A United Nations expert group today called on Tunisia to adopt stronger measures in its new constitution to combat gender inequality and discrimination and accelerate the participation of women in all aspects of society.
The United Nations official dealing with conflict-related sexual violence today condemned the arrest of a Somali journalist who was detained for conducting an interview with a woman who claimed she was raped by members of the Somali Army in September.
The World Economic Forum has released its eighth annual Global Risks Report, which lists top global threats identified by a survey of over 1,000 experts. As in last year’s report, 2013’s risks were topped by economic and financial concerns, particularly the risk of major systemic economic failure.
It is unwise to wait for the last day of the registration of voters. That is the message which the President of ELECAM, Dr Fonkam Azu'u is taking to stake holders in the North West in efforts to encourage and step up the exercise expected to drop curtains on February 28, 2013. At Press time on January 11, 2013, the North West had registered 281.040.
Source: New Vision
Winifred (Winnie) Byanyima, a grass-roots activist, human rights advocate, senior international public servant, and world recognized expert on women’s rights, has been appointed Executive Director of Oxfam International – a role that provides strategic direction and coordination for the worldwide confederation of Oxfam affiliates.Source: Aswat Masriya
A number of Egyptian political parties and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have denounced the decision of the Ministry of Education to remove the picture of historic figure Doria Shafik amid developing curriculum of history textbooks.
The role of ICTs as development enablers is more widely understood today as access to new technologies, particularly mobile phones, has grown exponentially. Mobile phone subscriptions exceeded six billion by the end of 2012, three-quarters of which were in the developing world. However, women are at a disadvantage: they are 21% less likely to own a mobile phone than men, according to the latest Broadband Commission Report (PDF, 2.4Mb).
The head of the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has welcomed the return of a renowned gynaecologist to the clinic he founded for rape victims in the eastern part of the country.
Source: AllAfrica
When studying law, mock trials or moot court competitions are an exciting and challenging way to put the legal theory that you have learnt into practice. In my final year of study towards a Bachelor of Law at a university in Kenya I was lucky enough to participate in a trial competition at The Hague in the Netherlands.
Through a photodocumentary and a non-profit, Cameras4Change, Cate Cameron employs photography as a means of empowerment.
Some charge that the document's wording, drafted by Islamists, leaves room for discriminatory interpretations. Egyptian women worry that the new Islamist constitution will allow judges to enforce abusive practices against women, even approving marriages of girls as young as 9, and some are organizing to protect their rights.
The secretary general of the ruling MPLA party's women wing (OMA), Luzia Inglês Van-Dúnem Inga, Friday in Luanda reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to defend the rights of women and increase their participation in decision making organs.
In order to integrate gender perspectives into policies and contents of Moroccan public service broadcasters, UNESCO’s Office in Rabat is organizing a workshop for the adaptation of Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Media (GSIM) to Moroccan context. The workshop will be held in Rabat on 14 and 15 January 2013.
Source: New York Times
THIRTY-TWO years ago, when I was 17 and living in Bombay, I was gang raped and nearly killed. Three years later, outraged at the silence and misconceptions around rape, I wrote a fiery essay under my own name describing my experience for an Indian women’s magazine.
Source: AllAfrica
President Goodluck Jonathan pledged, yesterday that until the expiration of his tenure, he would continue to work towards the economic and political empowerment of Nigerian women.
Source: AllAfrica
Bishop-elect Margaret Brenda Vertue, Senior Priest and Vicar General of the Anglican Diocese of False Bay will be consecrated and enthroned as the second Bishop of the Diocese of False Bay and the second woman, after the Right Revd Ellinah Wamukoya, Bishop of Swaziland; on Saturday, 19 January at 10:30 at the University of Stellenboschs' DF Malan Centre.
Millions of domestic workers around the world are not protected under general labour laws and are highly vulnerable to exploitation, says a United Nations report released today, which calls on countries to extend social protection to them.
“Women issues are world issues,” Michelle Bachelet, the executive director of U.N. Women and former president of Chile, said recently. “Today there is greater awareness than ever before that women’s full participation is essential for peace, democracy and sustainable development.”
“The rebels were just at the corner and watching me,” recalls one young Malian girl. “When I came out, they forced me in their vehicle and chained my two arms. They were four in the vehicle and they took me to a dark area. Three other girls were also there. They raped us during two nights and each time they came in groups of three, four and sometimes five.”
A dress code for women will not create a safer society: not for women, not even for men, and definitely not for children. Restricting women's freedom and mobility will not reduce crime against them. It will marginalise women further, tilt the balance of power further in favour of men and weaken the society.