Message of the Executive Director: We call on countries to “step it up” for gender equality Message of Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, for International Women’s Day 2015. In 1995, at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, world leaders committed to a future where women are equal. One hundred and eighty nine countries and 4,000 civil society organizations, attended the conference. Women left Beijing with high hopes, with a well-defined path towards … [Read more...]
CANADA is leader in global food security initiatives, celebrate!
ROME — Canada's leadership on food security and nutrition is contributing to the reduction of poverty, hunger, and malnutrition in developing countries. The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation, participated today in a round table in Rome to discuss global food security and nutrition, and the role of private sector partnerships. "Ensuring access to safe and nutritious food is a priority of Canada's international assistance to developing countries," said … [Read more...]
Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) seeking nominations
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) is seeking nominations of qualified individuals to be considered for appointment as members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA). The White House asks PACHA to provide, on an ongoing basis, recommendations on how to effectively implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, as well as monitor the Strategy's implementation. WHAT IS PACHA? The Presidential Advisory … [Read more...]
The Women of the World are Depending on Us
“Economic policies that push out smallholders,” Ms. Khan added, “contribute to a damaging feminization of poverty. In this process, young girls, in particular, find themselves at the sharp end of gender violence.” The WFP-hosted event, which focused on the negative impact of violence against women on food security, also heard from panelist Lourdes Tiban, an Ecuadorean lawmaker of indigenous descent. Gender violence, she said, is not ordained by destiny. Ms. Tiban called for profound cultural … [Read more...]
TRADE of INNOCENTS – World Premiere Sept 29
SEX TRAFFICKING of CHILDREN: The numbers surprised me. Several thousands of women and girls each year routinely forced to have sex multiple times per day? 1 official and many unofficial trafficking circuits spanning the country? Over 5,000 brothels disguised as massage parlors? 13 as the average age of entrance into the trade? $200,000 in profit per girl/child per year? The land of the free? Yes, I’m talking about America. Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in … [Read more...]
Columbia, Bogota – Progress for Women and Young People
BOGOTA — UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin visited Colombia, for the first time, to review the country's progress in reducing maternal deaths and teen pregnancy, two of the indicators for the Millennium Development Goal on improving maternal health. Day One: Dr. Osotimehin began his visit touring two health centres in Bogota, where UNFPA has been supporting the work of the city's Health Secretariat. In Bosa, one of Bogota's most populous neighbourhoods— with one of the … [Read more...]
AFGHANISTAN – transition house for women leaving prison in Kabul
AFGHANISTAN - transition house for women leaving prison in Kabul 30 May 2012 - Emini, who is 20 years old, is one of 14 female residents of the House of Hope, a Kabul-based transitional house for women leaving prison. Pardoned by President Hamid Karzai's decree on 8 March, she is one of the newest inhabitants of the house. Originally sentenced to three years in prison for running away from an abusive husband and his family, Emini hopes that her defence lawyer will help her to be granted a … [Read more...]
IWHC, International Women’s – 7 billion, what power do women have?
Washington, DC we co-sponsored an event with UNFPA, National Geographic, government agencies and non-governmental organizations focusing on women and girls as critical engines of change in the new reality of 7 billion people. In late October 2011, world population will reach 7 billion people. It is critical that we unleash the power of women and girls to alleviate poverty and accelerate progress on all of our global development goals. Check out this video, featuring Lois Quam, Executive … [Read more...]
Crossing to Safety: One Woman’s Story of Arriving in Dadaab from Somalia
“I was so hungry I thought I would die” DADAAB, Kenya— When Fatuma Ali together with her husband decided to begin a trek from Somalia to Kenya with their four children, they knew the journey would be torturous. But it was one that they had to take. Pregnant with her fifth child, Fatuma could hardly withstand the situation in Somalia -- a ravaging famine on top of one of the world’s most enduring conflicts. The punishing 17-day journey through the sandy desert into Kenya left her … [Read more...]
NORD: 1st Annual U.S. Conference On Rare Diseases & Orphan Products
Stellar Lineup of Speakers Announced for U.S. Conference On Rare Diseases And Orphan Products Join all stakeholders – patient advocates, researchers, government, industry, investors – in this 1st Annual Summit featuring thought leaders and focusing on collaboration! You are invited to the 1st Annual U.S. Conference on Rare Diseases and Orphan Products to be hosted by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and the Drug Information Association (DIA). Additional support … [Read more...]
UN contest for ‘best campaign’ to end violence against women
19 July 2011 – Public voting is under way in a United Nations contest aimed at finding the best advertising campaign to promote awareness in Europe about the battle to defeat gender-based violence, which affects more than two out of every three women worldwide.More than 2,700 entries from 40 European countries – prepared by both creative professionals and ordinary members of the public – have been submitted in the contest, and three winners will be selected, either by a seven-member jury of … [Read more...]
UN contest for 'best campaign' to end violence against women
19 July 2011 – Public voting is under way in a United Nations contest aimed at finding the best advertising campaign to promote awareness in Europe about the battle to defeat gender-based violence, which affects more than two out of every three women worldwide.More than 2,700 entries from 40 European countries – prepared by both creative professionals and ordinary members of the public – have been submitted in the contest, and three winners will be selected, either by a seven-member jury of … [Read more...]
Congressional Redistricting – USA Status Report Event
Congressional Redistricting - A Status Report July 18, 2011 Event Summary The drawing of legislative district boundaries is arguably among the most self-interested and least transparent systems in American democracy. Every ten years redistricting authorities, usually state legislatures, redraw congressional and legislative lines in accordance with Census reapportionment and population shifts within states. Most state redistricting authorities are in the midst of … [Read more...]