Women and Children |
Despite promising progress in some areas, underlying discrimination against women persists: the 2012 Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) shows that countries have made promising progress in tackling discriminatory social institutions in some areas. Despite positive steps, pervasive and persistent social institutions continue to limit women and girls’ horizons in all regions ranked in the 2012 SIGI. Latin America and the Caribbean shows the lowest level of overall discrimination against women in the 2012 SIGI rankings. South Asia has improved its position from the lowest ranked region in 2009 to the fourth ranked region in 2012. This is largely due to the introduction of laws to combat violence against women, decline in early marriage, introduction of quotas to promote women’s political participation and improvement in son bias for some countries in the region. Download this publication |
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In 1911, women were allowed to vote in just two countries of the world. Today, a century later, that right is virtually universal. During this time, women have continuously expanded their political rights so that, at the time of writing, 28 countries have reached or exceeded the 30 percent critical mass mark for women in parliament and 19 women are currently serving as elected Heads of State or Government. Alongside women’s greater political influence, there has been a growing recognition of women’s rights, not only political and civil, but also economic, social and cultural. To date, 186 Member States worldwide have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which entered into force in 1981, signalling their commitment to fulfilling the human rights of women and girls and breaking down the barriers to achieving gender equality and justice. Download this publication |
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Over 25 years into the epidemic, it is now widely recognized that laws and policies must affirm and protect women’s rights in order to mount an effective response to HIV/AIDS. Governments have repeatedly declared their commitment to respect, protect and fulfill women’s rights and have acknowledged the linkages between HIV and gender inequality. Download this publication |
| This report was produced with the valuable guidance and contributions of many individuals, both inside and outside UNICEF. Important contributions for country panels were received from the following UNICEF field offices: China, Egypt, India, Mexico, Mozambique, Serbia, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Sweden. Input was also received from UNICEF regional offices and the Innocenti Research Centre. Download this publication |
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This is a compilation of stories about the lives of women living with HIV in the Asia-Pacific region. Each woman has overcome incredible challenges to become a strong leader, advocate and role model for other HIV-positive women. These women are like diamonds, formed under immense pressure, hewn from the darkness to shine, strongest and most brilliant of all gems. Interviewing these women and crafting their stories has been one of the most joyous tasks I could have undertaken. I know each woman to some extent because they have all attended at least one of the training workshops I have conducted in the region and several have become my close friends. Download this publication |
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With a view to evoking public and policy responses to the issue, the UNDP Regional HIV and Development Programme in Asia and the Pacific, in partnership with Asian Women's Human Rights Council (AWHRC), UNAIDS, UNIFEM and civil society partners including International Centre for Research on Women ( ICRW), Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD), INFORM, Lawyers' Collective, Positive Women's Network (PWN+) and Lanka+ organized the first ever Asia Pacific Court of Women on HIV, Inheritance and Property Rights in Colombo on 18 August 2007. The highlights of the Court, which was held in conjunction with the 8th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP), included testimonials by 22 women from 11 countries in the region, special addresses by leading experts and a public statement by a jury of eminent citizens.
This booklet and the film enclosed comprise the highlights of the Court and reflections by people concerned with the issues. While the film takes one directly to the Court proceedings, the intention of the booklet is to help set the context and serve as a companion. Download this publication |
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This publication is the Executive Summary of a qualitative research study undertaken by UNDP Regional HIV and Development Programme - in partnership with UNAIDS, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), Coordination of Action Research for AIDS and Mobility in Asia (CARAM Asia), and the Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center (CLMC) - on the HIV vulnerabilities of Asian migrant women in Arab states. The study covered four countries of origin: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Philippines, and Sri Lanka; and three host countries: Bahrain, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Download this publication |
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With the world’s second largest number (5.9 million) of people living with HIV and AIDS, Asia Pacific has one of the fastest growing infection rates, coupled with 60 percent of the global population and massive mobility of people within and between countries. This region is struggling with an epidemic that threatens to further impoverish poor people and intensify the existing inequities related to gender, rights, governance, livelihoods and services. Download this publication |
| Exclusive breastfeeding – breastfeeding with no other food or drink, not even water – is the ideal mode of infant feeding for the first six months of life. For optimal growth, development and health, infants should be exclusively breastfed for their first six months, and should then receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods, while breastfeeding continues up to 24 months or beyond. Download this publication |
