76 countries still criminalize consensual same-sex relationships and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people everywhere continue to suffer violent attacks and discriminatory treatment. In this simple, high-impact video from the UN human rights office, individuals from diverse backgrounds pose questions directly to the viewer designed to expose the nature of human rights violations suffered by LGBT people around the world. The video includes cameo appearances by UN Secretary-General and High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. The UN's message: LGBT rights are human rights. Together we will build a world that is free and equal. OHCHR, 2013
The Role of Data in Addressing Violence against Women and Girls
As the global spotlight has turned more sharply over the last decade on the persistence of violence against women and girls, the need for more and better data to inform evidence-based programming in order to address this human rights violation has escalated. As this brochure describes, advocates and defenders of women's and girls' safety and rights, as well as international agencies, national policymakers and donors, need to to understand the nature and magnitude of the violence. UNFPA, 2013
Food Gets Girls In School In Yemen
Ali Mohamed Ghaleb's five daughters give him a special interest in supporting the innovative Food For Girls' Education Programme that WFP has been operating in Yemen since 2007. The 44-year-old retired military officer says it helps him keep them in school. UNESCO, 20 May 2013
"Afghanistan has to take its future in its own hands" declares President Hamid Karzai
On the occasion of her official visit to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, met President Hamid Karzai on 18 May 2013 at the Presidential Palace in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai thanked the Director-General for UNESCO's contribution to Afghanistan, notably in the fields of education and culture. "I congratulate you for your leadership to stand up for girls' education. Through your initiative for Malala, I hope you will continue to speak up for the education of girls of Afghanistan and Pakistan", which he defined as most challenging. UNESCO, 20 May 2013Afghan police force recruits women to fight crime and stigma
It was four years ago that Captain Zohra Daulatzia joined the Afghan National Police. But the mother of two girls still gets excited about that momentous day in her life when she achieved one of her life's greatest ambitions. "I was excited to wear the uniform and felt like I was in the sky and not on earth. I was full of joy," she says. UNDP, 17 May 2013UN General Assembly - Focus on human trafficking
Trafficking in human beings is an illegal activity that generates over $30 billion a year and affects more than 20 million people, according to United Nations figures. The General Assembly on Monday held a high-level meeting on the Appraisal of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. The meeting brought together senior United Nations and government officials as well as some of the survivors of trafficking who are now in the forefront of the global campaign to end it. UN Radio, 17 May 2013UN Secretary-General, in Observance Message, Equates Fight against Homophobia with Struggle to Eliminate Racism, Promote Gender Equality
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's message, delivered by Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to the International Forum on the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, in The Hague. UN, 17 May 2013The Gender Unit, Department of Labour Punjab, wins prestigious UN Public Service Award
The Gender Unit, Department of Labour, Punjab, established under the ILO, CIDA funded project, Promoting Gender Equality for Decent Employment (GE4DE), has, from amongst 2000 applicants, won a United Nations Public Service Award in recognition of its work on gender mainstreaming. ILO, 17 May 2013Putting a stop to homophobic bullying, a year of action
"My grades fell dramatically. I started skipping school. I often stayed in bed and cried." This testimony is typical of the experience of many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students around the world. These young people are often denied their right to education because of discrimination and violence based on real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. UNESCO, 16 May 2013Progress in improving health in the poorest countries, but inequalities persist
Considerable progress has been made in reducing child and maternal deaths, improving nutrition and reducing deaths and illness from HIV infection, tuberculosis and malaria, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In its annual World Health statistics publication, WHO also says efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have reduced health gaps between rich and poor countries. UN Radio, 15 May 2013UN Fifth Committee Hails Progress Towards Zero Tolerance of Sexual Abuse by United Nations Personnel
As the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) on Tuesday scrutinized the Secretariat's various reports on cross-cutting aspects of United Nations peacekeeping operations and their support account, most delegates hailed progress made towards stamping out sexual abuse by peacekeepers and implementing the Global Field Support Strategy, but offered divergent views on the peacekeeping budget proposed for the July 2013 to June 2014 period. UN, 15 May 2013
The Role of Data in Addressing Violence against Women and Girls
