WUNRN
16 September 2010
In time for the UN Summit on
the Millennium Development Goals 2010, UNIFEM (part of UN Women), in
collaboration with UNTV, has produced a series of five videos highlighting
select MDGs from a gender perspective. Introduced by internationally renowned
TV journalist Daljit Dhaliwal, all videos are now available for download in English, French, Spanish and
Russian
(all
languages). For DVDs, please contact Jaya Jiwatram,
jaya.jiwatram[at]unifem.org.
MDG 1: Cambodia
Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
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Eradicating extreme hunger and poverty is a key focus of the Millennium
Development Goals set in 2000 by world leaders at the United Nations. Secure
employment is critical to overcome poverty, yet worldwide 60 percent of people
are working without a formal contract or social security protection. The
majority of them are women and too often their labour rights are
exploited. But one idea showing promise can be found in the homes of
women in Cambodia. We travelled to Phnom Penh to see how the rights of
home-based women workers are being protected, providing the women with a ladder
out of severe poverty.
MDG 3: Liberia
Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
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Liberia — it was a country engulfed in war, its women bearing the brunt of the
conflict. While peace finally did come, the legacy of violence against women
continues to haunt the country. But Liberia’s women are now taking positions of
power and filling roles usually dominated by men. We look now at how women in
decision-making positions are helping to pave a new path to their country’s
future.
MDG 6: Botswana
Combat HIV/AIDS
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Botswana, in Southern Africa, reportedly has one of the highest HIV and AIDS
prevalence rates in the world. Especially hard hit are the women in rural
areas, who cannot access medical care. While there still is a very long way to
go, new methods for delivering services and information to hard-to-reach women
is starting to make a difference.
MDG 7: Colombia
Ensure Environmental Sustainability
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Climate change in parts of the world can lead to an increased struggle to grow
food and the displacement of populations. This is the case in Northern Colombia
among the indigenous Wayuu people, where desert conditions have been
exacerbated in recent years. As in many parts of the world, it is the Wayuu
women who feed their families and provide water — and they are struggling to
ensure their community’s very survival despite dwindling water resources.
The Missing MDG Target: Violence against Women
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Tragically, up to three-quarters of women and girls worldwide experience
physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. And the effect on the millions
of girls and women who are abused is devastating — not just on them personally,
but also on their ability to fully participate in the development of their
countries. Unless violence against women is curbed, meeting all of the eight
Millennium Development Goals will be impossible.