Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning to all of you! It is a pleasure to join you for this breakfast roundtable on the occasion of Rio+20. I would like to thank the Earth Network and the United Nations Foundation for inviting me to speak on behalf of UN Women on the important topic of women’s leadership in the green economy. As you know, the green economy is a key topic being discussed and, as we speak, delegations are still discussing what definitions and scope around this concept. So … [Read more...]
WORLD REFUGEE DAY – June 20th
"We must work together to mobilize the political will and leadership to prevent and end the conflicts that trigger refugee flows. [...] Despite budget constraints everywhere, we must not turn away from those in need. Refugees leave because they have no choice. We must choose to help." Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Theme for 2012: Refugees have no choice. You do. THE STATE OF THE WORLD'S REFUGEES 2012 - "In Search of Solidarity" For years, many countries and regions have been … [Read more...]
Uruguay, the first country to ratify ILO domestic work Convention
Uruguay becomes the first to ratify the ILO’s standard-setting Convention on Domestic Workers. The international treaty aims to improve the lives of domestic workers worldwide in the face of huge decent work deficits. GENEVA (ILO News) – Uruguay has become the first country to ratify a convention the ILO adopted one year ago which aims at bringing tens of millions of domestic workers under the realm of labour standards. The South American country presented its ratification of … [Read more...]
Family Planning Summit could mark turning point for maternal health
Family Planning Summit Could Mark Turning Point for Maternal Health Executive Director talks about links between family planning and maternal health More than 200 million women, largely in the least developed countries, want to use modern family planning methods but can't access them. They may face cultural barriers or family resistance. Contraceptives may not be available in their communities or they may not have the money to buy them, or there is a lack of information or trained … [Read more...]
UN Women working towards a sustainable future
Women play a central role in advancing sustainable development. Everyday women take decisions that impact sustainable development—be it the use of land, water, energy, or forests or through their contributions to their families and the economy. If they have equal access to resources and opportunities and are part of the decision-making processes, women can become drivers of sustainable development. In partnership with women, their communities, and grassroots organizations, UN Women supports many … [Read more...]
What is going to happen in Rio?
What has in the past and what is going to happen in Rio 2012? Rio+20: from environment to sustainable development To grasp the background and stakes of Rio+20, it is useful to have a look at the Stockholm-to-Rio continuum of the Conferences, and to go through some key milestones in the long march that gave birth to international agreements on sustainable development. How did we move from Environment to Sustainable Development, what are the consequences of this move, and where … [Read more...]
Bahamas: Wendy’s restaurants fight human trafficking
May 2012 - Wendy's Bahamas, a franchise of the Wendy's international fast food chain, has joined with the United Nations Global Initiative To Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) and the new Bahamas National Trafficking-in-Persons Task Force to launch a unique "anti-trafficking-in-persons" tray liner in its ten restaurants in Nassau and Grand Bahama. For a month, all Wendy's Bahamas restaurants will serve food on tray liners that explain to people the different forms of human trafficking, … [Read more...]
Sahely Ferdous, Superintendent in 100% Female Formed Police Unit, Haiti
Sahely Ferdous, Superintendent in the Bangladesh Formed Police Unit, Haiti The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, commemorated each year on 29 of May, is an occasion to salute the 120,000 peacekeepers serving in 17 missions in some of the world’s most volatile and dangerous environments. In the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), the Bangladeshi contingent is composed entirely of women. Leading by example, the 102 women contribute to restoring … [Read more...]