Madame Chair, Excellencies and distinguished delegates, Colleagues, friends, ladies and gentlemen, Greetings to all of you as we conclude this historic 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. It has been an intensive past two weeks. We have witnessed one of the highest levels of participation from Member States, intergovernmental organizations, civil society, and colleagues from the United Nations. I must start by expressing my appreciation to all of you. I would … [Read more...]
Côte d’Ivoire: Food for Assets Project Empowers Women’s Group
March 15, 2013 by
A women’s group in western Côte d’Ivoire is participating in a WFP Food for Assets gardening project that is empowering its members and providing nutritious foods for their households. Abidjan – In Gningleu village in western Côte d’Ivoire bordering Liberia, Alice heads a women’s group called “Debasseu”. In English that means “Do it yourself”. The group is participating in a WFP Food for Assets gardening project, and as a result has been able to secure more nutritious foods for their … [Read more...]
AIDS Response, special meeting at CSW 57
March 14, 2013 by
Special event at the Commission on the Status of Women seeks to accelerate zero-tolerance towards gender-based violence through the AIDS response Co-chaires Hon Thokozani Khupe, Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe (left) and Hon Julia Duncan-Cassell, Minister of Gender and Development of Liberia at the High Level Consultation Accelerating Zero-Tolerance to Gender based violence through the HIV response. New York City on March 9, 2013. Credit: UNAIDS/M. Taamallah NEW YORK — These … [Read more...]
The Women of the World are Depending on Us
March 12, 2013 by
“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...]
UN Women, Progress of the World’s Women
February 25, 2013 by
In many countries of the world, the rule of law still rules women out. In every region, there are laws that discriminate against women, in relation to property, the family, employment and citizenship. Too often, justice institutions, including the police and the courts, deny women justice. But, governments and civil society are pioneering innovative approaches to ensure that women can access justice. Catalyzing gender-sensitive law reform, investing in one-stop shops and providing … [Read more...]
CSW – Violence Against Women, Sexual, Reproductive Health
February 22, 2013 by
CSW 2012 The fifty-sixth session of the Commission on the Status of Women took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 27 February to 9 March 2012. The closing meeting was held on 15 March 2012. The 2012 session focused on the following key areas: Priority Theme: The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges Review Theme: Financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women Emerging … [Read more...]
Delhi shows 95% women and girls feel unsafe, Take Action!
February 22, 2013 by
During interviews with women, it was found that the presence of hawkers and late night eateries at major transport hubs makes women feel safer. Photo credit: UN Women/ Gaganjit Singh Chandok — at NTPC-Badarpur Border,New Delhi. UN Women supported survey in Delhi shows 95 per cent of women and girls feel unsafe in public spaces “I have started carrying pepper spray to protect myself." My parents have become more protective, they want to know where I’m going, when I’ll be back and … [Read more...]
UNESCO Launches Women Make the News 2013
February 22, 2013 by
On the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD), 8 March, UNESCO joins forces with international and regional partners to launch the annual Women Make the News (WMN) initiative under the theme, “Towards a Global Alliance on Media and Gender”. We are inviting editors-in-chief of newspapers, radio, television on and offline to join UNESCO’s initiative, and to produce special supplements/programme on these topics and/or to entrust women journalists and reporters with editorial responsibility … [Read more...]
St. Valentine’s Day is celebrated on Feb 14
February 13, 2013 by
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly known as Valentine's Day, or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is observed on February 14 each year. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, although it remains a working day in most of them. St. Valentine's Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. The most popular martyrology associated with Saint Valentine was that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to … [Read more...]
Gender Matters – To Me and To Development
January 27, 2013 by
G-SPOTS Preetha Prabhakaran says: If asked to pick on one single moment or event in my life that has been influenced by my gender, I would find it an impossible task. This is because gender has worked like an invisible force, underlining my actions and behaviours for as long as I can remember. It claimed me at birth, like a second mother, and it has lived with me ever since. It has been a constant voice in my head, shaping my sense-of-self and moulding my capabilities, limitations, … [Read more...]
INSPIRATIONAL WINDOW – The Journey of Transformation
January 23, 2013 by
The Journey of Transformation REMEMBER YOUR SPIRIT The sparkle of the bright moon light shines brilliantly into your room. I am watching over you, guiding and inspiring from afar. The dreamland is the sphere of connection where our hearts are intertwined. I look into your eyes and I give you the courage to be who you are. I welcome the dawn as you alight into a new day. Refreshed, alive with renewed hope and vigor, you feel the light tingle on your skin as I brush you … [Read more...]
