Including widows in the work to “build back better” from COVID-19
Statement for International Widows Day (23 June) by Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
The effects of the pandemic are exacerbated for women and girls. At the same time, mortality from the virus tends to be higher for men...This represents a devastating human loss, and one that is likely leaving tens of thousands of women newly widowed at just the time when they are cut off from their usual socio-economic and family supports. Read more »
WHAT OUR LEADERS ARE SAYING
Citing ‘weight of history’, senior UN officials issue call to ‘go beyond and do more’ to end racism
More than twenty senior leaders in the UN have put their names to a statement expressing their outrage at pervasive and systemic racism and highlighting the need to ‘go beyond and do more’ than just offering condemnation.Read more »
COVID-19 jeopardises progress made towards protecting women and girls from violence and harmful practices
Joint op-ed by Roberta Clarke, Senior Advisor and Acting Regional Director for UN Women, Eastern and Southern Africa; Justine Coulson, Acting Regional Director for UNFPA East and Southern Africa; and Mohamed M. Fall, Regional Director for UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa. Read more »
19 June marks the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. We need to ensure that prevention measures are in place and a survivor-centered response is part of the greater call for a #globalceasefire during the COVID-19 pandemic. Join UN Women in calling to #endrapeinwar with powerful social media messages that you can download here.