Take Five: “During this coronavirus outbreak … nurse-midwives have had to sacrifice in the hospitals around the clock”

Date: Thursday, April 9, 2020

Associate Professor Dr. Tassana Boontong is President of Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council and Dean of Faculty of Nursing, HRH Chulabhorn College of Medical Sciences. She previously served as Vice-President, National Reform Council, 2014-2015; Senator, 2011-2014; Vice-President of the Senate, 2008-2011; Founding Dean of the Office of Nursing, Mae Fahluang University, 2006-2007; Founding Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Srinakharinwirot University, 2003-2006; and Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, 1987-1999.

Leading companies in India chart next steps to achieve gender equality goals

Date: Thursday, April 9, 2020

New Delhi, India – Representatives of 25 companies in India have discussed the next steps they can take to create more opportunities for women in private businesses, a main goal of UN Women’s work in Asia and the Pacific.

Women hit harder by socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 in Asia-Pacific, says UN Women report

Date: Thursday, April 9, 2020

[Press release]Gender and social inequalities that underpinned societies in Asia and the Pacific before the novel corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are now exacerbated, making bad situations for women and girls even worse, warns a new report by UN Women. The report entitled The First 100 Days of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Asia and the Pacific: A Gender Lens, presents a snapshot of the gender dimensions of the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic and captures promising practices for integrating gender in preparedness and response planning while proposing potential and entry points to mitigate the socio-economic impacts for women and girls in the region.

I am Generation Equality: Lee Mi-kyung, overseas aid administrator and women’s rights activist

Date: Thursday, April 2, 2020

Gender equality is not a women’s issue but a matter of human rights. The concept of “human right” has been interpreted differently according to society’s definition of who is a human being under which conditions. Women have achieved human rights through endless struggles and efforts; for example, the right to vote, the right to receive the same wages, and the right to wear pants were all rights that women had to acquire. I have been dedicated to the movement throughout my life.

Greater support needed for working families as COVID-19 takes hold – UNICEF, ILO and UN Women

Date: Thursday, April 2, 2020

“In Nepal, a child’s protection and development is strongly correlated with multiple socio-economic deprivations, including access to services and exposure to violence and exploitation. COVID 19 will further exacerbate these vulnerabilities especially among the poorest and most marginalized households,” said UNICEF Nepal’s Representative, Ms Elke Wisch. “Now, more than ever, family and child-friendly employment practices in the private and public sectors, as well as social protection measures adapted to this evolving situation, will be critical to protect children and their families from the most detrimental fall-out of the pandemic.” Family-friendly policies and practices, including employment and income protection, paid leave to care for family members, flexible working arrangements and access to quality, emergency childcare can make a critical difference. They enable workers to protect and care for themselves and their children and enhance workers’ productivity and sense of security.

Asia-Pacific greets safely in times of COVID-19

Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Together with other basic protective measures such as washing hands frequently, avoid touching face, eyes or nose, and covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, social distancing is known to be one of the practical actions that can be implemented at all levels to stay healthy and avoid infection. The “Greet Like Me” initiative was inspired by the “Salam for Safety” campaign created by UN Women Afghanistan, which encourages the use of the traditional greeting knowns as “Salam” (peace) that involves the gesture of placing a hand on the chest, instead of shaking hands.

Bangladesh students pledge to promote respect for women at home and outside

Date: Monday, March 30, 2020

Hundreds of university students have pledged to adopt and promote greater respect for women at home and in the workplace and community. They made the commitment at a March 5 event that United Nations in Bangladesh organized to celebrate International Women’s Day under the theme, I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women's Rights. Hundreds of students from youth volunteer organizations and Women’s Peace Café at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University attended the event at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka.

Break the glass ceiling, a UN Women-organized delegation tells students in Bangladesh

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2020

In a dialogue arranged by UN Women to celebrate International Women’s Day, six senior female diplomats and United Nations officials inspired students of Asian University for Women to try to overcome gender discrimination in society and achieve their life goals. The intergenerational dialogue on March 4 was part of UN Women’s campaign for Generation Equality.

International Women’s Day 2020 key events in Asia Pacific

Date: Thursday, March 19, 2020

The theme for International Women’s Day 2020 is, I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights. The theme is aligned with UN Women’s new multigenerational campaign, Generation Equality, which marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Adopted in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China. The Beijing Platform for Action is recognized as the most progressive roadmap for the empowerment of women and girls, everywhere. As the global agency for gender equality and women’s empowerment, UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific is organizing and supporting a series of different activities around International Women’s Day. See some of our key events.

A woman who learned to cope now helps other women in rural Bangladesh cope

Date: Monday, March 16, 2020

Farida Easmin began her journey of coping and overcoming when she was 16 and her father died suddenly. As the eldest daughter, she had to take care of the others, and she worked in small non-governmental organizations while continuing her studies. “I still remember I used to earn only 1,350 taka per month (about USD15.5 now) and I used that money for expenses for my siblings and family,” she said.