Rape chants lay bare Burundi terror campaign: UN human rights chief

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed deep alarm at a widespread pattern of rallies in Burundi where members of the ruling party’s youth wing chant about impregnating and killing their opponents. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said the organized nature of these marches, coupled with reports of serious human rights violations, lay bare the campaign of terror being waged in the African country. Meanwhile, a video has been circulating on social media showing more than 100 members of the Imbonerakure youth militia repeating similar slogans.  Matthew Wells spoke to Scott Campbell of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) about the situation on the ground.

UN Women timeline earns nomination for top internet awards

An interactive timeline chronicling the accomplishments of women over the centuries has been nominated for a Webby, the leading international award honouring excellence on the Internet. Produced by UN Women, it showcases contributions dating back hundreds of years that trailblazing women made in a wide range of fields: from art to science and literature to law. UN Women invites everyone to visit the Webby site, which covers complex social issues and vote for one of this year’s nominees. Liz Scaffidi spoke with Jaya Jiwatram, the Digital and Interactive Media Specialist at UN Women, to find out why, among other things, they chose to begin the timeline at 400 BC.

Saudi women’s access to workforce a “human rights issue”

Barriers to women’s full workplace participation persist in Saudi Arabia, despite UN data showing that economic growth improves with a more diverse workforce. That’s what Muna AbuSulayman, founder and co-host of Kalaem Nawaem, a popular social issues program on Arab television, told Bruce Edwards of the International Monetary Fund or IMF. In 2012, a decree issued by King Abdullah authorizing women to work in retail, helped transform millions of lives and the recently launched “Vision 2030” poverty reduction programme is encouraging more women to enter the labour market. Ms AbuSulayman told Mr Edwards that Arab women should be free to achieve their goals without cultural or economic barriers.

Presenter: Jocelyne Sambira

Production Assistant: Ana Carmo

Duration: 10'00"