One week from now is Mother's Day. Have you honored a special woman in your life yet? If you make a gift between now and May 13th to support IWHC’s partner APAD, you not only show a loved one you admire her, but also help APAD win more funding to empower survivors of early and forced marriage in the Extreme North region of Cameroon. GlobalGiving is awarding up to $10,000 to the top 15 projects that have the most “in-honor-of” gifts this Mother’s Day. Honor a woman today! … [Read more...]
BARBADOS – ‘It was also the first time I had ever felt ashamed to be a woman.’
May 5, 2012 by
Barbadians were in shock after the murder of another one of our women. She was killed in the most brutal manner, the details will forever bring a chill to all Barbadians. The pain felt by her family and close friends will most certainly remain for years to come. Worst yet that she suffered at the hands of her husband, a man who vowed to love, cherish and protect her. I knew the perpetrator of this violence, as did many of those in my social circles. Though we were not close in recent times, … [Read more...]
Viet Nam’s National Assembly to protect breastfeeding
May 3, 2012 by
UNICEF partners with Viet Nam’s National Assembly to protect breastfeeding DA NANG, Viet Nam, May 2012 – In a record move to protect the breastfeeding rights of women and children, UNICEF and the National Assembly’s Institute of Legislative Studies have concluded a series of high-level consultative meetings in Viet Nam’s coastal city of Da Nang. At the high-level meetings, almost 200 elected bodies and National Assembly delegates reviewed international recommendations and their … [Read more...]
Nigeria, Remembering Lives Lost
April 29, 2012 by
Nigeria, Remembering Lives Lost Abuja, Nigeria, where all are mourning the victims of the tragic bombings of a local newspaper’s offices here and in the city of Kaduna. Innocent lives were lost to these terrible acts of murder. At the time of the blast, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe and I were commemorating the victims of the 2011 United Nations House bombing, which also took the innocent lives of primarily the UN’s Nigerian staff. I can’t help but reflect on the … [Read more...]
LIBERIA – Charles Taylor convicted for war crimes against civilians, including children
April 28, 2012 by
SRSG Coomaraswamy welcomes the conviction of Charles Taylor for war crimes against civilians including children Former Liberian President Charles Taylor takes notes in court. (Photo Courtesy RNW) New York, 26 April – “Today’s judgement against Charles Taylor is another groundbreaking achievement in prosecuting those who commit or are responsible for the most horrendous crimes against children,“ Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict … [Read more...]
Women: Making a Difference in Nuclear Science in Africa
April 28, 2012 by
They are successful, intelligent and determined. And for many, Sarah Nafuna and Jane Mubanga Chinkusu are the role models and the source of inspiration for women pursuing a career in science. Sarah is a chemical engineer from Uganda and Jane is a chemist from Zambia. Both women serve as their countries' National Liaison Officers (NLOs) to the IAEA's Department of Technical Cooperation. An NLO is the primary contact between the Agency and a Member State on all issues related to the planning, … [Read more...]
South Sudan faces challenges providing maternal and child health
April 13, 2012 by
South Sudan faces challenges providing maternal and child health care It was a busy morning in the maternity ward of Torit Civil Hospital, Eastern Equatoria State. Three newborns were welcomed into the world, all in good health. Surrounded by family members, Lugina Michael let out a sigh of relief. “I spent five days at home in pain,” she said, recalling her difficult labour. “Then we finally got a car and I was brought here the same day. When I arrived, I didn’t know what time … [Read more...]
“In the Shadow of a Man”, British-Egyptian director Hanan Abdalla
April 11, 2012 by
Q&A with Hanan Abdalla, director of a new film that explores the lives of Egyptian women, since the Arab Spring This week, “In the Shadow of a Man”, a film commissioned by UN Women, is taking the compelling stories of four Egyptian women to the Istanbul Film Festival, as part of a string of international screenings. The documentary premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year, and will be followed soon with a second film by the director on … [Read more...]
