First Person

Afghan female students participate in a theatre performance at a school in Herat, eastern Afghanistan (file)
UNAMA/Fraidoon Poya

First Person: The ‘bravery’ of Afghanistan's girls and women

22 September 2021
Women

Afghanistan’s girls and women are showing “bravery” in the face of real “fears and pressures” following the formation of the new, de facto authorities in Afghanistan,  according to a UNICEF member of staff, one of the few westerners to remain in Kabul.

Joenia Wapixana, activist for the rights of indigenous people in Brazil
UN News/Daniela Gross

First Person: A life dedicated to indigenous rights in Brazil

18 September 2021
Human Rights

For almost 30 years, Brazilian activist Joenia Wapixana, has been fighting for indigenous land rights and against “institutionalized discrimination” in Brazil. In a special interview with UN News, to mark the 20th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, she says it’s time to dedicate more resources to this fight.

Children and women remain highly vulnerable to trafficking in Asia and the Middle East.
© UNICEF/Shehzad Noorani

First Person: Human trafficking, migrant smuggling, still significant threats in Asia

12 September 2021
Law and Crime Prevention

Human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants are going to remain significant threats to human security, that’s according to a trafficking and migrant expert working in the Middle East and Asia region for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Hadeel Al-Zoubi is a Senior Camp Assistant for UN Women working in Za’atari and Azraq camps for displaced people in Jordan.
UN Women

First Person: A refuge from COVID misinformation

11 September 2021
Health

The COVID-19 inoculation is "just like any other vaccine" a UN Women staff member is telling the Syrian refugee women she cares for in camps in Jordan, as she tries to combat misinformation and false rumours, and avoid spikes in infection.