In many countries of the world, the rule of law still rules women out. In every region, there are laws that discriminate against women, in relation to property, the family, employment and citizenship. Too often, justice institutions, including the police and the courts, deny women justice. But, governments and civil society are pioneering innovative approaches to ensure that women can access justice. Catalyzing gender-sensitive law reform, investing in one-stop shops and providing … [Read more...]
Delhi shows 95% women and girls feel unsafe, Take Action!
February 22, 2013 by
During interviews with women, it was found that the presence of hawkers and late night eateries at major transport hubs makes women feel safer. Photo credit: UN Women/ Gaganjit Singh Chandok — at NTPC-Badarpur Border,New Delhi. UN Women supported survey in Delhi shows 95 per cent of women and girls feel unsafe in public spaces “I have started carrying pepper spray to protect myself." My parents have become more protective, they want to know where I’m going, when I’ll be back and … [Read more...]
UNESCO Launches Women Make the News 2013
February 22, 2013 by
On the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD), 8 March, UNESCO joins forces with international and regional partners to launch the annual Women Make the News (WMN) initiative under the theme, “Towards a Global Alliance on Media and Gender”. We are inviting editors-in-chief of newspapers, radio, television on and offline to join UNESCO’s initiative, and to produce special supplements/programme on these topics and/or to entrust women journalists and reporters with editorial responsibility … [Read more...]
Celebrate Abolishing Sang Chatti (compensation marriage): Pakistan
February 13, 2013 by
Abolishing Sang Chatti: Pakistan works to prevent compensation marriage and other forms of Violence Against Women Seven-year-old Izzo Bibi* lives in a small village in the province of Sindh in southern Pakistan. Her father cannot afford to send her to school but her mother has taught her traditional Sindhi embroidery. Izzo’s older cousin Sheeno* used to help her learn new embroidery motifs. When Izzo’s paternal uncle murdered his neighbour, the faislo (also called Jirga, the … [Read more...]
Women at a self-help group meeting in India
February 9, 2013 by
ROME, Italy – When Ratnamma, a soft-spoken woman from a poor rural community in India, noted that all five of her children have been educated – two of them at university level – the audience, understandably, erupted into applause. Yet hers is just one among many, perhaps millions, of similar stories lived by women and their families in several Indian states. Such stories are possible because the Government of India and its international partners decided to think big. Equally important, they … [Read more...]
Kyrgyzstan toughens penalties for bride kidnapping, Taking Action
February 8, 2013 by
Kyrgyzstan (/kɜrɡɪˈstɑːn/ kur-gi-stahn; Kyrgyz: Кыргызстан (IPA: [qɯrʁɯsˈstɑn]); Russian: Киргизия), officially the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyz: Кыргыз Республикасы; Russian: Киргизская Республика), is a country located in Central Asia. Landlocked and mountainous, Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest and China to the east. Its capital and largest city is Bishkek. “Women should be beaten every day,” says Kamilla,* repeating the … [Read more...]
Bangledesh, Living on new land: Char Development
February 5, 2013 by
The coastlines of Bangladesh are constantly moving. Surveys, based on satellite images, have shown that each year there is a net accretion of around 20 km2: newly formed land of about 52 km2 minus eroded land of around 32 km2. With an assumed density of 800 people per km2, this means that each year approximately 26,000 people lose their land. For many of them, the newly accreted land, or chars, as these new-emerged lands are called in Bangla, offers an alternative home. The Char Development and … [Read more...]
CHINA on track to skyrocket, McKinsey & Co. to reach $11 Trillion
February 3, 2013 by
Lorre White reports: “WHAT’S NEXT FOR CHINA?” China is on track to getting richer, and discretionary spending will continue to skyrocket. The country’s GDP is currently around $6 trillion. Within the next 7 years, McKinsey & Co. suspects it will reach $11 trillion or – as they say – the equivalent of two Germanys. As people get wealthier, discretionary spending increases. Service-related industries are expected to benefit the most. In particular, “sectors such as leisure (defined as … [Read more...]
