This Forum was opened by the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and facilitated by Ms. Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women, and included the participation of a range of senior leaders of UN agencies -- namely Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, UNDP Associate Administrator, Ms. Anne-Birgette Albrectsen, Deputy Executive Director, UNFPA, Ms. Geeta Rao Gupta, Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF, Ms Kyung-wha Kang, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, OHCHR. "Women's … [Read more...]
Nirbhayas transforming through Grassroots (“the brave hearts”)
March 7, 2013 by
'We', the Nirbhayas will rise from Grassroots! Violence Against Women has made news headlines for years now. BOLLYWOOD TWEETS Thousands of women are being brutally beaten, assaulted, harassed, mutilated, raped and molested even murdered worldwide. In general there has been a phenomenal increase in crime against women. Every year several Nirbhayas, “the brave hearts” bravely undergo ordeals of most heinous crimes against humankind before succumbing to their injuries. Another … [Read more...]
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2013 – MARCH 8
February 28, 2013 by
Celebrate In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on member states to proclaim a day for women's rights and international peace. Following the United Nations' lead, Canada chose March 8 as International Women's Day. History The idea for an International Women's Day arose around the turn of the 20th century out of a long-standing movement for women to participate equally in society. The first International Women's Day was observed on March 19, … [Read more...]
SYRIA, displacement giving way for serious gender-based crimes
February 27, 2013 by
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...]
Delhi shows 95% women and girls feel unsafe, Take Action!
February 22, 2013 by
During interviews with women, it was found that the presence of hawkers and late night eateries at major transport hubs makes women feel safer. Photo credit: UN Women/ Gaganjit Singh Chandok — at NTPC-Badarpur Border,New Delhi. UN Women supported survey in Delhi shows 95 per cent of women and girls feel unsafe in public spaces “I have started carrying pepper spray to protect myself." My parents have become more protective, they want to know where I’m going, when I’ll be back and … [Read more...]
Change.org says TY, ‘band members of Pussy Riot are free’
February 20, 2013 by
We want to thank all 23000 signers who signed our petition to grant honorary Parisian citizenship to the Russian band: Pussy Riot - Nadejda Tolokonnikova, Ekaterina Samoutsevitch, and Maria Alekhina. Pussy Riot is a Russian feminist punk-rock collective based in Moscow. Founded in August 2011, it has a variable membership of approximately 11 women ranging in age from about 20 to 33, who wear brightly colored balaclavas and use only nicknames during interviews. They stage … [Read more...]
Morocco celebrates as Soulalyates women succeed in land rights
February 12, 2013 by
In the spring of 2012 the Moroccan Government granted men and women equal rights to benefit from incomes and profits gained from their land in a new order from the Ministry of the Interior. In the past, discriminatory laws had long deprived rural women of the Soulayates ethnic group of land ownership and benefits in Morocco. Women had campaigned hard with the support of UN Women for their inheritance and property rights, so the new ruling was a historic victory. The 2012 ruling underlines … [Read more...]
Russian Duma urged to Take Action scrapping Bill on “homosexuality propaganda”
February 2, 2013 by
United Nations human rights experts on Friday called on the Russian Parliament, the Duma, to discard a draft bill that could compromise the rights of the LGBT community. The experts on freedom of expression, human rights defenders, cultural rights and the right to health warned that the bill may undermine the enjoyment and promotion of human rights in Russia, unjustifiably singling out the LGBT community –lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people — who have increasingly become … [Read more...]
Human Trafficking Victims – Hotlines
January 28, 2013 by
HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS Human trafficking victims may be able to recover if provided with appropriate social, medical, and mental health services from individuals and organizations experienced in human trafficking issues. Many human trafficking victims suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and co-morbid conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. They may likewise suffer from physical illnesses and injuries that require medical attention. Victims … [Read more...]
