UN Women to Further Women's Empowerment

Yesterday, UN Women announced that they will donate $10.5 million to organizations working to empower women economically and politically in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Central Asia.  Initial grants of $200,000 will fund initiatives that make visible improvements in achieving gender equality.

Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director for UN Women has already revealed the grant recipients within the Middle Eastern region. The grants, which will total $4.85 million, will fund fifteen organizations in Egypt, Libya, and Yemen. Increasing women's political participation and improving the usage of technology for sustainable energy are just some of the initiatives pursued by these organizations.

Ms.Bachelet has commented that this fund is imperative for overall international economic development. "At this moment of historic shane, we cannot afford to leave women out. These grants will advance women's efforts to achieve greater economic and political equality during this time of transition."

-Akshika Patel


SOURCE: UN News Centre

Caribbean Region Joins UNiTE Campaign

Yesterday, the Caribbean region officially joined the United Nations UNiTE campaign, a mission to end international violence against women. The campaign was launched by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2008, calling for nations to make systemic changes in order to address sexual violence.

It is estimated that today, 1 in 3 women living in the Caribbean experience sexual violence in their lifetime. Prosecutions and convictions of abusers, however, remain extremely low. Participation in the UNiTE campaign is intended to raise awareness of sexual violence in the region, improve methods of prevention and and services for victims of gender-based violence, and educate girls and boys to embrace equality and challenge destructive gender stereotypes.

“Violence against women must not be tolerated, in any form, in any context, in any circumstance, by any political leader or by any government. There can be no exceptions, no excuses and no delay,” said the Secretary-General at the launch of the campaign in Barbados yesterday.

-Elizabeth Newton

SOURCE: UN News Centre