VSO’s reaction to UN Women Executive Board

11/11/2010 15:15:00

Following the exclusion of Iran from the Executive Board of UN Women, Kathy Peach, VSO UK’s Head of External Affairs comments.Following the exclusion of Iran from the Executive Board of UN Women, Kathy Peach, VSO UK’s Head of External Affairs comments.

“Giving Iran a place on the board would have been a huge blow for women's rights around the globe and a big set back for the hundreds of organisations who campaigned for the creation of UN Women. Iran's track record on women's rights, including the high profile case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, rightly undermined its credibility to sit on an executive board tasked with securing a just and fair world for women.

More positively, the news is another step forward for UN Women. The appointments, the first under Michelle Bachelet’s leadership, mark an important milestone for the embryonic agency. We believe UN Women has the potential to make a genuine and lasting difference for millions of women around the world”.

To make this a reality, VSO is now urging the Executive Board to:

  • ensure UN Women is fully and ambitiously funded by at least $1billion annually

  • work closely with member states and other UN agencies to deliver on international commitments to women’s rights and gender equality

  • create a strong operational programme to help women fight all forms of injustice and discrimination

  • foster open dialogue with charities and women’s groups around the world

For more information please contact Rachel Trayner on 0208 780 7265 or email rachel.trayner@vso.org.uk  

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