UN peacekeeping chief outlines reforms needed to keep operations fit-for-purpose
Source: UN News
Over the next 10 years, the world could well be transformed by potentially lethal new technologies, climate disruptions and disruption caused by expanding cities, the UN peacekeeping chief told the Security Council on Monday, outlining the adaptations required to keep the Organization’s flagship enterprise fit-for-purpose as it confronts daunting new security threats.
He also recommended strengthening the Department’s strategic guidance and planning capacities by developing clear objectives that are known to all, deepening efforts to achieve a more robust and agile posture – including by using new technologies – and crucially, applying a gender perspective across all areas of work.
“Gender is not only about numbers,” he said. “It is about the meaningful consideration of the gender differentiated impacts of our work and what we hope to achieve.”
Describing broad areas where gains have been made, the peacekeeping chief highlighted political efforts in Sudan, where the initialling of the peace accord between the Transitional Government and Darfur armed groups was facilitated by the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).
In the area of women, peace and security, he said the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) worked with women’s groups and the Government to develop the first national action plan on resolution 1325 (2000), one of several examples of expanded political space for women’s participation.
And in terms of protection, he said the four large multidimensional missions have conducted major force transformations to shift their posture and presence, strengthening their strategic flexibility and operational adaptation.
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‘Women Rise for All’ initiative to shape leadership for COVID-19 response and recovery
Source: Africa Renewal
“Over the past months, people around the world have come to see what many of us already knew: women’s leadership makes a profound difference”, Amina Mohammed said on Tuesday.
“The evidence has shown — in country after country — how governments led by women are more effective in flattening the curve and positioning for economic recovery.”
Ms. Mohammed was addressing Women Rise for All, a virtual gathering of influential women from across different regions, sectors and generations, to examine how their leadership is shaping pandemic response and recovery that benefits all people.
“We want to shape the way we define leadership. And ensure that we emerge from this pandemic with women leading, in equal numbers, and equal partnership”, she explained.
Read more here.
A look back: Twenty-five years ago, they were at the Fourth World Conference on Women
Source: UN Women
Twenty-five years ago, more than 30,000 activists and governments from 189 countries debated and adopted a blueprint of actions to build a gender-equal world.
At the Fourth World Conference on Women, from 4 – 15 September, 1995, they created the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – the most comprehensive agenda to date, on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
It tackled global issues that are still urgent: poverty, environment, violence against women, girls’ education, equal participation of women in the labour market, especially in highly skilled jobs, STEM industries, and in senior management. It committed to promote the balance of paid work and domestic responsibilities for women and men, and much more.
Fast forward to 2020: As our world combats the COVID-19 pandemic, as our forests burn and seas surge, and millions are displaced by conflicts, the world’s women and girls are bearing the brunt of the worst impacts. By 2021, 47 million more women and girls will be pushed into extreme poverty, bringing the total number of women living on USD 1.90 or less at 435 million.
The gains made for women’s rights seem at once fragile. Gender equality, while possible, is still out of reach.
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Africa: Covid-19 to Push 47 Million Women to Poverty
Source: allAfrica
Globally, girls and women have been the most affected by the disruption caused the Covid-19 pandemic.
From increased sexual and gender-based violence to loss of employment and businesses, to lack of reproductive health supplies and services, women have borne the brunt of the pandemic more than their male counterparts.
Last week, the latest poverty forecast by UN Women and UNDP predicted a sharp increase in female poverty worldwide.
In a press release, UN Women indicated that the poverty forecast project has lifted the lid on how the Covid-19 pandemic has unleashed a serious reversal effect of female economic development across the globe.
Read more here.
