Yesterday, 5 April 2013, we mark the start of the countdown of the last 1,000 days to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015. We have cause to Celebrate the Successes achieved around the world, but we must also urgently ramp up our work, resources and actions in areas that are lagging behind. MDG Basics The Millennium Development Goals focus the efforts of the world community on achieving significant, measurable improvements in people's lives. They establish yardsticks … [Read more...]
“Women’s Voices” Project celebrated in South Sudan
April 6, 2013 by
UNESCO, in partnership with the South Sudan Women Empowerment Network (SSWEN) and a local radio station, carried out a capacity building training for women living in Guedele, a suburb located in South Sudan. The training was organized in the framework of the “Women’s Voices” project aimed at enabling women across the country’s ten states to talk about issues that are important for them, such as girls’ education and access to clean water. During the training, high illiteracy among women was … [Read more...]
Maasai, ‘They’re kicking us off our land to hunt lions!’
April 6, 2013 by
We are elders of the Maasai from Tanzania, one of Africa’s oldest tribes. The government has just announced that it plans to kick thousands of our families off our lands so that wealthy tourists can use them to shoot lions and leopards. The evictions are to begin immediately. Last year, when word first leaked about this plan, almost one million Avaaz members rallied to our aid. Your attention and the storm it created forced the government to deny the plan, and set them back months. But the … [Read more...]
EGYPT, Sexual Violence must Stop!
April 4, 2013 by
April 2013 – A United Nations envoy today expressed dismay at the sexual attacks on women protesters in Egypt, as well as the messages from prominent religious and political leaders that women are to blame. “Egypt’s story in the post-revolutionary period cannot be that of a country whose women marched in support of democracy, only to find their own freedoms denied, their lives directly threatened, and their vibrant political activism stamped out in a climate of fear and insecurity,” said the … [Read more...]
CONGO, National Leadership required NOW – Take Action !!!
March 29, 2013 by
ENOUGH is ENOUGH - The Time is NOW to Take Action !!! March 2013 – Conflict-related sexual violence is one of the most urgent challenges facing the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a senior United Nations official says, stressing that leadership and responsibility on the part of the Government is critical to tackling this issue. “Only the Congolese people, with the support of the international community, can change the current situation and create a new narrative for the DRC,” the … [Read more...]
The Single Mum Status is so empowering … Zimbabwe
March 28, 2013 by
Every woman longs to be loved and to be cherished. But sometimes, life is not always the way she wants it to be especially when it comes to matters of the heart and this is why she finally opts for the 'single mother' status, which in my belief is so empowering. Sometimes she gets scared that she is not going to get it right and so compromises her position especially in meeting new love prospects... ... it can be empowering but also terribly lonely. Although society at times might … [Read more...]
Mary Robinson marks a historic first as UN Special Envoy
March 28, 2013 by
UN WOMEN - Michelle Bachelet welcomes the appointment of Mary Robinson, as Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region of Africa As Ireland’s first woman President and the first female UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson’s passionate commitment to gender equality and human dignity led to major breakthroughs for women’s lives worldwide. I have no doubt that as the 'first woman' to be appointed as a UN Special Envoy, Ms. Robinson will continue to make … [Read more...]
Afro Peruvian Women – Remarkable!
March 27, 2013 by
The UN Information Centre (UNIC) Lima organized a presentation of the essay "Black Woman, slave resistance" by Zelmira Aguilar to commemorate the International Day Remembering Victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Zelmira Aguilar cited the black woman as leading the fight to liberate mid-nineteenth century slaves. During her investigations, she uncovered achievements of black women during the time of slavery that were almost unimaginable, such as the reduction of working hours during … [Read more...]
BRICs 5th Summit – Durban, South Africa on March 24-27
March 25, 2013 by
The 5th two-day BRICS Summit opens at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) on March 26 in Durban, South Africa. FEATURED EVENTS March 24, 2013 Pre-and Post-Summit delegate tours March 25, 2013 Tour of the Port of Durban March 25, 2013 5:00 am Morning Live media engagement March 25, 2013 9:00 am KZN Business Hub The countries will discuss the reforming of its members’ monetary systems and the creation of a joint development bank. The world’s biggest … [Read more...]
