UN News Centre - Women, Children, Population http://www.un.org/news A world of news from the world organization. en-us Copyright 2012, UN News Centre UN News Centre http://www.un.org/News/dh/latest/media/nslogo.gif http://www.un.org/news 140 Latest from the UN News Service UN welcomes charges against army colonel over mass rapes in Guinea http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41207&Cr=guinea&Cr1= Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST A senior United Nations official welcomed today the news that a Guinean court has filed charges against an army colonel accused of being responsible for mass rapes that occurred during a pro-democracy protest in the country's capital in 2009. UN official urges Syria to immediately end violations against children http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41184&Cr=Syria&Cr1= Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST After another day of deadly violence in Syria, a senior United Nations official today added her voice to calls on the country's Government to stop the killing and maiming of children. Most workers in Afghan brick kilns are bonded child labourers - UN-backed survey http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41177&Cr=afghan&Cr1= Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST A new United Nations-backed survey has found that most workers in Afghanistan's brick kilns are bonded child labourers, and calls for a strategy that will both provide relief to bonded families and help them escape the cycles of debt, dependence and poverty. As Syrian violence rages on, UNICEF voices alarm over plight of children http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41157&Cr=Syria&Cr1= Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST UNICEF today sounded the alarm about the plight of children caught up in the bloodshed in Syria, where nearly 11 months of violence have led to the deaths and injuries of hundreds of young people. Nearly 2,000 African communities end female genital mutilation - UN http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41149&Cr=women&Cr1=health Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST A new United Nations report shows that almost 2,000 communities across Africa abandoned female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) last year, prompting calls for a renewed global push to end this harmful practice once and for all. UN Women to focus on boosting economic empowerment and political roles http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41120&Cr=un+women&Cr1= Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST The head of the United Nations entity mandated to promote gender equality today said that her priority this year is to enhance the economic empowerment and political participation of women and called for the support of the international community and the entire UN system to ensure success. Italy must urgently act to end violence against women, UN rights expert says http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41069&Cr=violence+against+women&Cr1= Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST Italy must do more to protect women from violence and urgently address the underlying structural causes of gender inequality and discrimination, an independent United Nations human rights expert warned after visiting the country. UNICEF appeals for nearly $1.3 billion to assist children in 2012 http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41059&Cr=UNICEF&Cr1= Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) appealed today for $1.28 billion to provide humanitarian assistance to children in over 25 countries this year, with nearly one-third of the total amount earmarked for the crisis in the Horn of Africa. Women's education ‘smartest global investment,' Ban tells World Economic Forum http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41055&Cr=davos&Cr1= Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called today on business leaders attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to increase their investment in women's education and health to ensure their well-being and encourage their participation in the world economy. UN and South-east Asian nations partner to end violence against women and children http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40967&Cr=violence+against+women+and+children&Cr1= Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST Representatives from the United Nations and South-east Asian nations have teamed up to explore ways to address the multifaceted issue of violence against women and children in the region, holding a two-day meeting aimed at strengthening measures against the problem.