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NEWSROOM
UNIFEM launched flagship Progress of the World’s Women report in Thailand.
Report urges governments to do a better job of answering to women for commitments made.
 Bangkok— The Under-Secretary-General of the UN and the Executive Secretary of UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, launched UNIFEM flagship Progress of the World’s Women report in Thailand.
Progress of the World’s Women 2008/2009: Who Answers to Women? Gender and Accountability is about moving from commitments to results including achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Accountability is the tool for achieving this. [more]
16 Days of Activism to end violence against women
 UNIFEM East and Southeast Asia Regional Office has mobilised over 3 million signatures from the region for the global Say NO to Violence Against Women campaign. These signatures have already been given to the UN Secretary General on 25 November 2008, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
25 November 2008 also marks the start of a worldwide campaign known as the16 Days of Activism to end violence against women. As the Say NO to Violence Against Women has established recognition within the region, UNIFEM reaffirms its commitment to particularly engage youth as anti-violence partners, through the following activities:
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In Cambodia, university students and civil society organisations have joined efforts to raise awareness on Say NO to violence against women. More…
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In Timor-Leste, UNIFEM and Association of Men Against Violence raised public awareness formed a network of youth volunteers across the country to prevent violence against women and girls. More…
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In the Philippines, UNIFEM CEDAW-Southeast Asia Programme and partners held a Special Read-Along session where children gathered to hear stories on children’s rights and gender equality. More….
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In Vietnam, UNIFEM’s partnership with Vietnam Women’s Union has resulted in collecting one million names to the Say NO to Violence Against Women campaign. More…
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UNIFEM China, in collaboration with the United Nations Theme Group on Gender (China), the Anti-Domestic Violence Network, and internet company NetEase, held a forum to explore “New Actions” to end violence against women in China. More…
Timorese Parliamentarians Ask For More Gender Responsive Budgeting Trainings And Increased Gender Awareness Drive.
 Dili, Timor-Leste, 2 December 2008. A two-day Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) training at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dili from 26 to 27 November 2008 offered new insights to marrying the national budget and development. Participants said they found the training beneficial for themselves in particular and for the nation in general. A Member of Parliament (MP) for Liquica district, Francisco da Costa Jeronimo, said the training was very important because MPs learnt how the gender budgeting provides for the needs of women and men, boys and girls. He said more gender sensitization was necessary for MPs to adequately understand the concept of gender and its importance. Mr. Jeronimo also suggested that more of such trainings should be organised and that they should be extended to government officials and other staff members because they are the ones who prepare the budget. [more]
Over 3 million Thai people join UNIFEM Say NO to Violence Against Women Campaign,
HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha, UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador, hands over names to the UN.
 Bangkok – More than three million Thai people from across the country and walks of life joined UNIFEM Say NO to Violence Against Women campaign – the highest number of supporters from a single country for this global advocacy effort.
Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha, who accepted UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassadorship and signed on to the Say NO to campaign on 5 September 2008, has played an instrumental role in rallying Thais to the cause. More than three million Thai people – school children, students, farmers, men and women in the grassroots – have since joined HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha in saying NO to violence against women. Names have been collected via www.novaw.or.th and through postcards and signature books distributed nationwide with the help Thai government agencies and the private sector. [more]
Cambodia increases female representation in 2008 elections: First female Deputy Prime Minister
 On the 13th October 2008 a reception party was held at the Imperial Garden Hotel, Phnom Penh, to celebrate the promotion of women in decision making in Cambodia’s new government and legislative body. Organised by the Cambodian Committee to Promote Women in Politics (CPWP), this was a ground-breaking event that for the first time brought together women across all political parties and factions to honour their achievement and affirm their efforts. [more]
ASEAN Workshop on Domestic Violence Legislation
 Ha Noi, 20 October, 2008 – to mark the National Women’s Day, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the National Committee for the Advancement of Vietnamese Women (NCFAW) in cooperation with the United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM) CEDAW Southeast Asia Programme funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the ASEAN Secretariat organized the ASEAN Workshop on Domestic Violence Legislation on 20-21 October 2008 in Ha Noi. More than 60 representatives from 10 ASEAN Member States, Japan and Timor Leste participated. The Workshop is one of the activities implemented under the Framework for Cooperation between ASEAN and UNIFEM. This is an activity on the threshold of the 7th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) which will be hosted by MOLISA on 22-23 October 2008 in Ha Noi. [Read more]
Gender Resource Centre will Enhance Equality for Parliamentarians in Timor
 Dili, East Timor, 7 October 2008: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao inaugurated the country’s first Gender Resource Centre (GRC) - Centro de Estudos de Genero (CEG) at a ceremony attended by members of the diplomatic community, UN and development agencies as well as the general public.
Addressing the crowd at the opening ceremony, President of the National Parliament, Fernando Lasama de Arujo reaffirmed the parliament’s commitment to the attainment of gender equality and women’s empowerment in East Timor. “Gender equality and women’s empowerment is everyone’s responsibility”, Mr Araujo said. [Read more]
HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha of Thailand Agrees to be UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador and Says NO to Violence against Women
 Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand signed on to UNIFEM’s Say NO to Violence against Women campaign at an official ceremony on 5 September to mark her designation as UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador in Thailand.
Daughter of Thailand’s Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Princess Bajrakitiyabha completed her Ph.D. in law from Cornell University, and currently works as Assistant Public Prosecutor, Ministry of Justice, in a province outside Bangkok. [Read more]
Government of Timor-Leste Says NO to Violence against Women
Dili — The President of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Fernando Lasama de Araujo, officially launched the Say NO to Violence against Women campaign at a ceremony in Dili on 10 September 2008. Mr. Araujo, who stood in for President José Manuel Ramos-Horta, signed the campaign card on behalf of the Government during the Third National Women’s Congress, demonstrating the Timorese Government’s commitment to end violence against women.
Other distinguished guests who joined the head of Parliament in signing on to the campaign included Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão; Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Timor-Leste Mr. Atul Khare; and Ms. Maria Dias, President of Rede Feto, an umbrella body of women’s organizations in Timor-Leste. The launching ceremony was attended by government officials, politicians, diplomats, and representatives of international aid agencies, women’s organizations and UN agencies.[Read more]
Judges from Thailand and Vietnam visited the Philippines for Knowledge Sharing on Gender Equality and the Judiciary
UNIFEM’s CEDAW Southeast Asia Programme is working with court systems in the region to improve the understanding of CEDAW among judges and court personnel with a view to strengthening gender-responsiveness of the judiciary. [Read more]
ASEAN Regional Workshop on Gender Equality Legislation
Bangkok, Thailand; 13-15 February 2008
The three days workshop hosted by the Office of Women’s Affairs and Family Development, Ministry of Human Security and Social Development, Government of Thailand, brought together legal drafters and technical staff of the national women’s machineries, ministries of justice and gender equality advocates from ten ASEAN countries and Timor Leste to discuss gender equality legislation. The event was supported by UNIFEM East and South East Asia sub-regional office under its ASEAN-UNIFEM Framework of Cooperation. [Read more]
ASEAN High-Level Meeting on Good Practices in CEDAW Reporting and Follow-up Vientiane, Lao PDR; 14-15 January 2008
At the ASEAN High-level meeting hosted by the Government of Laos, ASEAN member countries exchanged experiences in preparing for the CEDAW Committee review of State reports, and planning follow-up to the Committee Concluding Comments. The common challenges in preparation and follow-up to the CEDAW review process as well as some good practices that can be models for ASEAN member countries were identified. The meeting promoted ASEAN partnership and cooperation towards the effective implementation of CEDAW through a better understanding of the mechanisms that facilitate effective monitoring and reporting. It also highlighted how civil society groups can add value to the CEDAW review process including helping governments to identify gaps in CEDAW implementation. See Joint Statement of the meeting.
Gender and Development for Cambodia (GAD/C) awarded the UN Trust Fund grant
The United Nations Development Fund for Women, UNIFEM, its Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman, and a large number of partners launched an Internet campaign on ending violence against women on 26 November 2007. Titled, “Say NO to Violence against Women”, the campaign invites people to add their names to a virtual book on a web site that has been developed specifically for this purpose: www.saynotoviolence.org. Urging hundreds of thousands – even millions – of people around the world to participate, the campaign aims to send a strong message to decision-makers to place ending violence against women high on the global agenda. [download, pdf, 32KB].
2008 Call for Proposals of the United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women
The UN Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women, is launching its annual call for proposals for 2008. Interested governments, civil society organizations and UN Country Teams in partnership with governments and NGOs, from developing countries and countries in transition are invited to submit initial concept notes (max. 5 pages), that meet with the core principles and focus of the call. Please note the deadline for submission is May 26th 2008. [Read more]
ASEAN Consultation Meeting on Good Practices in CEDAW Reporting and Follow-up Vientiane, Lao PDR; 14-15 January 2008
The ASEAN consultation to be hosted by the Government of Laos aims for ASEAN member countries to exchange experiences in preparing for the CEDAW Committee review of State reports, and planning follow-up to the Committee Concluding Comments. The common challenges in preparation and follow-up to the CEDAW review process as well as some good practices that can be models for ASEAN member countries will be identified. The goal of the meeting is to promote ASEAN partnership and cooperation towards the effective implementation of CEDAW through a better understanding of the mechanisms that facilitate effective monitoring and reporting.
The meeting will also highlight how civil society groups can add value to the CEDAW review process including helping governments to identify gaps in CEDAW implementation and how governments can remove discrimination that are blocking women’s enjoyment of their human rights
“Workshop on Integrating CEDAW in Tertiary Curriculum in Southeast Asia,”
8-9 November, 2007, Bangkok.
UNIFEM in collaboration with Office of Human Rights Studies and Social Development, Mahidol University organized a Workshop on Integrating CEDAW in the Curriculum of Tertiary Educational Institutions on 6-7, November, 2007. [Read more]
Male Leaders in Timor-Leste Give Voice to Ending Violence Against Women.
 As part of the global campaign on 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women, UNIFEM, with support from UNMIT, the Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality (SEPI) and the Association of Men Against Violence (AMKV) launched a multi-media campaign on 26 November, 2007 to raise public awareness on and secure the commitment of Timor-Leste’s leaders to end violence against women. [Read more].
UN congratulates Viet Nam on NA passage of domestic violence law
Ha Noi, November 21, 2007 – The United Nations congratulated Viet Nam on the National Assembly’s passage of the “Draft Bill Domestic on Violence Prevention and Control” during the final day of sitting of the Assembly today.
The right to live free of violence and discrimination is the right of every human being. Yet violence against women continues in every part of the world and it limits social and economic progress and harms families and communities. [Read more]
| UNIFEM and the Thai government convene a regional forum on how men can do more to end violence against women, sharing good practice from Asia-Pacific. |
Press Release |
| United Nations, Bangkok, 3 September 2007 |
UNIFEM and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Royal Thai Government, jointly host a regional conference on Men as Partners to End Violence Against Women on 3-4 September 2007 at the UN Convention Centre, Bangkok. [Read more in English / Thai (pdf)]
More women elected in Cambodia’s local government election
The number of women elected to local government seats in Cambodia’s commune election on 1 April 2007 has increased by two-fold, due to strong advocacy efforts of the Committee to Promote Women in Political Participation (CPWP). CPWP is a network of leading women NGOs in Cambodia. [Read more]
Launch of the UN Joint Programme on the Implementation
Of the CEDAW Concluding Comments in the Philippines
Manila, 28 May 2007
Five UN agencies (UNIFEM, UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN-HABITAT) are pooling together resources for a UN Joint Programme to Facilitate the Implementation of the CEDAW Concluding Comments, 2007-2009. Developed as a follow-up to the State report that the government of the Philippines made to the CEDAW Committee in August 2006, this unique undertaking for East and Southeast Asia will be launched at a ceremony in Manila on 28 May 2007. [Read more]
UNIFEM to launch a project entitled “Strengthening Women’s Legal Rights in Aceh.”
30 March
2007, UNIFEM will soon launch a project entitled “Strengthening Women’s Legal Rights in Aceh.” The project seeks to support legal reform to ensure that the newly introduced qanuns (bylaws) would enhance gender equality and women’s empowerment in Aceh. In efforts to engender legal reform in Aceh, the project will highlight synergies and points of convergence between rights-based principles and values for women outlined by gender-responsive provisions in Aceh’s Syariah-based qanuns and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discriminations Against Women (CEDAW.)
UNIFEM’s presence in Aceh has its roots in the post-tsunami reconstruction from early 2005. It seeks to incorporate voices of women in the relief and reconstruction efforts. [Read more]
Gender Concerns and CEDAW in Migration:
UNIFEM continues capacity building activities in Lao PDR
UNIFEM’s regional programme on Empowering Women Migrant Workers seeks to empower women migrant workers from a gender and rights based development perspectives.
To raise awareness on the use of CEDAW to protect the rights of women migrant workers, UNIFEM and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Lao PDR is organising a training workshop on Gender and CEDAW in Migration. The purpose of the workshop on 30-31 May 2007 in Vientiane is to raise awareness among government officials, recruitment agencies, NGOs and other stake holders. This training forms part of a comprehensive plan of capacity-building activities for government officials, recruitment agencies and service providers.
Series of training for Vietnamese judges and judiciary personnel, In Danang and Ho Chi Minh City.
Provincial chief justices, high court judges and court officials in Danang and Ho Chi Minh City participated in two training workshops on CEDAW and Vietnam’s new Gender Equality Law. Co-organised by UNIFEM and the Supreme Court of Vietnam, these activities represent crucial steps towards cultivating a nationwide network of gender-aware judiciary personnel. [Read more]
New Poll
Highlights Need for Better Understanding Among
Thais of the Importance of Migrant Workers to
Their Economy
18 December
2006, Bangkok, - A new ABAC poll released today
revealed the need for better understanding among
Thais of the important contribution made by
foreign migrant workers to the Thai economy. [Full story]
Women
living with HIV in Phnom Penh set up their own
cooperative for income generation in
Cambodia.
27 – 29
November 2006, Phnom Penh, - The Positive Women’s Sector of
Cambodia (PWS) held a three day workshop for
twenty eight women living with HIV. Held in
Takeo Province the workshop was focused on
improving their livelihood opportunities and was
organized by the PWS, with support from UNIFEM
and UNDP.[Full story]
Regional NGO Workshop Addressing Women Migrants Rights
Through CEDAW
27-29 November 2006, Bangkok, Voices of women migrants heard, NGOs to
use international treaty to promote the rights
of women migrant workers. [Full story]
Conference
Statement [More]
Investment
in Proven Strategies Needed to End Violence
against Women
22 November
2006, New York, - International Day for the
Elimination of Violence against Women, 25
November 2006. Statement by Noeleen Heyzer,
Executive Director, UNIFEM
Every year on 25 November, advocates around the
world jointly raise their voices to denounce
violence against women as what it is: the most
pervasive and shameful human rights violation. [Full story]
UNIFEM
announces grants in support of efforts to end
violence against women
22 November
2006, Bangkok, - In East and Southeast Asia,
the United Nations Trust Fund Grants Go to A
Joint Proposal from Mongolia. The United Nations
Trust Fund to Eliminate Violence against Women
will grant US$ 3.5 million to initiatives in
developing countries that are addressing
gender-based violence. [Full story]
ASEAN
ministers share best practices in advancing
women’s rights in national development planning 
15 November
2006, Jakarta, - Ministers and senior officials in
charge of women empowerment and development from
ASEAN countries will share experience and best
practices at the “ASEAN High-Level Meeting on
Gender Mainstreaming in the Context of CEDAW,
BPFA and MDGs” [Full story]
In message
for international day, Secretary-General calls
for creation of environment ‘where violence
against women is not tolerated
14 November
2006, New York, - Violence against women
causes untold misery, harms families across
generations, and impoverishes communities. It
stops women from fulfilling their potential,
restricts economic growth, and undermines
development. When it comes to violence against
women, there are no civilized societies. [Full
story]
 Senior
government officials from Southeast Asian
countries pledge to use international treaty to
assist women migrant workers
7 November 2006, Bangkok, – Senior government officials
from eight Southeast Asian countries
pledged to use the Convention on the Elimination
of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
to better protect women migrant workers in the
region.[Full story]
First Ever
Vietnam NGO report to CEDAW is underway
9 September 2006,
To further facilitate the presenting of a
thoroughly reflective and comprehensive report
to the CEDAW Committee, this capacity building
workshop is underway in Vietnam. The activity is
expected to conclude by the first quarter of
2007, just in time for the preparation of
presenting before the CEDAW conference in New
York in 2007. [Full story]
ASEAN and The United
Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
8
June 2006, Press Release on
signing of a Framework for Cooperation Agreement to
Advance Gender Equality in ASEAN countries for your
information and circulation. This press release is
issued by: the ASEAN Secretariat and The United Nations
Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), East and Southeast
Asia Regional Office.
[Full story]
International Women's Day Celebration at the National
Human Right Commission, Thailand (NHRC)
10 March 2006, The
National Human Right Commission of Thailand (supported
by UNIFEM) is organizing activities in celebration of
International Women’s day on at the NHRC, half
day event.
[Full story]
International Women's Day Celebration
Exercising Power for Change
8
March 2006,Statement
by Noeleen Heyzer, International Women's Day Day
[Full story]
Women in Political Decision Making
8
March 2006, by Dr. Jean DÇunha,
International Women's Day Day
[Full story]
International Women’s Week 2006: Women and the Coming Senator
Election, Thailand
1-2 March 2006, To celebrate the international Women’s Day of this year,
Gender and Development Research Institute organized a
2-day gathering of nationwide women leaders, NGOs and
networks of grassroots, academics and media people, and
representatives of the government departments.
[Full story]
International Women’s day 2005
Rebuilding Women’s Lives in the Aftermath of Disasters
8 March 2005,
Bangkok, - The Thematic Working Group on Gender Equality organized
the IWD event this year with a theme on “Rebuilding
Women’s Lives in the Aftermath of Disasters”. 150
participants attended the event at United Nations
Conference Centre in Bangkok which was covered by the
media.
[Full story]
Launch
of Policy Briefs "A Fair Share for Women" Cambodian Gender
Assessment
7 March 2005,
The Ministry of Women Affairs (MOWA) of Cambodia organized
the activities to launch the Fair Share for Women: the
Cambodian Gender Assessment and Policy Brief, a
comprehensive study on women’s situation in Cambodia at
the Chatomuk Theatre, Phnom Penh, on 7 March 2005. During
the launch, a call was made for decision-makers to make
policies more gender responsive and to start taking
serious actions.
[Full story]
Baseline Survey on Domestic Violence To Support
Legislation On Domestic Violence in Cambodia
In order to assess the Government’s progress on the
Cambodian Millennium Development Goals and measure future
performance, Cambodia’s Ministry of Women’s Affairs in
partnership with the GTZ’s Project Promotion of Women’s
Rights, the East West Management Institute-Human Rights
Project and UNIFEM’s CEDAW Programme on Facilitating the
Implementation Towards the Realization of Women’s Human
Rights in Southeast Asia , has commissioned a baseline
survey on domestic violence in Cambodia.
[Full story]
Clamshell Pavilion,
Manila, Philippines
UNIFEM Participation
8 March 2005,10:30 – 12:00T he UNIFEM under its CEDAWSEAP program will co-sponsor
with the UN Gender Mainstreaming Committee a launch of the
`March-to-Ten’ Campaign, an advocacy and capacity building
campaign on women’s human rights and gender-responsive
governance.
[Full story]
Women Workers in Cambodia’s Garment Industry
14 January 2005,
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
“We
must protect and support women made redundant by factory
closures, ensure their access to alternative employment,
training and skilled jobs within the government sector.
Otherwise, there is a risk of these workers entering into
prostitution or being trafficked,”
said Ms. Ms. Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Director of UNIFEM.
[Full story]
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