High time to protect sexual and reproductive rights defenders in the Americas
GENEVA / WASHINGTON DC (26 November 2015) – Ahead of the International Women Human Rights Defenders Day on 29 November, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Michel Forst, called for strengthened protection of women defenders promoting sexual and reproductive rights in the Americas.
“It is not an easy job, and sometimes can be plain dangerous.
Sexual and reproductive rights defenders seek to ensure that women and men know and exercise their human rights to access services, information and education in the field of sexual and reproductive health. They also unmask multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination and injustice based on gender identity and sexual orientation, and in many occasions they help victims of sexual violence.
Women rights activists defending sexual and reproductive rights across the Americas face increased risks and multiple threats, from smear campaigns and stigmatisation to physical and sexual attacks.
26 November 2015
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination today marked the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by holding a full-day event at the Palais des Nations entitled “International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination: Fifty Years of Fighting Racial Discrimination.”
In his opening remarks, José Francisco Calí Tzay, Chairperson of the Committee, stated that in the 50 years since the Convention had been adopted, significant progress had been made, but a lot remained to be done and combatting racism was a comprehensive task which required the involvement of a wide array of actors.
The event consisted of two panel discussions. The morning session, on lessons learned and best practices, was moderated by Patricia Nozipho January-Bardill, Committee Member. Panellists in the morning session were Patrick Thornberry, former member of the Committee; Mutuma Ruteere, United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; Rita Izsák, United Nations Special Rapporteur on minority issues; Katharina Rose, Geneva Representative of the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions; and Nimalka Fernando, President of the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism.
20 November 2015
Today, 20 November 2015, marks Universal Children’s Rights Day and the 26th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). It is a time for celebration, as well as an opportunity to reflect on the various challenges that children’s rights, and in effect, children, continue to face in what is ever more a turbulent world.
Yet, we must embrace the 196th ratification of the CRC by Somalia on 1 October 2015, a testament to the global nature of the Convention. We must also redouble our efforts to accelerate the ratification of the three optional protocols to the Convention for the benefit of our children.
While the Committee notes general progress in how the Convention is being enforced in various thematic areas there remain some wide variations in its implementation with some disturbing trends. For instance, discrimination, both de jure and de facto, against girls, children with disabilities, children from ethnic, racial and religious minorities, children in poverty, and non-national and stateless children, remains a serious challenge. So do lack of birth registration, and violence that is still widespread, including sexual and other forms of exploitation such as child marriage and trafficking.
UN Women - Global Media Monitoring Report 2015, with Data from 114 Countries, Calls for an End to Sexism in the Media
Report Launch: Progress for Women in News Media Grinds to a Halt
GMMP 2015 Reports
The GMMP 2015 Highlights are available in these languages:
The GMMP 2015 Global Report is available in these languages:
The GMMP 2015 Regional Reports are available for these regions:
Africa |
America Latina |
Caribbean |
Europe |
Middle East |
North America |
Pacific Islands |
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Reports discussing NATIONAL findings were compiled for some of the 114 participating countries. These reports are available at the right-hand column on page – See LINK.
http://whomakesthenews.org/gmmp/gmmp-reports/gmmp-2015-reports
http://whomakesthenews.org/gmmp/gmmp-reports/gmmp-2015-reports
FULL UN Women Press Release - http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2015/11/media-advisory-global-media-monitoring-report
Извор: WUNRN – 26.11.2015
THREATS WILL NOT DISAPPEAR WITH SILENCE: CHALLENGING CORPORATE ACTORS TO SPEAK OUT FOR & SUPPORT WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
By Sarah Brooks
In this article, Sarah Brooks, the Women Human Rights Defenders Focal Point for the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), explores the role of corporate actors in conflict. Suggestions are given for a way forward that state and non-state actors can contribute to an enabling environment for the work women human rights defenders.
Direct Link to Full 6-Page 2015 Document:
