SEX TRAFFICKING of CHILDREN: The numbers surprised me. Several thousands of women and girls each year routinely forced to have sex multiple times per day? 1 official and many unofficial trafficking circuits spanning the country? Over 5,000 brothels disguised as massage parlors? 13 as the average age of entrance into the trade? $200,000 in profit per girl/child per year? The land of the free? Yes, I’m talking about America. Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in … [Read more...]
Joint Programme on Rural Women with Rome-based agencies
September 28, 2012 by
Michelle Bachelet remarks at the launch of the Joint Programme on Rural Women with Rome-based agencies, “Accelerating Progress toward the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women”. New York, 27 September 2012. Good afternoon. Welcome, President Johnson-Sirleaf; our distinguished panelists and participants; and our co-hosts, the Governments of Brazil, Canada, Liberia and the Netherlands. Thank you for your partnership and strong support. It is wonderful to be here with all of you. This … [Read more...]
UNDP offers six-point plan to fast-track women in politics, Asia-Pacific
September 23, 2012 by
UNDP THAILAND/MARK S. COGAN | ABC JOURNALIST HELEN BROWN MODERATES A DISCUSSION OF PROMINENT POLITICAL ACTORS SHARING THEIR THOUGHTS ON WHY THE PUSH FOR POLITICAL EQUALITY IN ASIA LANGUISHES BEHIND OTHER REGIONS. BANGKOK — It will take 50 years for gender balance to be achieved in Asia-Pacific national legislatures if the increase in women’s participation in parliaments remains at the current pace, says a UN Development Programme (UNDP) study released this week. Economic progress will be … [Read more...]
Columbia, Bogota – Progress for Women and Young People
September 23, 2012 by
BOGOTA — UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin visited Colombia, for the first time, to review the country's progress in reducing maternal deaths and teen pregnancy, two of the indicators for the Millennium Development Goal on improving maternal health. Day One: Dr. Osotimehin began his visit touring two health centres in Bogota, where UNFPA has been supporting the work of the city's Health Secretariat. In Bosa, one of Bogota's most populous neighbourhoods— with one of the … [Read more...]
V-DAY, Dr. Mukwege, Godfather of V-Men, Puts Out a Call to Men
September 20, 2012 by
Dr. Mukwege, Godfather of the V-Men Movement, Calls on Men Throughout Africa & the World End Violence Against Women & Cherish Women's Vaginas - OCTOBER 4, 2012 August 27 - 29, V-Day, with support from the Skoll Foundation and the Wallace Global Fund, convened 48 activists and social entrepreneurs from 17 countries in Africa for the first ever V-Africa Summit, held in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Denis Mukwege, Founder of Panzi Hospital in Bukavu. DRC and the … [Read more...]
Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls must be punished
September 19, 2012 by
September 2012 – Violence against women and girls and the indiscriminate extraction of natural resources are among the most pressing issues that indigenous peoples face today, a United Nations human rights expert said today. “A recurring issue that has come to my attention in various contexts is that of violence against indigenous women and girls,” said the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, in his statement to the UN Human Rights Council in … [Read more...]
BOLIVIA, enacts the first law with Equal Status for Mother Earth
September 18, 2012 by
Bolivia enshrines natural world's rights, with equal status for Mother Earth Law of Mother Earth expected to prompt radical new conservation and social measures in South American nation Bolivia is set to pass the world's first laws granting all nature equal rights to humans. The Law of Mother Earth, now agreed by politicians and grassroots social groups, redefines the country's rich mineral deposits as "blessings" and is expected to lead to radical new … [Read more...]
Presidential High Commissioner for Women’s Equality – Bogota, Columbia
September 14, 2012 by
Michelle Bachelet, and the Presidential High Commissioner for Women’s Equality Good afternoon to you all. I would like to commence by extending a warm thank you to you all for attending this press conference this afternoon, and for having continued to give such comprehensive and impartial press coverage to events that, whether directly or indirectly, relate to the human rights of women. I would also like to thank President Santos for the invitation that he has so kindly extended … [Read more...]
Spiritual Pilgrimage Anyone? – 9 Sacred Sites you won’t believe!
September 7, 2012 by
'... truly beyond belief' If you’re looking for a truly off-the-beaten path adventure with a spiritual side, few destinations rival these sacred sites. A combination of architectural marvels and temples built by eccentric orders, the spiritual sanctuaries in this feature are truly beyond belief. 1] The Temple Where Rats Rule The Karni Mata Temple in India has something every wandering soul seeking spiritual fulfillment yearns for: thousands and thousands of rats. Considered the … [Read more...]
World Urban Forum 6 – Naples Italy, 1-7 September 2012
August 31, 2012 by
World Urban Forum 6 Naples, Italy, 1-7 September 2012 Host / Sponsor: UN-Habitat and Partners The World Urban Forum was established by the United Nations to examine one of the most pressing problems facing the world today: rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies. In the space of a few short years, the Forum has turned into the world's premier conference on cities. Since the first meeting in … [Read more...]
Papua New Guinea’s newest parliamentarians, a time for women
August 30, 2012 by
... a time for Women in Papua New Guinea Since Papua New Guinea’s independence in 1975, none of its parliaments have comprised more than 2 per cent of women. Efforts to address traditional attitudes in the country and support women candidates and voters have shown signs of impact, yet the political landscape for women remains a tough one. In an interview with UN Women, two of the three women members of parliament (MPs) elected in the July 2012 polls detail the challenges they … [Read more...]
Safe Cities: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea 2012
August 29, 2012 by
"Safe Cities Free of Violence against Women and Girls." Port Moresby is one of five pilot cities -- along with Quito, Kigali, New Delhi and Cairo -- participating in UN Women's Global Programme "Safe Cities Free of Violence against Women and Girls." Operating successfully since its December 2010 launch, the project, entitled "Port Moresby: A Safer City for Women and Girls," aims to develop, test, evaluate and disseminate a model that makes cities safer for women and girls. Port Moresby … [Read more...]
Cinda Lonsway is Taking Action with 30 Days of ROAR! – starting Sept. 1
August 25, 2012 by
30 Days of ROAR! 30 Days of ROAR! from Cinda Stevens Lonsway on Vimeo. Partnering with Wild Sister Magazine, which I am a writer contributor. Here is their website for people to join in the Wild Sisterhood online community and participate in the 30 Days of ROAR! . www.wildsister.com ROAR @ Cinda Stevens Lonsway, 2010 It began as a whisper, of one woman leaning into the ear of another, “Do you feel it?” she asked. Then whispered to another, “Do you feel it?” … [Read more...]
