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- 1UN Rapporteur Warns Afghan Human Rights Situation Worsening▼Human Rights Situation In Afghanistan Continues To Deteriorate, Says UN Rapporteur
The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan says the human rights situation in the country continues to deteriorate. The warning points to ongoing concerns over conditions under Taliban rule, including restrictions on women and girls, and comes as international scrutiny of the Taliban administration remains high.
- 2UN General Assembly: Niger, Sweden and China Take the Floor▼[UNGA81] Niger Thanks Algeria, Sweden Cherishes Women, China on Gaza & Cuba
At the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Niger thanked Algeria, Sweden highlighted its commitment to women's rights, and China addressed the situations in Gaza and Cuba. The remarks came during the annual general debate, where member states set out their foreign policy priorities. Niger's gratitude to Algeria points to regional diplomacy in the Sahel, while China's statements underscore its positions on the Gaza conflict and Cuba.
- 3Sudanese women in Tawila build livelihoods through handicrafts▼From displacement to self-reliance: Women in Sudan's Tawila turn handicraft skills into livelihoods
Displaced women in Tawila, in Sudan's war-hit North Darfur region, are turning traditional handicraft skills into a source of income, moving from aid dependence toward self-reliance. The initiative, highlighted by the UN Refugee Agency, shows how women uprooted by the conflict are supporting their families despite the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis.
- 4Iranian twin, 19, threatened with rape, family begs UN for help●Iranian twin, 19, threatened with rape as sister made to watch and family beg UN for help
A 19-year-old Iranian woman is reportedly facing threats of rape while being forced to watch her sister being threatened, according to a report carried by AOL. The family is appealing to the United Nations for urgent protection. The case has drawn attention as an alleged human rights abuse involving threats of sexual violence and coercion against young women in Iran.
- 5UN Women-UNFPA merger plan stalled amid UNGA silence▼Silence at UNGA leaves UN Women-UNFPA merger plan in limbo
A proposal to merge UN Women and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) remains in limbo after the UN General Assembly failed to act on or address the plan. No decision or meaningful discussion emerged from this year's session, leaving the two agencies' futures uncertain. Observers are watching whether member states will revisit the consolidation idea in upcoming negotiations over the UN's wider reform agenda.
- 6UN Women Pushes to Boost Afghan Women's Access to Finance▼Banking on Potential: Boosting women’s access to finance in Afghanistan
UN Women is highlighting efforts to expand Afghan women's access to banking and financial services under the banner 'Banking on Potential'. The initiative focuses on helping women entrepreneurs and households in Afghanistan overcome barriers to finance, a critical issue given restrictions on women's work and economic participation under Taliban rule.
- 7Calls grow for a woman to lead the United Nations●As the UN ponders its next secretary-general, many say it's well past time for a woman to lead
As the United Nations weighs who will succeed António Guterres as secretary-general, many observers and diplomats argue the organisation is overdue to name its first female leader in its eighty-year history. Several women have been floated as candidates, and advocates say choosing a woman would be a historic step for global leadership and the UN's credibility.
- 8Aid cuts leave a million women and girls without support●Aid cuts leave at least one million women and girls without vital support
The United Nations reports that funding cuts to aid programmes have left at least one million women and girls without vital support, including services for protection, health and humanitarian assistance. The warning highlights how shrinking donor budgets are directly hitting vulnerable women and girls in crisis-affected regions, and the UN is urging donors to restore funding before more people lose access to life-saving support.
- 9UN expert urges UK leaders to uphold Supreme Court women's rights ruling▼Independent expert urges UK leaders to uphold Supreme Court ruling on women’s rights
A UN independent expert has called on UK political leaders to uphold the Supreme Court's recent ruling concerning women's rights, according to UN News. The statement urges compliance with the court's interpretation and comes amid ongoing public and political debate in Britain over the definition of legal protections for women following the judgment.
- 10Sudanese women in El Obeid risk drones and rape for water▼In El Obeid, Sudanese women face drones by day, rape by night, to reach water
Women in El Obeid, Sudan, are risking attacks while fetching water, reportedly facing drone strikes during the day and sexual violence at night along the routes to water points. The city has been badly affected by the country's civil war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, which has devastated infrastructure and left civilians without basic services. UN reporting highlights the extreme dangers women endure simply to secure water for their families.
- 11Killer Robots and AI Overshadow Women's Rights at UNGA 81●Strategic Blindness at UNGA 81: “Super Intelligence” and “Killer Robots” Take Center Stage as Women’s Rights Take a Back
At the 81th session of the UN General Assembly, commentary from IPS news argues that debates on artificial intelligence, so-called super intelligence, and autonomous 'killer robots' dominated the agenda, while women's rights were sidelined. The piece criticises world powers for prioritising emerging military technology over long-standing gender equality commitments.
- 12Women's Rights Sidelined as AI Dominates UN General Assembly Debate●Strategic Blindness at UNGA 81: “Super Intelligence” and “Killer Robots” Take Center Stage as Women’s Rights Take a Back Seat
Commentary around the 81st UN General Assembly argues that emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and autonomous 'killer robots', dominated the agenda while women's rights received far less attention. The piece criticizes what it calls 'strategic blindness', suggesting member states and diplomats prioritized futuristic tech threats over longstanding gender equality commitments. Critics say this reflects shifting global priorities and risks rolling back progress on women's rights at the UN.