Gender equality is “central to development”: UNFPA

Access to services, removal of stigma and “education, education, education,” are crucial aspects of promoting gender equality and empowering women to make decisions about their reproductive health. That’s according to Dr. Babatunde Osotim-ehin, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Dr Osotim-ehin was at UN Headquarters for a panel discussion on the sexual and reproductive health of young people. Following the discussion, Dr Osotimehin spoke to Lucy Dean about the importance of sexual and reproductive education.

Reduce imprisonment of indigenous people in Australia: UN rights expert

Australia must take action to reduce what one UN human rights expert sees as the country’s “astounding” imprisonment rate for indigenous people, particularly women and girls. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz said although Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders make up only three per cent of the population, they constitute nearly 30 per cent of those in jail. The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people has just concluded a 15-day official visit to the country. She reported that indigenous women and girls made up more than 90 per cent of prisoners at just one detention centre she visited. She spoke to Julia Dean.

Mostly male armies of the world inhibit more women in peacekeeping: Ladsous

The fact that most of the world’s armies are still male bastions has been a factor in limiting the number of women the UN can attract to peacekeeping operations. That’s the view of Hervé Ladsous, who recently retired as head of UN Peacekeeping (DPKO). He said DPKO had become more efficient in recent years, without "lowering the quality" of the often life-saving services it provides around the world. Around 126 countries contribute civilian, military and police personnel to DPKO, which has well over 100,000 people on active duty. Jocelyne Sambira asked him if he was satisfied with the progress DPKO had made recruiting more women.

Presenter: Matthew Wells

Production Assistant: Ana Carmo

Duration: 10'00″