Women should be able to “leapfrog” into evolving world of work

The world of work is changing and women should be empowered to “leapfrog” into high-tech or green jobs in the future, the Deputy-Executive Director of UN Women has said. Lakshmi Puri shared this message with delegates at a multi-stakeholder forum on “Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Changing World of Work”. It is also the priority theme for the latest session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) taking place in March. Speaking to Jocelyne Sambira, Ms Puri also highlighted the structural barriers to gender equality and gender-based discrimination that persist within and across national boundaries.

“Massive structural transformation” needed to advance women’s political representation in Somalia

A “massive, structural transformation” is needed to advance women’s political representation in Somalia, a female member of parliament or MP has urged. Asha Gelle Dirie was appointed Chairperson of the Committee of Goodwill Ambassadors in the Horn of Africa country to help women secure 30 per cent of seats in the Federal Parliament. Women faced a tough battle in last year’s election, she recently told members of the UN Security Council, but ultimately won 25 per cent of seats. Speaking to Vibhu Mishra, Ms. Dirie called for more logistical and financial support for women in politics to “even the playing field”.

Young people have a “right to participate” in decisions about their sexual health, says youth advocate

Stigma around sexuality in young people can hinder conversations with policy makers, but young people have a “right to participate” in decisions about their sexual health, a youth advocate says. Hayley Gleeson is coordinator of ACT!2015, a global youth-driven initiative that calls for government accountability around HIV and encourages solidarity between youth organizations working with HIV. ACT!2015 is a project from UNAIDS and the International Planned Parenthood Federation. Ms Gleeson was part of a panel on youth engagement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a Youth Forum held this week at UN Headquarters in New York. She spoke to Jocelyne Sambira about the need to remove stigma around sexuality in young people.

Presenter: Dianne Penn

Production Assistant: Sandra Guy

Duration: 10'00″