Progress towards gender equality is looking bleak. But it doesn’t need to. A new global analysis of progress on gender equality and women’s rights shows women and girls remain disproportionately affected by the socioeconomic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, struggling with disproportionately high job and livelihood losses, education disruptions and increased burdens of unpaid care work. Women’s health services, poorly funded even before the pandemic, faced major disruptions, … [Read more...]
World population projected to reach 11.2 billion by 2100
World population projected to reach 9.8 billion in 2050, and 11.2 billion in 2100 The current world population of 7.6 billion is expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 2100, according to a new United Nations report launched on 21 June. With roughly 83 million people being added to the world’s population every year, the upward trend in population size is expected to continue, even assuming that fertility levels will continue to decline. The World … [Read more...]
Tracking gender statistics in pursuit of SDG 5
To deepen the understanding of the different challenges women and men face in today’s world, statisticians use disaggregated data and gender statistics to allow for a unique insight into gender issues. The 6th Global Forum on Gender Statistics, organized by UN DESA’s Statistics Division and Statistics Finland, focused on data and statistical methods for the follow-up and review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was an opportunity to take stock of progress towards the … [Read more...]
“Her Goals, Her Future”, Sustainable Development Goals
On May 16, over 5,000 people from around the world (leaders, advocates, policymakers, journalists, and researchers) will descend upon Copenhagen for the fourth Women Deliver conference. In the world of international development, any conference that includes thousands of people, no matter how interesting or important the focus, is likely to receive some degree of criticism –ranging from questions about usefulness, cost, and objectives to outright eye rolling. But there are times when a … [Read more...]
Road to Dignity by 2030: Blueprint towards sustainable development
“[We] have an historic opportunity and duty to act, boldly, vigorously and expeditiously, to turn reality into a life of dignity for all, leaving no one behind” In an informal briefing to the 193-Member Assembly on 4 December 2014, the UN chief presented his synthesis report, The Road to Dignity by 2030: Ending Poverty, Transforming All Lives and Protecting the Planet, alongside the President of the General Assembly, Sam Kutesa who also addressed delegates, describing the process of … [Read more...]
“The Post-2015 Development Agenda: Setting the Stage!”
“I will draw upon my background in sustainable development” Right before the opening of the 68th session of General Assembly, its President, John W. Ashe, gave a special interview to DESA News. He points out how his background may help him promote the building of Sustainable Development Goals among Member States. He also explains why he is the first PGA to extensively use social media and online communication. On 18 September 2013, John W. Ashe of Antigua and Barbuda took … [Read more...]
UN Women: Ms.Lakshmi Puri, ‘Zero Draft of the Rio+20 Outcome Document’
Ms.Lakshmi Puri, Deputy Executive Director UN Women, on the Zero Draft of the Rio+20 Outcome Document Posted on January 27 2012 | Deputy Director Lakshmi Puri | Exclude from Frontpage | Speeches and Statements Speech by Ms. Lakshmi Puri Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director UN Women at the initial consultations on the Zero Draft of the Rio+20 Outcome Document, New York, 25 January 2012. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, At the outset, I wish to … [Read more...]