UN Women

UN Women congratulates trailblazing women Mount Everest climbers

UN Women Editor — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:43:53 +0000

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. On the same day she reached the summit, the first woman from Pakistan, Samina Baig, did the same.

Mexican designer finds a muse in UN Women

UN Women Editor — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:34:17 +0000

As the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is observed, we highlight the designs of Cristina Pineda whose new collection was inspired by UN Women’s efforts on sustainable development and ending violence against women and girls.

#AskUNWomen Twitter chat with Deputy Executive Director John Hendra on austerity

UN Women Editor — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:48:06 +0000

What impact does austerity have on women and girls worldwide? Why are they particularly affected? How can gains in gender equality and women’s empowerment be protected in hard economic times? #AskUNWomen and chat with our Deputy Executive Director!

Art and commitment mix in vibrant hues to end violence against women

UN Women Editor — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:40:17 +0000

There are now 71 artists from all over Latin America and the Caribbean who have formed a regional network to support the UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, using their artistry to raise awareness.

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

UN Women Editor — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:41:11 +0000

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.

“Sound mixing is as easy as cooking a curry”: Q & A with Bianca Miglioretto

UN Women Editor — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:43:25 +0000

As the UN marks World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, UN Women speaks to the Vice-President of the Women's International Network of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, Asia Pacific Chapter, on her work and on introducing radio technologies to community radio producers.

With some electoral gains in Iraq, women candidates work towards change

UN Women Editor — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:32 +0000

Amid violence-fraught local and regional elections, in which 14 candidates were killed, 300 women contenders were trained by UN Women and the Iraq Foundation. Many emerged successful and thanks to a quota law, women will probably hold 26 per cent of seats on local councils across Iraq.

UN Women calls for urgent and effective action against femicide

UN Women Editor — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:37:01 +0000

In a statement, Acting Head of UN Women and Assistant Secretary-General Lakshmi Puri welcomes mounting global momentum to end gender-related killings and urges States to take bold and swift action to implement international agreements.

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

UN Women Editor — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:47:03 +0000

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.

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

UN Women Editor — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:52:36 +0000

Speech by Lakshimi 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.

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

UN Women Editor — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:42:35 +0000

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. She was one of four female mediators who took part in peace negotiations from 15-17 April 2012 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Saran also recently spoke in April 2013 at the UN Security Council’s Open Debate on conflict-related sexual violence in New York.

UN Mother’s Day motorcycle ride to Seneca Falls Women’s Rights National Park

UN Women Editor — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:08:55 +0000

On Sunday 12 May, when many countries celebrate Mother's Day, UN Women has organized a motorcycle ride to Seneca Falls Women's Rights National Park, in upstate New York, to raise awareness about violence against women.

Making laws real and accessible underlines efforts by judges in Tanzania

UN Women Editor — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:19:34 +0000

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.

Better lighting, wider pavements: steps towards preventing sexual violence in New Delhi

UN Women Editor — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:13:33 +0000

As the UN marks Global Road Safety Week, a Safe Cities programme in New Delhi is conducting safety audits, whose findings are being adapted to make the crucial link between the public’s needs, urban planning and safety.

Evaluating UN results: Are we achieving them?

UN Women Editor — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:23:45 +0000

“UN Results – Are we achieving them? How do we know?” was the title and focus of a high-level panel event organized by the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) as part of its 2013 Evaluation Week from 15-19 April 2013 at UN Headquarters in New York.

Experts call for increased efforts to improve maternal and newborn child health in Africa

UN Women — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:55:29 +0000

More than 50 government, civil society, academic and United Nations experts came together for a meeting coordinated by the African Union (AU) in partnership with UN Women from 24 to 26 April in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to review key frameworks and initiatives on maternal and newborn child health and recommend actions for reduction of maternal and child deaths in Africa.

In Timor-Leste, communities mobilize to confront domestic violence

UN Women Editor — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:54:19 +0000

Police and community-based networks in Timor-Leste are working to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence by helping survivors get counseling and judicial assistance. They also raise awareness of the domestic violence law.

Latin American and Caribbean women chart their priorities for the new global development agenda

UN Women Editor — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:20:49 +0000

To give women more voice in the United Nations post-2015 development agenda, UN Women is organizing various consultations globally. Recently they took place in the Americas and the Caribbean, bringing forth the priorities of the region.

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

UN Women Editor — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:01:19 +0000

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. The urgent need to promote and protect the rights of women and girls in India and punishment for perpetrators is strongly urged.

UN Women opens Nordic Liaison Office in Copenhagen

UN Women Editor — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:00:15 +0000

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.

New Horizons: Ethiopian women join efforts to escape poverty

UN Women Editor — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:03:30 +0000

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.

Statement by Lakshmi Puri at the Sustainable Energy for All: Launch of the Energy and Women’s Health High Impact Opportunity

UN Women Editor — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:26:23 +0000

Statement by Lakshmi Puri Acting Head of UN Women at the Sustainable Energy for All: Launch of the Energy and Women’s Health High Impact Opportunity, Panel Discussion on Energy and Women’s Health: The Way Forward, 19 April 2013, Washington, D.C.

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

UN Women Editor — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:13:43 +0000

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.

Lakshmi Puri highlights the need for concerted action to provide sustainable, life-saving energy solutions

UN Women Editor — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:02:32 +0000

Acting Head and Assistant Secretary-General of UN Women Lakshmi Puri takes part in high-level meetings in Washington D.C. from 18-21 April, aimed at stepping up cooperation between the UN and the World Bank. On Friday she will discuss UN Women’s efforts to increase access to modern energy sources for women’s health facilities and services.

Syrian Women Refugees Stitch Together Trust and Hope

UN Women Editor — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:23:32 +0000

At one of the largest refugee camps in Jordan, Syrian refugees are attending tailoring workshops and taking part in a programme to sew baby outfits for new mothers at camp hospitals. While earning an income, they are bonding with others and speaking up about gender-based violence.

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

UN Women Editor — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:46:02 +0000

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.

Acting Head of UN Women appointed

UN Women Editor — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 14:35:35 +0000

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. Ms. Puri will take on her new role with immediate effect.

Women peace advocates put forth key recommendations for Sahel region

UN Women Editor — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:08:49 +0000

UN Women calls for greater participation of women to achieve peace in Sahel and urge world leaders to protect and advance women’s rights

Lakshmi Puri leads discussion on gender equality post-MDGs at Women Leaders of New Asia Summit

UN Women Editor — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:00:51 +0000

From 12-14 April, Lakshmi Puri, UN Women Acting Head and Assistant Secretary-General will speak at the Women Leaders of New Asia Summit in New Delhi, organized by the Asia Society, an educational organization dedicated to strengthening partnerships and understanding between the people and institutions of Asia and the United States. The Summit will bring together experts from different fields and countries across Asia-Pacific and beyond to discuss the role of women and gender, including in a future global development agenda, once the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) conclude in 2015.

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

UN Women Editor — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:38:15 +0000

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.

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

UN Women Editor — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:07:04 +0000

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.

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

UN Women Editor — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:24:18 +0000

Press release on the Sahel Conference: 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.

Speech by Lakshmi Puri at the High-level Conference on Women’s Leadership in the Sahel

UN Women Editor — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:53:21 +0000

Speech by Lakshmi Puri, Acting Head of UN Women, at the High-level Conference on Women’s Leadership in the Sahel, 9 April 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Domestic workers gain equal rights in Brazil

UN Women Editor — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 02:54:21 +0000

On the occasion of the enactment of a new law granting equal rights to domestic workers last week, UN Women launched a study on the positive impact of formalizing such employment, both for Brazil’s economy and for the country’s efforts to reduce poverty.

Ensuring mothers do not die when giving life

UN Women Editor — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:00:22 +0000

A programme in seven countries advances efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality highlighting the links between violence against women and maternal health, and training midwives and community health workers to bring long-term change.

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

UN Women Editor — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 07:17:43 +0000

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.

Dar es Salaam meeting brings women to the table on extractive industries

UN Women — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:04:14 +0000

A ministerial-level meeting on incorporating gender into extractive industries and natural resource management kicks off on today in Dar es Salaam, bringing together 30 participants from government, civil society, and the United Nations. The two-day meeting marks the beginning of a new partnership between Publish What You Pay and UN Women.

UN calls for accelerated action with 1,000 days to go on Millennium Development Goals

ONU Femmes — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:30:49 +0000

The United Nations and its partners around the world will observe the 1,000 days to the end of 2015 – the target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – during the next week to inspire further action.

Femicide in Latin America: creating a regional protocol for ensuring justice

ONU Femmes — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:43:00 +0000

While women in El Salvador are working to implement a new law against gender-based killings of women, UN Women and OHCHR have come together to promote a regional protocol against such crimes throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Statement by Lakshmi Puri on the adoption of the UN Arms Trade Treaty

ONU Femmes — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:49:17 +0000

UN Women welcomes the adoption of the text of an Arms Trade Treaty yesterday in New York and congratulates Member States and Non-Governmental Organizations that lobbied for this important framework

#AskUNWomen Twitter chat with Deputy Executive Director John Hendra

ONU Femmes — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:04:49 +0000

1,000 days until the target date to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)! Where are we on women’s rights and gender equality? What does UN Women do to support the achievement of the MDGs?

Press Release: UN Women in Afghanistan strongly condemns “honour killings” of women and girls

ONU Femmes — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:13:57 +0000

Recently several cases of “Honour Killings” have been reported by the media and Afghan Women’s Network (AWN) recorded three cases of such killings across the country during the month of March. This includes a young girl buried alive by her brother and father in Kishim district of Badakhshan Province.

Women elected to one-fifth of seats during Kenyan elections

ONU Femmes — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:25:50 +0000

After Kenya’s recent national elections on 4 March, an unprecedented 87 of the 416 seats in the National Assembly and Senate will be held by women. As a new Constitutional requirement to ensure one-third representation, another 52 women will be nominated by 2015.

Michelle Bachelet welcomes the appointment of Mary Robinson as Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region of Africa

ONU Femmes — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:55:34 +0000

The former UN High Commissioner and former President of Ireland will serve as Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region of Africa. Her appointment is an historic first and a major milestone in the progress of women’s rights and gender equality.

Bringing drama into the streets: interactive theatre performances counter violence against women in Bangladesh

ONU Femmes — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:01:42 +0000

In parks, town halls and street corners across southern Bangladesh, nearly 200 children and youth are producing and performing street plays to actively engage and empower onlookers to take steps against gender violence.

On World Water Day, UN Women spotlights the need to ensure access to drinking water and sanitation for all

UN Women Editor — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:36:24 +0000

On World Water Day, UN Women is calling attention to the urgent need to increase access to clean water and basic sanitation and to support the initiative of UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson to enhance progress on sanitation ahead of the 2015 target date for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Tanzanian Women bring safe drinking water to their communities

ONU Femmes — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:30:18 +0000

With water cooperation as the focus of this year’s World Water Day (22 March), we highlight the experience of the Kingolwira village in Tanzania, where water is scarce but women’s leadership and the community-wide construction of a small dam is now ensuring an equitable distribution of clean water.

Press Release: Priorities for the global development agenda shaped by unprecedented public outreach effort

ONU Femmes — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:00:19 +0000

New York, 21 March 2013 – The United Nations presented today the first findings from an unprecedented global conversation through which people from all over the world have been invited to help Member States shape the future development agenda that will build on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) after their target date at the end [...]

Bringing some happiness: Women ushering change and well-being in their communities

ONU Femmes — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:46:59 +0000

To mark the first International Day of Happiness (20 March), we bring you the stories of change-makers whose daily efforts make many people happy, as they improve lives and help many to overcome hardships.

UN Women urges implementation of historic global agreement to end violence against women and girls

ONU Femmes — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:23:47 +0000

In the follow-up to the historic global agreement reached at the 57th Commission on the Status of Women to prevent and end violence against women and girls, UN Women today called for action to translate it into reality for women and girls globally.