Head of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and pratice Kamala Chandrakirna. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré December 2012 – A group of United Nations human rights experts today voiced deep concern about Egypt’s draft constitution, and called on its Government to ensure equality, non-discrimination and protection and promotion of women’s rights in the final text. “Key opportunities have so far been missed,” stressed independent expert Kamala Chandrakirana, who … [Read more...]
AN AIDS-FREE GENERATION
December 7, 2012 by
Despite great strides in treating HIV, and despite effective prevention strategies that have reduced its spread among many populations, about 50,000 new cases of HIV are still diagnosed each year. December 1, World AIDS Day, is a good time to remember not only how far we have come since HIV first appeared three decades ago, but also the obstacles that still stand in the way of creating the “AIDS-free generation” that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has called on the world community to … [Read more...]
DRC: Surge in sexual violence in North Kivu* – Take Action!
December 7, 2012 by
MINOVA, 7 December 2012 (IRIN) - Sexual violence is on the rise as armed groups continue to move across the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) North Kivu Province, officials say. Since mid-November, the provincial capital, Goma, has been a site of battle, with rebel group M23 taking control of the city on 20 November. Following negotiations with neighbouring countries, M23 relinquished control of the city on 1 December, and the Congolese national army, FARDC, is back in charge. … [Read more...]
COTE D’IVOIRE: Marital equality law sparks controversy
December 5, 2012 by
ABIDJAN, December 2012 (IRIN) - The adoption by Côte d'Ivoire’s parliament of a law on equality between legally married couples has sparked anger, especially among religious people. For them, this law will create more problems in the home than it will solve. Adopted on 21 November, the law says family affairs should be managed jointly by both spouses in the interests of the household and children. The previous law stated that the husband was the sole head of the family. "To remove this … [Read more...]
‘A Promise is A Promise’ – UN Video Presentation
November 29, 2012 by
'A Promise is A Promise' is the official video of the United Nations Secretary-General's Campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women (November 2012). Launched in 2008, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, coordinated by UN Women on behalf of the UN System, is a multi-year effort aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls in all parts of the world. UNiTEcalls on governments, civil society, women's … [Read more...]
Abortions are illegal in Swaziland
November 19, 2012 by
MBABANE, November 2012 (IRIN) - Abortions are illegal in Swaziland and have resulted in criminal convictions, but in October 2012 more than 1,000 women were treated for abortion-related complications at a single clinic in the country’s second city Manzini, says the Family Life Association of Swaziland (FLAS), a family planning organization. FLAS is calling for the legalization of abortion on the grounds of women’s health. “In neighbouring South Africa, the legalization of abortion in … [Read more...]
Martina Navratilova – WOMAN of ACTION™
October 8, 2012 by
A Celebration of Women™ has been inspired to Celebrate the Life of this definite leader, a woman that rose above challenges, excelled in her career and took action for her human rights, as well as the rights of athletes, the gay & lesbian community; as well as animals. WOMAN of ACTION™ Martina Navratilova Martina Navratilova (Czech: Martina Navrátilová; born Martina Šubertová; October 18, 1956) is a retired Czech American … [Read more...]
GUINEA: Fresh tears, steeled will, hundreds of women raped
September 29, 2012 by
CONAKRY, September 2012 (IRIN) - One after the other, women visiting their sick friend Aïssatou Baïlo Diallo, a 42-year-old teacher in Guinea’s capital Conakry, are overcome with emotion and leave her bedside crying. Diallo has been in and out of hospitals since she was raped in the 28 September 2009 stadium attack, and in recent weeks her health has deteriorated rapidly. Three years after the stadium massacre, the pain is fresh. Three years ago, at Conakry’s 28 September Stadium, hundreds … [Read more...]
BAHRAIN Taking Action, compensates families improving human rights
September 21, 2012 by
The Kingdom of Bahrain is to compensate families of protesters killed during last years anti government protests. That's what the Foreign Minister of Bahrain Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa told the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday. The minister said 17 of the victims have already received compensations totalling 2.6 million dollars. He added that legal reforms are already under way in the justice system to ensure fairness, prevent torture, and protect the … [Read more...]
