DUBAI, May 2013 (IRIN) - In the 1980s, the UN says, Iraqi Women enjoyed more basic rights than other women in the region. But years of dictatorship, sanctions and conflict, including the US-led invasion one decade ago, led to deterioration in women’s status. “Across the board, women are suffering more [than they used to],” said Sudipto Mukerjee, deputy head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq. Despite steps taken towards gender equality since 1990, Iraqi women today do not … [Read more...]
WFP Food Key For Vocational Trainees in Afghanistan
In a vocational training center in the western Afghan city of Herat, WFP food assistance is helping more than 300 men and women learn marketable skills. A few months ago, they were so-called “returnees” – Afghans who had lived as refugees in neighboring Iran for many years, and who had come back to their home country. Now, they are aspiring tailors, plumbers, bakers and beauticians, ready to look for jobs in the bustling town of Herat. Ayoub, who lived as a refugee in Iran as a child, is … [Read more...]
Lorre White reports Starwood CEO: ‘Yesterday’s luxury is tomorrow’s necessity’
Inside Starwood’s "Out-of-the-Box Thinking” session, the chief executive discussed how Starwood’s St. Regis, The Luxury Collection and W Hotels are responding to challenges in targeting the new luxury consumer. Savvy marketers will examine how the industry is changing as a result of this new fast-moving, technology-driven age and respond quickly. “The wealthy today are more diverse,” said Frits van Paasschen, president/CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “There are more wealthy Women; and … [Read more...]
RAPE, long-term damage long after ‘Guns Fall Silent’
SECRETARY-GENERAL, AT SECURITY COUNCIL DEBATE ON CONFLICT-RELATED SEXUAL VIOLENCE, SAYS NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF WARTIME RAPE PERSIST LONG AFTER GUNS FALL SILENT … [Read more...]
Taking Action for Syria – ENOUGH – ENOUGH !!!
APPEAL BY HEADS OF LEADING UN HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES FOR THE PEOPLE OF SYRIA … [Read more...]
Palestinian Women to launch the new documentary film, Ana Ahlam
UNRWA partnered with the Center for Resources for Gender Equality “Abaad” and the General Union of Palestinian Women to launch the new documentary film, Ana Ahlam, in a special ceremony held in Beirut on 4 April 2013. Addressing the audience – which included the Ambassadors of Switzerland and Mexico, the Iranian Cultural Attaché, in addition to nearly 180 activists and representatives of Palestinian civil society in Lebanon, and the film director and representatives from the production … [Read more...]
Turkish programme to register Syrian refugees
12 April 2013 – The United Nations refugee agency today welcomed a new Turkish law on foreigners as an important advancement for international protection and pledged continued backing to the authorities as they implement it. The law incorporates key elements of international humanitarian and human rights law, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Spokesperson Melissa Fleming told a news briefing in Geneva, stressing that High Commissioner António Guterres welcomes it as a reflection of … [Read more...]