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.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde urged Malawians to stick with tough economic reforms during a recent three-day visit to the country, but measures recommended by the Fund and implemented by President Joyce Banda have been deeply unpopular with many citizens who can no longer afford basic goods and services.
Source: AllAfrica
The United Nations official dealing with conflict-related sexual violence today welcomed the Security Council's imposition of sanctions on two armed groups active in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) - the Forces Démocratiques pour la Libération du Rwanda (FDLR) and 23 March Movement (M23).
Source: The Independent
The government of Uganda recently directed the Chinese embassy not to give out travel permits to Ugandan women under the age of 35 intending to travel to China for business. The directive came at a time amid reports that some women end up into prostitution instead of real business.Source: Observer
Nine candidates, one of them a Kenyan ambassador, have been nominated for the post of World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General.The candidates nominated by their respective governments, include three women and six men.The United Nations official dealing with conflict-related sexual violence today welcomed the Security Council’s imposition of sanctions on two armed groups active in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – the Forces Démocratiques pour la Libération du Rwanda (FDLR) and 23 March Movement (M23).
From the ratification of a United Nations convention on domestic worker rights to landmark laws on harassment to the conviction of a former president for war crimes, this timeline is a snapshot of some of the gender equality achievements in 2012.
Women and girls run the risk of being left behind in scientific and technological fields if countries do not put measures in place to address discrimination and change traditional attitudes, the United Nations said today, warning that this gap constitutes an obstacle to nations' progress.
Source: AllAfrica
Human Rights and Transitional Justice Minister Samir Dilou received, on Monday in Tunis, a delegation of the United Nations Working group in charge of the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice.
Source: Voice of America
Women played a major role in the revolution that brought down Egypt's old government. But nearly two years on, many say they have seen little reward. In terms of physical security, activists say the plight of women is getting worse.Source: The New Vision
It is now considered dangerous for an outsider to witness. But determination led me to the land of the Sabiny to see how far the fight against this illegal practice has gone.
THE year 2012 has gone but it has left deep scars of gender-based violence (GBV) which has become a common characteristic not only to Central province but the country's society as a whole, as highlighted by the Zambian media.
In the southern Senegal village of Kael Bessel, female genital mutilation is no longer a taboo subject. Sexagenarian Fatoumata Sabaly speaks freely about female circumcision and girls' rights with her friends.
Swazi women are organizing to promote their rights and welfare, convinced that discriminatory laws are at odds with the essential roles they play in their families and in their country’s economy.
Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women Michelle Bachelet will highlight the urgent need for increasing women’s participation as the foundation for nation building and economic progress during her forthcoming trip to West Africa.