Communal banks extend credit, empower women and build equity in rural Bolivia Communal banks extend credit, empower women and build equity in rural Bolivia POCOATA, Bolivia, 23 May 2011 – It takes money to make money. Just ask Pilar Rueda, 38, a Quechua mother of two from this remote rural town in the Bolivian department of Potosí. She and much of her community have lifted themselves out of extreme poverty through ‘Bancos Comunales’ – Communal Banks – an innovative project developed by … [Read more...]
SWAZILAND: The Country with the World’s Highest HIV Prevalence Rate
May 27, 2011 by
My Visit to Swaziland: The Country with the World’s Highest HIV Prevalence Rate Last week, I wrote about my attendance at the PEPFAR annual meeting in South Africa, the country that has more people living with HIV (over 5 million) than any other country in the world. After this meeting, I visited the neighboring country of Swaziland, which has the unwelcome distinction of having the highest HIV and TB prevalence rates in the world. This part of my trip had special … [Read more...]
Africa – UN spotlights Women’s and Children’s health improving
May 26, 2011 by
In Africa, UN chief spotlights progress in improving women’s and children’s health 26 May 2011 Visiting health workers in Ethiopia today, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spotlighted the progress made in improving the health of women and children, while also stressing the need to do more to avoid needless deaths. “We have seen so many women and children dying needlessly from preventable diseases,” Mr. Ban told reporters at the Ambo Mesk health post in Bahir Dar, in Ethiopia’s … [Read more...]
Gaza Women – Global Campaign for Education
May 26, 2011 by
Global Campaign for Education reaches out to Gaza Women May 2011 Gaza Scores of refugee women and girls across Gaza took part in a campaign about the importance of education earlier this month, as part of UNRWA’s efforts to reduce gender inequality in education. Community-based organisations across the blockaded enclave ran role plays, theatre and outreach activities for female pupils and their mothers. One participant, Nisreen Abu Amra (35), said: “It is very important to … [Read more...]
UNESCO to launch Global Partnership for Girls’ and Women’s Education
May 26, 2011 by
UNESCO to launch ... Global Partnership for Girls’ and Women’s Education © Ian Berry/MAGNUM photos/"Better life, better future" Initiative. A Global Partnership for Girls’ and Women’s Education will be launched at a high level forum to be held at UNESCO Headquarters on Thursday 26 May (13:30h Room I) UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova will welcome participants to the event, followed by opening remarks from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and United States Secretary … [Read more...]
High Level Course on the MDGs at Sapienza Universita’ di Roma – NEW!
May 25, 2011 by
High Level Course on the MDGs at Sapienza Universita’ di Roma - NEW! The DESA Millennium Development Goals Report has become the main textbook of this year’s MDG Course at the Sapienza Universita’ di Roma. Academicians and scholars with senior expertise in building and design, physical planning, poverty analysis, health, education, economics, food production, statistics, sustainable development, energy, gender, demography, anthropology and development cooperation are delivering an intensive … [Read more...]
Guatemala: Women to the forefront in agriculture
May 25, 2011 by
Guatemala: Women to the forefront in agriculture Amanda is a Guatemalan farmer and founder of the Civil Association for the Integral Development of Active Rural Women (Asociación Civil de Desarrollo Integral de Mujeres Activas Rurales - ACDIMAR). This P4P association is formed exclusively by women. Amanda Lopez is a 56 year-old woman who lives and works on the Pacific coastal plain in Guatemala. She is a farmer and founder of the Civil Association for the Integral (Asociación Civil de … [Read more...]
Amnesty International Annual Report 2011 – United Kingdom
May 22, 2011 by
Amnesty International Annual Report 2011 - United Kingdom Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II Head of government: David Cameron (replaced Gordon Brown in May) Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes Population: 61.9 million Life expectancy: 79.8 years Under-5 mortality (m/f): 6/6 per 1,000 An inquiry into allegations of UK involvement in torture and other human rights violations of people held overseas was announced. Key counter-terrorism powers were under review. The … [Read more...]
Food For Thought …
May 21, 2011 by
Food for Thought ... The world produces enough food for everyone. (..) School meals, therefore, don’t only tackle hunger and nutrition; they benefit education, gender inequality and broader development issues (..). The idea is so simple, but hugely effective and the World Programme (WTP) knows this: it is the biggest provider of school meals in the world, and in 2008 it fed 22.6 million children across 68 countries in the developing world. The world produces enough food for … [Read more...]
Southern Cone: Economic Rights for Women
May 11, 2011 by
A Celebration of Women is pleased to share the following VIDEO, outlining the challenges of the Women of our Southern Hemisphere. SPANISH, with English Sub-title. Southern Cone: Economic Rights for Women The countries of the Southern Cone have distinct economic realities. When the issue is women and labor markets, they have something in common. Women have less secure jobs, receive lower wages and generally work in the informal sector. Produced by TV Brasil International … [Read more...]
UN- Say NO–UNiTE Celebrates the Two Million Mark!
May 10, 2011 by
Say NO–UNiTE has crossed two million actions in just 18 months, marking two million signs of commitment to ending violence against women and girls. People from all over the world have added their actions. Together, they showcase the growing global community of people dedicated to stopping one of the most pervasive violations of women’s rights. It is time to highlight some noteworthy recent actions to celebrate how much is being achieved – and gain hope and new resources for how much more we can … [Read more...]
Uganda – Death Penalty for GAYS: Emma Ruby-Sachs
May 10, 2011 by
In 48 hours, Uganda could pass a law that imposes the death penalty for homosexuality. An international outcry shelved this bill last year -- we urgently need to ramp up the pressure to press President Museveni to stand up for human rights and stop this brutal law. Sign below, and tell everyone: In 48 hours, the Ugandan Parliament may vote on a brutal new law that carries the death penalty for homosexuality. Thousands of Ugandans could face execution -- just for being gay.We've helped stop … [Read more...]
Suzanne Maloney: What Bin Laden's Death Means for Iran?
May 9, 2011 by
... effects on Iran ... What Bin Laden's Death Means for Iran? The death of Osama bin Laden highlights what a difference a decade makes, even for a country as seemingly unchanging as the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ten years ago, in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Iranians and their government responded with sympathetic outrage. Tehran was the scene of spontaneous candlelight vigils by ordinary Iranians and a temporary suspension of the weekly chants of “death to … [Read more...]
Suzanne Maloney: What Bin Laden’s Death Means for Iran?
May 9, 2011 by
... effects on Iran ... What Bin Laden's Death Means for Iran? The death of Osama bin Laden highlights what a difference a decade makes, even for a country as seemingly unchanging as the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ten years ago, in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Iranians and their government responded with sympathetic outrage. Tehran was the scene of spontaneous candlelight vigils by ordinary Iranians and a temporary suspension of the weekly chants of “death to … [Read more...]
