Update on Topic B

Hello delegates!

In recent update on the topic of domestic violence and the legal independence of women, UN Women compiled a resource titled, "Facts and figures: Ending Violence Against Women". In this article, the importance of proper data collection and reporting is emphasized as the UN shares its compiled list of facts and figures revolving around gendered violence. The resource contains fourteen different categories of statistics, examples including the topic of femicides, law on violence against women and girls, and the trafficking of women. This resource should prove helpful for obtaining that last bit of knowledge before BMUN begins. In addition, this article genuinely helps to put things into perspective, and see just how prevalent gendered violence is worldwide. The article can be accessed via this link.

In other news, according to the UN News, Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem recently testified in front of the UK, praising their sound legal framework in protecting survivors of domestic violence, including the Equality Act of 2010. Alsalem also worked to address the dilution of the link between these policies and genuine action, however, recommending that certain fragmented policies be unified into serving the one overarching goal of human rights based commitments. This article is accessed via this link.

This Valentine's day, a vigil called "Dark Valentine's" in Nairobi, Kenya was held to honor the feminicide of over 500 women between 2016 and 2023. According to the United Nations, Africa has the highest rate of gender-related killing of women in the 

world. Njeri wa Migwi, the co-founder of a nonprofit working with survivors of domestic violence, recently stated that “The problem is the normalization of gender-based violence and the rhetoric that, yes, women are disposable.” Campaigners demand for more investigators into cases of gendered violence, as well as for more legal infrastructure to be put in place to punish perpetrators of domestic violence and protect survivors. The link to access the article can be found here.

Last, but certainly not least, it must be noted that scholars are now calling the Taliban's reign on Afghanistan a "gender apartheid". Afghanistan is ranked last on the Women, Peace and Security Index, in addition to this, the UN Special Rapporteur has referred to the situation as “the unprecedented deterioration of women’s rights.” Though the Taliban has had its reign on Afghanistan for two and a half years now, foreign policy has not done nearly enough to address this apartheid that has led not only to the brutalization and torture of women who try to speak up against the Taliban, but also the eradication of feminine communities and the isolation of women under the regime. To read more about the issue, find the article here.

With this short yet thorough update, I know you delegates will do a phenomenal job in providing an insightful and creative point of view on the topic. If you feel at all confused, feel free to reach out via upcoming office hours!

Best,

UNCSW