How Food Is Empowering Women In Afghanistan A series of food assistance projects in northeastern Afghanistan are helping to teach women how to read and write as well as grow fresh vegetables they can sell on the local market. As an extra incentive to take part in the project, the women are provided food rations by WFP. WFP - VIDEO ARCHIVE … [Read more...]
Woman of the Year & Man of Equality in Action celebrated in GAZA
UNRWA held its fourth annual awards ceremony to name the Woman of the Year and Man of Equality in Action 2013. Organized by the UNRWA Gaza Women’s Committee (UWGC), the event acknowledged colleagues for their commitment, dedication and important contribution to improve UNRWA’s work, strengthen services to Palestine refugees and promote gender equality in the Gaza Strip. “Equality" at UNRWA is crucial to the progressive development of our organization and will ensure the ongoing quality … [Read more...]
Syria’s Unseen Crisis: Women Face Rape, Insecurity, Poverty
Syria's Unseen Crisis: Displaced Women Face Rape, Insecurity, Poverty In the past week, the Syrian refugee crisis has grabbed headlines around the world as the number of Syrians who have had to seek asylum abroad reached one million. But there is another, less-discussed displacement crisis unfolding inside Syria. Syria’s internally displaced population passed the two million-mark months ago – by some estimates, there are more than three million Syrians uprooted within their country, most … [Read more...]
Suha Sagban – WOMAN of ACTION™
A Celebration of Women™ is elated to Celebrate the Life of this transformed woman, one that rose above her own adversity, self doubt and on a mission to empower all women, especially those that suffer from childhood abuse and/or molestation. She trailed a path in this world to find her 'purpose in life' and achieve fulfillment. This gypsy soul ... a true Power of Example for all the women of our world, she is now here to help YOU do the same. WOMAN of … [Read more...]
SYRIA, displacement giving way for serious gender-based crimes
February 2013 – A senior official with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today warned of the enormous humanitarian impact of the ongoing Syria crisis, particularly on civilians who have been displaced and face threats such as Gender-based Violence. “This displacement is not only about loss of homes and economic security. It is also, for many, accompanied by gender-based crimes, deliberate victimization of women and children and a frightening array of assaults on … [Read more...]
FINLAND supports ‘safety of journalists …’ in Middle East via UNESCO
UNESCO advances ‘gender equality’ fostering the Rights and Dignity of Women by enhancing 'freedom of expression' in the Arab region with the support of Finland With a contribution of 2.3 million Euros from Finland, UNESCO will implement a new project in the Arab region to strengthen the legal and regulatory frameworks conducive to freedom of expression and ensure the safety of journalists and bloggers, including through their improving capacity to use information and … [Read more...]
Syria: “We Want Our Lives Back. We Want To Go Home”
During her recent trip to Syria, WFP Senior Spokesperson Abeer Etefa met Souad, a 27-year-old mother whose family lost their home to the fighting. Eking out an existence in an empty building near the battles lines, she and her family are surviving on food provided to them by WFP. “Please look at me closely, look at my face. Do I look like a 27 year old?” she asks me. She is waiting for an answer from me. She certainly doesn’t look like she is 27. “When I happen to come across a mirror … [Read more...]
Afghanistan – WFP Provides Nutritional Support to Kuchi Women
With their brightly-coloured clothes and facial tattoos, Kuchi women from the traditional nomads of Afghanistan stand out in a sea of burkas. But the nutritional challenges these women face are similar to those of all Afghan women. KANDAHAR - At a health center in Kandahar city, a mass of women in burkas wait to receive food from WFP on a sunny day in January. Against the backdrop of faded green, blue and beige burkas, one group of women stands out, dressed in brightly-colored dresses … [Read more...]
SYRIA – Fleeing for their lives, “My daughter is 2 months old,” one woman said.
Syrians flee violence in dangerous nighttime trek to Jordan (CNN) -- With darkness as their only cover, Syrian families make a break for northern Jordan. They are fleeing for their lives. Small children walk alongside their mothers, whose arms are reserved for babies and whatever possessions they can carry. In a treacherous nighttime escape such as this one, you walk if you're old enough. As the group makes its way over the border, just a few meters away from its … [Read more...]
Suzanne Maloney, Saban Center for Middle East Policy
Senior Fellow Suzanne Maloney discusses how one “big bet” — bridling Iran’s nuclear ambitions — will be a defining factor in the Obama administration’s second term. Suzanne, a senior fellow at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, where her research focuses on energy, economic reform and U.S. policy toward the Middle East. She studies Iran, the political economy of the Persian Gulf and Middle East energy policy. A former U.S. State Department policy advisor, … [Read more...]
UNRWA, Syria midwife delivers baby in harsh conditions
Damascus The vibrant cry of a baby burst out from a small room in the Khan Eshieh refugee camp in southern Damascus. Forced to find refuge in a shelter housing another 15 people, Mayada Yahya gave birth in a small room with no privacy. The room has provided shelter to Mayada and her husband ever since they fled the fighting in Daraya, near Damascus, a few months ago. Little did she know that she would be delivering their child in this same room months later. Makeshift … [Read more...]