United Nations Radio

Women: a weekly 14-minute news magazine that looks at issues affecting women around the world

Eritrean farmers

Nearly 40 years ago, the women of Eritrea fought on the front lines of their country's war of independence and became pioneers in the African women's liberation movement. Since the war ended in 1991, new laws have been passed granting Eritrean women the right to vote, own land and work in any job they choose. But in rural communities, women's liberation is a war still being fought. Sanne Winderixk of the International Fund for Agricultural Development reports.

Iranian human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi facing threats

Shirin Ebadi

Shirin Ebadi, the Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner has been facing increasing threats for her work with the Center for the Defense of Human Rights in Iran. Earlier this month UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement expressing great concern about her safety and calling on the Iranian authorities to take immediate measures to prevent any further harassment of Ms. Ebadi.

Still too many women are dying while giving birth

mother and newborn

UNICEF finds that progress in improving the health of newborns and their mothers is insufficient, as half a million women die each year during pregnancy and delivery - a number that has remained unchanged for years. This is the conclusion of UNICEF's flagship publication The State of the World's Children 2009.

Producer: Bissera Kostova

(duration: 14'00")