Baghdad, Iraq – The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) has established a partnership with UN Women and UNFPA to improve the safety, protection and well-being of women and girl survivors of gender-based violence in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Building on existing structures and ongoing gender mainstreaming efforts, the new partnership will contribute to increasing access to quality gender-based violence protection services, such as mental health and psychosocial support, … [Read more...]
Revolution, Terrorism or Civil Disobedience gone Global?
November 1, 2014 by
In these modern times, our world seems to be walking backwards, repeating history over and over again, now including peaceful Canada. Not only has it been tested, but it has forever altered how we see ourselves as "peacekeeping" Canadians. No longer can we say that terrorism is something that happens "over there": in Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kenya, the United Kingdom, the United States. We are now a part of that unfortunate list. Is this a statement of truth or a reactionary opinion … [Read more...]
World peace?
September 7, 2014 by
These are the only 11 countries in the world that are actually free from conflict As new wars and civil unrests seem to be flaring up every week, we look for the only countries in the world that could be considered ‘conflict-free’. With the crisis in Gaza, the rise of Islamist militants in Iraq and Syria and the international stand-off ongoing in Ukraine, it can sometimes feel like the whole world is at war. But experts believe this is actually almost universally the case, according to … [Read more...]
Iraq: Isis warns women to wear full veil or face punishment
July 25, 2014 by
Sunni insurgents issue guidelines in mosques on how clothes should be worn to prevent women 'from falling into vulgarity' 'Anyone who is not committed to this duty and is motivated by glamour will be subject to accountability.' Photograph: Ali Al-Saadi/AFP/Getty Images Islamic State (Isis), the al-Qaida offshoot that seized large swathes of northern Iraq last month, has warned women in the city of Mosul to wear full-face veils or risk severe punishment. The Sunni insurgents, who have … [Read more...]
Jihadists in Iraq – Girls undergo FGM ‘Fatwa’, ISIS
July 24, 2014 by
GENEVA: Jihadists in Iraq have ordered that all women between the ages of 11 and 46 must undergo female genital mutilation, which could affect up to four million women and girls in the war-ravaged country, a UN official said Thursday. The UN's second most senior official in Iraq, Jacqueline Badcock, said, "It is a fatwa (or religious edict) from ISIS, we learnt about it this morning. We have no precise numbers." The Islamic State, formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the … [Read more...]
Iraq, displaced girls/women face increasing risk of sexual violence, UN warns
June 30, 2014 by
An estimated 20,000 women and girls in Iraq are at an increased risk of sexual violence as a result of the mounting crisis in northern and western parts of the country, warned the United Nations today, urging immediate action to ensure their protection. “We must act immediately to ensure that women and girls are protected from sexual violence,” said Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), Babatunde Osotimehin, stressing that the international community must not wait for cases to … [Read more...]
NGOWG MAP – November 2013
November 6, 2013 by
The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has released the November 2013 version of our Monthly Action Points (MAP) on Women, Peace and Security for the UN Security Council. For November, in which China has the Security Council presidency, the MAP provides recommendations on the situations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Central African Republic, Central African Region, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan / South Sudan, and Syria. Our findings remain clear: while there has been development in policy and … [Read more...]
IRAN Surprises Herself and the World, Brookings Essay
September 12, 2013 by
Suzanne Maloney is an expert on Iranian politics, energy and economic reform in the Middle East, and U.S. policy toward the region. Prior to her position as a senior fellow with the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings, she was a member of the State Department’s policy planning staff; a Middle East advisor at ExxonMobil Corporation; and director of a Council on Foreign Relations task force on America’s Iran policy. Author of Iran’s Long Reach and contributor to such works as Which … [Read more...]
CANADA, further support to those affected by the violence in Syria
September 6, 2013 by
PM announces further support to those affected by the violence in Syria September 6, 2013 St. Petersburg, Russia Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced further Canadian support to help address the worsening humanitarian situation in Syria. “The Government of Canada stands with the people of Syria as they continue to face unfathomable hardships at the hands of the Assad regime,” said Prime Minister Harper. “Canada’s support, together with that of its allies, will help … [Read more...]
Samantha Joan Nutt, CM, OOnt, FRCPC, CCFP – WOMAN of ACTION™
August 1, 2013 by
A Celebration of Women™ is elated to Celebrate the Life of this passionate activist, one woman that has devoted her life to humanitarian efforts in wars zones. She is a leading authority on the impact of war on civilians. Her reach has been global bettering the lives of children and their families at the front line of many of the world's major crises including Iraq, Afghanistan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Darfur, South Sudan, Burundi, northern … [Read more...]
Iraqi Women do not have equal opportunities, Take Action!
May 7, 2013 by
DUBAI, May 2013 (IRIN) - In the 1980s, the UN says, Iraqi Women enjoyed more basic rights than other women in the region. But years of dictatorship, sanctions and conflict, including the US-led invasion one decade ago, led to deterioration in women’s status. “Across the board, women are suffering more [than they used to],” said Sudipto Mukerjee, deputy head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq. Despite steps taken towards gender equality since 1990, Iraqi women today do not … [Read more...]
Women of the Middle East: What Changes Does 2013 Hold?
March 6, 2013 by
Women Leaders in Seven Arab Countries ... were asked what political, social and economic changes they expect to see in 2013. Most expected to see political infighting, backsliding in women’s status, or an economic downturn in their respective countries. Women in Iraq and Lebanon projected a deterioration in the security situation if the Syrian conflict spills over. Yemeni women said their country’s democratic transition hinges on a successful national dialogue scheduled for March. Two … [Read more...]
