05/11/2003
Congo's women continue to suffer in wartorn region: UN
Thousands of women and girls between the ages of 5 and 80 in the eastern area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are suffering the effects of torture and rape, the United Nations has said today.
At a briefing in Geneva, UN spokesperson Christiane Berthiaume said the agency believed that these incidents were "just the tip of the iceberg".
According to the UN Fund for Women (UNIFEM) hundreds of thousands of women are thought to have been raped in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1998 – sexual mutilation and even cannibalism were reported in 2003, with armed groups particularly targeting Pygmy women for cannibalism and genocide.
UNIFEM said impunity for war crimes that target women because of their gender must end and wartime rapists must be tried and punished.
The area is still destabilised and the UN has estimated that between 2,000 and 4,000 Congolese were on the run in the eastern region after fighting broke out on Friday between a Congolese Mayi-Mayi militia and a Rwandan rebel group in South Kivu province.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that humanitarian agencies had been "overwhelmed" by the sudden influx and concerted efforts are underway to respond.
In a regional population of about 375,000, refugees numbered 76,500, while 49,500 other people had just returned from five to seven years in exile, OCHA said.
(gmcg)
At a briefing in Geneva, UN spokesperson Christiane Berthiaume said the agency believed that these incidents were "just the tip of the iceberg".
According to the UN Fund for Women (UNIFEM) hundreds of thousands of women are thought to have been raped in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1998 – sexual mutilation and even cannibalism were reported in 2003, with armed groups particularly targeting Pygmy women for cannibalism and genocide.
UNIFEM said impunity for war crimes that target women because of their gender must end and wartime rapists must be tried and punished.
The area is still destabilised and the UN has estimated that between 2,000 and 4,000 Congolese were on the run in the eastern region after fighting broke out on Friday between a Congolese Mayi-Mayi militia and a Rwandan rebel group in South Kivu province.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that humanitarian agencies had been "overwhelmed" by the sudden influx and concerted efforts are underway to respond.
In a regional population of about 375,000, refugees numbered 76,500, while 49,500 other people had just returned from five to seven years in exile, OCHA said.
(gmcg)
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17 February 2004
UK sees 20% increase in multiple births over 10 years
Mothers are having 20% more multiple births than they were a decade ago, according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Statistics have revealed that in 2002, the multiple birth rate was 15 per 1,000 women giving birth, compared with 12.5 in 1992.
UK sees 20% increase in multiple births over 10 years
Mothers are having 20% more multiple births than they were a decade ago, according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Statistics have revealed that in 2002, the multiple birth rate was 15 per 1,000 women giving birth, compared with 12.5 in 1992.
07 November 2003
UN soldier wounded during Congo firefight
UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) "vigorously responded" to attacks on blue helmet troops last night, kicking off a prolonged firefight in which one UN soldier was lightly wounded, according to a dispatch released today from Kinshasa.
UN soldier wounded during Congo firefight
UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) "vigorously responded" to attacks on blue helmet troops last night, kicking off a prolonged firefight in which one UN soldier was lightly wounded, according to a dispatch released today from Kinshasa.
05 March 2004
More work needed to end workplace discrimination for women: UN
Women are entering the global labour force in record numbers but they still face higher unemployment rates and lower wages, the United Nations labour agency has reported today.
More work needed to end workplace discrimination for women: UN
Women are entering the global labour force in record numbers but they still face higher unemployment rates and lower wages, the United Nations labour agency has reported today.
19 August 2014
New Data Shows Women Hit By 'Mid-Life Pay Crisis'
Female managers over 40 years old are earning 35% less than men, according to new data by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and XpertHR. To earn the same as a male manager over a career, a woman would have to work the equivalent of over 14 years more.
New Data Shows Women Hit By 'Mid-Life Pay Crisis'
Female managers over 40 years old are earning 35% less than men, according to new data by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and XpertHR. To earn the same as a male manager over a career, a woman would have to work the equivalent of over 14 years more.
28 January 2014
Roache Claims To Have Never Met Victims
The trial of William Roache has heard that the Coronation Street actor does not remember ever meeting any of his alleged victims. 81-year-old Roache is accused of two counts of rape and four of indecent assault against five women aged 16 or under between 1965 and 1971. He denies all charges.
Roache Claims To Have Never Met Victims
The trial of William Roache has heard that the Coronation Street actor does not remember ever meeting any of his alleged victims. 81-year-old Roache is accused of two counts of rape and four of indecent assault against five women aged 16 or under between 1965 and 1971. He denies all charges.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.