This World AIDS Day is a critical moment in the fight to combat HIV/AIDS. We know what works: access to a full range of sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Posted by Planned Parenthood on Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Posts Tagged ‘UN’
151201 – World AIDS Day
Posted in Communications, Health and Food, Human Rights, Humanism, Politics, tagged 16 Days Campaign Against Gender Based Violence, HIV/AIDS, Planned Parenthood, UN on December 1, 2015| Leave a Comment »
Photo of the Week: Observing World Food Day | U.S. Department of State Blog
Posted in 51 Percent, Feminism, Human Rights, Politics, Women's Rights, tagged Clinton, Dipnote, Goldfarb, Obama, UN, World Food Day on October 20, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Clipped from Dipnote. The Annual World Food Day was on October 16th. Women are the key to food security:
Photo of the Week: Observing World Food Day | U.S. Department of State Blog.
![A Kenyan man shows millet he has grown at his farm in Siranga in western Kenya, July 18, 2012. [USAID/Kenya photo/ Public Domain]](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_1019_kenya_sorghum_m.jpg)
Sarah Goldfarb serves as DipNote’s Associate Editor.
Every year on October 16, the international community unites around World Food Dayto increase awareness about global hunger. Today, nearly one billion people suffer from chronic hunger, and more than 3.5 million children die from undernutrition each year. As President Barack Obama said in his message recognizing World Food Day, “The United States has a moral obligation to lead the fight against global hunger, and we have put food security at the forefront of global development efforts. Through initiatives like Feed the Future, we are helping partner countries transform their agriculture sectors by investing in smallholder farmers — particularly women — who are the key to spurring economic growth and sustainably cultivating enough food to feed their people.”
In remarks at a Feed the Future event in New York last month, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said, “As a result of all the work of so many people over the last four years, food security is now at the top of our national and foreign policy agendas, as well as that of so many other nations in the world, because we understand it is a humanitarian and moral imperative, but it also directly relates to global security and stability. I’ve seen in my travels how increased investments in agriculture and nutrition are paying off in rising prosperity, healthier children, better markets, and stronger communities.”
In this week’s “Photo of the Week,” which comes to us from USAID/Kenya, a farmer, who benefits from the support of Feed the Future, shows millet grown on his farm in western Kenya on July 18, 2012. Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative, supports agricultural cooperatives and producers organizations throughout the world, helping link smallholder farmers to markets.
You can learn more about U.S. efforts to to improve food security and nutrition worldwide by following @FeedtheFuture, @USAID, and @StateDept on Twitter, or visiting the websites of Feed the Future, USAID, and the State Department’s Office of Global Food Security. In the comments section below, let us know how you observed World Food Day.
100308 – International Women’s Day
Posted in 51 Percent, Congress, ERA, Feminism, Feminist Majority, Humanism, Justice, Politics, tagged Beijing, Clinton, ERA, International Women's Day, UN on March 8, 2010| Leave a Comment »
International Women’s day is a natural fit to Women’s History Month in the US. The UN states that March 8th, 2010 “marks the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995.” The theme this year is “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All”. A history of the day, which the UN traces back to 1909 in the US, as an anniversary to the 1908 NY garment workers strike, can be found at their site HERE.
If you are interested, the UN has a long list of documentation regarding their 15 year review and appraisal of women’s and girls progress. It can be found HERE.
The conference, meetings and events for this review have been ongoing since March 1st and will continue through the 12th of March. The UN is sponsoring a Webcast of events, and several are scheduled for Monday, March 8th, the earliest, between 10:00AM and 3:00 PM EST, HERE
It seems a lifetime ago that Hillary Rodham Clinton; now, Secretary of State Clinton, with other forward souls, went to Beijing and developed the benchmarks for women’s progress that would take us into this century. It seems three lifetimes ago that a younger naive woman like me assumed that the ERA would pass, and we women would be equal citizens of the United States. I am hopeful still. And determined. And, when the rage strikes me, I remind myself that it is the journey, rather than the goal, that makes us who we are.
Cop 15 Negotiations Strained, but Ongoing
Posted in Climate, Finance, Humanism, Justice, Nature, Politics, tagged China, Climate Change, Copenhagen, Global, GreenHouse Emissions, UN, USA on December 17, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Against the background of the Chinese refusal to allow monitoring of green house emissions and insistence that the 1992 treaty be honored in which they are to receive assistance toward the reduction of such emissions, the US Agenda was that of “pragmatism”. Meanwhile smaller nations, notably from Africa, walked out briefly in protest on Monday over proposed assistance and perceived sidelining of the Kyoto Protocol.
Through the week concerns continued that progress of the overall climate negotiations regarding technical, financial and emotional issues, for an interim agreement, was too slow and would leave too much unsettled when world leaders sit down to negociate a binding global accord next year.
SOS Hillary Clinton was scheduled to attend today’s conference and leaders events in advance of the President’s arrival on the 18th.
Then today, Japan Times reported the following:
Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009
Gridlock threatens to doom COP15
By ERIC JOHNSTON and SETSUKO KAMIYA
Staff writers
[COPENHAGEN — U.N. negotiators at the COP15 conference worked through the night Tuesday, increasingly desperate to reach agreement before more than 120 world leaders gather Thursday night and Friday and following an official warning that the stalemated negotiations could doom the conference….
…One of the main sticking points on financing is which developing countries should receive financial assistance. U.S. officials have stressed they would refuse to provide China with funds. On Tuesday, China said the world’s poorest and most vulnerable should be prioritized, a sign Beijing may agree to U.S. demands that funding target small island states in the Pacific or African nations threatened by global warming, rather than large, industrialized developing countries such as itself…]
Neither China nor the US has yet signed the Kyoto Protocol as regarding green house gas emission. This is a continuing major issue for many signatory countries. Most would prefer to keep the Kyoto Protocol, however, there is negotiation ongoing to develop a second legally binding protocol that the US might sign.
Cop15
Posted in Climate, Human Rights, Humanism, Nature, Politics, tagged Climate Change, Copenhagen, UN on December 16, 2009| Leave a Comment »
If you are on something faster than dial-up, the 15th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Denmark has a live feed HERE, as presented by the US State Dept. Even if you are on dial up, the link is worth visiting, because it contains the agenda of the conference, running between December 7th and 18th. The list of issues is impressive, there is a summary of each below, and there are many .pdf documents available for download at this site. Today’s agenda in Copenhagen time is:
Wednesday, December 16
9:00-10:00 AM Climate Federalism: U.S. States in Partnership with U.S. EPA
10:15-11:15 AM The U.S. Transportation Sector: A Part of the Climate Solution
11:30-12:30 PM The Science of Climate Change
4:45-5:45 PM Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Bioenergy: a New Tool for Reporting and Comparing Lifecycle Analyses
6:00-7:00 PM National Security Implications of Climate Change
Copenhagen is 9 hours ahead of San Francisco.
Dec 9, 2009 – International Anti-Corruption Day
Posted in 51 Percent, Children, ERA, Feminism, Politics, War, women, tagged 16 days, International Anti-Corruption Day, Rutgers, Transparency International, U4, UN, UNIFEM on December 10, 2009| Leave a Comment »
“It is not only governments and financial institutions that need to do more to prevent corruption and strengthen integrity. Corruption affects us all. It weakens democratic institutions, undermines the rule of law and enables terrorists to finance their nefarious work. On this International Day, let us all do our part to strengthen integrity, play by the rules, and turn the tide against this global menace.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Message on International Anti-Corruption Day
9 December 2009
Part of the chain of United Nations international observances that fall within the 16 days campaign to eliminate violence against women, this day arose out of the 43 page UN Resolution 58/4 on October 31, 2003. This resolution was made an official Convention by adoption in December 2005 after a minimum of 30 states (countries) had ratified the document and a Secretariat assigned. The Convention lays out definitions, agreements and procedures by which state and other entities such as regional economic organizations agree to abide, toward the elimination of corruption.
I have been unable to root out of the UN documents the most recent list of signatories to the Convention, however as of 2006, a total of 98 states had ratified it.
Education is an example of one area of human rights where the impact of corruption is different then men. UNIFEM has published a flagship biennial report entitled, “Progress of the World’s Women 2008/2009”. It part it indicates that women appear to be less tolerant and more vulnerable to corruption than men.
The U4 Anti Corruption Resource Center explains further that while there is no empirical evidence, there is a general consensus that women are disproportionately affected. They make several points in this regard.
First, where women lack access to economic power, they are more reliant on public services. Where corruption occurs, those services suffer and undermine quality.
Second, without personal income it is more difficult to pay bribes and informal payments that may be part of the public system, and they may represent a higher portion of income for poor families. Since women head of households represent a disproportionate share of poor families, they are more greatly affected.
Third, in a non-equal world, poor families tend to reserve their available funds for boys.
Finally, women tend to have less access to redress, because of gender restricted roles and culture, and the lack of economic power, In a justice system that is gender based, rather than human based, women tend to lose out.
The thrust of these organizations is directed towards developing and war torn areas. However, their talking points resonate in the United States, as well.
Women here also represent a disproportionate share of poor heads of household. They are more likely to be dependant on public service. While most families may not make decisions by gender, over who should attend school, there is still disparity in educational choices and treatment. Since women are not equal under the eyes of the law, redress for grievances is different.
For further information, Transparency International has a wonderful resource page HERE.
December 2nd, 2009 – International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
Posted in 51 Percent, Children, ERA, Feminism, Politics, tagged 16 days, Abuse, Elimination of Violence against Women, International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, Trafficking, UN on December 2, 2009| Leave a Comment »
As part of the 16 days campaign toward the Elimination of Violence against Women, the UN has announced the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.
“Combating slavery means not only its direct prohibition by law but also fighting against poverty, illiteracy, economic and social disparities, gender discrimination and violence against women and children. We need to enforce laws against slavery; create mechanisms to combat such practices; reinforce bilateral, regional and international cooperation, including with non-governmental organizations that assist victims; and launch awareness raising campaigns.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Message for the International Day
for the Abolition of Slavery
2 December 2009
Slavery is an international problem. Wikipedia identifies slavery as:
[Slavery is a form of forced labor in which people are considered to be the property of others. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to receive compensation (such as wages)…]
Perhaps we in the United States like to think we fully know what slavery is and condemn it. After all, we sent Eleanor to the United Nations in 1948 and thought we took care of that. We passed civil rights laws and thought that was an end. Some of us have attempted apologies or reparations.
However, it still exists internationally and it still exists here. We are still a patriarchal society; we don’t place an economic value on the work that people, say, like abused women trapped in their home, do, or are not able to do, because of their situation. Women (and some men) still only have a domestic value if they take their skills across the street to their neighbor who pays them an hourly wage for their babysitting, caretaking and cooking. Therefore, we don’t count an abused woman’s plight as an aspect of slavery. It is. Yet domestic violence is rarely even treated as assault and battery, much less attempted murder or slave trafficking. Never the less, the abusers diminishment tactics that are used are very much the same.
Human trafficking is a component of slavery. It is here in the United States.
Wikipedia says:
[…Human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal industry in the world,[4] with the total annual revenue for trafficking in persons estimated to be between USD$5 billion and $9 billion.[5] The Council of Europe states, “People trafficking has reached epidemic proportions over the past decade, with a global annual market of about $42.5 billion.”[6][7] Trafficking victims typically are recruited using coercion, deception, fraud, the abuse of power, or outright abduction…]
The FBI website has the “Trafficking in Persons and Worker Exploitation Task Force Complaint Line” at 1-888-428-7581.
The FBI also has a website devoted to understanding your rights and where you can find help it you are a victim of trafficking and are in the United States.
HumanTrafficking.org is an organization previously supported by the USA State Department, and now, by the Academy of Educational Development (AED). It’s purpose is to bring Governments and NGO’s (Nongovernmental Organizations) in East Asia and the Pacific together, to share knowledge country specific information and laws, action plans and activities in the realm of human trafficking.
They have a hotline you can call if you suspect trafficking.
HOTLINE: 1.888.3737.888
HumanTrafficking states that the United States is principally a transit and destination country for human trafficking. However, their numbers, while large, appear to reflect that of 2007. In fact, in looking around the web I realized that there was a dearth of figures for 2008 or 2009.
I found a clue to this mystery at another UN organization, UNESCO. They have begun a new project to strengthen research and conduct a literature review and meta-analysis of existing statements on human trafficking.
UNESCO offers a data comparison sheet to show the difficulties with which they are working. Big crime activities are notoriously hard to quantify precisely because they are hidden. Assume, however, that the smallest figure of 600-800,000 people, supplied by the US, has been trafficked globally, between 2000 and 2008.
That figure does not include those who are trafficked within their national borders. According to Wiki, in 2007, 40% were thought to be trafficked sex slaves worth an estimated $29,210 each. The average profit was $3,175 with the lowest for a bonded slave laborer at $950. That is 2.54 billion. In fact, Wiki quoting, Siddharth Kara, estimates the total for slavers to be around 91.2 billion in just 2007.
This figure does not include the asset and production value of slaves to the new owners. However, these values can be quantified. Learning is one of the first steps toward understanding and then acting. One of my must-reads this week is Siddarth Kara’s book, “Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery”.
December 1st, 2009 – International World AIDS Day
Posted in 51 Percent, Children, Feminism, LGBT, Politics, women, tagged California, HIV/AIDS, Human Rights, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, International World AIDS Day, Lights for Rights, UN on December 1, 2009| 1 Comment »
December 1st, The World Aids Day, as an event, was conceived in 1988. While it is a stand-alone event, it is also part of the 16 days Campaign for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Infection is often a component of violence done to women and children, and is a human rights issue. The UNAIDS Webpage, a portal to a wealth of information on HIV/AIDS, has the following announcement:
With “Universal Access and Human Rights” being the theme of this year’s World AIDS Day, the key slogans are:
* I am accepted.
* I am safe.
* I am getting treatment.
* I am well.
* I am living my rights.
* Everyone deserves to live their rights.
* Right to Live.
* Right to Health.
* Access for all to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support is a critical part of human rights.
Among a series of events, tonight in New York the following ceremony will be held:
UNAIDS – World AIDS Day – “Lights for Rights”
When: Tuesday, December 1 – 6:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. (EST)
Where: Washington Square Park, New York City (5th Avenue at Washington Square Park North)
A stage will be set up between the arch and the fountain.
[The lights on the Washington Square Park Memorial Arch in New York City will be turned off during the event to remember those lost to AIDS and to symbolize how HIV stigma drives people with HIV into the shadows. After a brief period of darkness, the lights will turned back on to emphasize need to shine the light on human rights for those living with HIV/AIDS around the globe. Floodlights on the Empire State Building, clearly visible through the arch, will also be turned off and turned back on at the same time….]
Almost 60 million people have been infected with HIV since the beginning of the epidemic and 25 million have died. While the trend line of new infections has started to turn, new infections worldwide still outstrip treatment. For every two people beginning treatment, five new cases of infection are ascertained.
As to children, 14 million children in Sub-Saharan Africa are now orphaned. Only 37% of infected children in low and middle-income countries are receiving treatment.
The UNAIDS knowledge center link HERE, is a wonderful overview of The UN’s program on HIV/AIDS.
Clicking on the UNAIDS link entitled AIDS Epidemic Update 2009, a report and fact sheet, as well as an outlook for 2010, that are very informative.
In addition, there is a page with “Fast facts about HIV”.
In California, a conference was held today on the budget cuts that are affecting the funding for AIDS programs, including California’s “AIDS Drug Assistance Program” (ADAP). Since these budget cuts will literally determine who lives and who does not, continuation of funding is critically important for at least 30,000 patients. At the same time concern over the rising cost of drugs is creating anger. Between 2000-2008 drug costs under this program raised 165%, yet only increased patient numbers by 49%. See the report below:
California’s Office of Aids (COA), responsible for coordinating state programs, service and Activities relating to HIV/AIDS,
has a webpage devoted to HIV/AIDS, HERE.
Although they state that they are in the process of converting their statistics to comply with CDC requirements, they do have some statistics through April. According to them, throughout the country, HIV was not counted with AIDS from the beginning of the epidemic. Those changes are being made now?!? In any event, a pdf download indicates that while confidential AIDS Case reporting by name began in 1983, reporting procedures have changed over time. Code name only reporting, for HIV, enjoyed a brief period from 2002-2006. HIV surveillance reporting began in 2005, and HIV name reporting in 2006.
AIDS in California is continuing to climb, with 153,901 cases reported. HIV cases appear to be flattening at 41,1555, or 36,412 depending on which reporting method was used. One is loath to make assumptions on this figure however, since, rather than an actual flattening is could reflect our current recession and reflect reduced medical resources available to individuals.
Judging by the COA’s maps, HIV/AIDS is still a disease of the cities, with urban counties, like Los Angeles highest, then San Diego and San Francisco, then Alameda and Sacramento reporting the highest numbers for the 2009 year through April. Again, however, this data might also reflect better facilities and reporting methods.
It is still primarily a disease of white and black men/adolescents, although the 13,230 women/adolescents who were reported probably find cold comfort in this. Of that figure 6,273 reported infection due to sex with men. 669 pediatric cases and 400 pediatric deaths were reported.
In light of our current economy, and without health reform, it seems clear many more will suffer. In Senate bill H.R. 3590, I found seven occurrences where the bill discusses HIV/AIDS. All but one of them refer to education and training. The other refers to research. So I am unclear at this point exactly where the money will come from that will actually help support state programs for drugs, or supplant them. Is HIV/AIDS one of those pre-existing conditions that will be folded into the entire program? The upcoming Senate debate will certainly be interesting in this regard.
2009: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Posted in 51 Percent, Children, Feminism, LGBT, Politics, women, tagged Abuse, Domestic Violence, gender violence, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Rutgers, UN on November 30, 2009| 4 Comments »
Update: in case you don’t get to the comment section on this post, Swarna Rajagopalan has provided a WordPress link to Prajnya Trust’s list of their activities for the 16 days campaign HERE.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
“Our goal is clear: an end to these inexcusable crimes – whether it is the use of rape as a weapon of war, domestic violence, sex trafficking, so-called “honour” crimes or female genital mutilation/cutting. We must address the roots of this violence by eradicating discrimination and changing the mindsets that perpetuate it.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Message for the International Day for the
Elimination of VIolence against Women
25 November 2009
November 25th marked the 10th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The attendant 16 days campaign dedicated to the elimination of violence against women, is marked by a series of events hosted around the world. The international Theme is “Commit, Act, Demand”.
At Rutger’s Center for Women’s Global Leadership, organizations offering specific websites have been featured for their efforts in the elimination of violence against women. Rutger’s supporting theme is to “Take back the Tech”. The idea is to use median and the internet to revitalize and catalyze and engage the world against violence to women. The sites below are in English unless otherwise specified.
Brazil –
The “AGENDE” (in Portuguese) site could be found using Yahoo, not Google. They have had active yearly campaigns since 2003.
India –
The “Prajnya Trust” has chronicled it’s campaign against violence to women. I had trouble loading it directly but you can reach it by going first to the Prajnya Trust website HERE. If you are searching for resonance in your belief for a knowledge based, peaceful, diverse and democratic world, you will find it on the “More About” page of Prajnya.
International –
The “World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters” (French, also English and Spanish) was also found through Yahoo. They state that “Community radio producers from Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America and Latin America and the Caribbean will dedicat(e) their 16 days campaign to highlight the effort of women and men working to put an end to gender violence
International –
“Save Darfur” has produced a list of actions to take for each day of the 16 days campaign. Today’s for November 30th asks that you write a letter to your editor telling them about the 16 days campaign, the violence in the Sudan and urging others in your community to get involved.
Ireland –
“Women’s Aid” has been working to address women’s issues for 30 years. They set up a WordPress blog for just this event. In addition to other actions, they have developed a reading list of books that they believe pertain to the issue of violence against women.
Mongolia –
The “National Center Against Violence” has bee operating since 1997. The have begun a “white ribbon” distribution campaign to men to encourage them to take a personal stance against violence. In addition to other activities, on the 29th, they distributed information regarding “Human Rights Day’ and the work of women in this field.
Uganda –
The “Gender Based Violence Prevention Network” again found by Yahoo, has it’s own 16 days campaign. They state that over 35 member organizations are participating in activities and providing information kits.
So, what’s happening in your neighborhood?
The National Domestic Violence Hotline might be one place to check out.
2009 World Food Day
Posted in 51 Percent, Children, Feminism, Feminist Majority, I Own My Vote, just say no deal, NOW, Politics, The New Agenda, women, tagged 2010 Census, Afghanistan, Ban Ki-moon, FOA, Food Crisis, Hunger, Iraq, Obama, Pollan, UN, USA, USDA, War, World Food Day, World Summit on Food Security on November 18, 2009| 1 Comment »
Oct 16th was World Food Day. On this day “The World Summit on Food Security” convened in Rome and will conclude today, November 18th. Part of a three pronged series of events, these meetings are being held to address the additional burden that the global economic crisis has placed on world hunger.
The Food and Agriculture of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that the number of hungry people worldwide, will pass the one billion mark this year. This means that
one sixth of the world is suffering from persistent hunger.
The agenda of these meetings is to provide an action plan on how to boost agricultural productivity. The FAO states:
[The gravity of the current food crisis is the result of 20 years of under-investment in agriculture and neglect of the sector. Directly or indirectly, agriculture provides the livelihood for 70 percent of the world’s poor.]
As you can see, global warming is not mentioned. (more…)
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