United Nations Radio

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

violence against women

The UN has recognized violence against women as one of the most widespread human rights violations in the world. In commemoration of International Women's Day on March 9, the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women organized an event at UN headquarters to look at the challenges in ending this scourge. The Trust Fund administers grants to groups worldwide in support of the implementation of laws, policies and other activities to combat violence against women. One of the grant recipients is the Rozrada Center in Ukraine. Dr. Valentyna Bondarovska, its director, details the struggle to make violence against women a national concern in the former Soviet republic.

Afghan girls face difficulties in getting an education

girls education in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, during the years of Taliban rule, girls were not allowed to go to school. In the eight years since the fall of the Taliban, girls are now free to go to school, but getting an education can still be difficult. Recent incidents such as the girls who had acid thrown in their faces on their way to school can make even the most fearless defenders of education for girls have second thoughts. In this report, UN Radio's Kate Adair speaks to a group of Afghan women who participated in the Commission on the Status of Women held recently at UN headquarters.

The Salvation Army assists HIV-positive women in Mumbai, India

HIV positive Indian woman

The shared role of men and women in caregiving, particularly in relation to HIV and AIDS, was the theme of the latest session of the Commission on the Status of Women, held this month at UN Headquarters in New York. Among the delegations and NGOs participating was The Salvation Army which provides both counseling and outreach to people with HIV in Mumbai, India, including sex workers in the city's red light district. Salvation Army programme officer Major Jassi Khristi explains how they are providing a much-needed service to these women.

Producer: Dianne Penn
duration: 14'00"