Bonsai People – The Vision of Muhammad Yunus Bonsai People – The Vision of Muhammad Yunus is an award-winning film about Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus’ work confronting poverty with both microcredit and social business and how it empowers women along the way. Yunus started making microloans after the debilitating famine of 1974, which led to the establishment of the Grameen Bank (“village bank”). Through this work, Yunus has not only observed the power of … [Read more...]
Rural Women – Thirteen Ways of Delivering
April 5, 2012 by
Rural Women - Thirteen Ways of Delivering The challenge of delivering for rural women is a critical issue for UNFPA as it works to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted and every childbirth is safe. Accessing basic health care, including quality family planning services and supplies, is problematic for many women in rural areas, leaving them with little control over the timing and spacing of births. Once pregnant, these women often face limited transportation options to reach … [Read more...]
International Mine Awareness Day – ‘Lend Your Leg’ Campaign
April 5, 2012 by
International Mine Awareness Day, UN Women Executive Director, Michelle Bachelet lends a leg On International Mine Awareness Day, UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet participated in the “Lend Your Leg” initiative to sensitize world leaders as well as people around the world to join the UN Mine Actions Service (UNMAS) campaign to prevent deadly weapons from causing indiscriminate harm to civilians. In contemporary conflicts, as much as 90 per cent of casualties are civilians, … [Read more...]
PASSOVER begins on April 6, 2012 – a time of Celebration!
April 3, 2012 by
History of Passover The primary observances of Passover are related to the Exodus from Egypt after 400 years of slavery. Perhaps the best known of the Jewish holidays, the splendid festival known as Passover has a rich and fascinating history. Passover in 2012 will start on Friday, the 06th of April and will continue for 7 days until Monday, the 14th of April. Note that in the Jewish calander, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Jews … [Read more...]
HIV during breastfeeding, the Government of South Africa
April 3, 2012 by
HIV during breastfeeding, the Government of South Africa In a major policy shift, mothers in South Africa are encouraged to exclusively breastfeed instead of using formula By Shantha Bloemen DURBAN, South Africa, 2012 – South Africa has some of the highest rates of HIV prevalence in the world. Over a decade ago, to prevent the mother-to-child transmission of HIV during breastfeeding, the Government of South Africa rolled out a policy providing free … [Read more...]
Aung San Suu Kyi wins landmark Election in Myanmar !!!
April 1, 2012 by
Aung San Suu Kyi wins landmark Election in Myanmar !!! YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Supporters of Myanmar's opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi erupted in euphoric cheers Sunday after her party said she won a parliamentary seat in a landmark election, setting the stage for her to take public office for the first time. The victory, if confirmed, would mark a major milestone in the Southeast Asian nation, where the military has ruled almost exclusively for a half-century and where a … [Read more...]
EARTH HOUR 2012
March 31, 2012 by
Hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world unite each year to support the largest environmental event in history – Earth Hour. More than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2011 alone, sending a powerful message for action on climate change. It also ushered in a new era with members going Beyond the Hour to commit to lasting action for the planet. Without a doubt, it’s shown how great things can be … [Read more...]
Morocco, the rape and death of an adolescent girl prompts calls for changes to the penal code
March 30, 2012 by
In Morocco, the rape and death of an adolescent girl prompts calls for changes to the penal code By Aniss Maghri RABAT, Morocco, March 2012 – The death of 16-year-old Amina Filali, in the old port town of Larache, Morocco, has prompted outrage around the world. Amina’s life was shattered by a double tragedy: She was raped at age 15, and then, after reporting the assault, she was forced to marry her rapist. After five months of marriage, during which she endured … [Read more...]
Dr. Sharifa Sharif – ‘A Small Story’ + HBO Documentary Dates
March 29, 2012 by
Imprisoned of Love In Afghanistan the Islamic laws deny women the right to have sex before marriage. Conventional punishment for sex outside marriage is stoning to death. You may recall the brutal and graphic images of a few cases which have caught the media attention. In Afghanistan, this religious regulation has extended its implication to social and cultural norms where free socialization of boys and girls is considered immoral. Although nowadays, women and men work together in … [Read more...]
L’ORÉAL-UNESCO Awards For Women in Science
March 29, 2012 by
The 14th Annual L’ORÉAL-UNESCO Awards For Women in Science © Julian Dufort for the L'Oréal Corporation Foundation UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and Chairman of the L’Oréal Foundation Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones will present the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards to five exceptional women scientists during a ceremony at the Organization’s Headquarters on Thursday, 29 March. The winners of this year’s awards are: Professor Jill Farrant, Research Chair … [Read more...]
Men’s Action for Stopping Violence against Women (MASVAW)
March 29, 2012 by
March 2012 Shishir Chandra is a community organizer with Men’s Action for Stopping Violence Against Women (MASVAW) in Uttar Pradesh, India, an alliance of individual men and organizations that are committed to reducing gender-based violence through education and advocacy. Here he talks about the struggle to challenge gender roles for both men and women in India, and why he believes that young men can and should step up to the challenge. Why do you think it’s important for … [Read more...]
UN Women – Pro-women laws take hold in Pakistan
March 27, 2012 by
Pro-women laws take hold in Pakistan Women in Pakistan have faced formidable challenges in their efforts to achieve gender equality and address gender-based violence in their country, with particular problems posed by elements among customary norms and practices. Yet throughout the past few years, breakthroughs in pro-women legislation have shown that both the efforts of Pakistan’s government, and the advocacy of groups working toward women’s empowerment in the country, are … [Read more...]
