News stories

2018 brings renewed hope with the upcoming elections, a good economic growth outlook and the reiterated commitment of the international community to continue assisting the country and its people. In mid-January the Economic…

JALALABAD – More institutions, individuals and community leaders in the eastern provinces are stepping up to speak and act for women’s rights and to end violence against women. In 2017, the Jalalabad regional office of the UN…

KANDAHAR – Media freedom and the flow of accurate information are essential to build trust between government, media and citizens, according to participants in radio programmes and series of discussions held throughout 2017…

HERAT - Education, vocational opportunities and full participation in Afghan social and political life are essential for countering violent extremism among those Afghan youth most at risk of being drawn into the conflict…

Dear friends around the world, Happy New Year. When I took office one year ago, I appealed for 2017 to be a year for peace. Unfortunately – in fundamental ways, the world has gone in reverse. On New Year’s Day 2018, I am not…

BAMYAN - The empowerment of Afghan women and their increased participation in the country’s economic and political development was at the centre of a UN-backed event in the central highlights province of Bamyan. The event…

Somalis face some of the toughest living conditions in the world. Millions are struggling to cope with the consequences of drought. Insecurity is a fact of life for everyone. 2017 has seen many terrible moments, including the…

KANDAHAR - To eliminate violence against women, the support and participation of everyone in Afghan society, especially religious scholars and other community leaders, is crucial, participants said at a UN-backed symposium in…

Maria do Rosário Lopes Pereira Gonçalves did not aim to climb the judiciary ladder in her country, Cabo Verde. She only wanted “to be different from the women who were part of her daily life” in her native Santiago Island…

Maria do Rosário Lopes Pereira Gonçalves did not aim to climb the judiciary ladder in her country, Cabo Verde. She only wanted “to be different from the women who were part of her daily life” in her native Santiago Island…