May 2013 – Indigenous peoples in Latin America have undergone an unprecedented mobilization in the past 20 years, but political participation, particularly among women, is still low, the United Nations said in a new report released today. Intercultural Citizenship – Contributions from the political participation of indigenous peoples in Latin America, released by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), cites several factors that have helped boost the political participation of indigenous peoples … [Read more...]
Gender Pay Discrimination in Jordan: A Call for Change
May 23, 2013 by
The International Labour Organization is working with the Jordanian government and its social partners to help narrow the pay gap between men and women. "I only received a rise of around three per cent, while my male employees received seven per cent." AMMAN (ILO News) – When Amira*, a Jordanian schoolteacher, asked her principal for a pay rise, it was refused. A few months later she was fired. “The official reasons given for my dismissal were weak. I’m sure they wanted to … [Read more...]
“Afghanistan has to take its future in its own hands”
May 21, 2013 by
“Afghanistan has to take its future in its own hands” declares President Hamid Karzai President Hamid Karzai thanked the Director-General for UNESCO’s contribution to Afghanistan, notably in the fields of education and culture. “I congratulate you for your leadership to stand up for girls’ education. Through your initiative for Malala, I hope you will continue to speak up for the education of girls of Afghanistan and Pakistan”, which he defined as most challenging. Affirming that gender … [Read more...]
Alleviating Poverty: Mobile Communications, Micro-finance, Small Business Development
May 21, 2013 by
Poverty is one of the most pressing problems around the world. According to statistics from the World Bank, nearly one-quarter of the global population lives at or below the poverty line of $1.25 per day.[i] With so many people struggling for basic subsistence, it is hard for those affected to get out of poverty, gain access to capital, or develop small firms or businesses that help them build a better life. Yet with the growth of mobile technology, there are new opportunities for individuals … [Read more...]
United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 20-31 May
May 20, 2013 by
There are over 370 million indigenous peoples living in 90 countries across the globe. Protecting and advancing their rights have been at the heart of Tonya Gonnella Frichner's mission for almost three decades, serving as an attorney and former member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. "Gonnella Frichner is a lawyer and activist who has devoted her life to the pursuit of human rights for Indigenous Peoples on a national and international level. From 2008 to 2011, … [Read more...]
Kabul, Afghanistan – Celebrating ‘Police Force Recruits Women’!
May 18, 2013 by
LIEUTENANT COLONEL LATIF BAYAT AND CAPTAIN ZOHRA DAULATZIA DISCUSS THEIR EXPERIENCES AS POLICE OFFICERS. (PHOTO: UNDP AFGHANISTAN) Kabul, Afghanistan — It was four years ago that Captain Zohra Daulatzia joined the Afghan National Police. But the mother of two girls still gets excited about that momentous day in her life when she achieved one of her life’s greatest ambitions. “I was excited to wear the uniform and felt like I was in the sky and not on earth. I was full of joy,” she … [Read more...]
WFP Helping Burundi’s Fight Against Malnutrition
May 18, 2013 by
Burundi (pronounced /bəˈɹʊndɨ/), officially the Republic of Burundi (Kirundi: Republika y'Uburundi, [buˈɾundi]; French: République du Burundi, [byˈʁyndi]), is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa, bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura. Although the country is landlocked, much of the southwestern border is adjacent to Lake Tanganyika. The Twa, Tutsi and … [Read more...]
Jamaica is Taking Action to stop Human Trafficking!
May 18, 2013 by
Jamaica reiterates its fight against human trafficking The Government of Jamaica accords the highest level of political commitment to the fight against human trafficking and unequivocally denounces the scourge of Trafficking in Persons. Ms. Crystall Powell-Britton told the High-level meeting on the Appraisal of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons that Jamaica reaffirms its determination to prevent and combat trafficking in persons, protect and assist victims, … [Read more...]
