VIDEO: 76 countries still criminalize consensual same-sex relationships and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people everywhere continue to suffer violent attacks and discriminatory treatment. In this simple, high-impact video from the UN Human Rights office, individuals from diverse backgrounds pose questions directly to the viewer designed to expose the nature of human rights violations suffered by LGBT people around the world. The video includes cameo appearances by UN … [Read more...]
MEN, Step Up on Family Planning
May 15, 2013 by
A woman holds her baby in a village in southern Niger, where progress in women's access to family planning is being made. Our failure to give women in certain parts of the world the ability to decide the timing and number of their children is deeply damaging — not just for the women themselves but for societies, too. Lifting the obstacles is not something that can be tackled half-heartedly. Modern family planning programs were introduced widely in the developed world decades ago. Providing … [Read more...]
UN General Assembly – What, Who, Why and When?
May 14, 2013 by
The sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly will open in September 2013. The President of the United Nations General Assembly was chosen from the GRULAC with Antigua and Barbuda's John William Ashe being the consensus candidate, thus bypassing the need for an election. The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. Comprising all 193 Members of the United Nations, it provides a unique forum for multilateral … [Read more...]
Celebrating Africa’s Wealth: Building Businesses for Shared Prosperity
May 12, 2013 by
FACILITATING BUSINESS AND MARKET CREATION NOT ONLY GENERATES INCOME, BUT ALSO BASIC GOODS, SERVICES AND CHOICES, WITH IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR EACH OF THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS. (PHOTO: UNDP BURUNDI) Cape Town – Involving low-income communities in markets and businesses across Africa is essential for economic growth to translate into sustainable development, according to a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report released today. “Realizing Africa's Wealth - Building … [Read more...]
World Pulse: Wipe Out Breast Ironing with Women Like Leina
May 9, 2013 by
What if this Mother’s Day you could change the future for millions of grandmothers, mothers, and daughters by giving them a chance to be heard? You can. Donate today and our board chair, Ellen Wingard, will match your gift dollar-for-dollar. Your donation to World Pulse will support the leadership of women like Leina. Chi Yvonne Leina gathered the courage to write an article about the devastating, little-known practice of breast ironing that affects 3-4 million girls in her … [Read more...]
South Sudan: UN official urges key role for women in drafting new constitution
May 8, 2013 by
Women in Juba, South Sudan. Photo: UNMISS May 2013 – Women must play a greater role in South Sudan’s political life, from drawing up the country’s constitution to translating it into law, a United Nations official has urged, as the African nation prepares to draft its first legal framework. In a statement marking the opening of a UN-backed women’s national conference on constitutional development held in the South Sudanese capital of Juba, Raisedon Zenenga, the Deputy Special … [Read more...]
RAPE: Mali Sexual Assault Survivors – No Support, No Justice
May 7, 2013 by
Little support, no justice for Mali rape survivors GAO/BAMAKO, May 2013 (IRIN) - During the rebel takeover of northern Mali in April 2012, many women said they were subjected to rape or sexual assault. Since then, little or no support has come through for these women, say aid workers. Aminata Touré* was on her way to her uncle’s house in the city of Gao in June 2012 when she was stopped by two men on a motorbike. “I had no choice. They were armed and threatened to kill me,” she … [Read more...]
Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in Nigeria
May 4, 2013 by
Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in Nigeria: The Desirability and Inevitability of a Pragmatic Approach KELLY BRYAN OVIE EJUMUDO, Ph. D Abstract Promoting gender equality has become a globally recognized and an acceptable reality. Gender issues have also been identified as critical to the achievement of national development goals. In fact, the attainment of gender equality is not only seen as an end in itself it is equally a catalyst to, and a sine-qua-non for the achievement … [Read more...]
