UN gender equality news feed

Woman lifts her family out of poverty in the West Bank

2013-05-24T18:14:31+00:00

A microfinancing scheme helps lift families out of poverty in the West Bank and Gaza and steer them toward financial security.

In Bolivia, microloans lift thousands of women from poverty

2013-05-24T18:14:31+00:00

The "Semilla" programme in Bolivia is helping rural and indigenous women open small businesses and receive skills and management training.

UN Women's top official to visit East Asia

2013-05-24T18:14:30+00:00

From 28 May to 4 June, Lakshmi Puri, Acting Head of UN Women and UN Assistant Secretary-General, will undertake a week-long official trip covering Malaysia, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

UN Women congratulates trailblazing women Mount Everest climbers

2013-05-24T18:14:30+00:00

Women from around the world are scaling their way to the top but barriers remain. Last week a 27-year-old graphic artist named Raha Moharrak made headlines as the first Saudi woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

UN experts call for an end to caste-based discrimination in Asia

2013-05-24T18:14:30+00:00

United Nations human rights experts are calling for more effort to protect an estimated 260 million people in South Asia who are victims of caste-based discrimination. The experts say the victims, commonly referred to as the Dalits, are treated as "untouchables" and occupy the lowest levels of strict, hierarchical caste systems founded on notions of purity, pollution and inequality. They face marginalization, social and economic exclusion, segregation in housing, limited access to basic services, and are subjected to working conditions similar to slavery.

UN Secretary-General Hails Rwanda's 'Strong Political Commitment' to Fight Violence against Women, Children at New Centre Ceremony

2013-05-24T18:14:30+00:00

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the Ceremony for the Centre of Excellence for the Fight against Violence against Women and Children, in Kigali, on 23 May.

Joining forces to speed up economic empowerment for rural women

2013-05-23T21:02:53+00:00

"Inspiration" was the focus of the first two sessions of the 2013 Retreat on the Joint Programme Accelerating Progress towards the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women being held at IFAD. About 40 participants from IFAD, FAO, WFP and UN Women gathered to hear about achievements, challenges and opportunities in the seven pilot countries: Ethiopia, Liberia, Niger, Rwanda, Guatemala, Kyrgyzstan and Nepal.

UNFPA to launch new initiatives to increase access to family planning

2013-05-23T18:51:41+00:00

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, will launch two new initiatives to increase access to family planning and improve maternal health in some of the most-hard-to-reach areas around the world, including post-conflict and post-disaster countries. These initiatives which build on UNFPA's years of support to family planning will be announced at the 2013 Women Deliver Conference, to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 28 to 30 May.

Official Statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on first International Day to End Obstetric Fistula

2013-05-23T18:51:41+00:00

Pregnant women have a great deal to look forward to: the miracle of birth, meeting their children, raising them into adulthood. While we may prefer to focus on these happy outcomes, we should also confront the fact that serious risks make this journey a perilous one for those who lack access to proper medical care.

UN and World Bank chiefs visit Rwanda

2013-05-23T18:51:41+00:00

The UN Secretary-General and the President of the World Bank laid wreaths at a memorial site for the 1994 genocide in Rwanda as they continued their joint mission to Africa on Thursday. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Dr. Jim Yong Kim arrived in Rwanda after a visit to Goma in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Improving professional ethics of Malagasy journalists

2013-05-23T18:51:40+00:00

A dozen editors-in-chief from the capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo, gathered on 20 May in Antsirabe to participate in the second series of exchanges on professional capacities and ethics of the media within the framework of the electoral process in Madagascar...During the three days of the workshop, participants are analysing the electoral process in Madagascar, and learning how to process information using a gender perspective and the indicators for media monitoring developed by the Projet d'Appui à la Crédibilité et à la Transparence des Elections (PACTE).

Greater attention needed for safe childbirths, UN urges on inaugural Day to end obstetric fistula

2013-05-23T05:00:00+00:00

The prevalence of obstetric fistula – a preventable and treatable condition linked to women's reproduction – among women and girls in developing countries is a denial of their human rights, senior United Nations officials said Thursday urging global action to make childbirth safer.

First International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, 23 May

2013-05-22T23:20:23+00:00

May 23 marks the first-ever International Day to End Obstetric Fistula. And this year is also the 10th anniversary of the Campaign to End Fistula, a collaborative initiative launched by UNFPA and partners to prevent fistula and restore the health and dignity of the millions of women and girls affected by this devastating but preventable condition.

Online Discussion: Legal Pluralism in Madagascar - Can Customary and Statutory Law be Reconciled to Promote Women's Land Rights?

2013-05-22T23:20:23+00:00

Launched in 2010, the Gender and Land Rights Database (GLRD) was developed with civil society organizations, national statistics authorities, academics and other sources to highlight the major political, legal and cultural factors that influence the realization of women's land rights throughout the world. The GLRD is a practical tool for policy makers and advocates of women's land rights, providing relevant arguments and information to support processes aiming at more gender-equitable land tenure. Expert and civil society contributions are essential to the proper functioning of the database as they help generate quality information to users. To this end, you are invited to take part in the on-line discussion that will be held through the Land Portal on 3-14 June 2013.

Understanding and Integrating Gender Issues into Livestock Projects and Programmes – A checklist for practitioners [pdf]

2013-05-22T23:20:23+00:00

This booklet identifies the main challenges faced by smallholder farmers, especially women, in small livestock management (particularly poultry and small ruminants) and in dairy farming. It also provides a set of tips and gender analysis tools and a gender checklist that, through all the stages of the project cycle, guides livestock experts and professionals in designing , implementing and monitoring livestock projects and programmes in a gender sensitive way, taking into consideration the challenges faced by both women and men in livestock farming.

World Health Organization Begins Annual Review

2013-05-22T22:42:36+00:00

The 194 Member States of the World Health Organization have begun their annual review of the activities of WHO, discussing topics such as noncommunicable diseases, universal health coverage, women and children's health.

UNESCO congratulates the African Union on its 50th Anniversary

2013-05-22T22:42:36+00:00

In advance of the 21st Summit of African Union, to be held in Addis Ababa on 19-27 May 2013, the UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, presents her congratulations to all African women and men on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the African Union.

UN chief calls for protection of civilians in DR Congo conflict

2013-05-22T22:42:35+00:00

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called for the protection of the civilian population in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo...The Secretary-General said that women and girls in particular, must be free from sexual violence.

UN Secretary-General meets with secondary school students in Mozambique

2013-05-22T22:42:35+00:00

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is currently on a five-country tour in Africa. Mr. Ban' first stop was Mozambique, where he visited the Sansão Muthemba Secondary School in the capital, Maputo. The Secretary-General highlighted a campaign to end violence against women, in addition to answering students' questions. Alex King is travelling with the Secretary-General and filed this report.

Gender Pay Discrimination in Jordan: A Call for Change

2013-05-22T22:42:35+00:00

The International Labour Organization is working with the Jordanian government and its social partners to help narrow the pay gap between men and women.

"Nothing should stop me," says Ethiopian girl

2013-05-22T17:08:41+00:00

WFP's school meals programme has benefitted millions of school children across Ethiopia over the last 19 years and currently serves some 650,000 students in 1,800 schools in different parts of the country. Fatuma is one of those children.

Political participation by indigenous peoples in Latin America still low - UN report

2013-05-22T05:00:00+00:00

Indigenous peoples in Latin America have undergone an unprecedented mobilization in the past 20 years, but political participation, particularly among women, is still low, the United Nations said in a new report released Wednesday.

Women's empowerment is key to fortifying the forestry sector

2013-05-21T22:25:15+00:00

Compared to men, women are frequently disadvantaged in their access to and control over forest resources and in their ability to take advantage of economic opportunities, according to an FAO paper that calls for action on gender disparities in the forestry sector.

UNAMA and UN Women call on Afghan authorities to ensure full implementation of the law to eliminate violence against women

2013-05-21T22:25:15+00:00

In a joint press statement, UNAMA and UN Women representatives in Afghanistan call on the Afghan Government and Parliament to enforce a landmark law enacted by presidential decree in 2009. It has yet to gain parliamentary approval and challenges persist in its enforcement.

UN rights experts call for equality in post-2015 development agenda

2013-05-21T22:25:15+00:00

A group of United Nations human rights experts on Tuesday called for the post-2015 development agenda to be urgently refocused on equality, social protection and accountability.

UN forum gives voice to indigenous leaders, including IFAD partners

2013-05-21T22:25:14+00:00

The 12th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues opened Tuesday, drawing more than 1,000 participants – including indigenous peoples' leaders who are partnering with IFAD on rural development projects around the world.

Malaysia: Water Cooperation at Work Across South East Asia and the Pacific

2013-05-21T22:25:14+00:00

At the UNESCO-Humid Tropics Center in Kuala Lumpur, integrated water management begins at home: green roof, porous pavement, rainwater harvesting and a constructed wetland are among the features of this institution that Director-General, Irina Bokova, visited in Kuala Lumpur on 21 May, the first day of her official visit to Malaysia.

FAO Policy on Gender Equality [pdf]

2013-05-21T22:25:13+00:00

The FAO Policy on Gender Equality provides a framework that guides the Organization's efforts to achieve gender equality in all its technical work and assesses results. The policy, in line with the UN System-wide Action Plan, outlines FAO's goal and objectives related to gender equality and delineates an accountability structure for ensuring policy oversight and achievement of results. FAO's efforts to integrate gender issues into all facets of its work efforts will contribute to increasing the coverage, effectiveness, efficiency and – ultimately – the impact of its interventions for women and men, while at the same time toward achieving broader UN goals of human rights and social justice. "FAO's gender policy underscores the Organization's commitment to addressing gender and women's issues to eradicate hunger and poverty," said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva on International Women's Day in 2012, when he announced the policy. View policy in French: http://www.fao.org/docrep/017/i3205f/i3205f.pdf

UN chief promotes education, gender empowerment during final day of Mozambique visit

2013-05-21T05:00:00+00:00

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday commended the Government and people of Mozambique for steady progress in political development, but urged greater efforts to overcome human rights challenges, including discrimination and violence against women, through education and awareness-raising.

With the Girls of Afghanistan: "The Pen is the Sword"

2013-05-20T16:59:01+00:00

On 18 March, throngs of girls lined up singing and clapping to welcome UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, and Afghanistan's Education Minister Farooq Wardak to the Ayesha-e-Durrani school in Kabul. The school, named after the first woman who opened a girls' school in Afghanistan, was severely damaged during the war. Reconstruction started in 2002 and lasted two years. Today, the school welcomes 1600 girls from Grade 1 through the high school years. It was a moment to praise the achievements of this country that has made strides since 2001 when not a single girl was in school.

Vegetable Oil Gets Girls To Go To School In Afghanistan

2013-05-20T16:59:01+00:00

In Afghanistan, far more boys go to school than girls. WFP is trying to change that by providing food incentives for female students.

Stand by Us Says Afghan Women's Journalists' Association

2013-05-20T16:59:00+00:00

Journalists belonging to the Afghan Women Journalists' Association urged UNESCO to play a leading role in supporting Afghanistan's transformation after 2014, the date when most peacekeeping forces are expected to withdraw and national elections are to be organized.

Leila: The story of an Afghan woman dying in childbirth

2013-05-20T16:56:57+00:00

The story of an Afghan woman dying in childbirth and the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent the preventable.

Food Gets Girls In School In Yemen

2013-05-20T16:56:57+00:00

Ali Mohamed Ghaleb's five daughters give him a special interest in supporting the innovative Food For Girls' Education Programme that WFP has been operating in Yemen since 2007. The 44-year-old retired military officer says it helps him keep them in school.

Afghanistan not likely to have universal primary education by 2015, says UNESCO chief

2013-05-20T16:36:57+00:00

Despite the progress Afghanistan has made in providing education for children, the country is not likely to meet the Millennium Development Goal of achieving universal primary education by 2015. This observation was made by Irina Bokova, the head of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) who wrapped up a visit to the country on Monday.

"Afghanistan has to take its future in its own hands" declares President Hamid Karzai

2013-05-20T16:36:57+00:00

On the occasion of her official visit to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, met President Hamid Karzai on 18 May 2013 at the Presidential Palace in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai thanked the Director-General for UNESCO's contribution to Afghanistan, notably in the fields of education and culture. "I congratulate you for your leadership to stand up for girls' education. Through your initiative for Malala, I hope you will continue to speak up for the education of girls of Afghanistan and Pakistan", which he defined as most challenging.

WFP Helping Burundi's People Fight Against Malnutrition

2013-05-17T21:44:41+00:00

At Gakere health centre in the northern province of Ngozi, the World Food Programme is providing vital food supplements to malnourished pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under five.

Trafficking in persons – a heinous crime: Barbados

2013-05-17T21:44:40+00:00

Given its transnational nature, combating the scourge of human trafficking required utmost international cooperation and coordination, several speakers said in the General Assembly during its high-level meeting on the appraisal of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. Delegates said that strengthening national legal and institutional frameworks called for the universal ratification and implementation of international instruments, including the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols. It was also critical to strengthen coordination among origin and destination countries. Barbados Deputy Permanent Representative Joyce Bourne said trafficking in persons is a heinous crime which requires a forceful response at national, regional and international levels. She called human trafficking a vicious cycle that affected women disproportionately.

The Gender Unit, Department of Labour Punjab, wins prestigious UN Public Service Award

2013-05-17T21:44:40+00:00

The Gender Unit, Department of Labour, Punjab, established under the ILO, CIDA funded project, Promoting Gender Equality for Decent Employment (GE4DE), has, from amongst 2000 applicants, won a United Nations Public Service Award in recognition of its work on gender mainstreaming.

UN Secretary-General, in Observance Message, Equates Fight against Homophobia with Struggle to Eliminate Racism, Promote Gender Equality

2013-05-17T21:44:39+00:00

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's message, delivered by Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to the International Forum on the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, in The Hague on 16 May.

Progress in recognising the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people is undeniable: ILO

2013-05-17T21:44:39+00:00

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is stepping up efforts to eradicate workplace discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. In a statement on International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said the world of work has been a crucial arena for spearheading legal change, ending stereotypes and promoting understanding of the need for dignity of all human beings.

Jamaica reiterates its political commitment to the fight against human trafficking

2013-05-17T21:44:38+00:00

The Government of Jamaica accords the highest level of political commitment to the fight against human trafficking and unequivocally denounces the scourge of trafficking in Persons. Ms. Crystall Powell-Britton told the High-level meeting on the Appraisal of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons that Jamaica reaffirms its determination to prevent and combat trafficking in persons, protect and assist victims, prosecute crimes of trafficking in persons, and strengthen local, regional and international partnerships against the scourge.

UN General Assembly - Focus on human trafficking

2013-05-17T21:44:38+00:00

Trafficking in human beings is an illegal activity that generates over $30 billion a year and affects more than 20 million people, according to United Nations figures. The General Assembly on Monday held a high-level meeting on the Appraisal of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. The meeting brought together senior United Nations and government officials as well as some of the survivors of trafficking who are now in the forefront of the global campaign to end it.

Afghan police force recruits women to fight crime and stigma

2013-05-17T21:44:38+00:00

Kabul, Afghanistan — It was four years ago that Captain Zohra Daulatzia joined the Afghan National Police. But the mother of two girls still gets excited about that momentous day in her life when she achieved one of her life's greatest ambitions. "I was excited to wear the uniform and felt like I was in the sky and not on earth. I was full of joy," she says.

Putting a stop to homophobic bullying, a year of action

2013-05-16T16:38:27+00:00

"My grades fell dramatically. I started skipping school. I often stayed in bed and cried." This testimony is typical of the experience of many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students around the world. These young people are often denied their right to education because of discrimination and violence based on real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, UN System Messages

2013-05-16T16:28:27+00:00

The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia is held on 17 May every year. The following is a compilation of news, statements and videos on the Day from the UN system.

We are integral to sustainable peace, recovery and development, say Malian women

2013-05-16T16:28:27+00:00

At a conference for international donors in Brussels on 15 May, Malian women will present their recommendations, calling for more effective contributions to economic development and for women to play a greater role in conflict resolution and rebuilding of their country.

Afghanistan: Director-General to Advocate for Education and Culture as Peace building Pillars

2013-05-16T15:48:27+00:00

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova will visit Afghanistan from 17 to 20 May, where she will pledge UNESCO's support to the country's peace building and development process, during planned meetings with President Hamid Karzai, senior government ministers, parliamentarians, journalists, educators and students.

Women's perspectives on integrated approaches for successful Public and Private Partnership

2013-05-15T18:02:40+00:00

The second edition of the Learning Route "Pro-Rural Poor Public and Private Partnership in Lao PDR, Best practices and successful strategies in Attapeu Province seen through women's eyes" ended successfully on the 10th of May. During the 5 days event the 20 female participants experienced field visits, discussions and analysis sessions that resulted in the development of action plans to improve their communities' livelihoods through better access to market, stronger and improved group management, and strengthened relations with the private sector.

UN Fifth Committee Hails Progress Towards Zero Tolerance of Sexual Abuse by United Nations Personnel

2013-05-15T17:33:29+00:00

As the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) on Tuesday scrutinized the Secretariat's various reports on cross-cutting aspects of United Nations peacekeeping operations and their support account, most delegates hailed progress made towards stamping out sexual abuse by peacekeepers and implementing the Global Field Support Strategy, but offered divergent views on the peacekeeping budget proposed for the July 2013 to June 2014 period.

Progress in improving health in the poorest countries, but inequalities persist

2013-05-15T17:33:29+00:00

Considerable progress has been made in reducing child and maternal deaths, improving nutrition and reducing deaths and illness from HIV infection, tuberculosis and malaria, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In its annual World Health statistics publication, WHO also says efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have reduced health gaps between rich and poor countries.

Making decent work a reality for domestic workers in Africa

2013-05-15T17:13:29+00:00

The ILO is organising a Knowledge Sharing Forum in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 28-30 May 2013 to share good practices, practical initiatives and new policies to promote decent work for domestic workers in Africa.

The Riddle: new anti-homophobia message from UN human rights office

2013-05-15T17:13:29+00:00

76 countries still criminalize consensual same-sex relationships and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people everywhere continue to suffer violent attacks and discriminatory treatment. In this simple, high-impact video from the UN human rights office, individuals from diverse backgrounds pose questions directly to the viewer designed to expose the nature of human rights violations suffered by LGBT people around the world. The video includes cameo appearances by UN Secretary-General and High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. The UN's message: LGBT rights are human rights. Together we will build a world that is free and equal.

Protecting the Rights, Unleashing the Potential of Indigenous Girls in Rural Guatemala

2013-05-14T22:32:58+00:00

Nearly 40 per cent of Guatemala's 14 million people belong to one of more than 20 indigenous Mayan groups. A disproportionate number live in poor and isolated rural areas with limited access to basic services such as water, sanitation, education and health. Opportunities for the young people from these areas are limited. But adolescent girls, in particular, find their future paths are often constrained by discrimination and the traditional practice of child marriage.

Men, Step Up on Family Planning

2013-05-14T22:32:58+00:00

In this Opinion piece, published by CNN, UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin talks about the important role men can and must play in lifting the obstacles that prevent women from access voluntary family planning, one of the most cost-effective ways of improving health.

Women's Empowerment in the Information Society: Systemic, Scalable Strategies (Speech)

2013-05-14T22:32:58+00:00

Speech by ITU Secretary-General, Dr Hamadoun I. Touré, at a High Level Dialogue on Women's Empowerment in the Information Society: Systemic, Scalable Strategies (14 May, ITU WSIS Forum 2013)

Lakshmi Puri underlines urgent need to take more courageous and decisive action against human trafficking

2013-05-14T22:32:57+00:00

Speech by Lakshmi Puri, UN Women Acting Executive Director, during an interactive panel discussion on "Sharing Best Practices and Lessons Learned for Prevention and Prosecution in the Implementation of the Global Plan of Action" at the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the United Nations Appraisal of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons on 13 May 2013 at the General Assembly in New York.

Integrating media and information literacy into Jordanian schools

2013-05-14T22:32:57+00:00

In cooperation with the Jordan National Commission for UNESCO and Arab Women Media Center, UNESCO has been working to incorporate media and information literacy (MIL) into the Jordanian school curriculum by providing high school teachers and students the training to gather, analyze and utilize information through new and traditional media, and to develop debating skills so that they are able to express themselves in a professional manner.

UNICEF Video: Girls Can Code

2013-05-14T22:32:57+00:00

Only 0.3 per cent of girls want to study technology or science, says Kristen Titus, the Executive Director of "Girls Who Code". Find out how this organization is helping to introduce more girls to the world of science and technology.

Girls receive a visit from a different man every night, a 'new husband': In the words of Saran Keïta Diakité

2013-05-14T22:32:56+00:00

Saran Keïta Diakité is a lawyer in Mali and President of the Malian branch of the NGO Working Group on Women Peace and Security (Réseau Paix et Sécurité des Femmes de l'Espace CEDEAO). As the Donor Conference on Mali starts in Brussels, in her own words she speaks about the atrocities occurring in her country, which has been plagued by political instability and the proliferation of armed groups that have uprooted more than 415,000 people since a military coup d'état in March 2012. She also talks about the work of her NGO, supported by UN Women, to assist survivors of violence, provide access to justice, and to ensure women have a say in peace negotiations.

In Fiji, UNFPA Chief Stresses Women's Empowerment, Girls Education

2013-05-13T21:31:07+00:00

SUVA, Fiji — If alarming rates of violence against women are to be effectively addressed, the status of women needs to be elevated. UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin emphasized the fundamental, often unacknowledged, contributions of women – to families, communities and economies – during the launch of the Pacific Regional ICPD Review report. The persistence of alarming rates of gender-based violence is one of the critical issues in the region.

Midwives Deliver for the Women of the World

2013-05-10T19:18:21+00:00

Chidbirth is perhaps the riskiest and most miraculous time in a woman's life. And midwives are truly the unsung heroines of the challenge to reduce the risks women face in bringing forth life. Now, armed with better skills and training, midwives are increasingly able to deal with life-threatening emergencies and are playing a critical role in making motherhood safer around the world.

WFP distributes emergency rations to thousands of newly-displaced Syrians

2013-05-10T19:18:21+00:00

Emergency ready-to-eat food rations and high-energy biscuits are being distributed by the UN World Food Programme, WFP, to thousands of newly displaced families in Syria. The families were forced to flee Syria's Mediterranean coast following heavy fighting in their villages. The food distribution will continue for the next few days to more than 10,000 people – mainly women and children.

Syrian Women Giving Birth in Exile

2013-05-10T19:18:20+00:00

ZA'ATARI, Jordan — In a tent hospital bed, a Syrian woman who was four months pregnant when she fled her country's civil war cradles one of the newest residents of this dust-swept refugee camp: Her newborn son, just delivered by Caesarean. Around a dozen babies are born every day in Za'atari camp, which is home to 120,000 Syrians and counting – and there's only one, overworked Moroccan doctor performing C-sections.

Pillay urges greater attention to atrocities in Syria

2013-05-10T18:29:23+00:00

Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillay says alleged massacres by Syrian Government forces and pro-government militias in recent days should spur international action to end the conflict and ensure those responsible for serious human rights violations are made to account for their crimes. Pillay welcomes the agreement by Russia and the United States to work towards convening an international conference to find a political solution in Syria.

Iraqi women journalists win essay contest

2013-05-10T18:29:23+00:00

Three Iraqi women journalists have won a United Nations contest which seeks to highlight the everyday challenges faced by women living in the Middle Eastern country. The stories submitted by Suha Audah, Enas Jabbar and Shatha al-Shabibi, were selected by an independent panel for their depiction of women's situation in Iraq.

Infrastructure development in Bangladesh: Building rural livelihoods

2013-05-10T18:29:23+00:00

Do improved roads increase the availability of medical services in remote areas? They do. In addition, they also improve the mobility of women, the availability of products and agricultural inputs in rural markets, the possibility for children to reach their schools and the connectivity of rural producers with suppliers and buyers, as the Market Infrastructure Development Project in Charland Regions (MIDPCR) shows.

Human security aims at improving people's lives

2013-05-10T18:29:23+00:00

Government ministers, diplomats and senior United Nations officials gathered for a meeting on human security on Wednesday afternoon. In his opening remarks UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned that the meeting took place at a time of great turmoil. He said the global economy is in crisis, the environment is under threat and too many people around the world are living in uncertainty.

How A Mother From Syria Kept Her Family Fed

2013-05-10T18:29:22+00:00

For Syrian mothers like Um Abdou, life as a refugee has been a battle to keep her family from going hungry. She didn't hesitate to sell all her jewelry for food, but it wasn't long before she had no more to sell. On Friday, food vouchers provided by WFP are putting food on the table for her and around 300,000 other refugees in Lebanon as they wait for the conflict to end.

Brazil joins Blue Heart Campaign against Human Trafficking

2013-05-10T18:29:22+00:00

Brazil is the latest country to join the Blue Heart Campaign against Human Trafficking, with singer Ivete Sangalo appointed as a national UNODC Goodwill Ambassador and face of the campaign.

UNFPA says more needs to be done to help those affected by Syrian conflict

2013-05-09T17:33:14+00:00

More has to be done to ensure the health and well-being of women and children affected by the Syrian conflict, said Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). On a recent trip to Turkey, the Executive Director visited Nizip refugee camp, housing some 10,000 refugees.

Nicaragua: Promoting Gender Equality Through School Meals

2013-05-09T17:33:14+00:00

The intense summer heat does not seem to bother the 1,300 students in the afternoon shift at René Schick School, located in the capital district of the same name. Voices and laughter fill the classrooms where the children wait eagerly to receive their plate of rice, beans, tortillas and a bowl of fortified cereal.

Burundi committed to stopping new HIV infections among children; improving treatment coverage especially for pregnant women

2013-05-09T17:33:13+00:00

"AIDS is a strategic entry point for advancing Burundi's social agenda at several levels: protecting women, children and human rights," said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé at an event marking Burundi's National AIDS Day. Sidibe, on an official visit to the country, met with the Second Vice-President, Gervais Rufyikiri, who has championed the country's drive to stop new HIV infections in children.

UN honours work of three Iraqi women journalists

2013-05-09T05:00:00+00:00

Three Iraqi women journalists have been selected as the winners of a United Nations contest which seeks to highlight the everyday challenges faced by women living in the Middle Eastern country.

UNFPA Donates Reproductive Health Supplies to Save Lives in Central African Republic

2013-05-08T21:32:16+00:00

BANGUI, Central African Republic — Fierce fighting between rebel troops and Central African armed forces beginning in March has left widespread insecurity in the country. Cases of collective sexual violence and massive looting of public offices, housing and health facilities were reported, resulting in a massive internal displacement of populations and a drastic shortage of essential medicines, medical equipment and supplies in health centres meant to welcome and provide care to many victims of this crisis.

UN denounces sexual violence, other serious violations in eastern DRC

2013-05-08T21:32:15+00:00

A new UN report has found that serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law were committed in November 2012 during fighting between government forces and rebels of the M23 Movement over the town of Goma in North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and during the subsequent retreat of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) to South Kivu province.

Making laws real and accessible underlines efforts by judges in Tanzania

2013-05-08T21:32:15+00:00

Tanzanian women High Court judges are training the judiciary to apply international women's rights standards in their judgments and to protect survivors and witnesses of violence against women and girls. They are also engaging in awareness-raising efforts to improve the understanding of women's rights and options for legal recourse.

Last Day of UNESCO Director-General's Official Visit to El Salvador

2013-05-08T21:32:15+00:00

Together with the First Lady of El Salvador and Secretary for Social Inclusion, Ms Vanda Pignato, the UNESCO Director-General visited one of the Headquarters of the Programme "Ciudad Mujer" in the Department of Santa Ana. The programme is designed to protect and promote women's rights and to provide integrated specialized services for women, including capacity building.

EU Children of Peace initiative: EU Provides Nobel Peace Prize funds to UNICEF for Education in Northwestern Pakistan

2013-05-08T21:32:14+00:00

European Union Flag Islamabad/Brussels, 8 May 2013 – The European Union has provided € 300,000 from its Nobel Peace Prize money to UNICEF to support its educational activities for children affected by a lack of security in parts of northwestern Pakistan...These funds, made available through the European Commission's Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO), will enable UNICEF to provide access to education for 3,000 children, including 1,500 girls in 30 schools currently operating in the Jalozai Camp, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

UN Deputy Secretary-General and Somali president sign communiqué on prevention of sexual violence

2013-05-08T21:32:14+00:00

A Joint Communiqué on the Prevention of Sexual Violence in Somalia was signed in London late Tuesday by UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson and the President of Somalia Hassan Sheik Mohamud.

UN report confirms nearly 200 women and girls raped by Congolese troops, rebels

2013-05-08T05:00:00+00:00

Congolese armed forces, known by the French acronym FARDC, raped more than 102 women and 33 girls, some as young as six years old, as they fled the advance M23 rebels in country's restive eastern region in November 2012, according to a joint UN report released Wednesday.

Analysis: Towards increased services for survivors of sexual violence in Syria

2013-05-08T00:00:00+00:00

Turkey's camps for Syrian refugees are, by many measures, a model of humanitarian assistance. But one important detail appears to have been overlooked: According to aid workers, nowhere in Turkey's 17 refugee camps can survivors of sexual violence find the level of specialized psychosocial support experts say they so desperately need.

Women perspectives on Pro-Rural Poor Public and Private Partnership in Lao PDR

2013-05-07T20:59:40+00:00

Hosted by the IFAD – Rural Livelihood Improvement Programme (RLIP), the second edition of the 5-days Learning Route on Pro-Rural Poor Public and Private Partnership started on the 6th of May in Lao PDR.

UNAIDS lauds Rwanda's leadership in its national AIDS response

2013-05-07T20:59:40+00:00

UNAIDS has commended the government of Rwanda for its leadership in the national AIDS response. The country has made significant progress in its HIV response and is on track to meet national and global HIV related goals.

The goal is for Somalis to deliver security without outside assistance: DSG Eliasson

2013-05-07T20:59:39+00:00

Somalia is building peace. Yet, it is still in the midst of conflict, Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told the Second London Conference on Somalia on Tuesday. He pointed to the government's priorities which, he said, provided the basis for the London Conference...the Deputy Secretary-General said women and children have borne the brunt of the war, not least sexual violence. He said the United Nations will support the Somali Government in developing protection and access to justice for victims.

Secretary-General, Calling for Stepped-Up Efforts to Meet Millennium Goals, Says Investing in Women's, Children's Health Yields High Returns

2013-05-07T14:29:39+00:00

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's remarks at a special event on "Meeting the Challenges of the Health Millennium Development Goals and Beyond", in New York, 6 May.

Midwives deliver for the women of the world

2013-05-07T14:29:39+00:00

Midwives are truly the unsung heroines of the challenge to reduce the risks women face in giving birth, says the UN Population Fund, UNFPA. On the occasion of the International Day of the Midwife, observed on 5 May, UNFPA and the International Confederation of Midwives issued a joint statement urging all nations to work together to address the inequalities and inaccessibility of midwifery services.

Boost for poverty safety net empowering families in occupied Palestinian territory

2013-05-07T14:29:39+00:00

The second phase of a highly successful jobs and small business programme in the occupied Palestinian territory was launched Monday by the UN Development Programme (UNDP). It will be implemented in partnership with the Palestinian Authority and funded through the Islamic Development Bank (IDB)...Since the first phase of the programme began five years ago, it has assisted almost 10,000 Palestinian families – 47 percent of them women-headed households – and contributed over $20 million per year to the Palestinian gross domestic product (GDP).

Better protecting Indonesian migrant workers through bilateral and multilateral agreements

2013-05-07T14:29:38+00:00

As the second largest sending country, some 700,000 documented Indonesian migrant workers leave the country for work abroad, primarily in East and South East Asia as well as the Middle East. Of these, 78 per cent work as domestic workers.

South Sudan: UN official urges key role for women in drafting new constitution

2013-05-07T05:00:00+00:00

Women must play a greater role in South Sudan's political life, from drawing up the country's constitution to translating it into law, a United Nations official has urged, as the African nation prepares to draft its first legal framework.

Ban spotlights key role of private sector in UN effort to boost maternal health

2013-05-07T05:00:00+00:00

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday highlighted the role that the private sector can play in contributing to improve maternal health services across the world through the United Nations Every Woman Every Child initiative.

Little support, no justice for Mali rape survivors

2013-05-06T21:02:20+00:00

GAO/BAMAKO, 6 May 2013 (IRIN) - During the rebel takeover of northern Mali in April 2012, many women said they were subjected to rape or sexual assault. Since then, little or no support has come through for these women, say aid workers. Aminata Touré* was on her way to her uncle's house in the city of Gao in June 2012 when she was stopped by two men on a motorbike. "I had no choice. They were armed and threatened to kill me," she said. While one of the men held her baby, the other took her to a nearby bush. "They took me and they did everything they could do, they raped me. Afterwards, they left me in the bush," she told IRIN.

Women yet to regain their place in Iraq

2013-05-06T21:03:20+00:00

DUBAI, 6 May 2013 (IRIN) - In the 1980s, the UN says, Iraqi women enjoyed more basic rights than other women in the region. But years of dictatorship, sanctions and conflict, including the US-led invasion one decade ago, led to deterioration in women's status. "Across the board, women are suffering more [than they used to]," said Sudipto Mukerjee, deputy head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq.

Mom+Social Event: A Global Movement of Mothers

2013-05-06T21:04:20+00:00

Jennifer Lopez, Lynda Lopez, Arianna Huffington, Cindi Leive, Dr. Harvey Karp, Christy Turlington Burns, Reshma Saujani and more Moms are one of the most powerful forces in our world. They create the future of our society by forming the health, perspective and opportunities for our families, communities and world. And digital media has given mothers everywhere new opportunities to share, learn, advocate and create change for the health, security and opportunities of their families—and for other mothers worldwide. What matters to them? We asked and Moms answered. Mom+Social will be an extraordinary one-day Summit that culminates The Global Mom Relay. Hundreds of the brightest and most passionate people working to improve child, maternal and reproductive health will gather on May 8, 2013 at 92YTribeca in New York City to share ideas, raise awareness and inspire action.

Joint Statement for the International Day of the Midwife, 5 May 2013

2013-05-03T19:29:05+00:00

On this International Day of the Midwife, UNFPA and the International Confederation of Midwives, celebrate the work of midwives in contributing to the miracle of birth—and for the myriad other things they do every day to contribute to the wellbeing of mothers and children around the world.

UN observes World Press Freedom Day on 3 May

2013-05-03T19:25:38+00:00

The United Nations on Friday observed World Press Freedom Day, under the theme "Safe to Speak: Ensuring the Safety of Journalists and Media Workers." The day, marked on 3 May each year, was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO to draw attention to the situation of journalists and media workers. According to UNESCO, 121 journalists were killed last year, nearly double the deaths reported in 2010 and 2011.

World Press Freedom Day Celebrations 2013

2013-05-03T16:39:37+00:00

World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) celebrated its 20th anniversary on Friday. It was first officially proclaimed during the United Nations General Assembly in 1993. Ever since then, UNESCO as the UN agency with the mandate to promote freedom of expression and its corollary, freedom of the press, has been promoting these fundamental rights in every region of the world. The UNESCO Constitution states a commitment to foster the "free exchange of ideas and knowledge" and the "free flow of ideas by word and image".

Women in Europe are delaying childbirth: UNECE

2013-05-03T16:39:37+00:00

Women throughout the ECE region are postponing childbearing, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the UNECE. Beng Poblete-Enriquez has the story.

Syria's Refugees: Birth and Life in Zaatari Camp – in Pictures

2013-05-03T16:39:37+00:00

Jordan's Zaatari refugee camp houses more than 100,000 Syrians who have fled the civil war; 3,000 of those registered are pregnant women. Against the odds, women are adapting to the cycle of life. 13-15 babies are born in the camp every day and the majority of births are attended by healthcare professionals. For now, this is where the women call home.

A smart way to prevent bonded labour

2013-05-03T16:39:36+00:00

A young couple and their new baby are the first beneficiaries of a national health insurance scheme which now extends to migrant brick kiln workers at risk of bondage, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

'Opportunity lost' as new anti-rape laws in India fail to address root causes - UN expert

2013-05-03T05:00:00+00:00

Laws recently passed in India to prevent and prosecute rape and other sex crimes "do not go far enough," a United Nations independent expert said Friday, lamenting that the legislation failed to address systemic gender inequalities in Indian society.

WFP Food Key For Vocational Trainees in Afghanistan

2013-05-02T20:59:47+00:00

In a vocational training center in the western Afghan city of Herat, WFP food assistance is helping more than 300 men and women learn marketable skills.

UN Population Fund chief calls for resolution of Syrian conflict

2013-05-02T20:59:46+00:00

There are currently more than 1.3 million registered refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt, according to UNFPA, the UN Population Fund. The majority are living in host communities, outside of camp settings, which is putting strains on local services. UNFPA is providing life-saving reproductive health services across the region, including within Syria.

Running in Fear, Sprinting Towards Hope

2013-05-02T20:59:46+00:00

UNITED NATIONS, New York — In an increasingly interconnected world, more individuals than ever before are leaving their homes to begin a new life somewhere else. Since 1990 the number of migrants has increased from 155 million to around 214 million, with women making up an increasing proportion of that total.

Security Council establishes UN Assistance Mission in Somalia

2013-05-02T20:59:46+00:00

The Security Council has decided to establish the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). In a resolution adopted unanimously on Thursday, the Council decided that the mission will be set up on 3 June for the initial period of twelve months. Its mandate includes the provision of UN "good offices" functions as well as support to the Federal Government of Somalia and the African Union Mission (AMISOM)...UNSOM will also monitor and report to the Security Council on any abuses or violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including abuses committed against women and children in Somalia.

Midwives Deliver for the Women of the World

2013-05-02T20:59:45+00:00

For as long as women have been having babies, other women (and occasionally men) have been at their sides, supporting them through one of the riskiest and most miraculous times of their lives. Around the world, beginning in Sweden in the late 19th century, access to trained and skilled midwives has proven to be one of the most important strategies for reducing maternal death. Midwives are truly the unsung heroines of the safe motherhood challenge.

General Assembly, in Resolution, Sets Dates, Advances Plans for High-level Meeting on Human Trafficking, to Be Held 13-14 May

2013-05-01T19:30:39+00:00

Meeting in a brief plenary session Wednesday, the General Assembly adopted, as amended, a consensus resolution on the modalities, format and organization of its upcoming high-level meeting on the appraisal of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, deciding that it would take place on 13 and 14 May.

Cameroon says it is combating violence against women

2013-05-01T19:30:39+00:00

Cameroon is making efforts to improve human rights, including by combating violence against women, according to its Foreign Minister Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo. Speaking in Geneva as the UN Human Rights Council discussed the country's Universal Periodic Review, Mr. Mbonjo said Cameroon has implemented most of the recommendations it accepted during its 2009 Review, and highlighted steps taken to combat violence against women.

Pressure in Philippines to end ban on formula milk aid

2013-04-30T20:06:34+00:00

Health authorities in the Philippines were vigilant in keeping out infant formula donations when Typhoon Bopha hit last December, but activists are concerned the infant formula industry will succeed in pushing through legislative changes that will allow formula donations in future emergencies, making it harder to convince women in those crises to continue exclusive breastfeeding.

Good Advice: IAEA Promotes Female Involvement in the Workforce

2013-04-30T20:06:34+00:00

A workplace without enough women is missing out on 50% of the finest minds on the planet. So to encourage more young women to pursue careers in the sciences later in life and become interested in the work of the Agency, the IAEA hosted Take Your Daughter to Work Day last week on 25 April 2013.

Video: Women At The Helm

2013-04-29T19:03:59+00:00

Shipping has historically been a male-dominated industry and that tradition runs long and deep. However, through its global programme on the Integration of Women in the Maritime Sector, IMO is making a concerted effort to help the industry move on from that tradition and to help women achieve a representation within it that is more in keeping with twenty-first century expectations. This film shows how the work of IMO, and others, is beginning to promote change for the better for women in shipping, and highlights first-hand experiences from some of those who have already succeeded.

UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Marta Vieira da Silva on stopping violence against women

2013-04-29T19:03:59+00:00

Life isn't easy for women -- anywhere in the world. I grew up in Dois Riachos -- a poor, remote town in the north-east of Brazil. Our family didn't have much money -- My mother worked hard to raise me and my two brothers and sister by herself. We couldn't even afford a football -- if we had bought one -- we would have gone without food.

Kyrgyzstan must uphold its vows to protect children from sexual abuse, UN expert urges

2013-04-29T18:49:16+00:00

Alcohol abuse and domestic violence, early and forced marriages and bride kidnappings are among the factors making children in Kyrgyzstan more vulnerable to sexual exploitation and forced labour, warned a United Nations independent expert at the end of her recent visit to the country.

Over 30,000 refugees and migrants have arrived in Yemen this year

2013-04-29T18:49:16+00:00

More than 500 Ethiopian migrants, including women and children, were recently freed from houses run by human traffickers in Yemen, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. Many of those released showed signs of torture and abuse. UNHCR says although Yemeni authorities have been conducting similar raids over the past year, incidents of extortion, exploitation, violence and sexual abuse perpetrated against refugees, asylum seekers and migrants are on the increase in the region.

Global expert panel calls for increased action to promote sexual and reproductive health

2013-04-25T21:09:52+00:00

Much "unfinished business" remains on commitments made nearly 20 years ago at a global conference on population and development, an independent advocacy group charges. The High-Level Task Force for the International Conference on Population and Development says despite progress worldwide on sexual and reproductive health, 800 women die every day from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.

UN Women opens Nordic Liaison Office in Copenhagen

2013-04-25T21:07:59+00:00

The new UN Women presence in Copenhagen provides a strategic opportunity to liaise with Nordic governments, parliamentarians, the private sector, civil society and UN Women National Committees in Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

UN official calls for more support to girls interested in technology

2013-04-25T21:07:59+00:00

More girls must be encouraged to pursue careers in information and communications technologies (ICTs), a senior UN official told the European Parliament on Thursday. Dr. Hamadoun Touré, who heads the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), highlighted the need to boost the numbers of girls involved in science, technology, engineering and maths. For the past three years, the ITU has celebrated 25 April as "Girls in ICT Day," and Dr. Touré is convinced it will pay off in the decades ahead with more women entering the field. He said at a time when over 95% of all jobs now have a digital component, and where there is a large and growing skills shortage in the ICT sector, more needs to be done to get girls interested in these careers.

UAE Red Crescent Authority donates US$500,000 to UNRWA to support Palestinian refugees in Syria

2013-04-25T21:07:59+00:00

The UAE Red Crescent Authority has positively responded to UNRWA's appeal to support conflict-affected Palestinian refugees caught up in the conflict in Syria. With a generous donation of US$ 500,000, UNRWA will provide food to approximately 40,561 Palestinian refugees (over 10,000 families) and hygiene kits to an estimated 3,915 vulnerable adults and babies. The locations of the distribution will be in conflict-affected areas and in UNRWA facilities sheltering internally displaced Palestinian refugees. Since March 2011, UNRWA has distributed 35,273 food parcels, over 41,000 winter items such as blankets and mattresses, 2,829 hygiene kits and cash assistance to approximately 73,076 families.

Message from Geena Davis ITU Special Envoy for Women and Girls in ICT

2013-04-25T21:07:59+00:00

As the ITU Special Envoy for Women and Girls in ICT, I am thrilled to be greeting all the girls around the world, as we celebrate International Girls in ICT Day on 25 April 2013. Technology is offering large-scale opportunities to empower women and girls, creating a systemic cultural shift by improving how they're portrayed and represented. These are the tools that will ultimately allow women and girls to reach their full potential.

30,000 Ultra Poor Women And Their Families Rise Out Of Extreme Poverty

2013-04-25T21:00:51+00:00

DHAKA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Thursday celebrated the successful conclusion of the European Union (EU)-funded Food Security for the Ultra Poor (FSUP) project in a ceremony at Westin Hotel, Dhaka. The project, which began in January 2009 and concluded December 2012, supported 30,000 ultra-poor women to become entrepreneurs, raise their incomes and improve their own and their families' food security.

UNICEF supports China Government in earthquake response to assist children

2013-04-24T21:10:56+00:00

UNICEF is finalizing plans with its Chinese government partners to intensify and accelerate efforts in child protection and welfare, mother and baby health, young child nutrition, hygiene and sanitation. This, as the death and injury toll becomes clearer following the devastation caused by the earthquake in Lushan County in Sichuan province. With support from its Hong Kong Committee, UNICEF has allocated US$75,000 for emergency obstetric and neonatal health equipment for local health facilities.

UNFPA Accepts $5 Million Donation to Syrian Humanitarian Response from Kuwait

2013-04-24T21:10:56+00:00

GENEVA — UNFPA accepted a donation of $5 million from the Government of Kuwait to respond to the urgent needs of displaced people in Syria and of refugees in neighboring countries. These indispensable funds will allow UNFPA to continue saving women's lives, help them deliver babies safely, and protect them from gender-based violence.

UN Women deplores the rape of a 5-year-old and calls for greater accountability of service providers

2013-04-24T21:10:56+00:00

In a statement, UN Women India strongly deplores the continuing cases of sexual violence against women and girls, including the recent barbaric rape of a girl child in New Delhi.

Girls in ICT Day, 25 April

2013-04-24T21:07:28+00:00

With the number of school girls opting to study technology-related disciplines on the decline in most countries worldwide, ITU is committed to championing the catalytic role a tech career can play in creating exciting, far-reaching opportunities for women and girls. To help inspire girls to consider a future in technology, ITU established 'Girls in ICT Day' back in 2010 and supports the global organization of activities every year on the fourth Thursday in April. In only its third year, global momentum around Girls in ICT Day continues to grow with over 100 countries expected to hold events hosted by governments, private sector and NGOs in 2013.

United Nations System Private Sector Focal Points Meeting 2013: Strengthening Partnership Synergies for Local Impact

2013-04-23T21:56:52+00:00

Co-hosted by the International Labour Organization, Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, United Nations Global Compact Office, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)

UN-AU call for Africa to increase commodity-based industrialization

2013-04-23T21:56:52+00:00

African countries are being urged to maximize their abundant natural and agricultural resources to boost growth, jobs and economic transformation. A new report co-authored by the United Nations says leveraging the continent's commodities could help in addressing youth unemployment, poverty and gender disparities. While African countries are growing, they have been unable to fulfil their industrial potential, according to the report which was launched by the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union Commission.

New Horizons: Ethiopian women join efforts to escape poverty

2013-04-23T21:56:52+00:00

In Ethiopia, impoverished women are earning an income, developing new skills, and starting collective savings thanks to a nation-wide economic empowerment programme benefitting approximately 10,000 women in the Ethiopian countryside.

Five Questions with Nancy Schwartzman about a Smartphone App to alert your friends when you feel at risk

2013-04-23T21:56:51+00:00

Millions of women and girls worldwide face sexual harassment on a daily basis – on the streets, in public transportations, at work or in schools. An innovative preventive tool, Circle of 6 (www.circleof6app.com) is a free smartphone application against sexual assault that won the White House "Apps Against Abuse" challenge in 2011. It is being used in 26 countries, mobilizing - young people who have access to technology. The app was recently launched in New Delhi, India, in English and Hindi, in partnership with local organizations. Say NO – UNiTE spoke to Nancy Schwartzman, film-maker, activist, and one of the creators of Circle of 6, about the initiative and how the app can make a difference by preventing violence.

El Salvador: WFP Supports The "One Billion Rising" Campaign

2013-04-23T21:56:51+00:00

WFP in El Salvador is supporting "One Billion Rising" Campaign. The objective is raising awareness on the rights of women and non violence.

Mobile Miracles – technology improves the work of midwives

2013-04-23T21:56:50+00:00

Esther Madudu is one of the many midwives working in the rural areas of Africa who are facing many day to day challenges such as lack of electricity and running water, among other things. Esther's passion and dedication for saving lives did not go unnoticed. The African Medical and Research Foundation or AMREF made her the face of the 'Stand up for African Mothers' Campaign' where she was nominated for the 2015 Nobel Prize. However, lack of technology hampers the work of midwives like Esther. Now the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is improving the work of midwives through the use of mobile technology – calling it – the Mobile Miracle.

Greatest return comes from investing in girls and women, says UN chief

2013-04-22T20:56:22+00:00

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday 18 April made a fresh call for investment in girls' education around the world. Mr. Ban spoke at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington D.C. at a high level meeting of the Global Education First Initiative launched in September 2012. He said the meeting is a single but critical step to support the objectives of the Initiative to provide quality, inclusive and relevant education to all children.

At Event for Film, Secretary-General Says Nurturing the Minds, Releasing the Potential of Girls 'Will Create an Unstoppable Force for Progress'

2013-04-22T20:56:22+00:00

Remarks of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, as prepared for delivery, at a special event on Girl Rising in Washington, D.C., 18 April 2013.

Zimbabweans say yes to new Constitution strong on gender equality and women's rights

2013-04-22T20:53:23+00:00

With general elections approaching, Zimbabwean women hope to see women's representation grow in Parliament, which is also mandated by the new Constitution approved by referendum in March.

Mobile telephony: Empowering women and paving the way for m-development #ict4d

2013-04-22T19:43:23+00:00

When was the last time you met a truly empowered woman? Well, earlier in the week, I was lucky enough to meet Valiben Macwana, one of the 1.7 million empowered self-employed women's association (SEWA) members. SEWA, based in Ahmedabad, India, is an organization of self-employed women workers who earn their living thanks to their small business. These women do not get a monthly salary, nor enjoy benefits like those of their sisters in the "organized labour sector". And to make matters worse, it seems like these women are "uncounted, undercounted and invisible".

Haitian women find success through cell phone repair business

2013-04-22T19:43:22+00:00

With the help of a local women's association and with support from the United Nations mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), four women have started a cell phone repair business that has changed their lives.

Sexual Violence in Conflict One of World's Most Vicious Crimes; Global Community Must Use All Its Tools to End It, Says Secretary-General in Security Council

2013-04-18T20:45:34+00:00

Despite success in cracking the silence around the systematic use of sexual violence as a war tactic, it persisted as one of the world's most vicious crimes, destroying individual lives and terrorizing communities, delegates in the Security Council stressed this week, calling on the 15-member body to ratchet up pressure on perpetrators and use its full means to prevent its occurrence.

Global Action Week: "We will not meet our education goals without teachers".

2013-04-18T20:45:33+00:00

"Every Child Needs a Teacher" is the slogan of the 2013 Global Action Week on Education for All (21-27 April) which focuses on the vital role of teachers in reaching education goals. In the words of the campaign: "Without teachers a school is just a building".

Education critical to empower indigenous women in Kenya, says an activist

2013-04-18T20:45:33+00:00

Agnes Leina, Executive Director Il'laramatak Community Concerns (Kenya) Indigenous women in Kenya face a number of challenges including lack of education and economic opportunities, according to an indigenous activist.

Empowerment of urban women and youth vital for future prosperity of cities, UN says

2013-04-18T05:00:00+00:00

With women projected to comprise a majority of the world's urban dwellers and head increasing numbers of households, gender equality in employment, housing, health and education is vital to ensure the prosperity of the cities of the future, according to a new United Nations study.

UN Secretary-General Says Negative Effects of Wartime Rape Persist Long after Guns Fall Silent

2013-04-17T20:03:11+00:00

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's remarks at the Security Council open debate on conflict-related sexual violence, in New York on 17 April.

UNESCO and Intel Broaden their Partnership to Focus on Teaching Science and Engineering

2013-04-17T20:02:34+00:00

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and the Vice President of Intel Corporate Affairs Group Shelly Esque signed a five-year Framework agreement on 13 April to build capacity in engineering and science worldwide, and harness information and communication technologies (ICTs) for educational advancement.

UN chief calls for adequate resources to tackle sexual violence in conflict

2013-04-17T20:02:33+00:00

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling for adequate resources to support UN peacekeeping missions in their work to prevent sexual violence in conflict. Mr. Ban spoke in the Security Council as it discussed women and peace and security with a special focus on sexual violence in conflict.

Security Council pays tribute to late UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher

2013-04-17T20:02:32+00:00

The UN Security Council on Wednesday began its meeting by paying a moment of silence to the late Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher. Baroness Thatcher, who was the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, passed away last week after suffering a stroke.

From species extinction to family planning: Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in the West African Sahel

2013-04-17T20:02:31+00:00

According to most climate forecasts, people in the West African Sahel— an arid to semi-arid belt stretching across northern Africa—can expect a hotter, drier and more variable climate this century. Already, environmental stresses are being felt and farming is increasingly more difficult in the region. But what do rural people in the Sahel perceive to be the reason for this changing climate? How vulnerable do they feel themselves to be? And, most importantly, what do they plan to do different in order to cope with the threats posed by the coming climate?

Food security and gender, cornerstones to the Post-2015 agenda

2013-04-17T20:02:30+00:00

Security Council, in day-long debate, urged to strengthen measures to end rape in war zones

2013-04-17T05:00:00+00:00

Conflict-related sexual violence, horrific in itself, is also an impediment to national reconciliation and development, top United Nations officials told the Security Council at the start of a day-long debate, urging increased political and financial pressure on those who commit, command or condone sexual violence in war zones.

Women unlock chains of development in rural Nepal

2013-04-16T22:37:16+00:00

SURKHET, Nepal – Amidst the hustle and bustle of passing vehicles, dust and honking horns on the Surkhet-Jumla road, about 350 km west of Kathmandu, the patches of green vegetables within a few minutes' walk are a soothing treat to the eyes. The proud owners of the vegetable plots are women, most of them affiliated with the Nari Ekata ("Women United") Women's Cooperative. With 124 members, all of them women, the cooperative is not only empowering its members but also creating a bandwagon effect. The result: More and more women are eager to join the cooperative. Thanks to their vegetable farming, they earn enough to send their children to school, pay for other miscellaneous expenses and save a little.

The UN commemorates the Rwandan genocide

2013-04-16T22:37:15+00:00

The United Nations this week commemorated the anniversary of the 1994 Rwandan genocide when Hutu extremists murdered approximately 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The genocide, which started on 7 April and went on for about 100 days, is commemorated each year to remind the world about the terrible and irreversible loss suffered by humanity as a result of this tragedy.

Video: Appeal by heads of leading UN humanitarian agencies for the people of Syria

2013-04-16T22:37:15+00:00

Enough. Enough. After more than two years of conflict and more than 70,000 deaths, including thousands of children… After more than five million people have been forced to leave their homes, including over a million refugees living in severely stressed neighbouring countries… After so many families torn apart and communities razed, schools and hospitals wrecked and water systems ruined…

Mobile court scheme aims to bring justice for refugees in Uganda

2013-04-16T22:37:14+00:00

A mobile court scheme has started to bring justice for refugees who have been victims of crime in Uganda, says the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR). The agency launched the project with the Ugandan government on Monday at the Nakivale settlement in the south-western part of the country.

IPDC funds workshop for Pakistani women TV journalists in Karachi

2013-04-16T22:37:14+00:00

A four-day workshop for Pakistani female television journalists, supported by UNESCO's International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), kicked off on 10 April in Karachi. A total of 17 journalists working for different TV channels took part in the workshop, with the main objective to strengthen their professional capacity in news gathering and production.

Culture, Religion, Tradition Can Never Justify Denial of Rights, Secretary-General Stresses in Message to Conference on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity

2013-04-16T22:37:14+00:00

Text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's video message to the International Conference on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, in Oslo on 15-16 April.

Celebrities play a part in UNESCO-supported film "Girl Rising"

2013-04-16T22:37:13+00:00

Nine stories, nine girls, nine countries (Afghanistan, Egypt, Peru, Nepal, India, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Cambodia and Haiti). Add nine women writers, a handful of celebrities, and you have the ingredients of "Girl Rising", a documentary to be screened at UNESCO on 17 April 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

Call for Applications: 2013 SEED Awards seek innovative projects on gender equality and women's empowerment

2013-04-16T22:37:13+00:00

UN Women joins the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, the government of Flanders, the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the international law firm Hogan Lovells in supporting the SEED Award, an initiative that aims to help the most promising start-up entrepreneurs, women-led enterprises and other social and environmental inspiring businesses to integrate ideas and proposals to address pressing local issues.

Urgent aid needed to help thousands of migrant victims of abuse in Yemen, UN says

2013-04-16T05:00:00+00:00

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 World's Youth 2013 Data Sheet

2013-04-15T20:02:20+00:00

Girls and boys in developing countries are enrolling in secondary school in greater numbers than ever before, giving them knowledge and skills for healthy, productive lives. While this is good news, many young people still face challenges to employment, and they must also navigate serious risks to their health, such as smoking, early marriage and childbearing, or having unprotected sex. The World's Youth 2013 Data Sheet provides a comprehensive portrait of the well-being of youth ages 10 to 24 across the globe, including such indicators as the current and projected size of youth populations, educational enrollments, labor force participation, marriage and fertility, and health risks and behaviors.

Social Inclusion and Women Empowerment: Key to Success - Nepal LR

2013-04-15T20:02:19+00:00

As the Learning Route continues its journey in Nepal, we feature today one of the most active participants, Ms. Sushila Kumari Thapa Magar. Being the Gender and Social Inclusion Advisor of the High Value Agriculture Project (HVAP) in Surkhet, Mid-Western Region of Nepal since last year, she is now development worker for ten years. Sushila will provide her observations and some lessons learn by participating in the Learning Route herself and why these are important to her context, report Pham Tung Lam from the field.

Women Entrepreneurship Development Training in East Africa

2013-04-12T18:50:13+00:00

An ILO-Women's Entrepreneurship Development (WED) training for future ILO-WED assessors in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from April 10 -12.

UNRWA and Abaad Centre launch a new feature documentary film

2013-04-12T18:50:13+00:00

UNRWA partnered with the Center for Resources for Gender Equality "Abaad" and the General Union of Palestinian Women to launch the new documentary film, Ana Ahlam, in a special ceremony held in Beirut on 4 April 2013.

How the UN can help girls to reach for the stars

2013-04-12T18:44:44+00:00

American executive Susan Chodakewitz believes the UN can be a catalyst for getting more women and girls to consider careers in the aerospace industry. Chodakewitz is President of Tetra Tech AMT, an information technology and aerospace company, and is also on the board of directors of the Women in Aerospace Foundation.

A call for the allocation of resources to rural and indigenous women to enhance their efforts in the sustainable management of forests

2013-04-12T18:34:44+00:00

Rural and indigenous women have developed strong interactions with their environment. And they play an essential and central role in general and in sustainable management of resources. That's what the President of African Women's Network for Community Management of Forests Ms. Cecile Ndjebet told the UN Forum on Forests taking place in Istanbul, Turkey.

Over 2,000 children recruited by forces in Central African Republic, UN reports

2013-04-12T05:00:00+00:00

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Friday said more than 2,000 boys and girls have been recruited by armed forces in the Central African Republic since the latest wave of violence in the country began in December.

FEATURE: One woman's heroic efforts to restore more than just Rwanda's forests

2013-04-12T05:00:00+00:00

As her nation emerged from crisis, and in the face of great personal tragedy, Rose Mukankomeje took the initiative to bring Rwandans together to protect their natural resources and, in the process, restore communities devastated by conflict.

There can be no hiding place for perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict: UN official

2013-04-11T21:36:27+00:00

There can be no hiding place for people who commit acts of sexual violence in conflict and the perpetrators will be pursued by all means available. That's the message delivered on Thursday by Zainab Bangura, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Ms. Bangura spoke at the Lancaster House in London during the launch of the G8 Declaration on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Thailand launches One-Stop Crisis Centre to respond to violence against women

2013-04-11T21:36:26+00:00

The launch of Thailand's pioneering One-Stop Crisis Centre by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on 9 April reinforces the continuing efforts to respond to and prevent violence against women and girls after Thailand joined UN Women's newest global initiative, COMMIT.

Men and boys get involved in promoting gender equality in Mozambique

2013-04-11T20:59:58+00:00

Violence against women is a serious problem in Mozambique and one man from the Southern African country is working to get men and boys involved in fighting this scourge. Júlio Langa is the National Coordinator of the Men for Change Network, based in the Mozambican capital, Maputo. UN Radio's Derrick Mbatha caught up with Mr. Langa when he attended a recent meeting of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

First woman private space explorer advocates for more girls in Maths and Science

2013-04-11T20:59:57+00:00

Fifty years ago this June, Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel to space. Anousheh Ansari, an Iranian-American engineer and serial tech entrepreneur, believes more women and girls should follow the space pioneer. Mrs. Ansari got her chance in 2006 when she became the first woman private space explorer.

ECOSOC Event: Partnering for innovative solutions for sustainable development

2013-04-11T20:59:57+00:00

ECOSOC will bring together some of the most influential leaders from government, the private and non-profit sectors, and civil society to discuss how partnerships can propel innovation to new heights. Discussions will focus on how partnerships in Science, Technology, Innovation and Culture can impact on economic and social development, and environmental conservation. The Forum will be an interactive dialogue, where participants discuss emerging strategies for creating a culture of innovation.

Activist Grace Akallo says stay steadfast and committed to bring peace through education

2013-04-11T20:59:56+00:00

Teaching children to make peace in the classroom, on the playground, at home and in their communities can have a lasting impact on children to live in a world free of violence and conflict, said Grace Akallo, activist, formerly associated with an armed group. Ms. Akallo spoke to UNICEF Television after a recent meeting on ways to end violence against girls in school.

A glimmer of hope for an Afghan woman in despair

2013-04-11T20:59:55+00:00

For MISFA staff Matin Ezidyar, the trip to Badakhshan was work—one of the tasks to tick off from his list of priorities. He was scheduled to meet with some of the beneficiaries of the Targeted Ultra-Poor Programme (TUP), a project being implemented by the Microfinance Investment Support Facility for Afghanistan (MISFA) with funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

New G8 initiative a beacon of hope for victims of sexual violence - UN envoy

2013-04-11T05:00:00+00:00

An initiative announced Thursday 11 April in London by the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized countries to ramp up the fight against rape and other sexual violence in conflict represents "a beacon of light and hope" for the countless survivors around the world, a United Nations envoy said.

There Remains a Gender Gap in Digital Inclusion in the Region's Countries

2013-04-10T19:12:22+00:00

Although information and communications technologies (ICTs) offer many opportunities for women's empowerment and gender equality, Latin American and Caribbean women do not yet enjoy the same conditions as men in the information and knowledge society, according to Alicia Bárcena, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

In Tajikistan, rural women gain business skills and independence through self-help groups

2013-04-10T18:42:23+00:00

A UN Women supported project is training the families of migrants and rural women's groups to start their own businesses, helping them access micro-credits, and fostering their economic empowerment. They also learn how to save energy and manage household budgets.

Groupon Australia joins forces with the World Food Programme to fight child hunger and support girls' empowerment in the Philippines

2013-04-10T18:42:22+00:00

Sydney, 8 April 2013 – Groupon, the global pioneer in group buying and leader in social e-commerce, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, have combined forces to support the empowerment of girls in Asia through school meals programmes. From now through to 12 April 2013, Groupon Australia is running a deal which calls on individuals to donate as little as AUD$5 to provide a child with daily WFP school meals for a month as well as a monthly family food ration to take home. Funds raised in Australia will assist school children in the Philippines affected by Typhoon Bopha.

Acting Head of UN Women appointed

2013-04-10T18:42:22+00:00

Following the announcement of her departure by Michelle Bachelet, founding Executive Director of UN Women, the UN Secretary-General has designated Lakshmi Puri, Assistant Secretary-General and UN Women Deputy Executive Director, as the Acting Head of the organization, until further notice.

Sahel region needs women's leadership, says UN-backed conference

2013-04-10T05:00:00+00:00

Dozens of women from the Sahel have met with the United Nations envoy to the region and the world organization's top official for women's issues, at a conference to recommend ways to boost economic recovery, political stability and conflict prevention in the troubled African region.

UNFPA Executive Director Visits Syrian Refugee Camps in Turkey and Jordan to Highlight Urgent Needs

2013-04-09T22:09:46+00:00

UNITED NATIONS, Istanbul/Amman/New York — Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, will be visiting refugee camps in Turkey and Jordan to underscore the urgent needs of women and youth affected by the crisis in Syria.

Tricked and trapped: How migrant workers are getting a raw deal in the Middle East

2013-04-09T22:09:46+00:00

ILO reveals how an estimated 600,000 migrant workers are tricked and trapped into forced labour across the Middle East at the first-ever tripartite regional conference on human trafficking.

Syrian refugees to reach 4 million by the end of 2013

2013-04-09T22:09:45+00:00

The number of Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries could reach four million by the end of the year unless a political solution to the crisis in the country is found, according to the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR. To date Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Iraq are hosting over 1.3 million Syrian refugees. UNHCR however says efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the refugees was being hampered by lack of funding.

Sahel Conference says women's full participation essential to conflict resolution and economic recovery

2013-04-09T22:09:45+00:00

Brussels, 9 April 2013 – Some 40 women from the Sahel met today to underline the crucial contributions women from the region are making to economic recovery, political stability and conflict prevention, and to explore ways to enhance their role in these areas.

ILO says a policy for domestic workers in India is ''a matter of urgency''

2013-04-09T22:09:44+00:00

Domestic workers in India have more than doubled in number since 2005. Talking to BBC World News, ILO's, Tine Staermose stressed the importance of policies aimed at protecting a very vulnerable section of the society. India's domestic workers are considered to ''uphold the economy'', with a rising population of over 10 million.

Kyrgyzstan's Talas Region Reduces Maternal Mortality to Zero

2013-04-08T20:57:18+00:00

For the first time since independence in 1991, one of Kyrgyzstan's regions succeeded in reducing maternal mortality to zero: in the north-western Talas region, not a single woman died during 2012 while being pregnant or as a result of giving birth.

Ban Ki-Moon speaks with Malala

2013-04-08T20:14:15+00:00

As he kicked off the campaign "MDG Momentum – 1,000 Days of Action" in Spain, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon highlighted the Millennium Development Goal of education by speaking to Malala Yousufzai. Malala is the young Pakistani teenager who in October 2012 was shot in the head and neck for opposing Pakistani Taliban restrictions on female education in the Swat area of Pakistan.

UN seriously concerned at deaths of Afghan children and woman in recent clash

2013-04-08T05:00:00+00:00

The United Nations on Monday voiced "serious concern" over the deaths of at least 10 Afghan children and a woman, and injuries to seven others in an armed clash during a joint Afghan-NATO operation against the Taliban in eastern Kunar province.

United Nations marks 1,000 days until Millennium Development Goals deadline

2013-04-05T19:59:08+00:00

Friday, 5 April, marks 1,000 days to the target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the MDGs. According to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the MDGs are the most successful global anti-poverty push in history. "The Goals," he said, "have helped set global and national priorities, mobilize action, and achieve remarkable results."

UN expert on sexual violence in conflict makes first visit to Somalia

2013-04-05T19:59:07+00:00

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG) this week made her first official visit to Somalia. Zainab Hawa Bangura met with UN officials, civil society partners and a range of stakeholders in the capital, Mogadishu, and also visited a camp for internally displaced people.

Survivor says remember the Rwanda genocide by never forgetting its victims

2013-04-05T19:59:07+00:00

It has been nearly 20 years since more than 800,000 people were killed in the Rwanda genocide. Survivor Eugenie Mukeshimana tells UN Radio's Dianne Penn she is determined they will not be forgotten and that survivors get help in rebuilding their lives. Ms. Mukeshimana is the founder and executive director of the Genocide Survivors Support Network which is based in the United States.

Media advisory: Conference on Women's Leadership in the Sahel

2013-04-05T19:59:06+00:00

The European Union, the Office of the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Sahel and UN Women will be convening a Conference on Women's Leadership in the Sahel, on 9 April, in Brussels.

Countdown of the Last 1,000 Days to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals in 2015

2013-04-05T19:59:06+00:00

On 5 April 2013, we mark the start of the countdown of the last 1,000 days to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015. We have cause to celebrate the successes achieved around the world, but we must also urgently ramp up our work, resources and actions in areas that are lagging behind.