Time to end gender-based violence, boost role of women in politics, public life

Time to end gender-based violence, boost role of women in politics, public life

Speaking to the Council’s annual meeting in Geneva on protecting the rights of women and girls, the UN High Commissioner said it was an urgent task, and there needed to be zero-tolerance of gender-based violence.  He highlighted the alarming reality that female human rights defenders, women journalists, and those in public office and political decision-making…

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The Taliban banned women from working on welfare projects

The Taliban banned women from working on welfare projects

Female employees of the Norwegian Refugee Council working in Afghanistan, file photo In Kandahar province, Afghanistan, the Taliban have banned female employees from working on a refugee project. An official letter issued by the Taliban has banned women from working, although some organizations have made exceptions for their female employees. The letter said that the…

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Urgent reform needed to shield women and children from violence during custody battles

Urgent reform needed to shield women and children from violence during custody battles

“The tendency of family courts to dismiss the history of domestic violence and abuse in custody cases, especially where mothers and/or children have brought forward credible allegations of domestic abuse, including coercive control, physical or sexual abuse is unacceptable,” said Reem Alsalem, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, in a report to the Human Rights Council…

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Afghanistan mission chief to Taliban: Bans on women and girls cost you legitimacy at home and abroad

Afghanistan mission chief to Taliban: Bans on women and girls cost you legitimacy at home and abroad

UN Special Representative Roza Otunbayeva was briefing the Security Council on the dire situation facing the country and the international aid effort, with UN women workers among those now prevented by Taliban edicts from working. “We will not put our national staff in danger and therefore we are asking them not to report to the office”…

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