'By 2020, more than 140 million girls will have become child brides' – UN ... if we do not Take Action NOW !!! March 2013 – If current child marriage rates continue, more than 140 million girls will become child brides between 2011 and 2020, the United Nations said today, warning that little progress has been made towards ending this harmful practice. Of these 140 million girls, 50 million will be under the age of 15, according to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which added that … [Read more...]
Sahel region needs women’s leadership, says UN-backed conference
April 11, 2013 by
April 2013 – Dozens of women from the Sahel have met with the United Nations envoy to the region and the world organization’s top official for women’s issues, at a conference to recommend ways to boost economic recovery, political stability and conflict prevention in the troubled African region. “Ultimately, the women of the Sahel will be instrumental in putting the region on a path to stability,” the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Sahel, Romano Prodi, told the Conference on … [Read more...]
Women’s full participation essential to conflict resolution and economic recovery
April 10, 2013 by
Sahel Conference says Women’s full participation essential to conflict resolution and economic recovery UN Women Brussels, April 2013 – Some 40 women from the Sahel met today to underline the crucial contributions women from the region are making to economic recovery, political stability and conflict prevention, and to explore ways to enhance their role in these areas. Organized by the European Union, the Office of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Sahel and UN Women, the … [Read more...]
Statement – UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS, Executive Board Director 2013
February 5, 2013 by
At the First Regular Session of the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board 2013 Mister President, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, Partners in civil society, Colleagues and friends, It is my pleasure to address the Executive Board on its first regular session in 2013. My colleagues and I congratulate you, Ambassador Olhaye, on your election as the President of the Executive Board. We also congratulate the other members of the Bureau on their election: Mr. Boyan Belev (Bulgaria), … [Read more...]
Women: Silent Players in a Silent Crisis in the Sahel
June 30, 2012 by
Thanks to recurrent drought and a dangerous combination of high grain prices and environmental and security degradation, there is a severe food and livelihood crisis, affecting millions of people who live within -- and around -- the Sahel region. In the Sahel, as in most of the world, women make up the majority of small-scale farmers. (..) According to the FAO, investing in women smallholder farmers would result in significant gains in the fight against hunger. Eight million people are … [Read more...]
UN report, sexual violence during conflict, singles out worst offenders
February 24, 2012 by
Special Representative Margot Wallström presents the Secretary-General’s report on conflict-related sexual violence to the Security Council. UN Photo/JC McIlwaine The annual United Nations report documenting conflict-related sexual violence around the world today for the first time names some of the military forces, militia and other armed groups that are suspected of being among the worst offenders.The groups listed in the report include the Lord’s Resistance Army … [Read more...]
DROUGHT takes our Women in Sahel Region of West Africa
January 31, 2012 by
DROUGHT takes our Women in the Sahel Region of West Africa For the third time in a decade, drought has returned to the Sahel region of West Africa bringing hunger to millions of people across the region. WFP is pre-positioning food assistance ahead of the annual lean season when the vulnerable – especially women and children – are most at risk of malnutrition. NIAMEY—Drought has hit the Sahel region this year just as many families are still in the … [Read more...]
