Women must be empowered to ‘create the future we want’ – Migiro Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro. UN Photo/JC McIlwaine February 2012 – United Nations Member States must boost economic empowerment for women to help them realize the global community’s common goals, Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro urged today, warning that gender discrimination around the world was still too widespread. “Too many countries still have discriminatory laws … [Read more...]
Commitment to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
Renewing Commitment to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Message of UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, on the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Every year, over three million women and girls face the risk of genital mutilation and cutting. The practice has serious immediate and long-term health effects, and it is a clear violation of fundamental human rights. Worldwide, 100–140 million have already … [Read more...]
Intel, UNFPA to Boost Health Workers’ Skills around the World
Intel and UNFPA to Boost Health Workers’ Skills around the World Collaboration will provide technological infrastructure to train midwives and health workers in selected developing countries UNITED NATIONS, New York/SANTA CLARA, California—The high number of unnecessary deaths during pregnancy and childbirth is unacceptable for Intel Corporation and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. In an effort to address that problem, Intel and UNFPA have announced a joint commitment … [Read more...]
Women in the Boardroom ~ ‘I am not one to usually rant,’
'I am not one to usually rant,' I am not one to usually rant, but a study just released by Watermark, a non-profit community of executive women, and the University of California at Davis Graduate School of Management enraged me. It revealed that in California, among the 400 largest public companies, only 10 percent of board seats were held by women—and more than 33 percent had no women on their boards at all. 'This isn’t just a California problem', says Watermark CEO Marilyn Nagel. She … [Read more...]
UN Women: Ms.Lakshmi Puri, ‘Zero Draft of the Rio+20 Outcome Document’
Ms.Lakshmi Puri, Deputy Executive Director UN Women, on the Zero Draft of the Rio+20 Outcome Document Posted on January 27 2012 | Deputy Director Lakshmi Puri | Exclude from Frontpage | Speeches and Statements Speech by Ms. Lakshmi Puri Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director UN Women at the initial consultations on the Zero Draft of the Rio+20 Outcome Document, New York, 25 January 2012. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, At the outset, I wish to … [Read more...]
Women’s education ‘smartest global investment,’ Ban tells world at Davos
Women’s education ‘smartest global investment,’ Ban tells World Economic Forum Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks at event for the Every Woman, Every Child initiative. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe January 2012 – Secretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon called today on business leaders attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to increase their investment in women’s education and health to ensure their well-being and encourage their participation … [Read more...]
ACTA: The new threat to the net
Dear friends, A new global treaty could allow corporations to police everything that we do on the Internet. Last week 3 million of us successfully pushed back the US censorship bills -- if we act now, we can get the EU Parliament to bury this new threatto all of us: Last week, 3 million of us beat back America's attack on our Internet! -- but there is an even bigger threat out there, and our global movement for freedom online is perfectly poised to kill it for good. ACTA -- a … [Read more...]
Statement of Michelle Bachelet Under-Secretary- General and UN Women Executive Director 2012
Michelle Bachelet Statement at 2012 First Regular Session of UN Women Executive Board Statement of Michelle Bachelet Under-Secretary- General and UN Women Executive Director at First Regular Session of UN Women Executive Board 24 January 2012. President, Distinguished Delegates, Allow me to first wish all of you a Happy New Year. It will not surprise you to hear me say that my special hopes are for the women of this world! I hope that this year, no matter how … [Read more...]
Women: A Driving Force In Nuclear Power Programmes
Women: A Driving Force In Nuclear Power Programmes More Women Are Taking on Key Roles in Developing National Programmes Many countries are moving forward with their nuclear power programmes and, in these countries, more and more women are taking on key leadership roles in developing the national nuclear agenda.Hanna Trojanowska of Poland and Monira Al Kuttab from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are just two of the women making a difference in nuclear power programmes in … [Read more...]
UNFPA 2011 Maternal Health Highlights
MATERNAL HEALTH 2011 - HIGHLIGHTS It was a busy, successful year for UNFPA, UN Population Fund, as it continued to work in 2011 with partners to address universal access to reproductive health, including maternal health, treatment for obstetric fistula and family planning, and to improve the lives of women and young people around the world. A special emphasis was made on the important work of midwives and the crucial role they play in saving lives and bettering maternal … [Read more...]
MARCIA MARTIN – New Year’s Rainforest Request
Marcia Martin Productions, LLC ~ New Year's Rainforest Request To Family, friends, and colleagues, This is a request for your immediate help. Three years ago I witnessed first hand the beauty of the Amazon rainforest and the Achuar people who have lived there untouched by our modern world for thousands of years. I also learned about the fragility of this pristine land and how vital the rainforest is to all of us; not only is it the home of an incredible diversity of plants and animals … [Read more...]