comes to promoting gender equality? We take a look at how the Asian nation lags way behind other developed nations in regards to promoting women's rights. Also how a pilot program in Zimbabwe is offering women electric bikes to make their lives easier while giving them greater autonomy. Plus we meet one of Afghanistan's first female filmmakers who's a voice for Afghan women in one of the world's worst places to be one.

In an interview with FRANCE 24, Marlène Schiappa, France's minister for gender equality, discussed the rise in domestic violence during the country's Covid-19 lockdown and the measures taken by the French government in response.

A new study shows that almost 90% of people worldwide are biased against women and around half perceive men to make better leaders. And nearly 30% of people think it's justified for a husband to beat his wife.

It is important to unpack the constraints to gender equality and put them at the door step of the right people. That's according to Modupe Ladipo, Managing Partner of Prosperar Consulting. CNBC Africa's Kenneth Igbomor caught up with her on the sidelines of the Global Gender Summit to discuss ways to overcome some constraints to gender equality.

Gender equality and women empowerment is not just an economic issue but it is about how society evolves, gets more efficient and sustainable. This is according to Victor Etuokwu, Executive Director at Access Bank. To discuss the role of women to the financial services sector, he joins CNBC Africa’s Christy Cole on the sidelines of the 59th Annual General Conference of the NBA for more.

Gender equality is a topic stressed almost every day globally, and a study conducted by the IMF has seen the urge for women to lead the way in business as an important strategy to improve equality ratings and in turn see a countries economy grow by almost 35 per cent. Donna Rachelson, CEO of Branding and Marketing You and author of SA’s best-selling book ‘Play to Win: What women can learn from men in business’ joins CNBC Africa for more.