Germany struggles with Security Council role
Germany's hopes for turning a temporary place on the United Nations Security Council into a permanent seat have taken a beating in the face of waning influence on the international stage. Germany has found itself on the opposite side from its traditional European and American allies on several international issues.
Clinton: Women are needed for Mideast transformation
The women of the Middle East who have staked their lives on the transformation sweeping the region deserve the support of world leaders to bring about true democracies that include them, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said at the UN this week. "If we want a safe, secure, prosperous, peaceful future, women must be equal partners and free to realize their own God-given potential," Clinton said at a UN gathering of current and former female leaders.
Global effort to end child marriages is under way
The Clinton Global Initiative and The Elders have joined forces to combat child marriage with a new worldwide initiative, the Girls Not Brides campaign. The initiative will bring together a global coalition of organizations working against child marriage in a bid to end the practice within one generation.
World Bank: Gender equity needs to be addressed
Countries where females have solid opportunities perform better in regards to productivity and furthering development goals, the World Bank says in a report. While women now account for more than 40% of the global workforce, significant gaps in gender equity remain unaddressed, according to the report.
Diplomats look for compromise around Palestinian UN bid
European Union officials are looking to convince Palestinian authorities an upgrade in United Nations status to "non-member state" is preferable to a controversial bid for full membership. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told EU officials that Israel would agree to the change in status.
Bachelet builds UN Women despite funding gap
Former president of Chile and current head of UN Women Michelle Bachelet is working to establish the organization despite a funding shortfall and the lack of full agency status at the UN. Efforts include working with women in Egypt who participated in the overthrow of the Mubarak regime to ensure them a role in the new government. Bachelet said about the fundraising issue, "I am not disappointed. I am not frustrated. I would just love to be able to progress much faster than we can."
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