In Focus: Celebrating Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women's Lives
International Women’s Day 2018 saw countries across Europe and Central Asia join UN Women’s call to empower women in all settings, and to celebrate the rural and urban activists who are working relentlessly to claim women’s rights and realize their full potential. From Albania to Kyrgyzstan a rich diversity of initiatives took place. Region-wide, UN Women offices collaborated with Swedish embassies to stage #WikiGap edit-a-thons, challenging the male-dominated space of Wikipedia. Serbia and Ukraine joined the world's largest solidarity movement for gender equality, the HeForShe Campaign, at gala events that convened the star power of celebrities, politicians and the international community. In the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, UN Women asked the public to “Give a card, not a carnation” to highlight the Day’s real meaning. Read More.
Meet some of the inspiring activists on the vanguard of empowering rural and urban women across the region. People like Ana Vasileva who, angered by the sexual harassment of women online, ignited a social movement in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, using the hashtag #СегаКажувам (#ISpeakUpNow). Or, 16-year-old Erlan and his peers who have become a force for positive change for women in rural Kyrgyzstan. And, activist Kadire Tahiraj, who speaks up for the forgotten women survivors of wartime sexual violence in Kosovo [1].
[1] This and all references to Kosovo in this document shall be understood to be in full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).
|
|
|
|
Empowering Women in the Economy
 |
One room, her only home
When Semiha Xhani’s former father-in-law tried to evict her from the home she shared with her son, she was determined to stand-up for her property rights. Ms. Xhani sought help from a UN Women-supported free legal advice service in Albania. Read More.
|
 |
"We need to encourage girls and young women to pursue science"
Dubbed Iraq’s “science princess”, Dr. Nisreen El-Hashemite defied royal protocol to pursue her passion for medicine and science. Today, as an accomplished doctor and geneticist, she speaks about her NGO and partnership with UN Women to advocate for more women in science and medicine. Read More.
|
|
|
|
|
Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action
 |
Rural women in eastern Ukraine build resilience in conflict-affected communities
Conflict-affected Ukrainian women are advocating for their rights as part of a UN Women-UNDP initiative. Women like former police officer, Inna Urtaieva, are finding new ways to serve their communities. While, marginalized women like Tetiana Rozdymakha are advocating for disabled people’s rights in local decision-making. Read More.
|
 |
"Assisting refugee women to enjoy their basic human rights is of utmost importance"
Supported by a regional UN Women programme, Ülker Şener’s feminist group in Turkey is determined to change minds through better understanding and awareness about violence against women among refugees. She speaks about her motivations and the innovative work her organization is doing. Read More.
|
|
|
|
Governance and National Planning
 |
Balkan countries share gender-responsive budgeting lessons with Turkey
A recent workshop in Turkey, organized by UN Women, gave officials the chance to hear first-hand from their Balkan counterparts about successful gender-responsive budgeting experiences. Participating Turkish officials are now keen to explore how this policy tool can be integrated into all aspects of governance. Read More. |
|
|
|
|
In the following stories, UN Women captures the powerful first-hand perspectives of women and men with whom it partners to galvanize the drive for gender equality.
 |
In the words of Dimitri Tskitishvili: "Why can't men be feminists"
Seasoned Georgian politician and Member of Parliament, Dimitri Tskitishvili, is part of the national Gender Equality Council. He recently spoke at a high-level regional conference supported by UN Women about why he considers himself a feminist, and why gender equality must be a top priority. Read More.
|
 |
In the words of Oksana Kononets: "Disability helped me to realize my inner strength"
A devastating accident three years ago changed the course of 25-year-old Oksana Kononets’ life. Overcoming enormous challenges, this resilient role model now heads a charity called “Unbroken”. Together with UN Women, she is raising awareness about the discrimination faced by women with disabilities in Ukraine. Read More.
|
|
In the words of Valentina Bodrug-Lungu: "We need to strengthen the positive links between women's empowerment and development"
Nicknamed Madam Gender by her students, among Ms. Bodrug-Lungu’s many achievements is having built the foundation for gender education in Moldova. With her work often supported by UN Women, she speaks about the urgent need for gender issues to be prioritized in Moldova. Read more.
|
 |
From where I stand: "We helped our community feel alive"
When Aliona Vdovenko first became acting village head, many of the 450 residents of Novomykolaivka, in Ukraine, were sceptical. But, under her leadership, this soon gave way to a new sense of optimism and community, thanks in part to training through a UNDP-UN Women programme. Read more. |
|
|
|
|
High-Level International Conference “Countering Terrorism and Radicalism and Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE)”, 3-4 May, Dushanbe, Tajikistan: Jointly organized by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union. UN Women will present UN Women policy and practice on PVE at the main event and its practical field experience on PVE at a side-event.
Youth to Discuss Gender Issues, 15 May in Bălți city and 22 May in Cahul city, Republic of Moldova: Under the banner of “Gender equality in the Republic of Moldova: Where we are, where we are going,” youth are invited to discuss issues such as gender equality, ending violence against women and other topics at these events organized by UN Women with Swedish Government support.
Regional Conference on Gender Responsive Budgeting, 22-23 May, Skopje, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Organized by UN Women, the “Budget Equally – Budget for Women and Men” conference will bring together 80 government and non-government representatives from across the Western Balkans. The conference aims to explore key issues in gender responsive budgeting trends and developments, share best practices and showcase positive examples.
Gender Panel Session at the Eurasian Media Forum, 24 May, Almaty, Kazakhstan: In a panel session to be moderated by UN Women, the Eurasian Media Forum, an international discussion platform on today’s most pressing issues, will explore how media should cover gender-related issues, promoting ‘gender justice’ between the sexes. The panel session: “Evolution of Morality: ‘Gender war’ or the Triumph of Justice?” is one of a series that the Platform will explore in 2018 under the theme of “evolution”.
Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum (BBSF), 30 May- 1 June, Thessaloniki, Greece: The BBSF provides a powerful networking platform to leading business and policy makers to transform ideas into action. UN Women will engage the Forum on the role of the private sector in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment.
Marking the International Day of Children in Georgia: An exciting collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Science as well as Georgian writers, illustrators and UN Women will launch a book of fairytales called: “Once upon a time there was a girl” to celebrate the International Day of Children on 1 June. The tales tell of prominent women and girls from Georgian myths and history, but with an inspiring twist, as the main characters rescue others and fight for justice and good.
High-Level Conference on the International Decade for Action: ‘Water for Sustainable Development’ (2018-2028), 20-22 June, Dushanbe, Tajikistan: Jointly organized by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the United Nations, this Conference aims to support the implementation of the International Decade for Action: 'Water for Sustainable Development’ (2018-2018). It will seek to develop practical recommendations for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG targets related to water resources. UN Women is one of the main organizers of the important pre-conference events, which will create a platform for broader discussion in the lead-up to the Conference.
|
|
|
|
|
|
January-March 2018
