UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Washington Liaison Office

UNDP Celebrates Women’s Achievements, Works to Ensure More

In the month of March the world celebrates International Women’s Day, an opportunity to reflect on women's economic, political and social achievements. Women are key players in democratic governance, poverty alleviation, crisis prevention, environment protection and response to HIV/AIDS. Find out more about UNDP’s work in gender equality and women’s empowerment HERE.

NOTEWORTHY
NEW PUBLICATION:

HIV Vulnerabilities of Migrant Women:
from Asia to the Arab States





Despite the substantial economic benefits that Asian women migrant workers generate from work in the Arab region, they often migrate under unsafe conditions, are targets of sexual exploitation and violence, and are highly vulnerable to HIV infection, says this report released by UNDP and UNAIDS this month. Click to access.

In the midst of the global economic crisis, with rates of unemployment multiplying on a daily basis, the situation of migrant workers is under threat. When demand for labor wanes, those in the weakest bargaining position will accept almost any conditions to hold on to jobs.

Women in Crisis and
Post-Crisis Countries,
Voices from the Field

Audio clips from UNDP staff in Sudan, Myanmar, and Gaza speak to women’s special perspectives and vulnerabilities in these countries.

In Darfur, UNDP’s Legal Aid Network helps women get access to justice. LISTEN streaming, MP3

In Gaza, UNDP conducted gender-specific needs assessment after hostilities ended earlier this year. UNDP also is attending to the psycho-social impacts of the conflict on women and families. LISTEN streaming, MP3

In Myanmar, women were disproportionately killed by cyclone Nargis. Hear why and how this affects younger generations now. LISTEN streaming, MP3

UNDP in Timor-Leste:
Training Timorese to Bolster Justice

"I want to be a judge people can trust," says Dr. Jacinta Correia, 36, mother of two children and top of her class in the course for the first group of Magistrates and Public Defenders of Timor-Leste.

Through UNDP’s support, the Legal Training Center provides ongoing training to Timorese nationals in order to expand the Timor-Leste justice system and ensure its sustainability. MORE

UNDP Emphasizes “One Voter, One Ballot” for Sunday’s Elections in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

UNDP has organized a "One Voter, One Ballot" initiative to raise awareness of the negative impact of proxy and family voting and see-through ballots on the democratic process in FYR Macedonia. The initiative particularly has targeted youth and women, mostly in rural areas, and other groups who have been disenfranchised in the past. MORE