Author Archives: UN Women Editor

Call for Applications: 2013 SEED Awards seek innovative projects on gender equality and women’s empowerment

UN Women joins the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, the government of Flanders, the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the international law firm Hogan Lovells in supporting the SEED Award, an initiative that aims to help the most promising start-up entrepreneurs, women-led enterprises and other social and environmental inspiring businesses to integrate ideas and proposals to address pressing local issues.

Posted in Economic Empowerment, Environment, Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, News | Comments Off

Acting Head of UN Women appointed

Following the announcement of her departure by Michelle Bachelet, founding Executive Director of UN Women, the UN Secretary-General has designated Lakshmi Puri, Assistant Secretary-General and UN Women Deputy Executive Director, as the Acting Head of the organization, until further notice. Ms. Puri will take on her new role with immediate effect.

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Women peace advocates put forth key recommendations for Sahel region

UN Women calls for greater participation of women to achieve peace in Sahel and urge world leaders to protect and advance women’s rights

Posted in Africa, Economic Empowerment, Ending Violence against Women, Governance, Leadership and Political Participation, News, Peace and Security | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Lakshmi Puri leads discussion on gender equality post-MDGs at Women Leaders of New Asia Summit

From 12-14 April, Lakshmi Puri, UN Women Acting Head and Assistant Secretary-General will speak at the Women Leaders of New Asia Summit in New Delhi, organized by the Asia Society, an educational organization dedicated to strengthening partnerships and understanding between the people and institutions of Asia and the United States. The Summit will bring together experts from different fields and countries across Asia-Pacific and beyond to discuss the role of women and gender, including in a future global development agenda, once the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) conclude in 2015.

Posted in Asia and the Pacific, Ending Violence against Women, Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, Media Advisories, Millennium Development Goals, News, Sustainable Development | Comments Off

Thailand launches One-Stop Crisis Centre to respond to violence against women

The launch of Thailand’s pioneering One-Stop Crisis Centre by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on 9 April reinforces the continuing efforts to respond to and prevent violence against women and girls after Thailand joined UN Women’s newest global initiative, COMMIT.

Posted in Asia and the Pacific, Ending Violence against Women, National Planning and Budgeting, News | Comments Off

In Tajikistan, rural women gain business skills and independence through self-help groups

A UN Women supported project is training the families of migrants and rural women’s groups to start their own businesses, helping them access micro-credits, and fostering their economic empowerment. They also learn how to save energy and manage household budgets.

Posted in Economic Empowerment, Europe and Central Asia, Human Rights, News, Stories from the Field, Sustainable Development | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Sahel Conference says women’s full participation essential to conflict resolution and economic recovery

Press release on the Sahel Conference: Some 40 women from the Sahel met today to underline the crucial contributions women from the region are making to economic recovery, political stability and conflict prevention, and to explore ways to enhance their role in these areas.

Posted in Africa, Economic Empowerment, Exclude from Frontpage, Governance, Leadership and Political Participation, Peace and Security, Press Releases | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off

Speech by Lakshmi Puri at the High-level Conference on Women’s Leadership in the Sahel

Speech by Lakshmi Puri, Acting Head of UN Women, at the High-level Conference on Women’s Leadership in the Sahel, 9 April 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Posted in Africa, Deputy Executive Director Lakshmi Puri, Economic Empowerment, Ending Violence against Women, Governance, Leadership and Political Participation, Human Rights, Peace and Security, Speeches and Statements | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Domestic workers gain equal rights in Brazil

On the occasion of the enactment of a new law granting equal rights to domestic workers last week, UN Women launched a study on the positive impact of formalizing such employment, both for Brazil’s economy and for the country’s efforts to reduce poverty.

Posted in Americas and the Caribbean, Economic Empowerment, Human Rights, News | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

Ensuring mothers do not die when giving life

A programme in seven countries advances efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality highlighting the links between violence against women and maternal health, and training midwives and community health workers to bring long-term change.

Posted in Africa, Ending Violence against Women, Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, Health, News, Stories from the Field | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off