UNITED NATIONS, Nov 2014 (IPS) - Numerous international and national efforts have focused on gender equality and the empowerment of women. The United Nations, for example, has convened four world conferences on women - Beijing in 1995, Nairobi in 1985, Copenhagen in 1980 and Mexico City in 1975 - and Member States have adopted various international agreements, such as the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against … [Read more...]
Child Rights for 25 years, ‘better or worse’ today?
November 22, 2014 by
Kurdish refugee children from the Syrian town of Kobani in a makeshift classroom at a refugee camp in the border town of Suruc on November 18, 2014. OSMAN ORSAL/REUTERS Twenty-five years since the United Nations ratified its Convention on the Rights of the Child, have the lives of the world’s children improved? A new report tried to answer that question and found some gains among ongoing and long-standing challenges. Examining the quality of life for children in 190 countries, the report … [Read more...]
Eugenics in this Newest of Millennia
November 12, 2014 by
The Hippocratic Oath written in the 5th century BC in ancient Greece was an oath historically taken by all healthcare practitioners swearing to practice medicine honestly. This oath was meant to encourage integrity among doctors, and ensure the minimization of negative effects their work might have on people. Hippocratic Oath I swear by Apollo the physician, and Asclepius, and Hygieia and Panacea and all the gods and goddesses as my witnesses, that, according to my ability and … [Read more...]
Woman Abuse Prevention Month, NOV 2014
October 31, 2014 by
Woman Abuse Prevention Month It is every woman’s fundamental right to live in safety and security in her home and community – free from the threat of violence. November is Woman Abuse Prevention Month. Please take a moment to check out the statistics on woman abuse and learn about the importance of ending violence against women… For 25 years now, November as Woman Abuse Prevention Month, an occasion to shed light on violence against women in our communities, and highlight efforts underway … [Read more...]
UN Women National Committee Canada celebrates HeForShe
October 19, 2014 by
Dear supporters of UN Women and UN Women National Committee Canada I am pleased to announce the launch of the global HeForShe campaign, a movement that transcends class, race or gender. The HeForShe Campaign is a solidarity movement for gender equality developed by UN Women to engage men and boys as advocates and agents of change for the achievement of gender equality and women's rights. The campaign encourages them to speak out and take action against inequalities faced by women and girls. … [Read more...]
Global Update: Special UN General Assembly Edition
September 25, 2014 by
As the General Assembly began the general debate of its sixty-ninth session, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon presented to the Assembly his annual report on the work of the Organization. UN Photo/Mark Garten 24 September 2014 – Warning that the world’s “fasten seat belt” light is illuminated, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today opened the 69th annual debate of the United Nations General Assembly with a call for decisive leadership at a time when the ghosts of the Cold War have returned and … [Read more...]
UN General Assembly gather in NYC, SEPT 21-22
September 19, 2014 by
On September 21-22 – as leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly – people from Jakarta to Johannesburg to New York will be joining the conversation through the 2014 Social Good Summit. Participants include heads of United Nations agencies, leaders of top non-governmental organizations, and celebrities such as Alicia Keys, Connie Britton, and Pharrell Williams. It's not every day you get the chance to join a conversation with people from around the world. And when the … [Read more...]
WORLD WOMEN WANT – POST 2015
August 23, 2014 by
Development Agenda In its position paper, UN Women advocates for a stand-alone goal in the post-2015 development agenda to achieve gender equality, women’s rights and women’s empowerment, one that is grounded in human rights and tackles unequal power relations. Along with the stand-alone goal, UN Women is calling for integration of gender equality concerns throughout the other priority areas and goals of the post-2015 development agenda, with clear targets and indicators. As the 2015 … [Read more...]
Culture of Peace, consistent with Women’s Movement …
August 8, 2014 by
WOMEN AND A CULTURE OF PEACE Since the 1970s the United Nations and other international women’s conferences have adopted 'Equality, Development and Peace' as an organizing theme and framework for women's activities in development. Women would not only benefit from peaceful structures, as opposed to violent structures which oppress them, but they also have a role to play in building peaceful relationships and structures, and cultivating values, attitudes, relationships and structures which … [Read more...]
UN launches Gaza Crisis Appeal, keeping schools out of conflict!
August 7, 2014 by
Keep schools out of the conflict says UNESCO Director General as UN launches Gaza Crisis Appeal Paris, August 2014 - On Friday 1 August, the United Nations launched the 2014 Gaza Crisis Appeal in order to respond to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza. Education facilities and schools are on the front line of this crisis. A large number of civilians in Gaza have sought shelter and safety in schools, which are overcrowded and where living conditions are increasingly harsh. At least seven UNRWA … [Read more...]
