UNICEF is finalizing plans with its Chinese government partners to intensify and accelerate efforts in child protection and welfare, mother and baby health, young child nutrition, hygiene and sanitation. This, as the death and injury toll becomes clearer following the devastation caused by the earthquake in Lushan County in Sichuan province. With support from its Hong Kong Committee, UNICEF has allocated US$75,000 for emergency obstetric and neonatal health equipment for local health … [Read more...]
UNICEF supports China in earthquake response to assist children (RADIO)
April 25, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Mobile telephony: Empowering women through self employment
April 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
When was the last time you met a truly empowered woman? Well, earlier in the week, I was lucky enough to meet Valiben Macwana, one of the 1.7 million empowered self-employed women's association (SEWA) members. SEWA, based in Ahmedabad, India, is an organization of self-employed women workers who earn their living thanks to their small business. These women do not get a monthly salary, nor enjoy benefits like those of their sisters in the "organized labour sector". And to make … [Read more...]
Ban Ki-Moon speaks with Malala!
April 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
As of 5 April, only 1,000 days remain until the end of the 2015 target date for achieving the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The eight MDGs – which range from halving extreme poverty to promoting gender equality to providing universal primary education by the target date of 2015 – form an internationally agreed blueprint which countries and leading development institutions have signed onto. Since their adoption in 2000, the MDGs have made a huge difference, helping to set global and … [Read more...]
Bachelet celebrates Gratitude & Salutations, on her “stellar legacy.”
March 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
SECRETARY-GENERAL PRAISES ‘VISIONARY’ LEADERSHIP OF MICHELLE BACHELET, FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT BY UN-WOMEN CHIEF OF DEPARTURE The following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s statement on the announcement by Michelle Bachelet of her departure as Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women): "Ms. Michelle Bachelet has informed me of her intention to step down as Executive Director of UN-Women. I would like to … [Read more...]
HALF the World is Women – “Ending Violence against Women and Girls”
March 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
This Forum was opened by the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and facilitated by Ms. Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women, and included the participation of a range of senior leaders of UN agencies -- namely Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, UNDP Associate Administrator, Ms. Anne-Birgette Albrectsen, Deputy Executive Director, UNFPA, Ms. Geeta Rao Gupta, Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF, Ms Kyung-wha Kang, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, OHCHR. "Women's … [Read more...]
South Africa, ‘pandemic of sexual violence’ calls for Action
February 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Atrocious rape and murder shows need for comprehensive approach to sexual violence in South Africa: Human Rights chief The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Friday expressed her shock and deep sadness at the atrocious rape, mutilation and murder of Anene Booysen, a 17-year-old South African Woman. And Navi Pillay has called for a more comprehensive approach to tackling the "pandemic of sexual violence" affecting tens of thousands of women every year in South Africa. She said … [Read more...]
Russian Duma urged to Take Action scrapping Bill on “homosexuality propaganda”
February 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
United Nations human rights experts on Friday called on the Russian Parliament, the Duma, to discard a draft bill that could compromise the rights of the LGBT community. The experts on freedom of expression, human rights defenders, cultural rights and the right to health warned that the bill may undermine the enjoyment and promotion of human rights in Russia, unjustifiably singling out the LGBT community –lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people — who have increasingly become … [Read more...]
Maternal Health, Dr. Temmerman talks to Beng Poblete-Enriquez about her priorities
February 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Dr. Marleen Temmerman, head of the Department of Reproductive Health and Research at the World Health Organization in Geneva, joined the agency late last year because she believes it can play a very prominent role in meeting the unmet needs of so many women in the area of reproductive health and services. Dr. Temmerman talks to Beng Poblete-Enriquez about her priorities and recalls an early experience in Kenya where a 15 year-old pregnant girl died in her arms from a ruptured … [Read more...]
