By Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury is the Founder of the Global Movement for The Culture of Peace (GMCoP), Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN (1996-2001) and Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations (2002-2007). The following is based on his inaugural keynote speech at the first “Exceptional Women of […]
Full Gender Equality Still Centuries Away, Warns New UN Report
By Caroline Mwanga NEW YORK (IDN) — The latest available Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 data show that the world is not on track to achieving gender equality by 2030. At the current rate of progress, it may take close to 300 years to achieve full gender equality, according to the new report by the […]
Afghanistan: UN Human Rights Experts Warn of Bleak Future Without Turnaround
Jamshed Baruah GENEVA (IDN) — UN experts are warning that Afghanistan’s future is bleak if more is not done to reverse the deteriorating human rights situation, particularly for women and girls. They call on the international community to intensify efforts to urge de facto authorities to adhere to basic human rights principles.
African Abortion Rights Now at Risk After US Supreme Court Decision
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — In Africa, where the risk of dying from an unsafe abortion is the highest in the world, Roe v Wade has long been an important weapon in the arsenal of those fighting to liberalize abortion laws and make the procedure safer for women and girls […]
Economic Gender Equality Falls Short—Despite Investments in Girls’ Education
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — A new study concludes that investments in girls’ education have failed to deliver economic equality for women. The researchers found that while such investments have delivered many other benefits—including better health outcomes for women and their families—the economic returns are often disappointing.
Women Die in Troubled Marriages Because We Slay Singles
Nigerian Gospel Singer Dead at 42 Viewpoint by Azu Ishiekwen The writer is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP newspaper based in Abuja, Nigeria. ABUJA (IDN) — A good number of those I have spoken with since the news of her tragic death broke on April 8 night, said Nigerian gospel artiste, Osinachi Nwachukwu, 42, should […]
Feminist UN Campaign Report Wants UN Chief to Walk the Talk
By J C Suresh WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN) — “Talk less, act more …. All words are like feathers in the air,” commented an informant of the Feminist UN Campaign‘s report on UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commitment to gender equality in his five-year first term. In fact, key informants reported that staff remain disillusioned with the […]
Int’l Women’s Day: Nigerian Lawmakers Quashed Gender Equality Bill
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — For the third time in five years, Nigeria’s National Assembly has voted against a bill providing affirmative action for women in political party administration. The lawmakers also voted against a provision to create special seats for women in the national and state assemblies.
A UN Under-Secretary-General with Links to a Royal Court?
By Razeena Raheem NEW YORK (IDN)— Dr. Sima Sami Bahous, 65, a former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with links to the Royal court, is the front runner for the post of new Executive Director of UN Women. She is the lead candidate among several contenders for the job which […]
Historic Forum Concludes in Paris Pledging to Advance Gender Equality by 2026
By Jaya Ramachandran PARIS (IDN) — The historic Generation Equality Forum concluded in Paris on July 2 with the announcement of gender equality commitments and launch of a global five-year action plan to accelerate gender equality by 2026. The Forum’s bold, action-oriented agenda will be under-written by nearly USD 40 Billion of confirmed investments as […]