The hidden weapon against hunger is the improvement of women’s rights, says the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food.
Oliver de Schutter says with men frequently moving away from the farm in search of work, the “feminization of agriculture” is one very important characteristic of the agrarian transition over the past few years.
In most countries, religious, customary and state laws allow women to get limited property rights or none at all during marriage, or upon divorce or widowhood. In such instances, husbands and fathers usually control women’s mobility, economic welfare and family decision-making.
As a result, a recommendation to protect women’s rights on this issue was submitted by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in 5 June 2009.
Beng Poblete-Enriquez reports:
Duration: 2'46"
IOM, the International Organization for Migration, is putting in place humanitarian aid ahead of the upcoming elections in Kenya, scheduled to take place on the 4th of March.
Since 1992, Kenya has seen pre- and post-election violence that has displaced thousands of people and left scores dead.
IOM Spokesperson Jumbe Omari Jumbe told Gerry Adams that IOM does not expect violence this time, but wants to be prepared in the event any emergencies arise.
Duration: 3'52"
The first comprehensive global report by the World Health Organization (WHO) associated with the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant accident in Japan in March 2011, was released today.
WHO says the report, called the “Health Risk Assessment from the Nuclear Accident after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, was done to estimate the potential public health impact, looking at health risks and not the health effects.
Beng Poblete-Enriquez reports:
Duration: 2'29"
In the face of persistent violence against women and girls, the UN Human Rights Council, convening in Geneva, is taking up the issue of women’s access to justice.
The Council says justice for women is more complicated than just adopting laws.
Gerry Adams reports.
Duration: 3'03"
Ten female mountain climbers are preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to encourage girls and women around the world that they can achieve anything with effort and education.
The climbers, seven from Nepal, two from Tanzania and one from South Africa, include two women who benefited from World Food Programme school meals when they were children.
Gerry Adams discussed the historic climb with World Food Programme Spokesperson Jane Howard on the line from Rome.
Duration: 2'50"
The Fifth Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, a forum for inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue, opened on Wednesday in Vienna, Austria.
Established in 2005 on the initiative of Spain and Turkey, the Alliance of Civilizations seeks to build trust and understanding across cultures and communities around the world.
Beng Poblete-Enriquez reports:
Duration: 2'34"
As Kenyans get ready to participate in general elections on Monday, a human rights expert is urging the Kenyan Government and the international community to scale up efforts to prevent displacement related to the polls.
Special Rapporteur on the rights of internally displaced persons, Chaloka Beyani says there have been instances of localized violence in the run up to the elections.
He says his main concern is that displacement in Kenya has followed each election cycle.
“Working together to forge solutions to so many of humanity’s most inhuman acts, is itself a testament to the power and progress that comes from the cooperation at the root of the United Nations and of the Human Rights Council”, the representative from the United States said as the council wrapped up a second day of its high-level segment in Geneva.
Most delegates spoke about their concerns regarding the deteriorating situation in Syria and also outlined some of the efforts their countries have taken and are still undertaking in the promotion and protection of human rights.
At a posh dinner in Nairobi in February, hundreds of ministers and high-level officials dined at the headquarters of the UN Environment Program (UNEP).
They feasted on perfectly good food grown by Kenyan farmers but rejected by supermarkets in the United Kingdom.
Why the rejection? Cosmetic imperfections.
The dinner was held to make a point – that more effort should be made to cut massive levels of global food loss and waste.
Gerry Adams has the story.
Duration: 3'07"
