FGM – A blog by UN Rep Dora Vrdlovec

 "FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women. The practice violates a person's rights to health, security and physical integrity, the right to be free from torture

Day Thirteen Displacement

“Internally displaced persons, or IDPs, are among the world’s most vulnerable people. Unlike refugees, IDPs have not crossed an international border to find sanctuary but have remained inside their home countries. Even if they have fled for similar reasons as refugees (armed conflict, generalized violence, human rights violations), IDPs legally

Day Twelve Peace

"The most underutilized tool we have for successfully building peace is the meaningful inclusion of women" – Remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, at the Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, 13 October 2015. Link to remarks here.       Click on the image above to

Day Eleven Targeting of Women in Conflict

“Sexual violence in conflict needs to be treated as the war crime that it is; it can no longer be treated as an unfortunate collateral damage of war.” – UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms Zainab Hawa Bangura   Even though sexual violence in conflict has been

R4WR – Making a difference #16days

It's been one year and one month since we first heard from a group of young women travelling on tandem bicycles from Jakarta to Amsterdam. Ride for Women's Rights (R4WR), were cycling 14,000km, crossing 30 countries and now, they are home. These four young graduates, Carlijn Bettink, Lidewij Ponjee, Sophie

Day Ten The Role of Youth

  “The power of self-realized young women is immense” – Lakshmi Puri  Action by young people in their own communities is vital in ridding societies of deeply entrenched ideals, behaviours and perceptions that lead to gender violence. “The cliché is true - young people are our future. We have to

Announcing Mariet Verhoef-Cohen as new SI President Elect

"Soroptimist International President Yvonne Simpson is delighted to announce that the new President Elect for Soroptimist International is Mariet Verhoef-Cohen, Past President of SI Europe. Mariet brings passion and a tremendous amount of experience in advocacy work that will assist SI in being a Global Voice for Women. We welcome

Day Nine Domestic Violence

At least 119 countries have passed laws on domestic violence, 125 have laws on sexual harassment and 52 have laws on marital rape. However, even when laws exist, this does not mean they are always compliant with international standards and recommendations, or implemented. UN Women   On average, 24 people

Human Trafficking – Positive Action Against Modern Slavery

Training the Trainer Conference - Taking positive action against modern slavery in Bedfordshire 16 October, Moggerhanger Park, Bedfordshire by Pauline Panter & Rita Beaumont, SI Bedford "This conference was organised and supported by Bedfordshire Against Modern Slavery (BAMS), which was formed in 2012 to highlight and tackle modern slavery. The

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