Japan Contributes US$4.5 Million to Support UN Women Project Ending Violence against Women in Afghanistan The Government of Japan has contributed US$4.5 million this year to support a UN Women project in Afghanistan on ending violence against women, the largest non-core contribution to UN Women by Japan to date. Japan has also pledged US$446,808 in core contributions to UN Women for 2011. “Japan, as one of the initial members of the Executive Board of UN Women, is committed … [Read more...]
Maternal Health Thematic Fund is Taking Action!
June 18, 2011 by
Maternal Health: Reviewing Progress and Looking Ahead UNITED NATIONS, New York — Donors, representing both governments and the private sector, today joined UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin and staff to review major achievements made possible by the Maternal Health Thematic Fund in 2010. The thematic fund supports high-impact and low-cost investments in countries with the greatest burden of maternal death and injury. UNFPA launched the Maternal Health Thematic Fund in 2008 to … [Read more...]
Arab World: roundtable at UNESCO, 21 June
June 18, 2011 by
Democracy and renewal in the Arab World: roundtable at UNESCO in support of transition to democracy, 21 June © UNESCO - Poster "Democracy and Renewal in the Arab World" About 20 internationally renowned personalities, experts on or from the Arab World¹, will participate in a round table on 21 June at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (Room X from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.) on the theme “Democracy and Renewal in the Arab World: UNESCO in Support of Transitions to Democracy”. One of the main … [Read more...]
“Son preference” Perpetuates Discrimination/Violations of Women’s Rights
June 16, 2011 by
14 June 2011 Five United Nations agencies have banded together to call for urgently addressing gender-biased sex selection favouring boys, a common practice in many parts of South, East and Central Asia that they say fuels a culture of discrimination and violence. "Sex selection in favour of boys is a symptom of pervasive social, cultural, political and economic injustices against women, and a manifest violation of women's human rights," says a statement issued by the agencies, which have … [Read more...]
Worldwide 215 million children engaged in child labour, Take Action!
June 16, 2011 by
Preventing hazardous child labour in agriculture Worldwide 215 million children are engaged in child labour, and of these 115 million are involved in what is considered to be hazardous work. Agriculture is the sector where the largest share of child labourers is found - a staggering 60 percent of boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 17. Today, much of our food and drink, as well as the raw material we use to make other products, are produced by child labour. Child labour in … [Read more...]
Colombia: Wayuu Gold, Fighting for Access to Fresh Water
June 16, 2011 by
Colombia: Wayuu Gold, Fighting for Access to Fresh Water In some parts of the world it's as rare as gold — and getting a hold of some, nearly impossible. To one of Colombia's largest indigenous groups indigenous groups, Wayuu, that gold is fresh water. Soon their water will be siphoned from Wayuu lands through new pipes to a nearby town, where the population is not indigenous. As struggles for ethnic rights, such as access to water, are recreated across the country, the community deals … [Read more...]
Reform to Reality: Empowerment of Women in the Middle East
June 16, 2011 by
Reform to Reality: Empowerment of Women in the Middle East Speech delivered by UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet at a lunch event hosted by the governments of the United States, Tunisia, Canada, Colombia, Jordan, the Maldives and Norway, titled “Women’s Political Participation in the Middle East,” held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, 10 June 2011. [Check against delivery.] I thank our hosts — the US, Tunisia, Canada, Colombia, Jordan, the Maldives and Norway — … [Read more...]
Kyrgyzstan – Gender Violence Addressed in Community Theatre
June 14, 2011 by
Using Community Theatre to Address Gender Violence in Kyrgyzstan BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — In June 2010, southern Kyrgyzstan was ravaged by inter-ethnic clashes that devastated communities throughout the region. During the course of a few weeks, hundreds of houses were burnt, public facilities were destroyed, thousands were injured and more than 300,000 people were displaced – most of whom were children and women. Several cases of gender-based violence were reported, including … [Read more...]
Kyrgyzstan – Gender Violence Addressed in Community Theatre
June 14, 2011 by
Using Community Theatre to Address Gender Violence in Kyrgyzstan BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — In June 2010, southern Kyrgyzstan was ravaged by inter-ethnic clashes that devastated communities throughout the region. During the course of a few weeks, hundreds of houses were burnt, public facilities were destroyed, thousands were injured and more than 300,000 people were displaced – most of whom were children and women. Several cases of gender-based violence were reported, including … [Read more...]
It’s Hurricane Season: Prepare to Keep Food Safe
June 13, 2011 by
U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services cares for the Women of Our World, and the following LINK will offer anyone in need some amazing sites and tools to prepare for this 2011 HURRICANE SEASON. We have seen so much disaster in our neighbouring countries, as well as our own, so please......GET PREPARED. As the national education advisor for food safety at FDA, I’m responsible for getting the word out about keeping food safe, particularly during disasters. And, of all the natural … [Read more...]
Uganda Remembers Its Heroes
June 8, 2011 by
Uganda Remembers Its Heroes Heroes’ Day Date: June 9 Heroes’ Day is a public holiday in Uganda. Uganda—also known as the Republic of Uganda—is a land-locked country which is located in East Africa. It is surrounded by Sudan to the north, Congo to the west, Kenya to the east, and Tanzania to the south. Like most other countries, Uganda too had to fight for its freedom and independence. In Uganda, Heroes’ Day is celebrated ever year on June 9. This is celebrated in memory of … [Read more...]
Azerbaijan, UN team joined voices with Women’s Parliament
June 7, 2011 by
UN team joined voices with Women’s Parliament to discuss gender issues Azerbaijan AZERBAIJAN To discuss existing gender issues and to demonstrate solidarity with women working for women, the United Nations office (UNO) in Baku, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) conducted an information session with the Women’s Parliament using the slogan “Equality is Justice: Equality for Women” - led by the Women’s Association for Rational … [Read more...]
Women, Peace and Security Institute Established in Ghana
June 5, 2011 by
Women, Peace and Security Institute Established in Ghana Discussions on conflict and peacekeeping in Africa have often ignored the role of women. But this reality is gradually changing, as a growing body of activists, academics and policymakers bring women to the forefront of security agendas. As part of this movement, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, Ghana has established a Women, Peace and Security Institute to train students and leaders across the … [Read more...]
MYANMAR, Bride trafficking to China unveiled
June 3, 2011 by
MYANMAR: Bride trafficking to China unveiled BANGKOK, 2 June 2011 (IRIN) - Most cross-border human trafficking in Myanmar involves women tricked into travelling to China to get work, only to find a groom waiting for them on the other side. Thazin* was trafficked to China from Yangon and forced into marriage in 2008. Now 29 and back in Yangon, she told IRIN that one day she drank a cup of coffee spiked by an acquaintance, woke up in China and was soon married against her will. According … [Read more...]
Being the Change – La Sirena Retreats and Micro-Finance Programs
June 2, 2011 by
Being the Change – La Sirena Retreats and Micro-Finance Programs – My name is Janice and I want to change the world. I’m a stubborn idealist, often called radical, and I have been this way for all of this life, and I’m quite sure in many of my past incarnations. Ecuador has been a very special place for me since I arrived from Canada in 2006, and although I was already on the path to great change, those changes have been happening quickly and often since I arrived here. I arrived … [Read more...]
