General Women, Peace and Security

Thank you all for coming here today. The presence of a number of distinguished African Heads of State and Government attests to this continent's strong support for the newest member of the UN family: UN Women.

President Sirleaf on Sunday joined women in Africa and across the world to celebrate the creation of the newest United Nations entity, known as United Nations Women (UN Women).

The fistula usually develops when prolonged labour presses the unborn child so tightly in the birth canal that blood flow is cut off to the surrounding tissues, thus causing them to rot away. Another significant cause of obstetric fistula is sexual abuse/ rape, especially within conflict/post-conflict areas.

The Global Fund for Women stands in solidarity with the brave women and men who are risking their lives to create a new country, one that respects human rights, justice and equality for all.

According to the Vice Chair of the HRC, Commissioner Yasmin Jusu- Sheriff, it was incumbent on the Commission to take an introspective look at its policies with a view to put mechanisms in place for redressing the structural barriers that constrain women from enjoying their political, social and economic rights.

Despite being the main victims in regional armed conflicts, women are still excluded from playing a role in conflict resolution and peace negotiations, women's rights leaders said on Tuesday.

During the closing meeting of the Arab Women's Intellectual Organisation, discussions focused on the impact of armed conflicts on women in Iraq, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon and Palestine.

The referendum is taking place from January 9 to 15 January, but official turnout figures are not expected until the beginning of February.

The outcome, which is largely expected to result in an independent South, will have an enormous impact in both the South and the North.

On the final day of the two-day African Union (AU) Summit taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called for greater efforts to reduce sexual violence, particularly during armed conflicts, Ezega.com reports (Barea, 1/31).

The United Nations is making progress in its efforts to incorporate women into its conflict mediation activities - but much more still needs to be done,

Last week over 50 UN Women staff based in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Samoa came together for the first time as part of the new UN entity, UN Women.