Noor is a young woman from Iraq with virtually no legal rights in a country still struggling with the legacy of Saddam Hussein's 24-year dictatorship. Many women in Iraq cover their faces in public for cultural and religious reasons. But Noor does not want to be seen in public because, as far as most people know, she is dead. This is her story. United Nations, New York, May 2012 - In Iraq's southernmost city of Basra, a young woman battles to be reunited with her daughter … [Read more...]
PAKISTAN – Death Sentence for ‘women dancing at wedding’, Navi Pillay is appaulled!
June 8, 2012 by
The death sentence imposed on five women in Pakistan for allegedly dancing at a wedding has been condemned by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay. "Pakistan must boost its efforts to protect the human rights of its citizens said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights at the end of her visit to the country on Thursday. During her four day mission, Navi Pillay met with Pakistani leaders and pressed for reforms. The High Commissioner is calling on the Government to pass … [Read more...]
SYRIA: 27 children’s bodies were found massacred, Take Action!
June 8, 2012 by
Today another 27 children's bodies were found massacred in Syria. To stop this horror, we need to cut off the flow of arms to the regime. There is one way to do it, but it's going to take all of us working together to make it happen. Here’s how: India and the US are key clients to Syria’s main weapons supplier -- the state-owned Russian company Rosoboronexport. If we can get the two countries to threaten to halt all deals unless the Russians stop supporting Syria's murder machine, the arms … [Read more...]
UN Women working towards a sustainable future
June 7, 2012 by
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...]
Zimbabwe, women with HIV leading change, claiming their rights
June 6, 2012 by
As a woman with deteriorating health due to HIV, Phillipa Marisa, 60, used to agonize over the legacy that she would leave her children. Since her husband’s death from AIDS she had become dispossessed from her property in Hopley Farm, Harare, faced discord within her family, and had fierce arguments with her in-laws. Yet she found support and solace in a programme that connects HIV-affected women with their property and inheritance rights, and with each other. “They taught us women to … [Read more...]
Moldova: UN Trust Fund supports victims of human trafficking
June 6, 2012 by
When Dana read an advert from a travel agency inviting women from the Republic of Moldova to spend a summer in Italy working as waitresses in a nightclub, she did not think twice about seizing the opportunity. The 19-year-old had long dreamed of going to Italy; now she could do so - and even earn good money. Dana responded to the ad and soon after made the fateful journey from her country, nestled between Ukraine and Romania, west to Italy. Upon arrival, Dana found herself trapped in a … [Read more...]
El Salvador – Women create “La Cocina Económica”
June 6, 2012 by
In the municipality of San Rafael Cedros located in the province of Cuscatlán (central region of El Salvador and some 83 kilometers from the capital city of San Salvador), five women have set up a small business now known as “La Cocina Económica” (Economic Kitchen). This business is managed by an association of women entrepreneurs that supply ready to eat school meals for students attending the local public school in this municipality. Almost a year ago, this project had its not so easy … [Read more...]
‘EveTeasing’ [euphemism-sexual harassment] lead Women to Commit Suicide
June 6, 2012 by
Sexual harassment in Bangladesh ... that led the government to declare June 13th "Eve Teasing Protection Day." Sexual harassment in Bangladesh is driving women to commit suicide as a means of escape. According to local human rights groups 28 women committed suicide this year to escape frequent sexual harassment. Before killing themselves most of them wrote a note demanding an end to the sexual harassment known locally as ‘eve teasing’ where boys intercept girls on … [Read more...]
GAZA – Home visits are saving newborns
June 5, 2012 by
Post-natal home visits improve newborn survival in Gaza A nurse is conducting a post-natal home visit in Gaza. GAZA, Occupied Palestinian Territory, June 2012 – Every year, an estimated 1,600 babies die in the first four weeks of life in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Most of these newborns deaths could be prevented if mothers and newborns’s health was systematically evaluated, and if young mothers received advice on how to best care for their children. To improve newborn … [Read more...]
Egypt, Human Chain against Sexual Harassment – “I Wish” … “Nefsi”
June 2, 2012 by
“I wish I could walk around without being hurt by inappropriate words.” On a Wednesday in May 2012, inspired by snowballing social media discussions on sexual harassment in Egypt, a group of independent activists took the conversation to an offline public. They aimed to build support in Cairo and beyond, using the most simple of approaches: the country’s first ‘human chain’ against sexual harassment. In line with the global UN project, “Safe Cities”, which works to make cities and … [Read more...]
Philanthropic Groups Partner to Increase Education
June 2, 2012 by
A group of philanthropic organizations are forming a partnership to provide up to $5 million for efforts to increase the participation, quality, and relevance of secondary education for marginalized children, especially girls, in developing countries. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The MasterCard Foundation, Douglas B. Marshall Jr. Family Foundation and an anonymous donor will identify and support innovative initiatives that provide learning opportunities and life and … [Read more...]
Saving Face Can’t Make You Safe – HIV and the AAPI Community
June 2, 2012 by
“Saving face can’t make you safe. “Talk about HIV—for me, for you, for everyone.” The slogan is reflective of how Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders need to embrace the growing concern of HIV in our communities. Judging by recent activities the efforts to educate the community about HIV is having an impact. On May 19, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders gathered at more than 20 community events for the 8th Annual National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. … [Read more...]
What is going to happen in Rio?
June 1, 2012 by
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...]
