United Nations published this video item, entitled “Women, Peace And Security, Afghanistan & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (21 October 2021)” – below is their description.
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Women, Peace And Security
– Afghanistan/UN Development Programme Crisis Response Initiative
– Afghanistan/Humanitarian Update
– Ethiopia
– Libya
– Security Council Mali
– Marine Litter
– UNEP
– UN Day Concert
– Financial Contribution
– Guest Today
– Press Briefings Tomorrow
WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY
This morning, the Secretary-General spoke to Council members at the open debate on women, peace and security. He said that women are peacebuilders, changemakers, leaders and activists and yet, too often they remain on the periphery of formal peace processes and are excluded from rooms where decisions are made.
Women’s leadership must be the norm, he said.
He also noted how women have been impacted by conflict and violence all over the world, and he called on Council members to support the UN’s work to strengthen partnerships with local women leaders, help protect women human rights defenders and activists, and promote women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes.
And earlier today, the Secretary-General visited the “In their Hands: Women Taking Ownership of Peace”.
The exhibit features work by women photographers and showcases women’s work around the world. It’s at the Delegates Entrance. The exhibit is also being shown in Brooklyn at the Photoville festival until December 1st.
AFGHANISTAN/ UN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME CRISIS RESPONSE INITIATIVE
The UN Development Programme today launched a crisis response initiative that will contribute to preventing a humanitarian catastrophe and the breakdown of Afghanistan’s economy. This is part of the UN’s overall response to the situation in the country.
The initiative is called ‘ABADEI,’ which denotes hope for a better future in local languages. It will channel funding into community activities, including grants to support small and micro businesses, especially those owned by women, and cash-for-work projects offering short-term income for the unemployed, and restore local and small infrastructure. It will also support people with disabilities, the elderly, and the most vulnerable, through temporary basic income.
All assistance will be provided and delivered to the beneficiaries directly, based on impartial assessments carried out in conjunction with local community leaders, and independently of authorities.
The activities will be funded from contributions to UNDP, as well as through the newly created “Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan”, which is a UN inter-agency and multi-partner funding mechanism to enable UN agencies and non-governmental organizations to coordinate their support for community-level initiatives.
AFGHANISTAN/HUMANITARIAN UPDATE
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said today that a COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Afghanistan began this week in Kandahar, targeting people in at-risk areas across the province. On November 8th, a Polio vaccination campaign will also be carried out alongside the provision of Vitamin A in Kandahar. WHO, UNICEF and other partners are coordinating those efforts.
We, along with our partners, continue joint needs assessments throughout Afghanistan to identify humanitarian needs and prioritize immediate assistance.
Our humanitarian colleagues also noted that civilians continue to be injured by explosive devices in the country, with incidents reported in Nangahar and Laghman areas.
The Flash Appeal for Afghanistan, which is over $606 million, is now 45 per cent funded.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=21%20October%202021
United Nations YouTube Channel
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