Month: September 2020

Press Releases The Guangzhou Award Secretariat

Guangzhou Award Invites Cities to Take Joint Action to Address Global Problems

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GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — On 15 September 2020, the 75th session of the UN General Assembly was opened. World leaders called for efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a shared vision to end poverty, rescue the planet and build a peaceful world. As the year 2020 marks the beginning of […]

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Measure to Punish Rapists with Castration Raises Concern in Nigeria

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KADUNA STATE – Nigerian lawmakers in the northwestern state of Kaduna have approved a measure to castrate men convicted of raping children under the age of 14. The controversial law comes in the wake of public outrage over the rising number of rape cases in recent months. But while supporters praise the new law as […]

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GENEVA – The World Health Organization has vowed to take action against anyone found guilty of sexually exploiting or abusing women in its Ebola aid operation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. An investigation by The New Humanitarian and the Thomson Reuters Foundation reports more than 50 women were forced to trade sex for a job in the international Ebola aid operation in eastern DRC. The women have accused male aid workers from the World Health Organization and leading non-governmental organizations of abuse. WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said the agency’s director-general takes the allegations of sexual abuse seriously and has ordered an immediate, thorough and transparent investigation. “If WHO staff, partners or contractors are guilty of these allegations, WHO will take a firm decision, disciplinary decision against them — immediate dismissal or we can end our contracts with contractors or consultants,” Chaib said. Much of the alleged abuse reportedly occurred in the eastern city of Beni, which was the epicenter of a nearly two-year Ebola epidemic that killed 2,229 people before it ended in June. WHO currently is tackling another Ebola outbreak in Equateur province, which has infected 112 people, causing 48 deaths. WHO has policies and mechanisms in place, including mandatory training programs, to prevent sexual abuse. It also has set up hotlines where victims can report violations and seek help. Chaib said that every year, WHO reports to its member states all misconduct about which it is informed, including fraud, corruption and sexual abuse. Source: Voice of America

User1Comments Off on GENEVA – The World Health Organization has vowed to take action against anyone found guilty of sexually exploiting or abusing women in its Ebola aid operation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. An investigation by The New Humanitarian and the Thomson Reuters Foundation reports more than 50 women were forced to trade sex for a job in the international Ebola aid operation in eastern DRC. The women have accused male aid workers from the World Health Organization and leading non-governmental organizations of abuse. WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said the agency’s director-general takes the allegations of sexual abuse seriously and has ordered an immediate, thorough and transparent investigation. “If WHO staff, partners or contractors are guilty of these allegations, WHO will take a firm decision, disciplinary decision against them — immediate dismissal or we can end our contracts with contractors or consultants,” Chaib said. Much of the alleged abuse reportedly occurred in the eastern city of Beni, which was the epicenter of a nearly two-year Ebola epidemic that killed 2,229 people before it ended in June. WHO currently is tackling another Ebola outbreak in Equateur province, which has infected 112 people, causing 48 deaths. WHO has policies and mechanisms in place, including mandatory training programs, to prevent sexual abuse. It also has set up hotlines where victims can report violations and seek help. Chaib said that every year, WHO reports to its member states all misconduct about which it is informed, including fraud, corruption and sexual abuse. Source: Voice of America

ACCRA, GHANA – Cancer experts in Ghana lament that little attention is paid to screening for colorectal cancer, leading to a high death rate for the disease, despite its relatively low occurrence. They hope the recent death of American actor Chadwick Boseman, the star of the Hollywood film “Black Panther,” might bring fresh awareness. Stacey […]

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WHO Vows Action Against Perpetrators of Sexual Abuse in DR Congo

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GENEVA – The World Health Organization has vowed to take action against anyone found guilty of sexually exploiting or abusing women in its Ebola aid operation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. An investigation by The New Humanitarian and the Thomson Reuters Foundation reports more than 50 women were forced to trade sex for a […]