Articles about United Nations
Human rights on the internet
13 December 11
In November 2011, 11 civil society organisations in South Africa including Gender Links joined forces to put together a UPR on human rights on the internet status update for South Africa. The submission focuses on: freedom of expression; the right to information; freedom from censorship; freedom of the press; the... [read more]
The curtain comes down on COP 17, we bow out!
09 December 11 | (1) Comment
Regional relevance: International
As the curtain comes down on COP 17 today, 9 December 2011, the various players who came to deliberate on how best to assist in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts will be heading back home to the four corners of the world. Faith based organisations, mineworkers, rural women, economic justice activists,... [read more]
Women demand inclusion in efforts to save forests
07 December 11
Regional relevance: International
The lives of women and forests are closely intertwined. Women use trees for wood fuel, as a source for herbal medicine, gum, fodder, wax, honey and fruits. Forests assist in poverty alleviation, as women can sustain their families by selling their fruits. Women also use trees as shade and windbreakers in their... [read more]
Sexual Violence in African Conflicts
06 December 11
Regional relevance: Africa
Civilians in Africa's conflict zones-particularly women and children, but also men-are often vulnerable to sexual violence, including rape, mutilation, and sexual slavery. This violence is carried out by government security forces and non-state actors, including, rebel groups, militias, and criminal organizations.... [read more]
Will COP 17 outcome prove the people wrong?
05 December 11
Regional relevance: International
“We want justice! We want justice! We want justice,” chanted thousands of people from across the globe while marching along the streets of Durban towards the International Convention Centre (ICC) this past Saturday. They sang and shouted demanding climate justice. [read more]
Women marchers at COP 17 demand climate justice
05 December 11
Regional relevance: International
On Saturday 3 December, scores of people from different walks of life marched through the streets of Durban demanding climate justice. Chanting slogans such as “A people UNITED can never be DEFEATED,” women and men from civil society, youth, faith based organisations, and trade unions, among others, joined hands... [read more]
No climate justice without gender justice
04 December 11
Regional relevance: International
Roshanthi Fernando from Sri-Lanka recalls how fishing on the shores of the island used to be easy a decade ago. She remembers how people from her area could simply go and catch fish without using sophisticated fishing methods. Sadly, this is now history.
“When we first noticed this, we thought things would go... [read more]
Women with disabilities at higher risk of GBV, HIV/AIDS
04 December 11
Regional relevance: Malawi
Silvia Chungu,* now 14 years old, was born borne disabled in a village in Phalombe District, southern Malawi. When her father found out neither of her legs functioned properly, he divorced her mother just a few months after the baby girl’s birth. He married another woman after vowing that he could not be a father... [read more]
Celebrating a new generation of rights aware girls
04 December 11 | (1) Comment
Regional relevance: South Africa
It’s almost the end of the day when, chatting with my work colleague Shuvai, she reminds me about an exciting debate the Gender Links’ Justice Programme is hosting the following day, 1 December, to commemorate World AIDS Day.
With so much to do during this period, to be honest the only reason why I agree to... [read more]
Quote of the day_2 December 2011
01 December 11
Regional relevance: International
Violence against women remains one of the most widespread human rights violations yet one of the least prosecuted crimes. Although equality between women and men is guaranteed in the Constitutions of 139 countries and territories, all too often women are denied justice and protection from violence. This failure does... [read more]
