The European Union and UN Women Call for Accelerating Progress towards Ending Violence against Women and Girls

Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2020

To mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, the European Union in Indonesia together with UN Women organized a public discussion on 25 November 2019 on women’s rights to live free from violence. In line with this year’s theme for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, Orange the world: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape, it was also highlighted how everyone can contribute to making a world that is equal and violence free, from supporting and believing survivors, to speaking out to end the rape culture that allows sexual violence to be normalized.

Supporting Women Survivors of GBV to Obtain Services and Access Justice

Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Various studies have demonstrated that women are at risk of physical, emotional and financial abuse both within their households and in public spaces, which prevents them from unlocking their full potential in the social, economic and political spheres. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), 5660 crimes were reported against women in 2017 and these numbers are just the tip of the iceberg, as VAWG is severely under-reported due to various factors such as illiteracy, fear, perception of dishonour and lack of resources to seek justice.

Philippine Police and Customs Officers Challenge Gender Stereotypes

Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Officers of the Philippine security sector gathered in Manila to discuss needs of women and girls in cross-border situations. The five-day training in Manila aimed to strengthen a gender-responsive, survivor-centred approach to transnational crime investigations. It was hosted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women with support from the Government of Canada.

Bangladesh launches first National Action Plan on women, peace and security as per UN resolutions

Date: Friday, January 10, 2020

Bangladesh has launched a four-year action plan on women, peace and security, to transpose at national level a series of resolutions by the UN Security Council. The National Action Plan (NAP) will expand women’s roles in peacekeeping, peacebuilding, disaster management, and preventing violent extremism. This will build on Bangladesh’s efforts to establish peace and security within and beyond its borders.

High-level visit showcases Thai town working to end human trafficking

Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2020

At first glance, Chiang Khong is like any other town in northern Thailand. Lined with hotels and restaurants, the river offers passersby a glimpse of Lao PDR on the other side. A bridge connecting the two countries means a steady flow of trade and travelers. But 20 years ago, Nunnaree Luangmoi confronted a major problem in the town: pervasive human trafficking and violence against women and girls.

WeEmpowerAsia gives boost to female entrepreneurs in China

Date: Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Representatives of 35 leading women-owned startups from various industries gathered in Beijing on 4 December to discuss the challenges of running small- and medium-sized firms as well as ways to collaborate with the programme, WeEmpowerAsia. The programme, which promotes women in private sector businesses around Asia, had launched in China a week earlier. UN women organized the half-day consultation; women-owned companies contributed to the logistics and services.

EU-UN Women programme ‘WeEmpowerAsia’ to ‘unleash bigger opportunities’ for China’s women in business

Date: Friday, January 3, 2020

China has strong policy frameworks in place, but there is room to “unleash bigger opportunities” for women in business and society at large, said Katja Freiwald, WeEmpowerAsia Regional Programme Manager. The ‘WeEmpowerAsia’ launch was held as part of the annual International Conference on Gender Equality and Corporate Social Responsibility on 26 November 2019 in Beijing. UN Women China hosted the conference in partnership with the European Union Delegation and the Embassy of Sweden.

Nepal shows solid progress in legislating for the rights of women and girls, UN Report says, but cultural barriers persist

Date: Friday, January 3, 2020

Nepal is an example of a low-income country that has made significant progress in improving women’s access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, including access to safe and legal abortion. It is one of the few countries in the world that has gone from banning abortion outright to allowing it on request in recent times. Nepal is also one of the only three countries including Bhutan and Uzbekistan in Central and Southern Asia to criminalize marital rape, according to UN Women report titled Progress of the World’s Women 2019 – 2020: Families in a changing world.

UN Women, Ombudsperson Balochistan ink accord to fight harassment at workplaces

Date: Monday, December 23, 2019

[Press release] UN Women Pakistan has entered into an agreement with the Office of Ombudsperson Balochistan to work together in order to fight harassment of women at the workplace. Aisha Mukhtar, Deputy Country Representative UN Women Pakistan, and Sabira Islam, Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment Balochistan, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here at the Country Office of UN Women on Friday.

UN Women: Rewriting the narrative is key to addressing sexual violence

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2019

Sexual violence remains prevalent and devastating, despite recent efforts around the world. More is needed to fundamentally change the narrative and make this violation of the rights of women and girls unacceptable, including commitments at work, in schools and in homes. That was the key message underscored through deeply personal and powerful stories, a fireside chat with experts, and thrilling performances at the regional commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on the margins of the Beijing +25 Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference.