NYC: Int'l Women's Day: Most Urgent Issue is Rape as War Weapon, from Nigeria, Somalia to Iraq and Syria. We don't need any words, we need Global Action!

"Women's rights are human rights!" some shouted amid a cacophony of car horns, drumbeats and police commands. The afternoon march started in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza opposite the United Nations, ending hours later in Times Square. Participants called for equality for the gender that traditionally is paid less for work and often has a smaller voice in policy decisions. "Today, you are marching in the footsteps of generations of feminists," said New York City's first lady, Chirlane McCray, noting that International Women's Day commemorates the day in 1908 when thousands of women marched through the city demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. Established by the Socialist Party of America, the celebration spread to communist and socialist countries, especially the former Soviet Union, where Vladimir Lenin made it an official holiday. "This march started more than a century ago, but we still have a long way to go before we get to equality," McCray added. She pointed to universal prekindergarten, paid sick leave and other causes that her husband, Mayor Bill de Blasio, has emphasized as a mark of progress for women in New York City. In November, New York joined the U.N.'s Safe Global Cities Initiative, which works to combat sexual harassment and violence in public places. Caeli Waldron, 26, flew in from Los Angeles to lead a contingent of high school students marching as part of a program called Girls Learn International, which involves American youth in the global movement for girls' education. "Women's inequality affects men because we're all fighting for equality in various ways, we're all connected — whether it's racial or gay or economic rights," said Waldon, adding that if, for instance, a man is married to a woman earning less for equivalent work, "your family is not going to be as stable." Another marcher hoisted a sign that read: "If women are equal, men are free." A salient issue on Sunday was rape — whether in India, where in recent months it has become a divisive and very public issue, or in the United States. Dev Singh, 14, came from Pennsylvania with a group of about 100 teens and adults belonging to a spiritual movement called the Sant Nirankari Mission that originated in India. "We believe in equality, and the key to respecting everyone is love," the boy from Chadds Ford, outside Philadelphia, said after crossing Manhattan to the beat of a drum pounded by another youth in the group. Speakers at the U.N. headquarters gathering preceding the march included Nobel prize winner Leymah Roberta Gbowee, a peace activist from Liberia. She acknowledged the men who joined the women for the march, calling them "men sisters." U.N. officials say much has been achieved under the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, signed by 189 governments in 1995 as a pledge for realizing women's rights. But U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the gains have been too slow and uneven. He said the most urgent issue is rape being used as a war weapon, from Nigeria and Somalia to Iraq and Syria. "We don't need any words, we need global action," the secretary-general said. "All the women must be at the front and center of our world."

SYRIA: Thousands of Kurdish Women Spent International Women's Day on the Fighting Front Against Radical Group of Islamic State

The Kurdish Woman Protection Units (YPJ) are considered a main force combatting IS extremists. While in the city of Qamishl in northeastern Syria, Kurdish women organizations revived International Women’s Day. The celebration included different activities, including the performance of a mime play echoing the situation of Syrian Kurdish women under the conditions of war and as victims of extremist groups. Speaking to ARA News in Qamishli, Berivan Alika, a member of the Shawshka Associationfor Women’s Rights, said: “Today, on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, we wanted to shed light on the situation of women in the region through this mime play, focusing on the violence women are exposed to.” “We wanted to perform an original version reflecting reality, because the woman is the major building block of any society, and the injustice practiced against Syrian women under the current conditions of war are unbearable,” she said. Gulsen Muhammad, one of the performers in the mime play, told ARA News: “This activity reflects the real situation of the Syrian women during the hardships of war. Women are repeatedly exposed to rape and detention, and we wanted to specifically echo such realities by performing in the city center of Qamishi on this occasion.” “Assyrian and Yezidi women were even taken as sex captives by extremists of the Islamic State,” she told ARA News. “In some cases, Syrian women were also forced to become beggars looking for simplest means of life. Others were forced into prostitution in order to survive and feed their children.” The celebration of the International Women’s Day in Qamishli also included performances of folk dances presented in the Kurdish traditional dresses. Speaking to ARA News, Majdal Delli, member of the Central Committee of the Kurdish Yeketi Party in Syria, said: “Kurdish women have always supported men and joined them in times of revolution and crisis.” “Today we are here to show solidarity with women and support them in this progressive movement in the Kurdish region.”

BERLIN – Grand Gathering on International Women’s Day! Powerful Personalities Declared Solidarity Against Islamic Fundamentalism!

This gathering, in the presence of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, was held with the participation of a great number of prominent political, social and artistic personalities and human and women’s rights activists from the world’s five continents, including Kim Campbell, Rita Süssmuth, Linda Chavez, Frances Townsend, Ingrid Betancourt, as well as a delegation of women jurists, including Maria Candida Almeida (Portuguese General Prosecutor), delegation from Syrian opposition, delegation of prominent women from Asia, a large delegation of legislators and mayors and other German dignitaries, delegation of women parliamentarians from Arabic countries, delegations representing dozens of Iranian women associations and institutions throughout Europe and the United States, and thousands of women from various countries and followers of various religions. Call by Maryam Rajavi for buttressing movement against fundamentalism, the principal enemy of equality and global peace and security. On Saturday, March 7, the participants in a grand gathering in Berlin on the occasion of International Women’s Day titled “For Tolerance and Equality against Fundamentalism and Misogyny” underscored that the advancement of the ideal of equality in the world today has come face-to-face with a formidable barrier, the Islamic Fundamentalism. This phenomenon is endangering the entire Middle East and the world through genocide, terrorism and discrimination and more than anything is hostile to women. The participants stipulated that the sole solution to this crisis is to draw on women’s power and on a resistance movement that believes in women’s power and their leadership. They also called for a comprehensive strategy that focuses on the Iranian regime as the epicenter of Islamic fundamentalism, supports democratic Muslims, and prevents the Iranian regime from acquiring the nuclear weapon. In this conference Mrs. Maryam Rajavi stated that the key decisive factor in the empowering of the fundamentalists was the rise to power of reactionary mullahs in Iran that for the first time offered a model for governance by fundamentalist groups. She added: “Fundamentalism is not a face-off between Islam and the West nor a confrontation between Islam and Christianity and Judaism, or a Shia and Sunni conflict. The crux of the conflict is between freedom versus subjugation and dictatorship, between equality on the one hand and tyranny and misogyny on the other. Fundamentalism has placed misogyny at its core and through suppressing women it intimidates and suppresses the entire society. To save the world from the nightmare of fundamentalism and for the emancipation of the Middle East nations from this ominous phenomenon, she called on all noble women throughout the world to form and expand a powerful front against Islamic fundamentalism and against terrorism and barbarity in the name of Islam. She said: To rein in the ominous phenomenon of Islamic fundamentalism, one should inescapably confront the religious dictatorship ruling Iran. This regime is at the heart of the problem and its support for the Assad and Maliki dictatorships in Syria and Iraq has led to the rise of fundamentalist militias and the ISIS. As such, silence in face of regime’s meddling in countries of this region, let alone collaborating with it on the pretense of fighting ISIS, is a horrendous strategic mistake. She warned: It is delusional to ask the arsonist to put out the fire. Diagonally opposite, the correct policy is to evict the mullahs’ regime from Iraq and Syria. Bringing down this regime is an essential imperative not just for the Iranian people, but for the region and the world. The crime of the appeasement by Western governments is that they have chosen the path of conciliation with the state sponsor of fundamentalism, the regime of Iran, and have participated in clamping down on the alternative to fundamentalism. Offering concessions to this regime in the nuclear negotiations is against the highest interests of the peoples of Iran and the region and undermines global peace and security. It is also taking the human rights of the Iranian people to the altar. She noted the escalating trend of executions in Iran, including the hanging of at least 21 prisoners on March 4, six of whom Sunni political prisoners, and stated: To avert popular uprisings, particularly during nuclear negotiations, the Iranian regime badly needs this wave of executions and oppression. Silence and inaction regarding the grave violation of human rights in Iran, not only emboldens this regime to carry on with its atrocities, but encourages the regime in pursuing the nuclear program and exporting of terrorism. Maryam Rajavi called support for the Iranian Resistance, the democratic alternative that has been established against the clerical regime in over three decades, as an essential step in confronting fundamentalism. This alternative follows on the path of genuine and democratic Islam and emphasizes on separation of the mosque and the state, gender equality, and a non-nuclear Iran. In her finishing statements, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance said: The largest movement of women vanguards in Camp Liberty gives hope and inspiration to Iranian women and is an asset to equality movements in the world. She called on the international community, the U.S. government, the European Union, and the United Nations to secure their protection and security. Reprinted Copy from the Office of the Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, National Council of Resistance of Iran statement about the Grand gathering on occasion of International Women’s Day in Berlin E-MAILED RECEIVED FROM Mr. Nasser Faghihi March 7, 2015 ----------------- Supplement: In this great event a large number of prominent political and social figures and artists, as well as human and women rights activists, participated from world’s five continents plus representative delegations of dozens of Iranian women associations and organizations from throughout Europe and the United States participated. Speakers to this program which was inaugurated by Ms. Sarvnaz Chitsaz, NCRI Women’s Committee Chair, and was moderated by Ms. Linda Chavez, former White House Director of Public Liaison, were: Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City and Presidential candidate (2008), and Frances Townsend, Assistant to U.S. President on Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (2004-2008), from the United States; Kim Campbell and Iveta Radicova, former Prime Ministers of Canada and Slovakia; Rita Süssmuth, former President of Bundestag; Günter Verhuegen, European Commissioner (1999-2009); Horst Teltschik, National Security Advisor to Chancellor Helmut Kohl and former Leader of Munich Security Conference; Bishop Wolfgang Huber, former President of German Protestant Council; Otto Bernhardt, President of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation and Chair of German Committee in Solidarity with Free Iran; Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, former Minister of Justice; Matthias Köhne and Angelika Schöttler on behalf of delegation of mayors, Fritz Felgentreu, Klas Dieter Graohler, Rudolf Hencke and Stefan Evers of different political inclinations and parties on behalf of German legislators in the conference, and Susanne Kahl-Pasoth, Vice President of German Women’s Council, from Germany; Ryszard Czarnecki, Vice-President of European Parliament from Poland; Alejo Vidal-Quadras, former Vice-President of European Parliament and President of International Committee In Search of Justice (ISJ) from Spain; Struan Stevenson, former President of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Iraq and President of the European Iraqi Freedom Association (EIFA) from Great Britain; Bernard Kouchner, Giulio Maria Terzi, and Maia Panjikidze former Foreign Ministers of France, Italy and Georgia; Ingrid Betancourt, former presidential candidate from Colombia, and María Elena Elverdin, General Prosecutor from Portugal; Khawala Dunia on behalf of women’s delegation of Syrian Coalition; Najimeh Taytay from Morocco on behalf of a women delegation from Arabian countries’ parliamentarians; Valentian Leskaj, legislator from Albania and Deputy of European Council; Senator Gari Durán Vadell and Beatriz Becerra from Spain; and Nele Lijnen from Belgium, on behalf of a large delegation of women from European Parliament; Ranjana Kumari from India on behalf of a delegation of prominent women from Asia and women movements there; Additionally, in this program, a group of women personalities declared their solidarity with the International Front against Fundamentalism that had been announced by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi. Vida Nik Talean, President of Women Association for Democracy in Iran, spoke on behalf of Iranian women institutions and associations throughout the world that had participated in this program. Moreover, a delegation of women on behalf of five world continents and delegations from Poland, Czechoslovakia and Slovakia participated in this program.

Ebola: UN development chief begins last leg of West Africa mission

The top United Nations development official today began the last leg of her Ebola-recovery focused visit to West Africa a day after she witnessed the reopening of schools in Liberia and urged the international community to support “recovery from this terrible crisis” beyond the emergency phase. Before leaving the Liberian capital, Monrovia, Helen Clark, Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), said late Monday that the crisis will not be over until there are zero cases of Ebola, which has affected more 23,000 people, with some 9,300 deaths. “It is clear that no one will be happy until there are zero cases across all three epicentre countries,” the UNDP Administrator told a press conference in Monrovia. “But the important message now is that international solidarity with Liberia should not end at the end of the emergency phase. It must continue in support of recovery from this terrible crisis. Noting schools had re-opened in Liberia on Monday, shuttered for more than six months to help prevent transmission, were finally re-opened, she said Liberia was emerging from a “very traumatic time”. There was now, she said, reason for hope. Tasked by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the lead the UN system's recovery efforts, UNDP is committed to working with Liberia as it follows its path to recovery in a way that is consistent with the Government and people’s own longer term development aspirations. Among the highlights of her visit to Liberia, according to UNDP, was a meeting with Josephine Dolley, an Ebola survivor who lost 29 members of her family including her husband and three children. Ms. Dolley has adopted six children whom she met whilst in an Ebola Emergency Treatment Unit, all of them Ebola survivors who lost their parents and siblings. The UNDP administrator also met with the so-called “Pink Panthers” motorcycle club, a group of women who offer motorbike taxi services. UNDP has been working with the women riders to find ways to make their jobs safer, including in the context of Ebola. Ms. Clark was invited to be an honorary member of the Pink Panthers, and was presented with her own pink jacket. Ms. Clark also told the press conference that an upcoming meeting in Brussels, Belgium, would be aimed at maintaining international solidarity around achieving zero Ebola cases and considering the support needed to help Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone recover from the crisis. As she began the final leg of her mission to the three-worst affected countries by the Ebola outbreak with a two-day visit to Sierra Leone, where she arrived late Monday, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced that Ebola-ravaged rural communities in Guinea will benefit from new food security initiatives. FAO said tens of thousands of people in rural areas of Guinea worst-hit by the Ebola epidemic will receive training on how to prevent the spread of the disease and support in producing food and generating income, through an agreement involving the World Bank and the country's government. As part of the initiative, $5 million will be invested in FAO’s Ebola Response Programme, which aims to assist rural households whose livelihoods and access to food are severely threatened by the impact of Ebola. Some 30,000 households will be sensitized on measures to counter the transmission of the disease in rural areas. Experienced rural development and extension field workers will undertake awareness activities combined with the provision of hygiene kits to rural communities. Beneficiaries include hunters and women who used to sell bush meat but lost this source of income after authorities banned this trade in order to reduce the potential risk of exposure to Ebola through contact with wildlife. The programme will also target women groups involved in rice-processing activities. According to the latest FAO/World Food Programme Crop and Food Security Assessment, a total of 470,000 people might be food insecure by March 2015 due to the Ebola outbreak.

SOUTH SUDAN: Protection of civilians ‘critical part’ of UN mandate

United Nations peacekeepers must continue to provide critical protections for civilians in South Sudan as the country slowly emerges from a year-long stretch of internecine conflict, the head of the UN Mission (UNMISS) there declared today. During a visit to the city of Bor, Ellen Margrethe Løj, who is also the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan, commended the efforts of the Second Ethiopian Battalion and UN civilian and military staff in maintaining the UNMISS mandate. More than 1,200 Ethiopian peacekeepers are currently deployed to monitor South Sudan’s fragile peace and maintain footholds in the cities of Malakal, Bentiu, and the capital, Juba. “It is a critical part of the Mission’s mandate to protect civilians, both inside the UN camps and outside,” said Ms. Løj, as she reviewed the “blue helmets” at a Medal Parade. “Our troops must ensure safety and security beyond the camps, out in the communities. I am convinced that the Ethiopian Contingents will be in the front line in this regard.” The security situation in South Sudan deteriorated steadily over the past year since political in-fighting between South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar, started in mid-December 2013. The hostilities subsequently turned into a full-fledged conflict that has sent nearly 100,000 civilians fleeing to UNMISS bases around the country. The crisis has uprooted an estimated 1.9 million people and placed more than 7 million at risk of hunger and disease. Nonetheless, a recent peace deal between the warring factions has fostered hope of a definitive end to the year-long conflict. In a press release, UNMISS reported that Ms. Løj also met with UN staff during a visit to the Organization’s compound in Bor where she remained “very impressed” by their efforts to adjust to the current situation. In addition, she congratulated them for their “commitment to the Mission’s mandate as they continue to protect civilians in Jonglei State including those sheltering in the Mission’s compound.” According to estimates, some 112,000 civilians are currently protected by UNMISS at the Mission’s protection sites throughout South Sudan while more than 2,600 civilians have found safety in Bor alone. The Special Representative also visited the Sri Lankan military field hospital which has treated 1,360 people since its founding in June 2014 and congratulated the medical staff for their dedication.

INDIA: Invest in cities, renewable energy, UN envoy Michael Bloomberg tells conference in India

Noting the Government’s plan to install about 100 gigawatts of solar power across the country by 2022, Mr. Bloomberg pointed to the major development benefits that the country could achieve, given the large amount of solar radiation it gets and the reduced level of infrastructure needed to pump solar energy into people’s homes. “Imagine the signal it would send to the world if India were able to achieve its goal of bringing electricity to every household that lacks it, largely using clean solar power – at a fraction of the cost of the conventional grid.,” said the Special Envoy during his keynote address to the ‘RE-Invest’ conference, aimed at scaling-up financing for renewable energy. “It would be a success story told – and copied – around the world.” Mr. Bloomberg joined leading renewables and investment professionals from India and across the world at the RE-Invest conference, as part of a two-day visit to the country in which he advocated for increased renewables, smarter cities, sustainable transport and urban climate adaptation. He arrived at the Conference in a rickshaw powered by compressed natural gas, which is a far cleaner alternative to the fuels that make Delhi one of the most polluted cities in South Asia. He noted that most of the world’s total carbon emissions stem from cities and sources like buildings, transportation and waste, over which at least limited control can be exerted. “Steps to make those systems more efficient also make cities better places to live,” he said, stressing the difference such investments could make. “In New York City, we were able to reduce our carbon footprint by 19 percent in just six years while also making our air cleaner than it has been in more than 50 years, increasing life expectancy by three years, and leading the U.S. in creating new jobs. And India can do the same for its citizens.” Mr. Bloomberg, who was mayor of New York for 12 years, said that those gains came not in spite of investments in sustainability but because of them and he stressed that the most effective economic policies for India would be those that improved people’s health and quality of life. “The fact is: People want to live in cities with clean air and water, good public transportation, and streets that are safe for walking and biking. And where people want to live, businesses want to invest,” he said. “The good news is, as Prime Minister Modi is showing, confronting climate change goes hand-in-hand with smart economic growth. And from my experience, he is absolutely correct to make cities a central focus of his work.” With countries coming to Paris this December to reach a new climate change agreement, Mr. Bloomberg said that no country will commit to goals they don’t think they can reach, or that come at too great a cost to economic growth. However, countries are continuing to move forward because they realise the benefits of action – for their economies and the health of their citizens. “India’s leadership is helping to show other countries how much is possible – by showing that clean-energy, climate-resilient growth is the path to a brighter future,” Mr. Bloomberg said. “We’re all in this together, and we have a great deal to learn from one another.”

IRAQ: Most pressing goal for Iraq remains defeating ISIL, says outgoing UN envoy

Delivering his final briefing as the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Nickolay Mladenov today stressed to the Security Council the optimism he feels for the country’s future, while tempering those hopes with fear over the many things that can go wrong.