As the General Assembly began the general debate of its sixty-ninth session, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon presented to the Assembly his annual report on the work of the Organization. UN Photo/Mark Garten 24 September 2014 – Warning that the world’s “fasten seat belt” light is illuminated, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today opened the 69th annual debate of the United Nations General Assembly with a call for decisive leadership at a time when the ghosts of the Cold War have returned and … [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...]
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...]
URGENT: Help protect children from new polio outbreak
June 25, 2013 by
Dear Friends, I have an urgent request: A polio outbreak has emerged in Somalia and Kenya and the risk of spread – even to neighboring countries – is very high, as many children remain unimmunized. Together, we can make a difference. Supporters like you have brought us closer than ever to polio eradication, but this recent outbreak serves as a reminder that we could easily lose our progress against this highly contagious disease. We cannot let this happen. The United Nations … [Read more...]
CANADA is leader in global food security initiatives, celebrate!
May 25, 2013 by
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...]
Ethiopia/Somalia refugees stranded in Yemen with ‘deplorable conditions’
April 18, 2013 by
IMAGE: Somali refugees wait on Yemen's Red Sea coast for transport to Aden. Photo: UNHCR/R. Nuri April 2013 – Thousands of destitute migrants from Ethiopia and Somalia are stranded in northern Yemen in deplorable conditions, victims of gross physical abuse and severe economic and sexual exploitation, a United Nations humanitarian official warned today, calling for urgent action to address their plight. “The international community urgently needs to work with and support the Governments in the … [Read more...]
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting – Tide is finally turning ‘against’ FGM
May 24, 2012 by
For centuries, female genital mutilation or cutting has been practiced throughout much of Africa. But dealing as it does with a very intimate subject, FGM/C was often spoken of, if at all, only in whispers. Today the movement against it is open, public and highly visible. And FGM/C seems to be out in the open and on its way out. Farmers in remote villages in Mali are listening to radio talk shows debating the issue. Community groups in Senegal talk about it in terms of human rights. Islamic … [Read more...]
Rap Star 50 Cent: ‘Visit to Somali Refugee Camp Was Devastating’
February 11, 2012 by
American rap star Curtis Jackson, known to fans as 50 Cent, calls the sights he saw in a refugee camp in Somalia “devastating.” The United Nations World Food Program recently hosted Jackson on a tour of Somalia and Kenya so he could see the fight against hunger in the Horn of Africa. (..) Jackson spoke Thursday about a visit to the Kabasa camp in southern Somalia's Dolow region, where thousands have sought refuge from war and drought. Jackson said women and children risked everything just to … [Read more...]
UNFPA 2011 Maternal Health Highlights
January 10, 2012 by
MATERNAL HEALTH 2011 - HIGHLIGHTS It was a busy, successful year for UNFPA, UN Population Fund, as it continued to work in 2011 with partners to address universal access to reproductive health, including maternal health, treatment for obstetric fistula and family planning, and to improve the lives of women and young people around the world. A special emphasis was made on the important work of midwives and the crucial role they play in saving lives and bettering maternal … [Read more...]
FGM – Fight in Africa is succeeding, a milestone to Celebrate!
October 23, 2011 by
Fight against FGM in Africa succeeding The fight to end female genital mutilation or FGM in Africa is succeeding, despite deep-rooted cultural and social pressures, according to a new study by the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF. Woman holds scarf as symbol for campaign against FGM The report says the practice of FGM remains high in Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. Marixie Mercado from UNICEF says that reversing the practice, which has endured for centuries, is a … [Read more...]
