United Nations Radio

Helvi Sipilä

In May the UN said farewell to a champion of women's rights. Helvi Sipilä, 94, died on May 15 in her native Finland. In 1972 Ms. Sipilä became the first woman to hold the post of Assistant Secretary-General at the UN when she was appointed head of the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs. Trained as a lawyer at a time when few women entered the profession, Helvi Sipilä had a lifelong passion for justice and equality. We look back on the life of this natural born trailblazer.

Yasuni National Park

Ecuador hopes to protect and profit from oil-rich Yasuni National Park

The Yasuni National Park in the Amazon Basin is considered one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet. However, this ecological wonder sits atop Ecuador's largest oil reserve. It's estimated that 900 million barrels of oil are underneath this pristine wilderness. Yolanda Kakabadse is part of a three-person team appointed by Ecuador's president to find out how the country can protect Yasuni National Park while still profiting from oil, the country's major source of revenue. She tells UN Radio's Nick Baker the solution might be found in the burgeoning global carbon market.

Women peacekeepers and local counterparts fight crime in Southern Sudan

Crime in the city of Juba, the capital of southern Sudan, is almost spiraling out of control. The region is struggling to meet huge expectations after decades of civil war have left the police incapacitated. But, as Chance Baniko reports, the local authorities are getting assistance from women police officers at the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

Producer: Dianne Penn
duration: 14'00"