Lights, camera… gender?

KYIV, Ukraine – 1 September, 2011– Almost 100 young people from all over Ukraine between 18 and 35 took part in the "Summer Gender Camp" organized by the European Union (EU) and UNDP. Watch: videos made by summer camp participants See: photos from gender summer camp

FYR Macedonia: Breaking the cycle of domestic violence

SKOPJE, FYR Macedonia – 1 April, 2011 – Domestic violence is a crime. According to the 2006 Domestic Violence Survey (Association for Emancipation, Solidarity and Equality of Women), as many as 50 percent of women in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are affected by domestic violence at some point in their lives. Yet, most suffer in silence – not realizing their legal rights or that help is available. Watch: videos from A real man never hits a woman and Say No to Domestic Violence campaigns

Including all women - International Women's Day 2011

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – 8 March, 2011 – On the 8^th of March 2011 we celebrate 100 years of advocacy for women’s equal rights.  And yet, much remains to be done to realize the full equal rights of women. This is especially true for women in minority groups. All across Europe, Roma women are among the most disadvantaged populations. Check out our Photo Essay: Celebrating women in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States Read: UNDP Administrator Helen Clark's Message on International Women's Day Read: UN Secretary-General's Message on International Women's Day, 2011 Read: International Women's Day: A Century of Advocacy

International Human Rights Day 2010: A look at human rights in Europe and CIS

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – 10 December 2010 – "Human rights are the foundation of freedom, peace, development and justice – and the heart of the work of the United Nations around the world," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his statement on Human Rights Day 2010. Learn: About human rights in Europe and CIS Watch: video on human rights defenders Share: What did you do for Human Rights Day?

Widening women’s political representation in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – 13 August,  2010 – When Jogorku Kenesh, the Kyrgyz parliament, convened in 2005, it had no female members. Only one member of the cabinet of ministers was a woman. The paucity of women in decision-making positions contributed to difficulties in achieving gender equality in the conservative Kyrgyz tradition.

Women, peace and security get renewed commitment from Parliamentarians in the region

CETINJE, Montenegro – 28 June 2010 – Parliaments in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Serbia have joined forces to make sure that women are able to contribute to peace and security.

Kyrgyzstan: leading women’s representation in Parliament in Central Asia

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – 21 June 2010 – Anara Nyazova is proud of the changes that her job has introduced in the country. As Special Representative of the President of Kyrgyz Republic on gender issues in the Parliament from 2005 to 2007, she helped usher in changes such as gender quotas in the Election Code and the inclusion of an article on equal rights and opportunities for men and women in the Constitution of 2007.

New Centre to Help Belarus Youth Avoid 'Modern Slavery'

Minsk, Belarus, 21 May 2010—A new centre for youth has opened in Minsk, as part of Belarus’ ongoing efforts to fight human trafficking. The centre will help young Belarusians find jobs and develop business skills. The UNDP Belarus, the European Union and UNICEF all worked with the City of Minsk to open the centre.

Migration Presents Challenges and Opportunities for Armenia New Report Says

Yerevan, Armenia, 12 May 2010 – Armenia’s migration policies should be built on a human development framework, a new report says. The 2009 National Human Development Report advocates for migration policies that contribute to the country’s long-term social and economic development. Read: 2009 NHDR Migration and Human Development: Opportunities and Challenges Read: 2009 NHDR Migration and Human Development: Opportunities and Challenges (Armenian)

FYR Macedonia Battles Domestic Violence

Skopje, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 4 May 2010-The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continues to strike back against domestic violence in the country, with the launch of an economic empowerment programme for women victims of domestic violence. This programme, implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and five municipalities, will help victims find jobs—jobs that give them financial security and enable them move away from abusive situations. Watch: Public Service Ads to Reduce Violence Against Women video

Albania Strikes Back at Domestic Violence

Durrës, Albania, 17 March 2010-A new community centre in Durrës is among the resources in place in Albania to assist victims of domestic violence. The resources—including free legal services and a telephone hotline—are part of joint efforts between Albanian municipalities and the United Nations to help empower women. The efforts are also a part of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals initiative.

Women's Political Participation Needs to Increase, New Publication Says

Bratislava, Slovak Republic, 8 March 2010-Democratic and economic transitions and development in the UNDP Europe and CIS region have taken place in the post-Soviet era without the full participation of a major segment of the population—women. The lack of participation by women weakens their position in political life and their social and economic prospects says a new publication by the United Nations Development Programme, issued on International Women’s Day, March 8. The publication examines this trend and advocates for changes to ensure that women too rise with the changing economic and political tides in the region. Watch: Message from Secretary General Ban Ki-moon video

A Fashionable Development in Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey, February 2010-Female entrepreneurs in Turkey, with the help of the country’s fashion industry, the United Nations Development Programme and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), have created an innovative new apparel line—one that also boosts the economic prospects for women in Turkey’s South East Anatolia region.  The line of clothes and accessories, the Argande Collection, debuted on the runway in February during Istanbul Fashion Week. The collection is also available in 17 stores in seven provinces in Turkey. Watch: Argande Fashion Show video View: Photos from the Argande Collection

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Hits Back Against Violence Against Women

Skopje, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, November 2009-According to research on the spread of domestic violence in the country (conducted by the NGO ESE in 2006), every second woman in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is a victim of psychological violence, every sixth is a victim of physical violence, and every tenth is a victim of sexual violence in their own home. Video: Public Service Ads to Reduce Violence Against Women Photo Album: Billboard Campaign to Reduce Violence Against Women

Women Caught in Net of Exploitation Helped in Belarus

Minsk, Belarus, October 2009-In a secret location in Minsk, women on the run from exploitation will receive help integrating back into society thanks to the support of international organizations, NGOS and the Belarus government. At a recently re-opened shelter in a private flat, the women will receive social services, jobs skills and sanctuary from abduction and trafficking by criminal organizations.

'Include the Excluded,' UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina Recognized for Excellence

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, October 2009-A report strongly advocating for inclusion of marginalized groups as a key part Bosnia and Herzegovina’s long-term social policy has been awarded an award for innovation from the United Nations Development Programme. The report, the 2007 Bosnia and Herzegovina National Human Development Report (NHDR) – Social Inclusion in BiH, was recognized for its innovation in measuring human development. The publication was a joint effort of UNDP and national experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina led by the Independent Bureau for Humanitarian Issues and the Team Leader Dr. Žarko Papić.

Migration Moves More Than People, New Human Development Report 2009 Shows

Vienna, Austria 5 October –At a time when one in seven people is a migrant, migration should be an integral part of development policy, Jens Wandel, Deputy Regional Director and Bratislava Regional Centre Director of the United Nations Development Programme, said at the launch of the ‘Human Development Report 2009: Overcoming barriers: Human mobility and development.’ The comprehensive report casts new light on global trends in migration, particularly common misperceptions about migration. Video: Human Development Report 2009 ‘Human Development Report 2009: Overcoming barriers: Human mobility and development’ Podcast: Vienna Launch of Human Development Report 2009

Moldovan Migrants Look for New Opportunities Due to Global Crisis

Moscow, Russia, August 2009-Until recently, Moldovan Viaraka Tsaralunga worked with her sons at a lumber yard near St. Petersburg, Russia. Tough economic times, however, led to all foreign workers at the lumber yard being let go. Mrs. Tsaralunga and her sons, like many Moldovans working abroad, had to quickly find new options at a time of diminishing opportunities due to the global economic crisis.

Global Economic Crisis Hits Hard for Kyrgyzstan Migrants

Moscow, Russia, August 2009-Aida Elbeidyeva is one of many from Kyrgyzstan working abroad and sending money home. But Elbeidyeva, like many migrants, has seen her income drop as the global economic slowdown has setback both families and broader social progress.

Кризис и его последствия для женщин

Луиз Шперль               English/Aнглийский

Июль 2009 - Как отмечают многие эксперты и организации, нынешний экономический кризис будет иметь серьезные последствия для женщин. И, что еще более существенно, он будет препятствовать дальнейшему развитию прогресса на пути достижения гендерного равенства. Хотя текущий глобальный финансовый кризис еще разворачивается и пока еще преждевременно осмысливать весь спектр его социальных последствий , он может повлиять на положение женщин в таких областях, как занятость, социальная защита, неоплачиваемая работа по уходу, здравоохранение, образование и миграция, а также гендерное насилие. Сегодня при выработке антикризисных мер следует учитывать уроки азиатского кризиса 1997 г., когда многие малообеспеченные домохозяйства быстро скатились за черту бедности. В России, к примеру, женщины нередко занимают низкооплачиваемые и малоответственные должности в государственном секторе. А в частном секторе имеет место значительная дискриминация в отношении женщин, и на их долю приходится очень незначительная часть высокооплачиваемых должностей в частных компаниях. Женщины также составляют большинство среди длительно безработных. По мере развертывания кризиса  нынешняя  уязвимость их положения легко может усилиться. Помимо разработки антикризисных мер на макроуровне, для решения этих проблем необходимо протянуть руку помощи наиболее социально уязвимым и маргинализированным группам населения, в том числе и женщинам.