The status of women varies tremendously across the globe. Many countries have made great strides in creating equal opportunities for women in a variety of circumstances, and there really is no breakdown by economic development: some rich countries are progressive as are some poorer countries. But some rich countries still have a long way to go. One richer country, South Korea has laws that promise greater equality, but the culture of South Korea still does not afford women many opportunities in the workplace.
The U.N.’s 2015 “Children and Armed Conflict” report identified the Saudi Arabian led coalition in Yemen as one of the major contributors to deaths of children in the world. In part, the report asserted that:
“6. In Yemen, a particularly worrisome escalation of conflict has been seen. The United Nations verified a fivefold increase in the number of children recruited in 2015 compared with the previous year. This compounded a sixfold increase in the number of children killed and maimed in the same period. These alarming trends continued into early 2016.
7. Attacks on schools and hospitals were prevalent in 2015, linked to the increasing use of air strikes and explosive weapons in populated areas. Armed groups particularly targeted girls’ access to education, although attacks on schools and hospitals were also carried out by government forces. Member States should consider, where necessary, changes in policies, military procedures and legislation to protect schools and hospitals.”
Saudi Arabia vigorously protested the report and the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, initially caved into the protests. Saudi Arabia is a major contributor to the UN budget. Fortunately, public pressure on the UN changed the policy and the criticisms of the Saudi coalition were put back into the report.
The United Nations Human Rights Committee issued a judgment that Ireland’s laws prohibiting abortion are a violation of human rights. Ireland currently has the strictest abortion laws in the European Union. The judgment will pose a serious political issue for the Irish government and it is the first time that the right to an abortion has been so vigorously defined and supported in international law. But the ruling is also a major infringement on Irish sovereignty. There may be repercussions to that intrusion.
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