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...]
Morocco celebrates as Soulalyates women succeed in land rights
February 12, 2013 by
In the spring of 2012 the Moroccan Government granted men and women equal rights to benefit from incomes and profits gained from their land in a new order from the Ministry of the Interior. In the past, discriminatory laws had long deprived rural women of the Soulayates ethnic group of land ownership and benefits in Morocco. Women had campaigned hard with the support of UN Women for their inheritance and property rights, so the new ruling was a historic victory. The 2012 ruling underlines … [Read more...]
You Did It, Congo Peace is on the White House Agenda
February 8, 2013 by
The Maman Shujaa 'Hero Women' of Congo thank you and everyone who signed their petition calling for a special US presidential envoy to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Your voices have made a difference. As Neema Namadamu toured the US this past fall, heralding a women-led peace movement in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she had a goal in sight: for her message to reach the White House. Thanks to your signatures on her Change.org petition, Neema's dream has become a … [Read more...]
Celebrate: Fewer Girls Threatened by Female Genital Mutilation
February 5, 2013 by
UNITED NATIONS, New York—Fewer girls are subjected to the life-threatening practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) according to new data from the United Nations, released on 6 February, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. The data show that FGM/C is becoming less prevalent overall and the younger generation is less vulnerable to the practice. In the 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East, where the practice of FGM/C is concentrated, on … [Read more...]
Navi Pillay calls for an end to the violence in Egypt
January 30, 2013 by
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has called on all sides in the current unrest in Egypt "to refrain from resorting to violence and to resolve their differences peacefully." More than 50 people are believed to have been killed in Egypt since January 24th, when thousands of Egyptians took to the streets to commemorate the second anniversary of their revolution. Three days later, President Mohammed Morsi declared a state of emergency. Rupert Colville, UN … [Read more...]
