Women living longer but still face serious challenges worldwide

Women around the world are living longer than ever, but still face formidable challenges when it comes to issues of equality. That’s just one of the findings of a new report on the lives of women released by the United Nations on Tuesday. The “World’s Women 2015” report takes a comprehensive view of the state of women’s affairs globally, based on data and statistics gathered from all around the world. The report details a number of advancements made in the last five years but also highlights persistent challenges.

Discrimination battle facing women in prison

Reducing the number of women in jail around the world needs to become a bigger priority, according to an expert panel that met at United Nations. Women face discrimination, and censure if they end up in prison, the event heard, regardless of where they live. The meeting was organized by the Thailand Institute of Justice, together with the pressure group Penal Reform International. Matthew Wells asked the group’s Olivia Rope, why it was important to highlight this issue now.

Putting Afghan women at the centre of farming development.

A lack of land and capital has been hampering the role of Afghan women in the countryside, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture representative there. FAO country director, Tomio Shichiri, was speaking just after the launch of a new national strategy for agriculture in Afghanistan, promoted by both the FAO and Afghan government. Funding will be provided by the German government. Setyo Bundi spoke to Mr Shichiri, and began by asking him why a new national approach was needed now.

Presenter: Veronica Reeves

Production Assistant: Sandra Guy

Duration: 10'00″