To mark the 30th Anniversary of the creation of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, UN Women and OHCHR will host an event to celebrate its work. The event will highlight the Committee’s work on the protection and promotion of women’s human rights under the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and will include a special focus on women’s political participation and leadership. Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General of the … [Read more...]
The UN Working Group – ‘ still too few women in politics ‘
July 3, 2012 by
Kamala Chandrakirana Kamala Chandrakirana is among the founders of Indonesia’s National Commission on Violence against Women, a unique national mechanism for women’s human rights. She just completed eleven years of service, six of which was as Chairperson of the Commission. She is also active in various civil society organizations, such as the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW), a leading anti-corruption advocate; ELSAM, a human rights think-tank; Syarikat Indonesia, a network of progressive … [Read more...]
Targeting efforts to meet MDG expectations by 2015
July 2, 2012 by
With three years remaining until 2015, the 2012 progress report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) released today highlights progress in many important areas including poverty reduction, access to safe drinking water and reduced levels of child mortality. “‘There is now an expectation around the world that sooner, rather than later, the Goals can and must be achieved,” stated Sha Zukang, UN DESA’s Under-Secretary-General. The Official MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS Goal 1: … [Read more...]
WHO has just released the second edition of ‘Safe Abortion’
June 29, 2012 by
Second edition of 'Safe Abortion' Since first publication of this guidance in 2003, a considerable amount of new data have been produced and published, relating to epidemiological, clinical, service delivery, legal and human rights aspects of providing safe abortion care. Therefore, preparation for this revision of the guidance included extensive literature review and updating of recommendations related to service delivery, legal and policy issues, and the conduct of new systematic reviews … [Read more...]
What will the next generation say you did to end HIV in Women & Children?
June 27, 2012 by
The GLOBAL PLAN We are at a turning point for delivering on the promise to end child and maternal mortality and improve health – marked by bold new commitments. This strategic framework supports one such commitment, the 'Global Plan Towards the Elimination of New HIV Infections among Children by 2015 and Keeping their Mothers Alive'. It offers guidance for preventing HIV infections and unintended pregnancies – both essential strategies for improving maternal and child health, and … [Read more...]
Nepal: Boosting entrepreneurship among poor rural women
June 27, 2012 by
Nepal: Boosting entrepreneurship among poor rural women Chitrakali Budhamagar began her career in 2003 collecting yarn made out of 'allo' (Himalayan nettle) and selling it in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu. With the money she made selling yarn, she bought readymade garments to sell in her home village of Pyuthan, in the western part of the country. Born to a poor peasant family, Chitrakali had few other options. However, in 2005, opportunity knocked. She enrolled in a three-month … [Read more...]
Zainab Hawa Bangura, Sierra Leone – Sexual Violence in Conflict
June 26, 2012 by
Secretary-General Appoints Zainab Hawa Bangura of Sierra Leone Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Zainab Hawa Bangura of Sierra Leone as his 'Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict' at the level of Under-Secretary-General. Ms. Bangura will replace Margot Wallström, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her dedicated service and able leadership in achieving milestones within a challenging … [Read more...]
RWANDA, Women Taking Action against legal barriers of birth rights
June 26, 2012 by
RWANDA, Women Taking Action against legal barriers of birth rights When Thabita Mukamusana’s partner died shortly after the birth of their child, she raised their son without hope of connecting him to his paternal family, or his inheritance, in her village in south-west Rwanda. Because the boy had been born outside of marriage, she believed that any claim would be impossible. Yet things recently turned around when she was able to access free legal aid for herself and her son, now 19. With … [Read more...]
UN Women and Latin American Development Bank sign cooperation agreement
June 22, 2012 by
On the sidelines of the Rio+20 Conference this week, UN Women and the Latin American Development Bank (CAF) signed an agreement with the aim of strengthening the work developed by both organizations in the area of poverty reduction. In recent years, Latin America has achieved significant gains in poverty reduction. However, there is still a persistent social debt with regard to the levels of inequality. To address this and to integrate a gender perspective in the reduction of wealth gaps, the … [Read more...]
WORLD REFUGEE DAY – June 20th
June 20, 2012 by
"We must work together to mobilize the political will and leadership to prevent and end the conflicts that trigger refugee flows. [...] Despite budget constraints everywhere, we must not turn away from those in need. Refugees leave because they have no choice. We must choose to help." Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Theme for 2012: Refugees have no choice. You do. THE STATE OF THE WORLD'S REFUGEES 2012 - "In Search of Solidarity" For years, many countries and regions have been … [Read more...]
UN Women calls for women’s central role in achieving sustainability
June 19, 2012 by
At a press conference on 18 June during The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Rio de Janeiro, Michelle Bachelet, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN Women calls for women’s central role in achieving sustainability. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Former Prime Minister of Norway and Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Climate Change, joins the press conference. Venue: Main Press briefing room, Media Centre, Pavilion 3, Riocentro … [Read more...]
