Global perspective Human stories

UN Gender Focus

UN Gender Focus: Yazidis in Iraq, LGBTI issues and human trafficking

We feel forgotten, say Yazidis battling sex-slavery

An activist helping girls from the Yazidi minority of Northern Iraq escape sexual enslavement by ISIL fighters worries his people are being forgotten. Thousands of members of the Yazidi community were captured and sold into slavery last year by the terrorist group. At briefing at UN headquarters on ISIL and its impact on women, the testimony from one young victim who had been sold into slavery, and then raped was particularly gripping. Matthew Wells reports:

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Gender issues must feature in new climate deal

The important linkages between gender issues and climate change are being emphasized as world leaders prepare to endorse a new, universal climate change agreement at the end of the year.

Experts gathered for a panel discussion on the margins of the UN General Assembly to discuss the need to ensure that women’s issues are taken into account in the new climate deal.

Veronica Reeves spoke to Dr Yannick Glemarec, the Assistant Secretary-General of UN Women.

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