Title: A future free from violence: a world where all women enjoy their human rights.

POPLINE Document Number: 140506

Author(s):

Heyzer N

Source citation:

[Unpublished] 1998. Address to the 42nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) March 3, 1998. 4 p.

Abstract:

The executive director of the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) opened her address to the 42nd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women by affirming a vision of hope for creation of a world where women can enjoy their human rights. To further this vision, UNIFEM is working at the national level to: 1) help women's organizations increase their capacity and develop networking, leadership, and advocacy skills; 2) focus attention on needed changes in pivotal criminal justice and legal systems; and 3) explore ways that governments, international agencies, and civil institutions can create conditions that will foster peace. UNIFEM administers the UN trust fund in support of actions to eliminate violence against women, which has supported 45 innovative initiatives in 40 countries, and coordinates the Latin America and Caribbean Campaign on Women's Human Rights: A Life Free of Violence. In addition, UNIFEM has developed an array of initiatives to encourage universal ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. UNIFEM's work in the area of peace-building and conflict resolution includes the African Women's Crisis Program, which enables UNIFEM to support women who have been victimized by armed conflict and other emergencies, the launching of the Federation of African Women Peace Networks, and help in establishing the Mogadishu Peace Market initiative. These efforts reflect UNIFEM's understanding that without peace and women's human rights there can be no sustainable communities or development.

Keywords:

Global
Critique
UN
Program Activities
Human Rights
Women
Violence
Goals
Women's Status
Prevention and Control
International Agencies
Organizations
Programs
Organization and Administration
Demographic Factors
Population
Behavior
Planning
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Diseases