News: Daily Wrap

Monday, August 24, 2020

Daily Wrap

24 August 2020

WHO presses for greater investment in global COVID-19 vaccine facility

Investing in a mechanism that will guarantee all countries have fair and timely access to a COVID-19 vaccine is the only way out of the global pandemic, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.

Health

Strengthening global cooperation on counter-terrorism must remain a priority during and after pandemic

With Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) and other terrorist groups attempting to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic for their own ends, the international community must respond with stronger collective action and cooperation, the top UN counter-terrorism official said on Monday.

Peace and Security

One step at a time: UN women's health agency helping shift dangerous social norms

One of the largest chiefdoms in Zambia's Eastern Province is challenging harmful social norms, including child marriage, risky initiation and impunity for perpetrators of sexual abuse, according to the UN women's health agency, UNFPA.

Women

UNICEF/Rajat Madhok

Imprisoned rights defenders in Egypt at 'grave risk' of COVID-19, warn UN experts

A group of independent UN rights experts have raised alarm over "grave and unnecessary" risks faced by imprisoned human rights defenders in Egypt due to lengthy pre-trial detention.

Human Rights

First Person: fighting anti-vaccination rumours in Pakistan

Polio, a deadly, debilitating, yet easily curable disease, is eradicated in most countries, but is still endemic in Pakistan, partly due to a reluctance to vaccinate amongst some parts of the population. Dennis Chimenya, a health worker with the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, is part of a team trying to counter misconceptions, and save lives.

Culture and Education