The Women, Peace and Security Update
Source: Australian Strategic Policy Institute / Tracy Beattie, Hal Crichton-Standish, Daria Impiombato, Alexandra Pascoe and Albert Zhang
This article summarizes publications and other articles that came out in June relating to WPS themes. Some of these themes include; gender, conflict and climate change; US Defense Department releases WPS strategy; change needed for uniformed women in UN peacekeeping; examining UN Security Council commitments to WPS; and calls for more women in Afghan peace process.
Read it here.
COVID-19 and the Peace Villages
Source: UN Women / Pomi Moges
The COVID-19 pandemic is a great challenge and is increasing gender-based inequalities around the world. Beyond exacerbating existing socioeconomic disparities, the COVID-19 crisis potentially fuels local conflict with the spread of misinformation, discrimination, and stigmatization against marginalized groups. Given its disproportionate impact in environments where the rights of women and girls may have already been under threat, there is a critical need to continue to support grassroots women movements and organizations in the region to recover without losing the hard-won gains made over the past decades to advance gender equality and the role of women in sustaining peace and security.
This pandemic has impacted people’s livelihood everywhere, including the people in the Peace Villages, a women-led initiative to promote peaceful and resilient communities which was conceived by UN Women and the Indonesian NGO Wahid Foundation, many of whom have lost their jobs, affecting food security and livelihoods.
Read the full article here.
UN Expert Calls for End to Gender-Based Violence Against Women Journalists
Source: UN News
Women journalists face particular dangers while going about their work, an independent UN expert told the UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday, saying that Governments should do more to protect them.
Read the article here.
South Africa: Minister Angie Motshekga Condemns Rape of Learner, Calls for End to Gender-Based Violence
Source: allAfrica / Government of South Africa
The Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga, has condemned the rape of a 12-year old learner in Bulwer, KwaZulu-Natal, on Monday. Police say the 12-year old learner in Grade 7 was reportedly raped after having gone home to fetch her face mask she had forgotten.
The Minister has condemned in the strongest terms this heinous crime against a defenceless and innocent child.
“Rape is a crime whose perpetrators deserve the stiffest punishment. This rape of a learner once again shines the light on the scourge of Gender-Based Violence ripping our communities apart. We reiterate our profound sadness and anguish over this painful and shameful event. Gender-Based Violence is a profound human rights violation with major social and developmental impacts for survivors of violence, as well as their families, communities and society more broadly,” said Minister Motshekga.
Read the full statement here.
