LOEI, Thailand — After four days of trekking from his village by foot, a two-day bus ride across Bhutan, an international flight to Bangkok and a long van ride, Sonam finally arrived at this mountainous province in northeastern Thailand. The midwife from Gelephu, a small village in eastern Bhutan, was one of more than 20 Bhutanese health professionals selected to participate in a technical training on reproductive health care services. The programme, supported by UNFPA, is part of a … [Read more...]
The Blue Heart Campaign, New Initiatives around the World
January 15, 2013 by
Vienna, January 2013 - The Blue Heart Campaign has gained additional support with new initiatives around the world. Switzerland became the latest country to join the Campaign, and in Colombia and the Republic of Serbia, cinema and theatre have been used to generate awareness and serve as a stark warning to potential victims about false promises of a better life. On the European Day against Trafficking in Human Beings, 18 October 2012, Switzerland became the latest country to join the Blue … [Read more...]
Commission of Status of Women – March 4-15, 2013, NYC
January 2, 2013 by
Women’s Empowerment Principles–Equality means Business The Women’s Empowerment Principles offer practical guidance to business and the private sector on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community. Developed through a partnership between UNIFEM and the United Nations Global Compact, the Principles are designed to support companies in reviewing existing policies and practices — or establishing new ones — to realize women’s empowerment. The private sector is a … [Read more...]
Global economic outlook for 2013 revealed
January 2, 2013 by
Growth of the world economy has weakened considerably during 2012 and is expected to remain subdued in the coming two years, according to the United Nations in its latest issue of the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2013 (WESP), published today. The global economy is expected to grow at 2.4 per cent in 2013 and 3.2 per cent in 2014, a significant downgrade from the UN’s forecast of half a year ago. This pace of growth will be far from sufficient to overcome the continued jobs crisis … [Read more...]
El Salvador: Innovative Education Strategy
December 22, 2012 by
WFP implemented the first “Integral Course on Health, Nourishment and Nutrition with Emphasis on Gender: Management and Storage of Food and their Application in Emergencies” with the aim of educating men and women in a series of key issues related to health, nourishment and nutrition that may have a positive impact in the assistance provided to vulnerable groups. This program was developed within the framework of the WFP Gender Innovation Fund. (Copyright: WFP/Deniess Chávez) SAN SALVADOR … [Read more...]
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Patrick Maigua
December 22, 2012 by
An investigation carried out by the United Nations has revealed wide-ranging human rights violations committed by Congolese army soldiers and the fighters belonging to the M23 rebel group in the aftermath of the clashes for the control of Goma town in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The atrocities are reported to have been carried out between 20th and 30th November in the town of Minova in South Kivu province. The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) says at least 126 women, including … [Read more...]
Taking Action against Lord’s Resistance Army, Invisible Children, Security Council
December 20, 2012 by
The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), also known as the Lord's Resistance Movement, is a Christian fundamentalist, militant new religious movement cult operating in northern Uganda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic. It has been accused of widespread human rights violations, including murder, abduction, mutilation, child-sex slavery and forcing children to participate in hostilities. Initially it was an outgrowth and continuation of the larger armed … [Read more...]
Jamaica addresses violence against women
December 15, 2012 by
Violence against women is pervasive and harms not only women but their families and their communities. At a two-day forum at the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, UN officials, government representatives and other stakeholders discussed how to prevent it. Sandrea Falconer, Jamaica's Minister of Information with responsibility for gender affairs, told Gerry Adams that she is head of a specific committee addressing the problem. Sandrea Falconer - Violence - … [Read more...]
MADAGASCAR: Traditional midwives back in fashion
December 13, 2012 by
BETRAKA, December 2012 (IRIN) - Madagascar’s traditional midwives, or ‘matronnes’, are often thought to undermine safe childbirth practices, delivering babies in unsanitary environments and without provisions to manage complications. Yet they are now being recruited to a campaign to get women to deliver in clinics or hospitals, part of a move to lower maternal and newborn death rates. “We have more work than ever,” said matronnes Bertine, 52, and Marnette, 51. The women, who are cousins, … [Read more...]
Justice for victims of war-time sexual violence
December 11, 2012 by
December 2012 – A United Nations senior official and an independent human rights expert today joined their voices in calling for States to ensure the right to truth and justice for victims of war-time sexual violence, as well as accountability for perpetrators. “Truth, justice and accountability are key in upholding the human rights of women and their right to a life free from violence, particularly in countries in post-conflict situations,” the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, … [Read more...]
