Partner News

Women from 17 different political parties in Sri Lanka united on March 8th to create a declaration printed in newspapers for the International Day of the Woman. The declaration called for the end of political exclusion of women, for an affirmation of women's equality, and for the promotion and protection of women's rights.
Despite the fact that Sri Lanka boasts the world’s first woman Prime Minister and a subsequent women President, women’s political participation at the local, regional and national levels is extremely low. Women currently occupy only 11 of the 225 seats in the Sri Lankan Parliament, a mere 4.9%, and constitute only 1.6% of the country’s Ministers and Deputy Ministers. At the local level, in 2004, only 9 women were elected to the Provincial Council, a discouraging 1.2%. Yet, the literacy rate of women in Sri Lanka is an impressive 90% and women are active in nearly every other aspect of society and the economy. As part of its larger political parties program in Sri Lanka, in March of 2007, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) held a meeting with the 48 political-party chosen women steering committee members from the Eastern and Southern Provinces to allow the women to discuss the obstacles facing women in politics in Sri Lanka. The women steering committee members involved in the NDI political party program in Sri Lanka represent not only 17 different political parties and two different regions of the country, but they also represent different ethnic groups, languages, religions, districts and cultures.The result of this meeting was overwhelming. In addition to discussing the primary issues surrounding the low-level of women’s political participation and realizing that all the women in the room face similar impediments, the women were able to come to consensus on the major reasons why women are not further involved in Sri Lankan politics. The impediments they identified included male domination of the political process; lack of funds and resources for women in politics; violence against women in politics; lack of political knowledge by women; and the structure of the current electoral system. Furthermore, the women together and of their own initiative decided to draft a joint manifesto for the International Day of the Woman, demanding improved support for women in politics in Sri Lanka. The resulting statement signed by all 48 women from the east and from the south, representing different ethnic groups, languages, religions, districts and cultures, was printed to great fanfare in the national press. This statement was published on March 8th in the local Sri Lankan newspapers (Lankadeepa, Lakbima, Divaina, Weerakesari, Thinakural, Daily Mirror and Daily News) in Sinhala, Tamil and English and on March 11th in three major Sunday papers (Lankadeepa, Weerakesari and Sunday Observer).

Women from 17 different political parties in Sri Lanka united on March 8th to create a declaration printed in newspapers for the International Day of the Woman. The declaration called for the end of political exclusion of women, for an affirmation of women's equality, and for the promotion and protection of women's rights.
Despite the fact that Sri Lanka boasts the world’s first woman Prime Minister and a subsequent women President, women’s political participation at the local, regional and national levels is extremely low. Women currently occupy only 11 of the 225 seats in the Sri Lankan Parliament, a mere 4.9%, and constitute only 1.6% of the country’s Ministers and Deputy Ministers. At the local level, in 2004, only 9 women were elected to the Provincial Council, a discouraging 1.2%. Yet, the literacy rate of women in Sri Lanka is an impressive 90% and women are active in nearly every other aspect of society and the economy. As part of its larger political parties program in Sri Lanka, in March of 2007, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) held a meeting with the 48 political-party chosen women steering committee members from the Eastern and Southern Provinces to allow the women to discuss the obstacles facing women in politics in Sri Lanka. The women steering committee members involved in the NDI political party program in Sri Lanka represent not only 17 different political parties and two different regions of the country, but they also represent different ethnic groups, languages, religions, districts and cultures.The result of this meeting was overwhelming. In addition to discussing the primary issues surrounding the low-level of women’s political participation and realizing that all the women in the room face similar impediments, the women were able to come to consensus on the major reasons why women are not further involved in Sri Lankan politics. The impediments they identified included male domination of the political process; lack of funds and resources for women in politics; violence against women in politics; lack of political knowledge by women; and the structure of the current electoral system. Furthermore, the women together and of their own initiative decided to draft a joint manifesto for the International Day of the Woman, demanding improved support for women in politics in Sri Lanka. The resulting statement signed by all 48 women from the east and from the south, representing different ethnic groups, languages, religions, districts and cultures, was printed to great fanfare in the national press. This statement was published on March 8th in the local Sri Lankan newspapers (Lankadeepa, Lakbima, Divaina, Weerakesari, Thinakural, Daily Mirror and Daily News) in Sinhala, Tamil and English and on March 11th in three major Sunday papers (Lankadeepa, Weerakesari and Sunday Observer).

Women from 17 different political parties in Sri Lanka united on March 8th to create a declaration printed in newspapers for the International Day of the Woman. The declaration called for the end of political exclusion of women, for an affirmation of women's equality, and for the promotion and protection of women's rights.
Despite the fact that Sri Lanka boasts the world’s first woman Prime Minister and a subsequent women President, women’s political participation at the local, regional and national levels is extremely low. Women currently occupy only 11 of the 225 seats in the Sri Lankan Parliament, a mere 4.9%, and constitute only 1.6% of the country’s Ministers and Deputy Ministers. At the local level, in 2004, only 9 women were elected to the Provincial Council, a discouraging 1.2%. Yet, the literacy rate of women in Sri Lanka is an impressive 90% and women are active in nearly every other aspect of society and the economy. As part of its larger political parties program in Sri Lanka, in March of 2007, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) held a meeting with the 48 political-party chosen women steering committee members from the Eastern and Southern Provinces to allow the women to discuss the obstacles facing women in politics in Sri Lanka. The women steering committee members involved in the NDI political party program in Sri Lanka represent not only 17 different political parties and two different regions of the country, but they also represent different ethnic groups, languages, religions, districts and cultures.The result of this meeting was overwhelming. In addition to discussing the primary issues surrounding the low-level of women’s political participation and realizing that all the women in the room face similar impediments, the women were able to come to consensus on the major reasons why women are not further involved in Sri Lankan politics. The impediments they identified included male domination of the political process; lack of funds and resources for women in politics; violence against women in politics; lack of political knowledge by women; and the structure of the current electoral system. Furthermore, the women together and of their own initiative decided to draft a joint manifesto for the International Day of the Woman, demanding improved support for women in politics in Sri Lanka. The resulting statement signed by all 48 women from the east and from the south, representing different ethnic groups, languages, religions, districts and cultures, was printed to great fanfare in the national press. This statement was published on March 8th in the local Sri Lankan newspapers (Lankadeepa, Lakbima, Divaina, Weerakesari, Thinakural, Daily Mirror and Daily News) in Sinhala, Tamil and English and on March 11th in three major Sunday papers (Lankadeepa, Weerakesari and Sunday Observer).

International IDEA has organized a meeting of female parliamentarians from six countries who will meet in Lima on June 4-5, 2007 to analyze their experiences as members of women’s parliamentarian caucuses.
Increasingly in recent years, female congresswomen have organized across party lines to create permanent caucuses aimed at promoting consensus on a broad array of gender equity legislation. In addition to experience exchange between the countries, the event will include sessions on: a. electoral reform and women’s representation; b. women and campaign financing; and c. the gender agenda in Latin American parliaments. Female political leaders from Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay and Chile are slated to attend.

International IDEA has organized a meeting of female parliamentarians from six countries who will meet in Lima on June 4-5, 2007 to analyze their experiences as members of women’s parliamentarian caucuses.
Increasingly in recent years, female congresswomen have organized across party lines to create permanent caucuses aimed at promoting consensus on a broad array of gender equity legislation. In addition to experience exchange between the countries, the event will include sessions on: a. electoral reform and women’s representation; b. women and campaign financing; and c. the gender agenda in Latin American parliaments. Female political leaders from Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay and Chile are slated to attend.

In less than two months Papua New Guineans will go to the polls to elect their new national leaders. Parliamentarians will be elected to replace the current ones who have been in office since 2002.
For more information, please visit UNDP's Website.

In less than two months Papua New Guineans will go to the polls to elect their new national leaders. Parliamentarians will be elected to replace the current ones who have been in office since 2002.
For more information, please visit UNDP's Website.

The Ministry of Gender and Development and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed an agreement with six civil society organizations in Liberia for the smooth implementation of a project titled: "Giving women a voice and leadership role in decision-making and peace building in Liberia".
To read the full article, please visit the All Afirca's Website.

The Ministry of Gender and Development and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed an agreement with six civil society organizations in Liberia for the smooth implementation of a project titled: "Giving women a voice and leadership role in decision-making and peace building in Liberia".
To read the full article, please visit the All Afirca's Website.

On July 2nd, ESI Analyst and TPQ Editor Nigar Göksel chaired a roundtable meeting organized by the ARI Movement in Istanbul's Bilgi University on women in Turkey with former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright as guest speaker.
Other participants included Turkish women activists, parliamentary candidates running in the upcoming elections, academics and columnists.Secretary Albright underlined the importance of women in decision making positions, emphasizing that democracies where women have a fair share in politics and the economy are more stable. She pointed out that women are more effective in many areas such as education, culture, and social policy because they understand the needs of people better. Answering a question about the headscarf, Albright replied that she believed women needed to respect other women's choices.The event, where ESI's report on Islam and feminism in Turkey was discussed widely in the brainstorming session, continued among the Turkish participants upon the departure of Secretary Albright. A number of participants agreed that recent developments could indeed be termed a "revolution" (as ESI's report put forth). A parallel was drawn between the point made in ESI's report regarding activist women's exclusion in the early years of the Republic and the fact that political parties today are not drawing from the women's movement or from the grassroots of their party organization in selecting candidates, but instead favoring women who do not have their own power base and will be unconditionally loyal to the party leadership.

On July 2nd, ESI Analyst and TPQ Editor Nigar Göksel chaired a roundtable meeting organized by the ARI Movement in Istanbul's Bilgi University on women in Turkey with former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright as guest speaker.
Other participants included Turkish women activists, parliamentary candidates running in the upcoming elections, academics and columnists.Secretary Albright underlined the importance of women in decision making positions, emphasizing that democracies where women have a fair share in politics and the economy are more stable. She pointed out that women are more effective in many areas such as education, culture, and social policy because they understand the needs of people better. Answering a question about the headscarf, Albright replied that she believed women needed to respect other women's choices.The event, where ESI's report on Islam and feminism in Turkey was discussed widely in the brainstorming session, continued among the Turkish participants upon the departure of Secretary Albright. A number of participants agreed that recent developments could indeed be termed a "revolution" (as ESI's report put forth). A parallel was drawn between the point made in ESI's report regarding activist women's exclusion in the early years of the Republic and the fact that political parties today are not drawing from the women's movement or from the grassroots of their party organization in selecting candidates, but instead favoring women who do not have their own power base and will be unconditionally loyal to the party leadership.

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) has worked in Kosovo since 1999 to promote sustainable, democratic governing institutions in the wake of armed, inter-ethnic conflict. Now, after a lengthy and contentious status resolution process, a determination on Kosovo’s future status is expected this year or early in 2008.
At this critical juncture in the region’s democratic development, increasing the participation and political clout of women in Kosovar political bodies and governmental institutions has emerged as a priority for NDI’s Kosovo program. While one third of the seats in the Assembly of Kosovo are legally reserved for women, women members of parliament (MPs) have not historically enjoyed a high level of influence or engagement in the Assembly. Furthermore, the Assembly lacks a cohesive body that examines issues of concern to women and makes substantive policy recommendations to address those issues. To offer remedies to some of these challenges and facilitate regional cooperation, the Institute, with financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), recently sponsored a trip for members of the informal group of women parliamentarians (IGWP) within the Assembly of Kosovo to visit with their peers in the women’s parliamentary club of the Assembly of Macedonia. The gathering presented an opportunity for women from the two parliaments to exchange their experiences, forge connections, and offer one another practical advice on various issues confronting women legislators. Established in 2005, the IGWP has recently tackled a diverse array of issues, with members authoring or adapting legislation pertaining to workplace relations, women’s and children’s health, domestic violence, and election law. In this respect, the Macedonian women’s parliamentary club was an especially apt host, as it has lately made marked strides toward achieving more equitable gender representation in the nation’s legislature, and has successfully advocated for issues including mandatory maternity leave and budgetary allocations for the fight against domestic violence. Furthermore, Macedonian electoral practice provides an exemplary model for promoting increased women’s representation on candidate lists.At a working lunch with women from both clubs, the Kosovar women enjoyed an opportunity to interact with their Macedonian counterparts on a more informal setting, addressing issues of personal interest and exchanging information on their respective groups’ structure and functions, goals, and visions for the future. The Kosovar women received valuable insight into the role that the Macedonian club plays as a conduit for the nation’s public institutions, decision-making bodies, and advocacy groups, with the hosting delegation asserting that its objectives were met through the creation of joint strategies and through the continuous support and cooperation of various associations representing women’s interests. Over the course of the day’s events, the Kosovar women also met with the Macedonian Committee on Equal Opportunities to discuss strategies for raising breast cancer awareness. The day’s activities received national media coverage in both the Macedonian and Albanian languages and at the event’s culmination, NDI representatives expressed their gratitude to the Women’s Parliamentarian Club for their warm welcome.As Kosovo moves toward and beyond a status determination, the IGWP aims to become an integral part of the region’s political institutions, and to establish a more representative legislature by compelling the Assembly to honor its pledges of equal opportunity for men and women. NDI will maintain its assistance to the informal group of women MPs and will work to identify further opportunities for the group to bolster the influence and engagement of women in Kosovo’s political processes. Now more than ever, it is of paramount importance that women be afforded a seat at the table as the Assembly of Kosovo asserts itself as a modern and inclusive institution—especially as the region readies itself for the political responsibilities and practical ramifications of greater autonomy.

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) has worked in Kosovo since 1999 to promote sustainable, democratic governing institutions in the wake of armed, inter-ethnic conflict. Now, after a lengthy and contentious status resolution process, a determination on Kosovo’s future status is expected this year or early in 2008.
At this critical juncture in the region’s democratic development, increasing the participation and political clout of women in Kosovar political bodies and governmental institutions has emerged as a priority for NDI’s Kosovo program. While one third of the seats in the Assembly of Kosovo are legally reserved for women, women members of parliament (MPs) have not historically enjoyed a high level of influence or engagement in the Assembly. Furthermore, the Assembly lacks a cohesive body that examines issues of concern to women and makes substantive policy recommendations to address those issues. To offer remedies to some of these challenges and facilitate regional cooperation, the Institute, with financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), recently sponsored a trip for members of the informal group of women parliamentarians (IGWP) within the Assembly of Kosovo to visit with their peers in the women’s parliamentary club of the Assembly of Macedonia. The gathering presented an opportunity for women from the two parliaments to exchange their experiences, forge connections, and offer one another practical advice on various issues confronting women legislators. Established in 2005, the IGWP has recently tackled a diverse array of issues, with members authoring or adapting legislation pertaining to workplace relations, women’s and children’s health, domestic violence, and election law. In this respect, the Macedonian women’s parliamentary club was an especially apt host, as it has lately made marked strides toward achieving more equitable gender representation in the nation’s legislature, and has successfully advocated for issues including mandatory maternity leave and budgetary allocations for the fight against domestic violence. Furthermore, Macedonian electoral practice provides an exemplary model for promoting increased women’s representation on candidate lists.At a working lunch with women from both clubs, the Kosovar women enjoyed an opportunity to interact with their Macedonian counterparts on a more informal setting, addressing issues of personal interest and exchanging information on their respective groups’ structure and functions, goals, and visions for the future. The Kosovar women received valuable insight into the role that the Macedonian club plays as a conduit for the nation’s public institutions, decision-making bodies, and advocacy groups, with the hosting delegation asserting that its objectives were met through the creation of joint strategies and through the continuous support and cooperation of various associations representing women’s interests. Over the course of the day’s events, the Kosovar women also met with the Macedonian Committee on Equal Opportunities to discuss strategies for raising breast cancer awareness. The day’s activities received national media coverage in both the Macedonian and Albanian languages and at the event’s culmination, NDI representatives expressed their gratitude to the Women’s Parliamentarian Club for their warm welcome.As Kosovo moves toward and beyond a status determination, the IGWP aims to become an integral part of the region’s political institutions, and to establish a more representative legislature by compelling the Assembly to honor its pledges of equal opportunity for men and women. NDI will maintain its assistance to the informal group of women MPs and will work to identify further opportunities for the group to bolster the influence and engagement of women in Kosovo’s political processes. Now more than ever, it is of paramount importance that women be afforded a seat at the table as the Assembly of Kosovo asserts itself as a modern and inclusive institution—especially as the region readies itself for the political responsibilities and practical ramifications of greater autonomy.

The women's quest for increased representation in Parliament has received the financial backing of an international donor. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said it would offer financial support for women running for parliamentary and civic seats in the General Election.
To read the full article, please visit the All Africa's Website.

The women's quest for increased representation in Parliament has received the financial backing of an international donor. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said it would offer financial support for women running for parliamentary and civic seats in the General Election.
To read the full article, please visit the All Africa's Website.

On October 24, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) will present its third annual Madeleine K. Albright Grant to the 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone. Founded in 2000 to promote greater participation of women in politics, the 50/50 Group has grown from a handful of women meeting in borrowed space in Freetown to a nationally recognized organization actively engaged in building a new post-war Sierra Leone in which women can share equally with men in the political decisions that affect their lives.
To read the full article, please visit the NDI Action's Website.

On October 24, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) will present its third annual Madeleine K. Albright Grant to the 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone. Founded in 2000 to promote greater participation of women in politics, the 50/50 Group has grown from a handful of women meeting in borrowed space in Freetown to a nationally recognized organization actively engaged in building a new post-war Sierra Leone in which women can share equally with men in the political decisions that affect their lives.
To read the full article, please visit the NDI Action's Website.

On October 24, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) will present its third annual Madeleine K. Albright Grant to the 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone. Founded in 2000 to promote greater participation of women in politics, the 50/50 Group has grown from a handful of women meeting in borrowed space in Freetown to a nationally recognized organization actively engaged in building a new post-war Sierra Leone in which women can share equally with men in the political decisions that affect their lives.
To read the full article, please visit the NDI Action's Website.

In the semi-autonomous northeastern Somali state of Puntland, where local councils are already on the ground, another political transformation is taking place. The Minister of Local Government and Regional Affairs is implementing a policy of affirmative action for women, by holding district meetings of existing councils and traditional leaders, and inviting them to expand the membership of their councils to include women.
In the semi-autonomous northeastern Somali state of Puntland, where local councils are already on the ground, another political transformation is taking place. The Minister of Local Government and Regional Affairs is implementing a policy of affirmative action for women, by holding district meetings of existing councils and traditional leaders, and inviting them to expand the membership of their councils to include women. He explains, “We are not taking seats away from men, we are adding seats for women, until we get the balance of at least 30% women in each Council”. The enthusiasm of the women is contagious to the rest of the community. The affirmative action policy was launched in Puntland by presidential decree on December 9, 2006, with the co-sponsorship of the Minister of Local Government and the Minister of Gender, with support from UNDP. During 2007 it is being systematically implemented, district by district. A capacity building program for leadership development of the newly selected women councilors will begin in 2008, concurrent with the launch of a comprehensive UN Joint Programme for Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery, involving UNDP, UNICEF, UNCDF, UN-Habitat and ILO. [Source: UNDP Somalia].

In the semi-autonomous northeastern Somali state of Puntland, where local councils are already on the ground, another political transformation is taking place. The Minister of Local Government and Regional Affairs is implementing a policy of affirmative action for women, by holding district meetings of existing councils and traditional leaders, and inviting them to expand the membership of their councils to include women.
In the semi-autonomous northeastern Somali state of Puntland, where local councils are already on the ground, another political transformation is taking place. The Minister of Local Government and Regional Affairs is implementing a policy of affirmative action for women, by holding district meetings of existing councils and traditional leaders, and inviting them to expand the membership of their councils to include women. He explains, “We are not taking seats away from men, we are adding seats for women, until we get the balance of at least 30% women in each Council”. The enthusiasm of the women is contagious to the rest of the community. The affirmative action policy was launched in Puntland by presidential decree on December 9, 2006, with the co-sponsorship of the Minister of Local Government and the Minister of Gender, with support from UNDP. During 2007 it is being systematically implemented, district by district. A capacity building program for leadership development of the newly selected women councilors will begin in 2008, concurrent with the launch of a comprehensive UN Joint Programme for Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery, involving UNDP, UNICEF, UNCDF, UN-Habitat and ILO. [Source: UNDP Somalia].

In the semi-autonomous northeastern Somali state of Puntland, where local councils are already on the ground, another political transformation is taking place. The Minister of Local Government and Regional Affairs is implementing a policy of affirmative action for women, by holding district meetings of existing councils and traditional leaders, and inviting them to expand the membership of their councils to include women.
In the semi-autonomous northeastern Somali state of Puntland, where local councils are already on the ground, another political transformation is taking place. The Minister of Local Government and Regional Affairs is implementing a policy of affirmative action for women, by holding district meetings of existing councils and traditional leaders, and inviting them to expand the membership of their councils to include women. He explains, “We are not taking seats away from men, we are adding seats for women, until we get the balance of at least 30% women in each Council”. The enthusiasm of the women is contagious to the rest of the community. The affirmative action policy was launched in Puntland by presidential decree on December 9, 2006, with the co-sponsorship of the Minister of Local Government and the Minister of Gender, with support from UNDP. During 2007 it is being systematically implemented, district by district. A capacity building program for leadership development of the newly selected women councilors will begin in 2008, concurrent with the launch of a comprehensive UN Joint Programme for Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery, involving UNDP, UNICEF, UNCDF, UN-Habitat and ILO. [Source: UNDP Somalia].

The UNDP/UNFPA/Japan Women in Development Fund Joint Initiative on Women's Leadership in the Arab Region's HIV/AIDS Response was created in response to the increasing vulnerability women face in the region to HIV/AIDS. The initiative targets women NGOs, women religious leaders and faith-based organizations and media professionals in order to create a civic momentum towards committed action limiting women's increasing vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.
The UNDP/UNFPA/Japan Women in Development Fund Joint Initiative on Women's Leadership in the Arab Region's HIV/AIDS Response was created in response to the increasing vulnerability women face in the region to HIV/AIDS. The initiative targets women NGOs, women religious leaders and faith-based organizations and media professionals in order to create a civic momentum towards committed action limiting women's increasing vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. In four sub- regional training sessions on "Women, HIV/AIDS and Human Rights" for Arab Women's NGOs, taking place from August to November 2007, female religious leaders will contribute to a debate on harmful traditional practices and their religious legitimacy, addressing the link between structural inequalities, violence, gender and increased HIV/AIDS vulnerability. This will result in action plans by and for religious leaders who will act as agents of cultural change, promoting gender equality through values, ethics and transformation of religious norms at the national and local level. Read more at the UNDP HIV/AIDS Regional Programme in the Arab States website.

The UNDP/UNFPA/Japan Women in Development Fund Joint Initiative on Women's Leadership in the Arab Region's HIV/AIDS Response was created in response to the increasing vulnerability women face in the region to HIV/AIDS. The initiative targets women NGOs, women religious leaders and faith-based organizations and media professionals in order to create a civic momentum towards committed action limiting women's increasing vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.
The UNDP/UNFPA/Japan Women in Development Fund Joint Initiative on Women's Leadership in the Arab Region's HIV/AIDS Response was created in response to the increasing vulnerability women face in the region to HIV/AIDS. The initiative targets women NGOs, women religious leaders and faith-based organizations and media professionals in order to create a civic momentum towards committed action limiting women's increasing vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. In four sub- regional training sessions on "Women, HIV/AIDS and Human Rights" for Arab Women's NGOs, taking place from August to November 2007, female religious leaders will contribute to a debate on harmful traditional practices and their religious legitimacy, addressing the link between structural inequalities, violence, gender and increased HIV/AIDS vulnerability. This will result in action plans by and for religious leaders who will act as agents of cultural change, promoting gender equality through values, ethics and transformation of religious norms at the national and local level. Read more at the UNDP HIV/AIDS Regional Programme in the Arab States website.

The UNDP/UNFPA/Japan Women in Development Fund Joint Initiative on Women's Leadership in the Arab Region's HIV/AIDS Response was created in response to the increasing vulnerability women face in the region to HIV/AIDS. The initiative targets women NGOs, women religious leaders and faith-based organizations and media professionals in order to create a civic momentum towards committed action limiting women's increasing vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.
The UNDP/UNFPA/Japan Women in Development Fund Joint Initiative on Women's Leadership in the Arab Region's HIV/AIDS Response was created in response to the increasing vulnerability women face in the region to HIV/AIDS. The initiative targets women NGOs, women religious leaders and faith-based organizations and media professionals in order to create a civic momentum towards committed action limiting women's increasing vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. In four sub- regional training sessions on "Women, HIV/AIDS and Human Rights" for Arab Women's NGOs, taking place from August to November 2007, female religious leaders will contribute to a debate on harmful traditional practices and their religious legitimacy, addressing the link between structural inequalities, violence, gender and increased HIV/AIDS vulnerability. This will result in action plans by and for religious leaders who will act as agents of cultural change, promoting gender equality through values, ethics and transformation of religious norms at the national and local level. Read more at the UNDP HIV/AIDS Regional Programme in the Arab States website.

Today, women account for almost 40 per cent of the total workforce. However, women remain disadvantaged in the workplace, their employment being preponderantly unpaid or underpaid compared to men's. Women and Work was the general topic of the second Seminar for members of parliamentary committees dealing with the status of women and gender equality, organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in cooperation with the International Labour Organisation.
Read more at the IPU website.