XUNICEF News and Views

Title: Landmark UN report highlights violence against mothers Author: Make Mothers Matter Publication: Make Mothers Matter Date: 04.07.26

It was a pleasant surprise this morning to come across a NY Times article ( A Humble 3-Wheel Electric Vehicle Lands Toyota in Federal Court) which mentions a former UNICEF staffer, Shantha Bloemen, We had never crossed paths in our UNICEF lives, or for that matter, in XUNICEF. Her story and the story of the organzation she founded seems intriguing.

The World Bank has never had a woman president. Neither have the African, Asian, Inter-American, or Islamic Development Banks As the search for the next SG continues, this article points to another great lacuna in gender equality, that of women leaders in financial institutions. The Glass Ceiling has been broken in many UN agencies like UNICEF, WFP and UNESCO, but much more is still needed. PS. Not to forget our own Blog Editors team is still looking for a woman to volunteer!

In 2015, I was working in Tanzania when violence erupted in neighboring Burundi, triggering a massive wave of refugees. (this happens every few years - it was my 3rd refugee influx/outflux I had seen in 15 years at this border.)

In 2024, 137 women and girls were killed every day by intimate partners or family members.In 2025, we are still confronting the unacceptable truth: women are not safe in their own homes. UN Women and UNODC  have released a new report on femicide: https://lnkd.in/eiAs6bRx

A memorable evening as Keynote Speaker at the IWOO Gala on Women, Peace & Empowerment. Wonderful to see my accomplished dear second cousin @lily_pourzand and her amazing mother, dear Mehrangiz Kar, one of our foremost Women’s Right activists & lawyers. Mrs. Kar translated & analyzed CEDAW for us in UNICEF, Iran, some 30 years back. Tashakor to IWOO for inviting me @azadehmomeni26 @dr_bashiri . I spoke specifically about the UN SC Resolution on Women, Peace & Security as well as how it applies to Iran, Afghanistan, Palestine, Sudan…Canada.

  Feminist Foreign Policies Are Fighting for Their Life Maria Luisa Gambale — PassBlue — November 5, 2025 Click here for the article.

The WPS Agenda Needs Strong Wills to Counter Rough Headwinds Cristal Downing, PassBlue – October 5, 2025 Click here for the article Summary As the UN prepares for its annual Women, Peace and Security (WPS) debate on October 6, the author warns that gains on women’s rights in conflict are eroding amid a global backlash. The U.S. has narrowed gender references in UN documents and weakened support for women in peacekeeping, while many governments remain silent for fear of U.S. retaliation. The UN, facing its own financial strain, has been reluctant to push back.

The members of the Gender Push Initiative in UNICEF have written to Catherine Russell listing their concerns about the future of gender equality in UNICEF and the Gender Action Plan. See the full document below the summary.

Announcement shared by Misrak Elias I’m forwarding information on the webinar below to share with our members. There may be some who are interested. Best regards Misrak

Article shared by Niloufar Pourzand Click here for the article Summary UN Women's latest report reveals that nearly half of all women-led and women's rights organizations operating in crisis zones may be forced to shut down within six months due to severe funding cuts.

Seneca Falls, NY, convention (1848) is claimed to be the first suffragette movement organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. Among the demands, the key was women’s right to vote in addition to educational and professional opportunities for women, married women’s right to control their wages and property.

“As a new school year begins in Afghanistan, it marks three years since the start of the ban on girls' secondary education. This decision continues to harm the future of millions of Afghan girls. If this ban persists until 2030, over four million girls will have been deprived of their right to education beyond primary school.

Article shared by Niloufar Click here for the article Summary The Trump administration is pushing to scale back U.N. commitments to expanding women's roles in peacekeeping and efforts to counter disinformation against U.N. forces.

Article shared by Niloufar Pourzand Click here for the article Summary The hope of electing the first female United Nations Secretary-General in 2025 has been undermined by the election of U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration’s stance against diversity initiatives.

It is March 8th again  Another International Women’s Day What does that really mean? Will I, my sisters and daughters Be guaranteed a better life? Nothing much happened since last year For they  say it’s really  up to   us, my dears To chin up and address our fears.

 Video shared by Sree Gururaja