Vol. 1 - Issue 3 TEXAS MODEL UN NEWSLETTER. January 18th, Photos Of The Month. Compiled By: Jasmine Kaur

Transcription

1 Vol. 1 - Issue 3 TEXAS MODEL UN NEWSLETTER January 18th, 2019 Photos Of The Month Compiled By: Jasmine Kaur 1

2 2

3 Articles Legal Abortions Begin in Ireland With Solidarity and Small Protests Written By: Ashley Shan In January, Ireland began offering legalized abortion services, a drastic shift from the restrictive pre-existing abortion laws that Ireland has had for decades. Last year, Ireland s citizens voted to repeal a clause in Ireland s Constitution that has effectively outlawed abortion and passed legislation that allows for unrestricted terminations of pregnancies up to three months. Even though the legalization was met by small protests, many more have voiced their happiness over the legalization. Simon Harris, Ireland s health minister, said that 200 physicians have already signed up to provide abortion services, and more would be added in the following 3

4 weeks. Although this is a hugely significant change in legislation for women in Ireland, those living in rural areas will have to travel significant distances to reach abortion clinics and physicians offering abortion services. While this is an achievement for pro-abortion groups in the heated debate for and against abortion, there are still many more countries that do not provide legalized abortions, with some governments even promoting anti-abortion policies. The issue of abortion has sparked heated debates between government parties for years, but only now have governments began listening to those who advocate for pro-abortion legislation. Even now, in 2019, women fear that they will be stigmatized for their choices or lack the support that they need from their families and their government s health service. The issue of abortion is hugely important, as it affects many women around the globe. Through establishing policies that allow women to receive legal abortions, women s rights activists hope that more legislation supporting women will be passed. Haitian women struggle to get help for children fathered by U.N. troops 4

5 Written By: Tu Le United Nations peacekeeping missions is a measure to promote ease and stability in turbulent regions and assist in efforts toward sustainable peace. What then, happens if its missions have done the opposite? In 2017, the Bureau des Avocats Internationaux and the Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti (IJDH) filed a lawsuit against the U.N. to seek child support on behalf of Haitian mothers. These women claimed to have been sexually exploited by U.N. peacekeepers, and the children they bore, as a result, were left without any support. In the words of Brian Concannon, head of the U.S.-based IJDH, [women] are fighting just another day to feed their kids and are asking for child support so their kids can eat and go to school. According to Vannina Maestracci, a UN spokeswoman, sexual relationships between U.N. troops and locals are strongly discouraged. Therefore, any financial assistance to these children will not be the responsibility of the U.N. s peacekeeping arm. Nevertheless, the organization had promised to provide support in addressing these claims through help with legal cases, cooperate with the local justice and not evoke immunity. But in reality, humans rights advocacy groups claimed that the U.N. has failed to fulfill their promise. Similar stories have arisen from regions such as Mali, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. For a more detailed story, read Haitian women press for recognition from U.N. peacekeeper fathers. UN gender agency hails record-breaking number of women in new US Congress as historic victory 5

6 Written By: Ashley De Leon The United States had made history yet again in the midterm elections of A total of 227 women ran in the midterm elections for the US House of Representatives and Senate and were from both major parties. The diversity this time around in women was immense. There was a representation in all ages, races, backgrounds and sexualities. There was a 75% percent increase in women of color seeking to hold office, as well as the first Native American women to ever win seats in the house, the first openly LGBT female member of congress from the state of kansas, and there was also the first muslim women to win seats in Minnesota and Michigan. More examples include Tennessee Republican Marsha Blackburn as the state s first woman elected to the Senate and at 29, New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won her general election race, becoming the youngest woman ever to be heading to Capitol Hill and last but not least, miss Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, became the first woman of color in her state s congressional delegation. 6

7 Not only is this a historic victory for the women of the US but as said by the UN women, With more women is decision-making positions in many countries, we see more inclusive decisions, and we find different solutions to long standing problems-- Inclusivity at such a large and historic scale shows we are in the right track on trying to show how important gender equality is and its amazing development throughout the years. But this was still just the beginning. The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is and will always be aiming to target more inclusivity of women, to form equal opportunities in leadership for them in political and economic decisions. Women's involvement brings attention and spotlight on key political decisions, in turn, they are being seen with much more attention. Women in leadership roles is also vital for young ladies to see. Younger girls feel more encouraged to pursue higher education and aim for high career aspirations. This is extremely important in our society as it is a clear sign of growth and makes the goal of gender equality seem more reachable. Recycling Rubbish into Revenue, Plan Brings Hope to Women in Jordan 7

8 Written By: Jasmine Kaur What should a country of 9.7 million people do to help increase its country's employment rate? This is a question the people of Jordan are trying to answer. The main problem in Jordan is that there are a ton of people who are looking for jobs in a very limited market. Women in Jordan also face cultural and family obstacles when it comes to employment. The social culture in Jordan shames women into going to work and states that the male should be the head of the household and the provider of the household. Throughout the past decade, more and more refugees have immigrated to Jordan to escape from war-torn areas. Around 80% of these refugees are living below the poverty line in Jordan. Al Salam, a hairdresser who had a passion for art, fled her war-torn country to Jordan in Due to her husband's paralysis, Salam had to become the breadwinner of her family. Sameera Al Salam s upcycling project has given the women in her community a chance to work and to become eco-friendly. Salam s project focuses on recycling goods like newspaper and 8

9 plastic bags and turn them into baskets, handbags, trays, etc. The goals for Salam s organization is to alleviate the poverty of both refugees and locals and to bring her community closer. Her project hires around 1,200 people to go around and collect waste off the streets. Salm s project allows for workers to get a work visa and takes part in decreasing the unemployment rate in Jordan. The women that partake in this project feel proud of being part of a project that is aiming to reduce unemployment in Jordan and push eco-friendly practices. The women in this project feel very joyful when they come to work because they forget about their problems the second they step into the workplace. This project has also allowed for women in Jordan to get necessary and important work skills for higher level jobs. For example, Al Salam herself will soon be getting training on marketing and trademarking to help expand and grow her project with the help of Action Against Hunger. Salam hopes to continue to increase Jordan's employment rate and to break the stereotype Jordan has against women working. Girls groomed for suicide missions fight back against the extremists of Lake Chad Written By: Mikayla Hirsch 9

10 Girls are fighting back against the disappointing reality of Lake Chad. An extremist group of the name Boko Haram is indoctrinating violence in these young girls. UN News states that Its chief aim is to create an Islamist state in the north of Nigeria. Boko Haram is taking advantage of and drugging young adolescent girls and replacing their childhood with weapons and acts of violence. But one girl is standing up to make a change and sharing her own experiences and encounters with the extremist group. At just 15 years old, Halima Yakoy Adam was being drugged and trained by the Boko Haram to become a suicide bomber. Halima has found her voice as a paralegal and is working to help stand up for girls just like her. Profile Created By: Ashley Shan 10

11 Fun Facts Created By: Tu Le and Ashley De Leon 11

12 Upcoming Dates Chair Reports Published MONDAY, JAN 21, 2019 All delegates refer to Chair Reports to author their Topic Papers (due at the event). REGIONAL SUMMIT SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Participant Registration : TXMUN FRIDAY, FEB 22, 2019 Registration C ountry and Committee Requests DUE Chair Reports Published MONDAY, FEB 25, 2019 All delegates refer to Chair Reports to author their Topic Papers DROP DEADLINE FRIDAY, MAR 1, 2019 After this date, YMCAs and schools will be billed for participants as we must begin paying costs to our conference vendors. Country and Committee Assignments Out MONDAY, MAR 6,

13 TOPIC PAPERS DUE SUNDAY, MAR 24, 2019 *Save as Nation_Committee_LastName_Topic# STATE ASSEMBLY Marriott Legacy, Plano, TX FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 4p 11p SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 8a-11p SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 8a 12p P.S. Happy New Year! Our next newsletter will be released on February 16th, Make sure you go and check it out! Don t forget to follow us on Instagram (@ymcatxmun) and Twitter (@ymcatxmun). -Your Media Corp 13

14 14