Stories
- COVID-19 (39)
- Ending violence against women and girls (6)
- Economic empowerment (5)
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment (3)
- Health (3)
- Macroeconomic policies (2)
- Markets (2)
- Domestic violence/interpersonal violence (2)
- Women with disabilities (2)
- Humanitarian action (2)
- Crisis response and recovery (1)
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Monday, July 20, 2020
Women-led businesses are more vulnerable to closure than those led by men in the era of the novel coronavirus, due to women’s limited access to finance, shifts in consumer behavior, and the increase in women’s household care responsibilities as a result of extended lockdowns. All across the continent, the coronavirus pandemic is wreaking economic havoc and hitting women the hardest, with women-led Small and Medium-sized Enterprises(SMEs) at greater risk of closure as they tend to be smaller and on average, operate in lower profit margin, service-based industries.
UN Women and UNDP support vulnerable women in South West and North West Regions of Cameroon
Thursday, July 16, 2020
In Bamenda, on July 16 2020, 21 participants took part in the official launch of the project: “Support for women's socio-economic activities around the value chains induced by COVID-19 in the North-West and South-West Regions of Cameroon”, initiated jointly by UN Women and UNDP, in the conference room of the Regional Research Delegation of the North-West region in Bamenda.
Friday, July 10, 2020
UN Women, the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative of the African Development Bank and ImpactHER will host a virtual high-level panel discussion on empowering women entrepreneurs in the fight against COVID-19.
National Rural Women Structure of Liberia raises awareness on COVID-19
Friday, July 10, 2020
With support from UN Women, the National Rural Women Structure of Liberia is sensitizing women in rural Liberia on measures to prevent themselves and their families from COVID-19. During a recent awareness raising campaign, Mrs. Kebeh Monger, National President of the Rural Women Structure of Liberia, encouraged women to observe health protocols put in place by the Government of Liberia to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Liberian Female owned tailoring businesses get a boost
Friday, July 10, 2020
As part of its continuous effort to support the Government of Liberia to prevent the spread of COVID-19, UN Women on Friday 26 June 2020 signed a partnership agreement with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MGCSP) to empower women-owned tailoring businesses affiliated to the Liberia National Tailoring Union to produce 10,000 masks that will be distributed to women, girls and children in Montserrado and Margibi counties in Liberia.
From Where I Stand: As a woman, practicing self-isolation in a home setting is next to impossible
Friday, July 3, 2020
I am a mother of twins aged 1.7 years, and I was breastfeeding yet I had to spend long hours at the Coronavirus Treatment Unit working from 8:00 am till 8:30 – 9:00 pm. Hence, they ended up refusing to breastfeed because I was not breastfeeding regularly. But at least they are eating food which comforted me. With young children, I have to be extremely careful, which is rather difficult considering that when the first case...
Sunday, June 28, 2020
UN Women in partnership with its local implementing partner, TPO have been carrying out Psychosocial support in the quarantine centres as well as the refugee settlement. So far since the COVID-19 period, a total of 2107 refugee and hosts (1560 F and 547 M) have been reached with Psychological first aid, psychoeducation, basic counseling, specialized counseling, recovery follow up and messaging on prevention of SGBV and COVID-19.
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Monica Chiwalo is 82 and mostly dependent on her children. She raised four children on her own after the death of her husband. The COVID-19 outbreak in Tanzania has devastated the livelihoods of families that rely on the informal sector and have no safety nets. Elderly women like Chiwalo are especially vulnerable to its health and economic impacts. Their voice and experience must be included in recovery efforts.
Monday, June 22, 2020
Health Assistance Kenya 1195 (HAK) is a free-to-call helpline for survivors of all forms of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) – and its saving lives. The Nairobi-based service is set up to give immediate assistance to the public in the event of SGBV. It operates 24-7 and is taking more calls than ever.
Monday, June 22, 2020
Since 2018, UN Women Kenya in partnership with the Government of Japan has been using a multi-sectoral approach to bring gender equality to Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement and Dadaab Refugee Camp. The “Leadership, Empowerment, Access & Protection in Crisis Response” targets four interconnected areas that develop livelihoods of women and girls; educate men and boys; and contributes to sustainable peace in communities.
Friday, June 19, 2020
By 9:00 a.m., the morning sun already feels hot in the Bidibidi settlement for refugees and displaced persons, located in the Yumbe District of Uganda. A steady file of women gathers around a borehole to collect water. They will repeat this chore again in the evening.
UN Women Partners with Private Sector to Improve Hygiene at Safe Markets
Friday, June 19, 2020
In the wake of COVID-19 outbreak and restrictions in movement, the local vegetable markets provide multiple roles. While they offer convenience in accessing fresh produce, sustain women vendors as their source of livelihoods, they are also a potential source of contamination and spread of the coronavirus.
The impact of COVID-19 on women: Nicole GAKOU, Senegalese female entrepreneur
Friday, June 19, 2020
Nicole Gakou is an engineer in information systems and a business manager. She is also the President of the Union of Women Entrepreneurs of Senegal (UFCE). In this interview with UN Women, she sheds light on the impacts of COVID-19 on businesses led by women. The UFCE includes 500 women distributed in the regions of Dakar, St Louis, Ziguinchor, and Thiès who are active in all sectors of activity. Today, 46% of these women are in agro-food processing (agriculture, livestock and fish farming), 36% in services, and less than 1% work in laboratories of cosmetic industry. Over 90% of UFCE members are in the formal sector and the rest of the members are accompanied to achieve this.
Monday, June 15, 2020
The passing of laws to end child marriage resulted in blocking thousands of child marriages and enabling second chance education for girls. However, these gains made over the years are in jeopardy in the age of COVID-19. In Malawi because of cases brought to court, child marriages were annulled, and girls had the opportunity to return to school. F ewer adolescents experienced female genital mutilation (FGM) compared with older generations. In Ethiopia, for instance, 47 per...
Friday, June 12, 2020
Women are disproportionately affected by the impact of COVID-19, as more women work in low-paying, insecure and informal jobs, while carrying the bulk of burden on unpaid care work at home. As more countries report infection and lockdown, more domestic violence helplines and shelters across the world are reporting rising calls for help. Confinement is fostering the tension and strain created by security, health, and money worries. In addition, it is increasing isolation...
From where I stand: ‘Voice the Violence’ program still providing services during COVID-19
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Mphatso Baluwa Jim is the national coordinator of Malawi Girl Guides Association (MAGGA), a voluntary non-Governmental organisation. UN Women is supporting MAGGA to implement the “Voice the Violence” program which focuses on empowering and protecting women and girls from violence. She explains how COVID-19 has affected how her organization is reaching women and girls to ensure no one is left behind.
In The Words Of Zahra Namuli..." My family is at a risk of COVID -19"
Monday, May 25, 2020
People are at home and many of them are glued to their Televisions yearning for information about COVID-19. They cannot easily access such information if there is no journalist to pass it on or to break it down in a simplified manner.
UN Women and Private Bank in Mozambique join efforts to advance women economic empowerment
Monday, May 25, 2020
The Commercial and Investment Bank (BCI) and UN Women Mozambique signed a memorandum of understanding in Maputo, to advocate and promote gender and women's empowerment in Mozambique. The agreement was signed by UN Women Mozambique and BCI representatives Marie Laetitia Kayisire and Rogério LAM respectively.
Monday, May 25, 2020
Associação Socio Cultural Horizonte Azul (ASCHA) a Maputo based civil society organization and UN Women partner in activities by youth and for youth particularly on the right of girls and young women, issued a statement addressing government authorities to demand extension of social protection programs for women and girls and other vulnerable groups as long COVID19 impact last.
Fighting the shadow pandemic of violence against women and children during COVID19
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Alongside health impacts, the global COVID19 pandemic has brought a loss of liberties. Restrictions in movement have affected people’s jobs and livelihoods. Despite the many hardships being faced, freedom from violence cannot, under any circumstance, be surrendered – the right to live free from violence is a basic human right. Yet the most vulnerable members of society including children, women, persons with disabilities, the elderly – are suffering during...