WomenWatch: Latest Resources
WomenWatch: United Nations Internet Gateway on Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women in the UN System

• Online Video: End Violence Against Women
  The Division for Gender Affairs of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) prepared 7 video-clips to disseminate the Secretary-General's campaign on violence against women. Each clip highlights an aspect of this scourge and a proposal to counteract the incalculable costs that violence against women implies for all humanity. ECLAC, 2008
• Actor and advocate Charlize Theron named UN Messenger of Peace
  The Academy Award-winning actor and activist Charlize Theron has been designated by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, tasked with promoting efforts to end violence against women. UN News Centre, 2008.
• Protecting girls and women from sexual violence in post-war Liberia
  Despite positive strides towards a restored society, sexual violence against women and children remains a central reality of life in Liberia. To help young girls and women reclaim their lives, UNICEF supports a safe-house programme that provides food, medicine and counselling. UNICEF, 2008.
• Sixth African Development Forum (ADF VI): "Action on gender equality, empowerment and ending violence against women in Africa"
  Over 500 stakeholders representing African governments, civil society, academia, media, bilateral partners, regional and international organizations will convene at the Sixth African Development Forum (ADF VI) in Addis Ababa from 19-21 November, jointly organized by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), African Union and the African Development Bank. UNECA, 2008
• Culturally sensitive approaches critical to women’s development – UNFPA report
  Development strategies should be more culturally sensitive for the promotion of human rights, especially women’s rights, to succeed, the new UNFPA annual report finds, warning that otherwise many projects in poor countries are likely to fail. UNFPA, 2008
• Women's sports pioneer Billie Jean King becomes gender equality mentor for UNESCO
  Women's sports pioneer and former Grand Slam tennis champion Billie Jean King was appointed today as a Global Mentor for Gender Equality by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. UNESCO, 2008
• Somalia: UNICEF speaks out against stoning death of 13-year-old rape victim
  UNICEF said that this incident underscores the vulnerability of girls and women in the war-wracked Horn of Africa nation, where it says sexual and gender-based violence is commonplace and gender inequalities persist in access to essential services.
• Gender in Agriculture Sourcebook
  A joint product of the World Bank, FAO, and IFAD, the Sourcebook provides an up-to-date understanding of gender issues with a rich compilation of compelling evidence of good practices and lessons learned to guide practitioners in integrating gender dimensions into agricultural projects and programs. World Bank, FAO, IFAD, 2008.
• Greater efforts needed to meet gender equality objectives by 2015, says Migiro
  Efforts to achieve gender equality around the world must be accelerated, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro told a gathering of women leaders in Seoul today, while also highlighting the special burden climate change places on women.
• Virtual Dialogue: Planning for Action: Good Practices on Implementing UNSCR 1325 on a National Level
  In light of the 8th anniversary of the adoption of UN- Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security; on the second of November, a three-week virtual discussion on "Planning for Action: Good Practices on Implementing UNSCR 1325 on a National Level" will be held. Policy makers, governmental representatives and civil society actors from all over the world are invited to participate and exchange experiences, good practices and lessons learned on implementing UNSCR 1325. The United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (UN-INSTRAW) with the support of the Office of the Special Advisor to the Secretary General on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Women (OSAGI) and International Alert is looking forward to a fruitful dialogue.
• Women vital to peace in post-conflict zones, Security Council hears
  A comprehensive and sustainable peace is not possible in post-conflict situations unless women’s security and participation is a primary objective for peacekeepers, senior United Nations officials told the Security Council.
• Creating Gender-Sensitive Migration Policy: Best Practices and Lessons Learned (Online discussion)
  UN-INSTRAW is launching the Virtual Discussion "Creating Gender-Sensitive Migration Policy: Best Practices and Lessons Learned" that will take place from 3 to 21 November 2008. Participants will discuss on how migration policy can promote development and the advancement of women.
• Violence against women remains endemic, UN expert reports
  Women around the world continue to endure violence, abuse and discrimination and often have no recourse to justice, an independent United Nations human rights expert told the General Assembly as she urged Member States to make greater efforts to record and publicize violations.
• Ban urges greater efforts to boost women’s role in peace and security
  Countries need to take more action to increase the role of women in the search for peace and justice and enhance their input in decision-making, even though positive steps have been made in recent years, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon writes in a new report.
• E-Discussion Forum on Financing Women in Politics: 22 - 29 October
  International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (iKNOW Politics) is pleased to launch the third iKNOW Politics E-Discussion Forum on Financing Women in Politics to be held from October 22-29, 2008. This E-Discussion will focus on the impact of financing laws on women's political participation, the role of political parties in removing financial barriers for women candidates, structural challenges facing women in obtaining financial independence in politics, and the fundraising strategies that women use in their political campaigns. For more information and to participate in the e-discussion, please visit iKNOW Politics' website at www.iknowpolitics.org/en/ediscussion.
• Ban calls for reversal of ‘slow’ progress in achieving gender parity at UN
  Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has exhorted the United Nations to take urgent actions to reverse the “regrettable trend” of sluggish advances made towards achieving gender parity in the Organization.
• Women, Peace and Security. 8th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325
  The 2008 Open Debate of the Security Council on Women, Peace and Security will take place on 29 October 2008. The calendar of events is now available on WomenWatch.
• UN marks first-ever International Day of Rural Women with call for action
  The United Nations today has marked the inaugural International Day of Rural Women, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issuing a call for greater appreciation of their role in providing food and incalculable support they give to their communities.
• New WomenWatch special feature: International Day of Rural Women
  The International Day of Rural Women directs attention to both the contribution that women make in rural areas, and the many challenges that they face. UN WomenWatch, 2008
• Gender Perspectives: Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction into Climate Change Adaptation - 2008 Good Practices and Lessons Learned
  This publication points out the vital nexus between women’s experiences of natural resource management, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, and how they can come together to make whole communities strong and sustainable. It also provides inspirat