women

Rashida Manjoo, Special Rapporteur on violence against women.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Jordan must act to end violence against women, UN rights expert says

24 November 2011
Jordan must take further steps to eradicate violence against women and ensure gender equality, an independent United Nations human rights expert said today.
Photo: UNAMA
UNAMA

Afghanistan has ‘long way to go’ in protecting women from violence – UN report

23 November 2011
There is a long way to go before the rights of Afghan women are fully protected, says a United Nations report released today, noting that the Government has not yet succeeded in applying a two-year-old landmark law to the vast majority of cases of violence against women.
Women from Um Dersay IDP Camp (Shangil Tubaya, North Darfur) participate in a gender awareness training

Women must play greater role in conflict prevention, peacebuilding – Security Council

28 October 2011
The Security Council today welcomed efforts by countries to implement a landmark resolution calling for strengthening women’s participation in peacebuilding, peacekeeping, conflict prevention and mediation process, but voiced concern over continuing gaps in implementing the resolution.
Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers Gabriela Knaul.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN expert calls for integration of gender perspective into criminal justice systems

21 October 2011
A gender perspective needs to be integrated into countries’ criminal justice systems to ensure women are not “ruled out of the law,” the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Gabriela Knaul said today.
2011 Nobel Peace Prize joint winners Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Tawakkul Karman, and Leymah Gbowee

UN lauds awarding of Nobel Peace Prize to three women’s activists

7 October 2011
United Nations officials have hailed today’s awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to three women’s activists, saying the recipients demonstrate the vital role that women play in advancing peace and security, boosting development and securing human rights around the globe.

Female leaders in West Africa receive UN-backed training on mediation

3 October 2011
Thirty-two women leaders from 16 West African countries are meeting in Senegal today to attend a series of United Nations-backed training sessions aiming to boost the participation of female mediators in peace processes across the region.

Lauding progress to date, Ban calls for boosting efforts to save women and children

20 September 2011
While lauding the progress made over the past year in the global effort to save women’s and children’s lives, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today noted that millions of them are still dying needless deaths and called for advancing the goal of saving 16 million lives by 2015.
UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

UN meeting calls for secure supply of contraceptives in developing countries

7 September 2011
First ladies, health and finance ministers, and parliamentarians from 12 developing countries at a United Nations meeting declared today that voluntary family planning, secured by a steady supply of contraceptives, is a national priority for saving women’s lives.
Fred Eckhard distributing bonuses to girls in Koudougou, Burkina Faso, aided by Gilberte Saint Cast's association

From the Field: One man's efforts to help girls' education in Burkina Faso

13 June 2011
The job of spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General involves working long hours in a highly sensitive political environment, following the 24-hour news cycle and being frequently away from home.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the launch of the Global Partnership for Girls’ and Women’s Education at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris

Ban outlines social benefits of ensuring women have access to education

26 May 2011
Secretary-Ban Ki-moon today underlined the huge benefits societies reap from ensuring that girls and women have access to education, saying the opportunity to acquire knowledge creates a new generation of mothers who in turn raise educated and empowered young women.