Tag Archives: United Nations

UN Appoints Wonder Woman Its Champion Of Gender Equality, Sparking Backlash

Wonder Woman has been named being named the United Nations’ Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls.

But the honour has sparked a backlash among some of the organisation’s staff who believe a comic book character is an inappropriate choice.

The Amazonian warrior got the honour at the UN’s Manhattan headquarters at a ceremony featuring both Lynda Carter, who played the character in the 1970s television series, and Gal Gadot, who will star in 2017’s Wonder Woman film.

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The character, first seen in print 75 years ago, will front a campaign promoting women’s rights and gender equality.

Using the slogan “think of all the wonders we can do”, the campaign aims to promote the achievements stemming from female empowerment.

It will also highlight examples of “women and girls who have made and are making a difference every day by overcoming barriers and beating the odds to reach their goals”.

Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls is one of the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals, which aim to tackle poverty and inequality.

Cristina Gallach, UN under-secretary-general for communications and public information, said:

While we have achieved progress towards gender equality, in many parts of the world women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence.

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and a foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.”

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But Wonder Woman’s appointment was strongly criticised by some UN staff. Some 1,000 UN staffers and women’s groups signed petitions calling for a human ambassador, rather than a fictitious character, and social media is questioning whether Wonder Woman is qualified for the job.

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The character’s current iteration is that of a large breasted, white woman of impossible proportions, scantily clad in a shimmery, thigh-baring body suit with an American flag motif and knee high boots – the epitome of a ‘pin-up’ girl. It is alarming that the United Nations would consider using a character with an overtly sexualized image at a time when the headline news in United States and the world is the objectification of women and girls.”

The petition also pointed out that the rights to Wonder Woman are owned by DC Comics, “a for-profit entertainment corporation.”

A Wonder Woman film will be released next year and the association with the UN campaign is unlikely to harm its marketing campaign.

Around 50 UN staff turned their back on the ceremony of Wonder Woman’s appointment and others voiced their disapproval.

“Disgusting that the UN substitutes sexualized fake for real woman leader. Hope Wonder Woman’s lasso of truth reveals hypocrisy.”

However, some people praised the decision.

Film critic Anna Smith told Sky News:

Wonder Woman the film is coming out next year, this is an opportunity to have a film directed by a woman, starring a woman as a first major female superhero. It has got to be a positive strike for women and I think this helps draw attention to that.”

LGBT Groups Blocked From Attending UN’s AIDS Conference After ‘Objections’ From Several States

51 Muslim states have blocked 11 gay and transgender organisations from attending a meeting ending Aids at the United Nations next month.

Egypt wrote to the president of the 193-member general assembly on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation – whose members include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Indonesia, Sudan and Uganda – to object to the participation of the groups.

It did not give a reason in the letter, just simple asked for the groups to be banned.

Samantha Power, US ambassador to the UN, wrote to the general assembly president, Mogens Lykketoft, and said the groups appeared to have been blocked for involvement in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy.

Given that transgender people are 49 times more likely to be living with HIV than the general population, their exclusion from the high-level meeting will only impede global progress in combating the HIV/Aids pandemic.

She also wrote,

We are deeply concerned that at every negotiation on a new general assembly gathering, the matter of NGO [non-governmental organization] participation is questioned and scrutinized. The movement to block the participation of NGOs on spurious or hidden grounds is becoming epidemic and severely damages the credibility of the UN,” she said.

UN officials said the EU and Canada also wrote to Lykketoft to protest against the objections by the OIC group.

The issues of LGBT rights and participation in events at the UN have long been contentious. The UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, has advocated for LGBT equality but faced opposition from African, Arab and Muslim states as well as Russia and China.

In 2014, the UN agreed it would recognize all same-sex marriages of its staff, allowing them to receive its benefits.

However, Russia, with the support of 43 states including Saudi Arabia, China, Iran, India, Egypt, Pakistan and Syria, unsuccessfully tried to overturn the move last year.

In February, the 54-member African Group, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the 25-member Group of Friends of the Family led by Belarus, Egypt and Qatar protested about six new UN stamps promoting LGBT equality.

Angelina Jolie Appeals for Women’s Rights at Africa Union Summit (Video)

Angelina Jolie Pitt, who is also a special envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, was participating in a panel discussion at the Africa Union Summit in Johannesburg on Friday (12 June) on the theme of violence against women.

Her speech focused on the need for the global community to address the violence and human rights violations that impact women and girls around the world.

There is a global epidemic of violence against women — both within conflict zones and within societies at peace — and it is still treated as a lesser crime and lower priority.

Women and girls are bearing the brunt of extremists that revel in treating them barbarically. This is inextricably linked to our overall failure to prevent and end conflicts worldwide, which is causing human suffering on an unprecedented level.”

Jolie said atrocities committed against women in conflict zones need to be addressed urgently.

We need policies for long-term security that are designed by women, focused on women, executed by women. Not at the expense of men, or instead of men, but alongside and with men.”

Jolie spoke to the critical need to engage men in the global women’s rights movement, which begins at the individual level.

There is no greater pillar of stability than a strong, free and educated woman. And there is no more inspiring role model than a man who respects and cherishes women and champions their leadership.” 

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Watch | Can You See Past the Label?

A new video is out from the United Nations, which is hitting home the impact of discrimination – “Lesbian”, “gay”, “bisexual”, “transgender”, “intersex”, “queer”: can you see past the labels?

The video is from the United Nations Free & Equal campaign which celebrates the contributions that millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people make to families and local communities around the world. The cast features “real people” (not actors), filmed in their workplaces and homes — among them, a firefighter, a police officer, a teacher, an electrician, a doctor and a volunteer, as well as prominent straight ally and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

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It challenges you to look beyond the label and see these people for what they truly are, just normal people going about their daily lives.

The video was launched in Times Square in New York City, where it will play throughout the day, and on YouTube.

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Ki-Moon, the Secretary-General of the UN, said:

We should all be outraged when people suffer discrimination, assault or even murder simply because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. We should all speak out when someone is arrested and imprisoned because of who they love or how they look. This is one of the great neglected human rights challenges of our time. We must right these wrongs!

Some may oppose change. They may invoke culture, tradition or religion to defend the status quo. Such arguments have been used to try to justify slavery, child marriage, rape in marriage and female genital mutilation.

I respect culture, tradition and religion, but they can never justify the denial of basic rights. My promise to the lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and transgender members of the human family is this: I’m with you. I promise that as Secretary-General of the United Nations I will denounce attacks against you and I will keep pressing leaders for progress.”

Human Rights Council Pass Landmark LGBT Rights Resolution

The United Nations Human Rights Council has passed a landmark resolution condemning violence and discrimination against LGBT people.

“The Human Rights Council has taken a fundamental step forward by reaffirming one of the United Nations’ key principles – that everyone is equal in dignity and rights. This resolution puts the UN on a trajectory to address the discrimination and violence LGBT persons suffer daily across the world.”

Jessica Stern, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission

The resolution expresses grave concern ‘at acts of violence and discrimination, in all regions of the world, committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation and gender identity’. It also welcomes ‘positive developments at the international, regional and national levels in the fight against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity’.

The resolution, passed with support from 25 countries (Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Montenegro, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, Romania, South Africa, FYR Macedonia, the UK, the US, Venezuela and Vietnam). 14 countries voted against the motion (Algeria, Botswana, Cote D’ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Indonesia, Kenya, Kuwait, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and UAE), while 7 countries including China and India abstained.

Only some UN members have a seat on the Human Rights Council.

The resolution was proposed in early September by Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and Colombia, and has backing from Israel, the US, New Zealand, and Australia. Based on the UN High Commissioner for Human RIghts’ 2011 report on anti-LGBT discrimination and violence, the proposed resolution calls for the Human Rights Council to update the 2011 report with “good practices and ways to overcome violence and discrimination.”

“We have to acknowledge a fundamental truth that LGBT violence anywhere is a threat to peace and stability and prosperity anywhere.”

John Kerry, US Secretary of State

In 2013, The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights launched Free and Equal, a public education campaign, to increase support for LGBT rights around the world.

The UN announced it would recognise the same-sex marriages of their some 44,000 employees and extend benefits to same-sex spouses in July of this year.

United Nations Hails Annulment of Uganda’s Anti-homosexuality Law

United Nations officials have welcomed the decision of the Constitutional Court of Uganda to annul the country’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, hailing it as a victory for the rule of law and social justice.

The law, which drew condemnation from the UN when it was promulgated in February, called for a 14-year jail term for a first conviction, and imprisonment for life for ‘aggravated homosexuality’. Challenged by 10 petitioners, including civil society, parliamentarians and academics, the law was annulled by the Court over a lack of quorum when the bill was passed.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid tribute to all those who contributed to this “step forward,” particularly the human rights defenders in Uganda who spoke out, at times incurring great personal risk.

“The Secretary-General calls for further efforts to decriminalize same-sex relationships and address the stigma and discrimination that persist in Uganda against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.”

UN Spokesman

Also welcoming the decision to annul the law was the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), which had warned that the legislation may obstruct effective responses to the virus.

“This is a great day for social justice. The rule of law has prevailed.”

Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director

UNAIDS noted that while homosexuality remains illegal in Uganda, annulling the law could have positive public health implications. Studies show that when gay men and other men who have sex with men face discrimination, including abuse, incarceration and prosecution, they are less likely to seek HIV testing, prevention and treatment services.

“[Ugandan] President Yoweri Museveni had personally indicated to me that he wants Uganda to accelerate its AIDS response to ensure all people have access to life-saving services.”

Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director

UNAIDS urged all Governments around the world, to protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people through repealing criminal laws against adult consensual same sex sexual conduct; implementing laws to protect people from violence and discrimination; promoting campaigns that address homophobia and transphobia; and ensuring access to health services, including HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services.

UN Launches Campaign on Equality and Rights of LGBTs in Brazil

Brazil Pride 01On Monday the 28th April, 2014, the United Nations launched a campaign on equality and rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals and transvestites (LGBT) in Brazil. In partnership with São Paulo City Hall, the campaign “Livres & Iguais” (Free & Equal), was initiated to shine a light on the alarming rates of violence against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transvestites and transsexuals. It is the UN’s aim to promote equality and respect for human rights of the LGBT groups.

At the launch was São Paulo City Mayer, Fernando Haddad, Daniela Mercury, UN Champion of Equality, the Assistant Director of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Humberto Henderson, and the Director of the United Nations Information Centre in Brazil (UNIC Rio), Giancarlo Summa

LGBT Community was represented by Keila Simpson, President of the Transvestites of Bahia Association (ATRAS) and winner of the Human Rights Award 2013 in the LGBT category;

Alessandro Melchior, Municipal Coordinator of  LGBT Policies; Fernando Quaresma de Azevedo, President of the São Paulo LGBT Parade Association (APOGLBT); Gustavo Bernardes, President of the LGBT National Council; Thaís Faria, Officer at ILO; and Leandro Ramos, Representative of  AllOut, the international organization that develops mobilization campaigns in defence of LGBT rights. Leandro Ramos will also act as moderation of the event.

The event is part of a list of activities in the run up to LGBT Pride Month in São Paulo. São Paulo LGBT Pride Parade (Parada do Orgulho LGBT de São Paulo) takes place in Avenida Paulista, and has been running since 1997. It is one of the biggest pride parades and the city’s government not only invests millions to support the parade, but many politicians show up to open the main event and ride on floats.

São Paulo LGBT Pride Parade Pride receives about 400,000 tourists and makes between R$ 180 million and R$ 190 million.

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