A UN Women Feature NEW YORK (IDN) — For over a decade, Syria’s protracted conflict has taken countless lives, displaced millions in and outside the country and left much of its infrastructure in tatters. International mediation efforts to end the conflict have largely stalled, in part because the local dynamics that help fuel the crisis […]
UN Report Highlights Women’s Mediation Efforts in Four Arab Countries
By Caroline Mwanga NEW YORK (IDN) — Though largely excluded from formal mediation roles, women across conflict-affected countries in the Arab region have been instrumental in diffusing tensions and mediating conflicts in their own communities. UN Women’s new report, “Women’s Participation in Local Mediation: Lessons from Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen”, highlights the diverse mediation roles […]
Digital Finance Can Drive Women’s Economic Empowerment in Africa
From Africa Renewal By Economic Commission for Africa UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — A new report reveals persistent barriers in the digital finance sector that limit women’s economic empowerment in Africa while recommending policy responses to overcome them. Commissioned by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the latest edition of the biennial African Women’s […]
Iran Overwhelmed by “Women-Life-Liberty!” Cries
Viewpoint by René Wadlow, President, Association of World Citizens GENEVA (IDN) — The cry “Women-Life-Liberty!” is going up in many different parts of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is not possible to know in advance how strong the protests will be and what will be specific reforms demanded. However, the Government is worried. On […]
Women Leadership Forum Discusses the Significance of Gender Equality
By Aurora Weiss VIENNA (IDN) — The gender pay gap, inequality in access to education and the labour market: These issues remain pertinent in the 21st century. Achieving full gender equality, one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), could take close to 300 years if the current rate of progress continues, noted a report […]
Women’s Equality Makes Our Planet Safe and Secure
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.