A woman is a female human, in contrast to an adult male, who is a man.

The term woman (irregular plural: women) is usually used for an adult, with the term girl being the usual term for a female child or adolescent. However, the term is also sometimes used for a female human regardless of age, as in phrases like "women's rights".

Etymology

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The English term "man" (from Proto-Germanic mannaz "man, person") and words derived therefrom can designate any or even all of the human race regardless of their gender or age. This is indeed the oldest usage of "man". In Old English the words wer and wyf (also wæpman and wifman) were what was used to refer to "a man" and "a woman" respectively, and "man" was gender neutral. In Middle English man displaced wer as term for "male human", whilst wyfman (which eventually evolved into woman) was retained for "female human". "Man" does continue to carry its original sense of "Human" however, resulting in an asymmetry sometimes criticized as sexist. ^* (See also Womyn.) The symbol for the planet Venus is the sign also known in biology for the female sex: a stylized representation of the goddess Venus's hand mirror: a circle with a small cross underneath (Unicode: ♀). The Venus symbol also represented femininity, and in ancient alchemy stood for copper. Alchemists constructed the symbol from a circle (representing spirit) above a cross (representing matter).

Terminology

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The English language's original word for "woman" was Old English wīf, akin to German Weib; it later became the modern word "wife." The modern word "woman" etymologically derives from wīfmann, with the addition of mann, "person", from Germanic mannaz. This formation is peculiar to English. The equivalents for "man" in Old English were wer (a cognate of Latin vir, "man") and wǣpnedmann, literally "weaponed person". As previously mentioned, the term man continues to carry its original sense of "Human", though this usage results in an asymmetry which is sometimes criticized as sexist. The word girl originally meant "young person of either sex"; it was only around the beginning of the 16th century that it came to mean specifically a female child. Nowadays girl is also often used colloquially to refer to a young or unmarried woman. Since the early 1970s, feminists have challenged such usage, and today, using the word in the workplace (as in office girl) is typically considered inappropriate in the United States and United Kingdom because it implies a view of women as infantile. The use remains commonplace in several other English-speaking countries. Conversely, in certain non-Western cultures which link family honor with female virginity, the word girl is still used to refer to a never-married woman; in this sense it is used in a fashion roughly analogous to the obsolete English maid or maiden. Referring to an unmarried female as woman can, in such a culture, imply that she is sexually experienced, which would be an insult to her family. In more informal settings, the use of girl to refer to an adult female is also common practice in certain usage (such as girls' night out), even among elderly women. In this sense, girl may be considered to be the analogue to the British word bloke for a man. Some regard non-parallel usages, such as men and girls, as sexist. A number of other derogatory terms for women are also in common usage. There are various words used to refer to the quality of being a woman. The term "womanhood" merely means the state of being a woman; "femininity" is used to refer to a set of supposedly typical female qualities associated with a certain attitude to gender roles; "womanliness" is like "femininity", but is usually associated with a different view of gender roles; "femaleness" is a general term, but is often used as shorthand for "human femaleness"; "distaff" is an archaic adjective derived from women's conventional role as a spinner, now used only as a deliberate archaism; "muliebrity" is a "neologism" (derived from the Latin) meant to provide a female counterpart of "virility", but used very loosely, sometimes to mean merely "womanhood", sometimes "femininity", and sometimes even as a collective term for women.

More on [ Woman ]

The Economist: Middle East and Africa

Syria:
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:49:44 -0000
A recent assassination makes Syrian politics look as mysterious as everTHOSE who speak do not know and those who know do not speak. That classic adage of how information flows in a dictatorship has always fitted Syria rather well. But the fog in the Syrian capital, Damascus, has rarely been thicker than now. Take the mysterious death of a top general, Muhammad Suleiman, at a seaside resort earlier this month. Was he shot by a lone sniper from a passing yacht, as first alleged, or killed at closer range, perhaps even by a masked hit squad? Was he targeted because he had fallen out with Syria’s president, Bashar Assad, or because he had angered Israel by funnelling Iranian and Syrian arms to Hizbullah, the Lebanese Shia guerrilla group with which the Israelis fought a messy war in 2006? Or was he killed in revenge for his role in other assassinations, such as the lorry-bomb killing of the Lebanese leader, Rafik Hariri, in 2005, or, contrarily, in the death of Hizbullah’s elusive tactical mastermind, Imad Mughniyeh, whose car blew up last February inside a compound housing Syrian intelligence operatives? ...
Mauritania:
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:49:44 -0000
Africa’s reaction to the continent’s latest coup is being carefully watchedAFTER a decent election last year, Mauritania was held up as a fine new democracy for Africa. Alas, no more. The latest military putsch, on August 6th, put failed and successful coups in the last three decades into double figures and prompted a flood of international criticism, including suspension of aid and of membership of the African Union (AU). But will such remonstrations make a jot of difference?The hopeful part of the story goes back to 2005, when soldiers including Colonel Muhammad Ould Abdelaziz overthrew Maaouya Ould Taya, a nasty dictator who had been in power for two decades. For once, the soldiers kept their promise to organise fair elections. But Colonel Abdelaziz stayed close to the centre of power, first by persuading Sidi Muhammad Ould Cheikh Abdallahi to compete in the presidential election of 2007, which he won, and then by serving as the head of his presidential guard. ...
Iraq:
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:49:44 -0000
The country is awash with oil money but still lacks a proper planIN THE second quarter of the year, an American military auditor recently reported, Iraq’s oil production averaged over 2.4m barrels a day, the highest level since America invaded Iraq in 2003, and a marked improvement on last year’s average of around 2m b/d (see chart). Rising output, along with the high (if now falling) price of oil, should pump up Iraq’s oil revenues to almost $80 billion this year. That, in turn, has allowed the country’s parliament to boost this year’s budget from $48 billion to $70 billion in a supplementary spending bill approved earlier this month. As security improves, the government has a lot more cash to spend than it did a year ago. Will it make the best of it?For one thing, revenue from oil should go up more sharply still. Iraq produced 3m b/d as recently as October 2001, despite the crippling UN-enforced sanctions at the time. Iraq’s oil minister, Hussein al-Shahristani, has spoken of raising output to 6m b/d. In theory, that is possible. Iraq’s proven reserves, of 115 billion barrels, are the world’s third-largest after Saudi Arabia and Iran. Yet Iraq ranks just 13th in terms of production, suggesting there is plenty of scope to pump more. Russia, for example, produced almost 10m b/d last year from reserves of 80 billion barrels. Only 27 of the 80 or so fields that have been discovered in Iraq have ever been tapped. ...
Israel:
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:49:44 -0000
The issue of Jerusalem’s holiest site may again be dividing JewsTHE lead singer, with yarmulke, beard and guitar, appears with a sheep on the cover of the latest record by Lechatchila, a religious-rock group popular among Orthodox young Israelis. “Don’t stare at me,” the lyrics go. “The Temple is sure to be rebuilt right now. We’ve got to prepare, to believe, to make the redemption happen.”For two millennia, ever since the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, Jews have continued to study, write and indeed sing about the intricate rituals of service and sacrifice, in the belief that one day the Messiah would come and the Temple would be rebuilt. Meanwhile, the faithful were forbidden even to walk on the Holy Mount, let alone worship there. ...
Uganda:
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:49:44 -0000
Since peace talks with Uganda’s rebels collapsed, some say war must resume IN MARCH, after nearly two years of on-and-off peace talks, negotiators for Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) announced that their leader, Joseph Kony, an elusive self-styled mystic, was at last ready to emerge from the bush and sign a deal to end one of Africa’s longest wars. For two decades, the conflict had brought misery to a region bordering several countries (see map), left tens of thousands of people in northern Uganda dead, and displaced nearly 2m others. Earlier this year, the date for signing a peace deal approached. But at the last minute Mr Kony called off the event and sacked his negotiators. Now there is a danger the war may resume.It is yet another humiliating setback for those who have advocated talking to a man wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court at The Hague. So those who have always argued for taking a tougher stand against the LRA, such as Uganda’s senior soldiers, have the upper hand again. At the end of June, citing the lack of progress towards a peace deal, the leaders of Uganda, Congo and the autonomous region of south Sudan agreed for the first time to co-ordinate military efforts to stamp out the rebellion once and for all. ...
Zimbabwe:
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:49:44 -0000
Negotiations to resolve the country’s crisis are proving as sticky as expectedAFTER shaking hands in front of the cameras on July 21st, President Robert Mugabe and Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, seem barely closer to resolving their differences than they were three weeks ago, when discussions over power-sharing began. Together with Arthur Mutambara, who leads a small opposition group that split off from Mr Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), they have been locked in secretive negotiations under the eye of South Africa’s president, Thabo Mbeki, mandated by the region’s leaders to mediate such talks. But so far Mr Tsvangirai has refused to accept a deal that could leave Mr Mugabe still wielding most of the power. Mr Mbeki, often accused of being too soft on Mr Mugabe, is particularly keen to clinch a deal before the 14-country Southern African Development Community (SADC), the region’s main club, meets in Johannesburg on August 16th. But as The Economist went to press, Mr Mbeki looked unlikely to succeed in time. ...

L.A. Times - Middle East

In Afghanistan, a deadly Taliban trend emerges
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Militants' new reach and power are demonstrated in attacks on U.S. and French troops. In the worst loss of life for Western troops in ground combat with Taliban forces in Afghanistan, insurgents ambushed and killed 10 French soldiers and wounded 21 in a sustained assault outside the capital, military officials said Tuesday.
Pakistan blast kills 32; coalition spars over question of judges
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Suicide bomber strikes at a hospital in the northwest. In the capital, the junior coalition partner, Nawaz Sharif's party, wants all judges Musharraf fired to be reinstated, but the PPP urges caution. Against the backdrop of a lethal strike by Taliban militants, Pakistan's fractious ruling coalition appeared to splinter anew Tuesday after acting in concert a day before to oust President Pervez Musharraf.
Obama says McCain shouldn't question his patriotism
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Obama defends his foreign policy positions at the Veterans of Foreign Wars conference. McCain visits an oil production facility in the Gulf of Mexico. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama defended his patriotism Tuesday, chiding rival Sen. John McCain for impugning his integrity and challenging the Republican to acknowledge that they can disagree without maligning each other.
Algeria bombing at police academy kills 43
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The government has been battling an insurgent group calling itself Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, which has grown stronger in the last 18 months. A suicide car bombing at a police academy killed at least 43 people Tuesday in Algeria, where the government has been battling a resurgent Islamic militant group that has attacked international organizations and security-related targets.
Raid on governor's office in Iraq's Diyala province sparks outrage
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
A Sunni lawmaker is arrested by elite counter-terrorism troops, and a government employee is killed. Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's office denies deploying them. Predawn raids by elite Iraqi forces Tuesday resulted in the fatal shooting of a government employee and the arrest of two prominent Sunni Arab Muslims, witnesses and officials said.
In Indonesia, Bali bombers seek beheading instead of firing squad
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Lawyers contend that death by shooting is inhumane. The high court will hear their petition, but officials want the executions done before Ramadan begins. The Islamist bombers who killed 202 people on the resort island of Bali in 2002 have exhausted appeals against their death sentences, but they are returning to court to argue that they should be beheaded rather than shot.

NPR Topics: Middle East

Lebanon Prime Minister Heads To Iraq
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0400
Fuad Siniora is expected to arrive in Baghdad Wednesday. Relations are improving between Iraq's Shiite-dominated government and the Arab world's Sunni leaders.
Musharraf Resigns Amidst Growing Outcry
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:20:00 -0400
Pervez Musharraf has resigned as Pakistan's president under threat of impeachment. It may be the final act in a long confrontation between Musharraf and the political opposition that has accused him of illegally seizing power and mishandling the country's economy. Shuja Nawaz, a Pakistani journalist and author, explains issues facing that nation's government.
Middle East Diplomacy, Shrinking U.S. Involvement
Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:41:00 -0400
Complex diplomatic negotiations are taking place in the volatile region. With the U.S. taking a back seat in the talks, smaller countries such as Egypt and Syria are stepping up and taking leading roles.
Middle-Eastern Perspectives On The U.S. Election
Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:34:00 -0400
Rami Khouri, editor for the Daily Star, discusses the political challenges in Lebanon and describes the different ways people in the Middle East view the U.S. presidential election. Khouri directs the Fares Institute of Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut.
Training Afghan Forces Is Mission Critical For U.S.
Sun, 03 Aug 2008 09:21:00 -0400
Training Afghan security forces is seen as a critical component of stabilizing the country. NPR's Jackie Northam is embedded with U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan, and she talks with host Liane Hansen about efforts to get the new Afghan army battle-ready.
Palestinian Rivals Accused Of Human Rights Abuses
Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:54:00 -0400
Human Rights groups say the two main Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah, have been illegally arresting, torturing and even killing each other's members.

UN News Centre - Middle East

Mixed picture in Middle East, UN official tells Security Council
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Israel and the Palestinians are continuing their negotiations aimed at devising a durable settlement to their long-running conflict, but intra-Palestinian violence has spiked over the past month, the top United Nations political official told the Security Council today.
UN anti-drugs agency lauds record heroin seizure in the Gulf
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has hailed the efforts of the authorities in the United Arab Emirates in seizing 202 kilograms of heroin, worth some $11 million, in what is being called the largest-ever heroin bust in the Arab world.
UN's work in Iraq best tribute to colleagues killed five years ago, says top official
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
As the United Nations today remembers the colleagues killed and injured in the attack on its headquarters in Baghdad in 2003, the world body's top political official said there is no better tribute to the fallen than continuing the vital work they began in Iraq.
Composer honours victims of bombing at UN headquarters in Baghdad
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The writer of a classical work composed in honour of the United Nations staff members killed in the 2003 Baghdad bombing said the music is a gift to the UN family as officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, prepare to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the attack.
Two years on from war in Lebanon, progress on cluster munitions - UN agency
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Two years after the end of fighting in Lebanon between Hizbollah and the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), the threat of cluster munitions has been reduced but not eliminated in the south of the country, according to a United Nations agency in charge of clearing mines from the area.
Ban welcomes outcome of Lebanon-Syria talks
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the results of the summit between Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad which was held in Damascus.

NYT > Middle East

The U.N. Readies a ‘Grand Deal’ Over Kirkuk
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:17:23 -0000
The United Nations said on Wednesday it would present a list of proposals to resolve the conflict over the oil-rich city of Kirkuk and other disputed regions in northern Iraq.
Pact Calls for Troop Pullback in Iraq, Officials Say
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:10:23 -0000
Iraqi and U.S. negotiators have completed a draft security agreement that would see American troops leave Iraqi cities as soon as June 30, Iraqi and American officials said.
Iraqi Government Raid Threatens to Inflame Province’s Tensions
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:31:20 -0000
Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki ordered an investigation into a violent government raid that left one provincial official dead and another under arrest.
Iranian Execution Revives Debate Over Minors
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:40:22 -0000
Iran executed a 20-year-old man sentenced to death for a murder he committed when he was 15, reviving an international debate over its punishment of minors.
Iraq Poised to Revive Oil Contract With China
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:30:30 -0000
The 11-year-old contract with China, worth $1.2 billion, is Iraq’s largest oil deal since the invasion in 2003, an Oil Ministry official said.
Jerusalem Journal: Israel Fears a Thief Stole Bits of Its Musical Legacy
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:09:22 -0000
In Israel’s national library, the search for missing musical archives is just getting started.

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