UNITED NATIONS, Istanbul/Amman/New York — Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, will be visiting refugee camps in Turkey and Jordan to underscore the urgent needs of women and youth affected by the crisis in Syria. There are currently over 1 million registered Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, Egypt and other countries. More than 400,000 people have become refugees since 1 January 2013 alone. Out of the 4 million people … [Read more...]
Tricked and Trapped Migrant workers, in the Middle East
ILO reveals how an estimated 600,000 migrant workers are tricked and trapped into forced labour across the Middle East at the first-ever tripartite regional conference on human trafficking AMMAN (ILO News) – An ILO study has offered a rare glimpse into the hardships endured by workers from some of the world’s poorest countries while also examining the structural hurdles to protecting their rights at work in the Middle East. The ILO will present the findings of Tricked and Trapped: Human … [Read more...]
Policy for domestic workers, ”a matter of urgency” says ILO
Domestic workers in India have more than doubled in number since 2005. Talking to BBC World News, ILO's, Tine Staermose stressed the importance of policies aimed at protecting a very vulnerable section of the society. India's domestic workers are considered to ''uphold the economy'', with a rising population of over 10 million. Making decent work a reality for domestic workers worldwide: Domestic workers comprise a significant part of the global workforce in informal employment … [Read more...]
Women & Children deaths pose ‘serious concern’ – Take Action!
Afghan children at play. Photo: UNAMA/Aurora Verceles Alambra April 2013 – The United Nations today voiced “serious concern” over the deaths of at least 10 Afghan children and a woman, and injuries to seven others in an armed clash during a joint Afghan-NATO operation against the Taliban in eastern Kunar province. “The Afghan National Security Forces and the international military forces should take all measures aimed at preventing harm to civilians during military operations, including … [Read more...]
EGYPT, Sexual Violence must Stop!
April 2013 – A United Nations envoy today expressed dismay at the sexual attacks on women protesters in Egypt, as well as the messages from prominent religious and political leaders that women are to blame. “Egypt’s story in the post-revolutionary period cannot be that of a country whose women marched in support of democracy, only to find their own freedoms denied, their lives directly threatened, and their vibrant political activism stamped out in a climate of fear and insecurity,” said the … [Read more...]
UN Women, Afghanistan condemns “honor killings” of women/girls
Kabul, April — Recently several cases of “Honor Killings” in Afghanistan have been reported by the media and the Afghan Women’s Network (AWN) recorded three cases of such killings across the country during the month of March. These include a young girl buried alive by her brother and father in the Kishim district of Badakhshan Province. In Heart Province, a 14-year-old girl was killed when she refused to marry her fiancé and in another case a brother killed his married sister when she … [Read more...]
How Food Is Empowering Women In Afghanistan
How Food Is Empowering Women In Afghanistan A series of food assistance projects in northeastern Afghanistan are helping to teach women how to read and write as well as grow fresh vegetables they can sell on the local market. As an extra incentive to take part in the project, the women are provided food rations by WFP. WFP - VIDEO ARCHIVE … [Read more...]
Woman of the Year & Man of Equality in Action celebrated in GAZA
UNRWA held its fourth annual awards ceremony to name the Woman of the Year and Man of Equality in Action 2013. Organized by the UNRWA Gaza Women’s Committee (UWGC), the event acknowledged colleagues for their commitment, dedication and important contribution to improve UNRWA’s work, strengthen services to Palestine refugees and promote gender equality in the Gaza Strip. “Equality" at UNRWA is crucial to the progressive development of our organization and will ensure the ongoing quality … [Read more...]
WE WANT WATER 2015
International Year for Water Cooperation begins March 22, 2013 Water is life and harvesting rains can be a way out! “Water is life's mater and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.” -Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Life’s existence, its survival and nourishment is dependent upon water. Imagining a world without water is imagining a world without life! Nature has bestowed upon us this resource which we exploited without paying attention to its sustainability in the … [Read more...]
Millennium Development Goals by 2015, have Your Say here!
Did you know that diarrhea is the second leading cause of death among children under five in the world. Around 1.5 million deaths each year - nearly one in five – are caused by diarrhea. It kills more children than malaria, AIDS, and measles combined. Should access to clean water and sanitation be a priority for world leaders in the next development goals? Have YOUR say? HERE: www.myworld2015.org Millennium Development Goals, an Introduction For many industrialized nations, … [Read more...]