‘Radical change of direction’ needed in women, peace and security agenda

‘Radical change of direction’ needed in women, peace and security agenda

Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, was speaking during a Council meeting to reaffirm the importance of Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security,  adopted in October 2000, and to take stock of implementation since it turned 20 nearly three years ago.  “As we meet today at the mid-point between the 20th and 25th anniversaries, on…

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UN’s commission on women opens amid vanishing progress on rights

UN’s commission on women opens amid vanishing progress on rights

Over the next two weeks, participants from across the world – including representatives from governments, the UN, civil society and youth groups, as well as activists – will examine how gender equality, empowerment and sustainable development can be achieved in the digital era.  The meeting, known as CSW67, will also highlight online violence and other…

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Jobs and pay for women, barely improved in 20 years: UN labour agency

Jobs and pay for women, barely improved in 20 years: UN labour agency

The jobs gap for women is a “stubborn and damaging reality of the global labour market” but it is particularly worrying in developing countries, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said, with almost one in four women unable to find a job, compared with 16.6 per cent of men. ‘Bleaker picture’ That assessment is based on new data gathered from…

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Equality drive launched by African women leaders at landmark conference

Equality drive launched by African women leaders at landmark conference

Almost 400 women leaders from 15 African countries joined the UN-backed three-day conference, which opened on Monday, including former and current presidents. The goal is to advance progress, tackle pressing concerns and find sustainable solutions to issues affecting women and girls in South Sudan and across Africa. The conference’s theme is GuwaTaMara, meaning the strength…

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‘More women and girls in science equals better science’, UN chief declares

‘More women and girls in science equals better science’, UN chief declares

That’s the message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, who appealed for concrete action to increase their ranks.  Diversity and fresh perspectives  “On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we highlight a simple equation: More women and girls in science equals better…

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Zambia: New grant gives boost to women peacekeepers

Zambia: New grant gives boost to women peacekeepers

“My Command appreciates the recognition of female officers as a catalyst of systematic change within the Zambia Police Service,” said the Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba. “We take very seriously our role in driving policy reforms, ensuring gender mainstreaming and accountability for gender equality and women’s empowerment within our institution.” Rostering more female officers…

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‘Equal rights cannot wait’ on International Day of Women in Multilateralism

‘Equal rights cannot wait’ on International Day of Women in Multilateralism

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay made the appeal in her message to mark the International Day of Women in Multilateralism, which highlights their role in building peace and ensuring sustainable development.  It also provides an opportunity to advocate for increased representation of women in key decision-making positions in global collaboration.  ‘Incomprehensible inequality gap’   “Celebrating their…

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UN deputy chief reminds Taliban: Islam does not ban women from education 

UN deputy chief reminds Taliban: Islam does not ban women from education 

Traveling with UN Women chief Sima Bahous, and other senior officials, she told journalists on Thursday that she had informed Taliban leaders that a society based on exclusion and repression could never flourish.  The first goal of the visit focused on “solidarity and the importance of women’s rights…with a view to education, secondary and tertiary”.  …

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