In many countries of the world, the rule of law still rules women out. In every region, there are laws that discriminate against women, in relation to property, the family, employment and citizenship. Too often, justice institutions, including the police and the courts, deny women justice. But, governments and civil society are pioneering innovative approaches to ensure that women can access justice. Catalyzing gender-sensitive law reform, investing in one-stop shops and providing … [Read more...]
UNESCO Launches Women Make the News 2013
February 22, 2013 by
On the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD), 8 March, UNESCO joins forces with international and regional partners to launch the annual Women Make the News (WMN) initiative under the theme, “Towards a Global Alliance on Media and Gender”. We are inviting editors-in-chief of newspapers, radio, television on and offline to join UNESCO’s initiative, and to produce special supplements/programme on these topics and/or to entrust women journalists and reporters with editorial responsibility … [Read more...]
FINLAND supports ‘safety of journalists …’ in Middle East via UNESCO
February 15, 2013 by
UNESCO advances ‘gender equality’ fostering the Rights and Dignity of Women by enhancing 'freedom of expression' in the Arab region with the support of Finland With a contribution of 2.3 million Euros from Finland, UNESCO will implement a new project in the Arab region to strengthen the legal and regulatory frameworks conducive to freedom of expression and ensure the safety of journalists and bloggers, including through their improving capacity to use information and … [Read more...]
Syria: “We Want Our Lives Back. We Want To Go Home”
February 8, 2013 by
During her recent trip to Syria, WFP Senior Spokesperson Abeer Etefa met Souad, a 27-year-old mother whose family lost their home to the fighting. Eking out an existence in an empty building near the battles lines, she and her family are surviving on food provided to them by WFP. “Please look at me closely, look at my face. Do I look like a 27 year old?” she asks me. She is waiting for an answer from me. She certainly doesn’t look like she is 27. “When I happen to come across a mirror … [Read more...]
Dubai Declaration, collaborative with WFP, UN & UNDP
February 8, 2013 by
DUBAI — Delegates at a United Nations-convened high-level meeting on saving the lives of mothers and children in the Eastern Mediterranean Region today agreed to urgently accelerate progress on improving maternal and child health between now and the end of 2015. They also committed to reduce the gap between current funding levels and those required if the Region is to meet Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 on reducing maternal and child mortality. The commitments are laid out in the Dubai … [Read more...]
Celebrate: Fewer Girls Threatened by Female Genital Mutilation
February 5, 2013 by
UNITED NATIONS, New York—Fewer girls are subjected to the life-threatening practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) according to new data from the United Nations, released on 6 February, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. The data show that FGM/C is becoming less prevalent overall and the younger generation is less vulnerable to the practice. In the 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East, where the practice of FGM/C is concentrated, on … [Read more...]
Afghanistan – WFP Provides Nutritional Support to Kuchi Women
February 1, 2013 by
With their brightly-coloured clothes and facial tattoos, Kuchi women from the traditional nomads of Afghanistan stand out in a sea of burkas. But the nutritional challenges these women face are similar to those of all Afghan women. KANDAHAR - At a health center in Kandahar city, a mass of women in burkas wait to receive food from WFP on a sunny day in January. Against the backdrop of faded green, blue and beige burkas, one group of women stands out, dressed in brightly-colored dresses … [Read more...]
Women in Science Hall of Fame – 2013 (Middle East – North Africa)
February 1, 2013 by
The Department of State initiated a Women in Science Hall of Fame in 2010 to honor outstanding female scientists throughout the Middle East and North Africa. New hall of fame members are selected annually for their accomplishments, and we hope to develop a strong network of professional women scientists across the region. Dr. Boshra Salem, president of the MAB International Coordinating Council and Chair of the Department of Environmental Sciences of the Alexandria University (Egypt), was … [Read more...]
