Africa: UN Aids Envoy Vocal On Women's Issues

10 July 2006
UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

Johannesburg — The UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis, has proposed the establishment of a new UN agency to protect women's rights, health and security.

At a recent high-level panel on UN reform in Geneva, Lewis noted that women worldwide were exposed to ongoing gender inequity, sexual violence, HIV/AIDS, maternal mortality, armed conflict and a lack of economic empowerment.

He said: "In the midst of this carnage of women, who are losing their lives in such heartbreaking numbers, there has to be something in the world that has a voice for them and an operational force on the ground that can respond."

The new agency, which is expected to cost about US$1 billion annually, would merge disparate projects currently operated by the UN Children's Fund, the UN Population Fund, the World Health Organisation and the UN Development Programme.

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]

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