UNFPA launches World Population Report

The United Nations Population Fund launched the State of World Population Report 2010; ‘From Conflict and Crisis to Renewal:   Generations of Change’ last evening.

According to the report  “when women have access to the same rights and opportunities as men they are more resilient to conflict and disaster and can lead reconstruction and renewal efforts in their societies.”

The reports release coincides with the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council’s landmark resolution 1325, which aimed to put a stop to sexual violence against women and girls in armed conflict and to encourage greater participation by women in peace building initiatives.

In Sri Lanka, UNFPA has been working with the Human Rights Commission and civil society organisations to create awareness on UN Security Council resolution 1325 and to start grass roots level peace building initiatives. Over 100 frontline workers, which include school teachers, women development officers and village heads, have also been trained on UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

“When women and girls suffer deep discrimination, they are more vulnerable to the worst effects of disaster or war, including the weapon and humiliation of rape and less likely to contribute to peace building, which threatens long-term recovery,” said UNFPA’s Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid at the launch of the report.

The report is a collection of stories of individuals affected by conflict or catastrophe in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Haiti, Iraq, Jordan, Liberia, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Timor-Leste and Uganda.

Daily Mirror