Calls for global mobilization and commitment to women’s rights as political and economic changes continue worldwide

United Nations, New York— At a press conference in New York today, UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet called for galvanizing greater commitment and action for women and gender equality, as political and economic upheaval threaten progress on women’s rights (remarks enclosed here). She called the press conference to report on the first year of operations of UN Women. With austerity measures, budget cuts and political changes impacting women’s lives, worldwide, Ms. Bachelet outlined the action agenda of the organization in her first press conference of 2012.

“Please come with me tomorrow, come with me tomorrow as you did today with the other teenager.”

Two years since a catastrophic 7.0 earthquake shook Haiti on 12 January 2010, support to survivors of violence, remains critical in a country that continues to re-build itself from ground up. Responding to the need, UN Women provided technical support to six safe houses across five regions in Haiti this past year.

Reproduced from Say No: UNiTE

“…although efforts of international, regional and national institutions have created driving forces that have pushed women beyond the boundary of the private domain and an acceptance of shifting ideologies about feminine roles and functions, on their part, a concomitant shift has not occurred in the ideologies undergirding the construction of masculinity particularly in relation to the private domain”.

                Extract from a presentation delivered by Professor Barbara Bailey at the Regional Advisory Group on Gender and Development Meeting 8-9 December, 2011.

Professor Barbara Bailey has distinguished herself in the field of education, gender studies and research. She has been and continues to be a strong advocate of gender equality and equity through her teaching and research activities.