As the International Conference on Population and Development is taking place in Nairobi, a group of international human rights experts has called for a renewed commitment to and investment in women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights. "We call upon decision-makers to always put women’s and girls’ human rights at the centre of policy considerations and to meaningfully...

By Georgia Kallis (AWO Greece)

A quarter of a century after Beijing, 47 Government delegations, 867 participants, and representatives from 81 Civil Society Organizations gathered at the U.N. in Geneva for the Beijing +25 ECE Regional Review. National reports showed that although some progress has been made by some of the EU Member States on gender equality in the domains...

The UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP25) had been scheduled to take place in early December in Santiago, Chile. In late October, due to increasing civic action protesting Chile's economic policies, Chilean President Pinera abruptly cancelled COP25. FAWCO joined other members of the Women and Gender Constituency in signing on to a statement by international civil society pledging "solidarity...

This was a lively panel, and the level of interest and energy in the room was high. Government delegates and members of civil society addressed the serious need for great representation of women in policy and decision making, calling for more effective participation, collaboration, networking and partnering. Women's political engagement brings idea leadership as we share knowledge and policy solutions...

Introducing the Civil Society representative, the UNECE chair said, "Civil Society always has a lot of good advice for us."

The Beijing+25 ECE Review Civil Society Statement was developed in consultation with over 420 NGO representatives from 48 countries. The key messages were delivered by a 27 year old student of international human rights law from Turkey - a strong symbol of youth...

Paula Daepppen (AWC Zurich) Reflections on B+25

Promoting gender equality is not a cost to communities, society or businesses - it is an Investment!

Gender equality recognizes that empowering women also empowers and benefits men and boys, and results in healthier families and communities.