#AskUNWomen Twitter chat with Deputy Executive Director John Hendra on austerity
UN Women – 21 May 2013
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?
We are integral to sustainable peace, recovery and development, say Malian women
UN Women – 15 May 2013
At the international donors’ conference for Mali, taking place in Brussels today, co-chaired by the European Union and France, Malian women will present recommendations calling for greater participation by women in the conflict resolution and rebuilding of the economy.
WHO statistics show narrowing health gap between countries with best and worst health status
WHO – 15 May 2013
The world has made dramatic progress in improving health in the poorest countries and narrowing the gaps between countries with the best and worst health status in the past two decades, according to the World Health Statistics 2013.
UN honours work of three Iraqi women journalists
UN News Centre – 09 May 2013
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.
UN report confirms nearly 200 women and girls raped by Congolese troops, rebels
UN News Centre – 08 May 2013
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 today.
South Sudan: UN official urges key role for women in drafting new constitution
UN News Centre – 07 May 2013
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
UN News Centre – 07 May 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today 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.
UN’s Ban urges accelerated action on health-related MDGs for women, children
UN News Centre – 06 May 2013
The planet’s social and economic inequalities must be addressed if women and children are to “survive and thrive,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged today, calling for accelerated action on achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of the 2015 deadline.
UN hails midwives’ contribution to maternal health around the world
UN News Centre – 06 May 2013
Midwives can make the difference between life and death for hundreds of thousands of women every year, the United Nations population agency affirmed today, recognizing their crucial role in improving maternal health, family planning and assisting during humanitarian emergencies.
Empowerment of urban women and youth vital for future prosperity of cities, UN says
UN News Centre – 18 April 2013
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.
Security Council, in day-long debate, urged to strengthen measures to end rape in war zones
UN News Centre – 17 April 2013
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.
Sahel region needs women’s leadership, says UN-backed conference
10 April 2013
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.
Renewed global partnership critical for post-2015 development agenda, says UN panel
27 March 2013
A United Nations panel of eminent persons today called for a renewed global partnership that enables a people-centred development agenda beyond 2015, the target date for achieving the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Michelle Bachelet to step down as head of UN Women
15 March 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said that Michelle Bachelet had informed him of her intention to step down as head of the United Nations entity mandated to promote gender equality.
UN commission on women ends with adoption of global plan to end gender-based violence
15 March 2013
Top United Nations officials today welcomed an agreement by more than 130 Member States on the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, and urged governments to translate the outcome of the 'historic' gathering into concrete actions to protect and promote women's human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Secretary-General’s remarks at opening of Open Working Group on the Sustainable Development Goals
14 March 2013
The urgency of the global sustainable development challenge is clear.
Study reveals shocking new evidence of men’s use of violence against women and girls in Asia Pacific
14 March 2013
One in two men said they had used physical or sexual violence against an intimate partner, one in four reported having raped a woman and one in 25 admitted to having participated in gang rape.
When work becomes a sexual battleground
06 March 2013
To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, which focuses on ‘violence against women’, the ILO is highlighting the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace – an often subtle but disturbing form of aggression.
Afghan women unleashing their business potential
01 March 2013
How entrepreneurship enabled an Afghan woman to create a successful company and help other women do the same.
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women opens fifty-four session
11 February 2013
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women this morning opened its fifty-four session, hearing a statement from Jacob Schneider of the Human Rights Treaties Division of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and adopting its agenda and programme of work for the session. The Committee elected a new Bureau, choosing Ms. Nicole Amelie of France as the new Chairperson.