This report has been prepared by the Gender and Child Cell (GCC) within the Provincial Disaster Management Authority of Balochistan (PDMA Balochistan). The GCC was established with the support of UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, with the aim of incorporating gender in disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts in the province. The report presents an analysis of the current situation of disaster risk management (DRM) in the province, with an emphasis on the gender-sensitivity or gender-awareness of institutions, processes and efforts.

Foreword

By Lorraine Taggart in Haiti

Last month’s International Women’s Day saw celebrations of the contribution that women and girls have made to the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement across the world.

In Haiti, the Red Cross society took the initiative and planned several activities such as a workshop on cardiovascular disease, a presentation on women’s roles in the voodoo religion, as well as an exhibition of artwork designed and created by women to commemorate this day.

I. Introduction

1. By its resolution 2066 (2012), the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) until 30 September 2013 and requested me to keep it regularly informed of the situation on the ground as UNMIL continues its reconfiguration, as well as on progress towards achieving the transition benchmarks and on the development of a transition plan with the Government of Liberia. The present report provides the requested information, as well as an update on major developments since my report of 15 August 2012 (S/2012/641).

The issue of water and sanitation is of utmost importance given the place of women in African society. It illustrates how African women suffer from inequality, particularly when it comes to access to education.

In an African context, drawing water, transportation, storage and use, and cleanliness of public and private facilities are mostly the responsibility of women. Therefore, the scarcity of water and insufficient water supply equipment greatly affect the schooling of young girls and the education of women.

Jennifer McCleary-Sills, Sophie Namy, Joyce Nyoni, Datius Rweyemamu, Adrophina Salvatory, Ester Steven

2013

I. Introduction

With less than three years to go, Iraq’s progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals shows a mixed picture. There has been progress, but also deterioration over the period 1990-2011 across all eight MDG goals in Iraq’s governorates.

By Thalif Deen

UNITED NATIONS, Mar 11 2013 (IPS) - When the largest single gathering of women met at the United Nations in February last year, the adoption of a future plan of action was undermined by rigidly conservative governments opposed to women’s reproductive rights – largely misinterpreted as a right to abortion.