GENEVA (26 May 2025) – In the face of years of suffering and abuse, the vast majority of the people of Myanmar are united in their defiance of military authoritarianism and violence, a report  by the UN Human Rights Office finds, calling for renewed international resolve to end the military’s stranglehold on power and to support the democratic aspirations of the Myanmar people.“Ever since the military disrupted Myanmar’s democratic path in 2021, the country has endured an increasingly catastrophic human rights crisis marked by unabated violence and atrocities that have affected every single aspect of life,” said UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk.“Over the past months, my Office has consulted with Myanmar people across all ethnic communities, sectors and demographics, particularly listening to the voices of young people, on their vision for the future,” the High Commissioner said.  “They have been united in one message:  they don’t want to be ruled by guns, but, rather, yearn for a peaceful, inclusive and democratic society.”Due to be presented to the Human Rights Council on 1 July 2025, the report underscores the importance of tackling the root causes of the crisis, including unchecked political and economic power concentrated in the military’s hands, generalised impunity, instrumentalization of laws and institutions to serve military interests, and an overall system of governance based on structural racial discrimination, exclusion and division.It identifies four key areas to the path forward: accountability, good governance, sustainable development and the actions of international and regional stakeholders.The report also identifies the “constituents for change” -- namely women, youth, civil society organisations and grassroots networks, pro-democracy actors and the media. The voices in the report call for dismantling military-controlled institutions and economic structures, pointing in particular to the military’s domination and exploitation of the economy and natural resources for their own enrichment.Former political prisoners emphasized the role of an instrumentalized judiciary as complicit in human rights violations, with judges viewed as systematically failing to exercise independent authority, convicting individuals on scant evidence of guilt, and sending thousands to jail. Lawyers highlighted that the judicial system has become entirely subordinated to the military, and will need a complete overhaul to regain people’s trust.There is also a growing recognition of past human rights violations and abuses, including against minority and other marginalized communities like the Rohingya. Perpetrators from all sides must be brought to justice, according to international standards. The report emphasises the importance of criminal accountability, whether through domestic, international, or hybrid legal systems, as part of a wider set of transitional justice measures. Freeing all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, was consistently indicated as a also being necessary, the report added. Noting achievements made by communities in establishing local institutions and forms of governance, the report highlighted that many areas of the country have begun to build bottom-up democratic structures, often with increased participation of women.It also documented that people who have fled their homes indicated nearly unanimously their intention to return home, whenever safe, and to contribute to the establishment of a just and democratic society. A key practical way to support these individuals in the meantime is the provision of formal longer-term legal status in countries where they have sought refuge and protection, with the possibility to access healthcare, education, and employment. This particularly applies to the Rohingya for whom the pre-conditions of safety, citizenship and rights necessary for any sustainable return still do not exist.Due to deepening food insecurity in Rakhine and drastic cuts to humanitarian aid in Bangladesh, it is imperative that support is maintained and increased, the report states. The ASEAN group of States and other stakeholders should explore options for cross-border assistance to alleviate the suffering of the Rohingya.The Myanmar people, it adds, call for a more effective and decisive approach by the wider international community, including through appropriate targeted sanctions, as well as political engagement with democratic forces and emerging governance structures.“This report underscores the importance of planning for the day-after, where human rights are the front and centre of the new Myanmar,” Türk said. “There are strong, resourceful and principled individuals and groups rallying and creating the conditions for an inclusive and democratic future. They are a shining example of hope for a peaceful future.” ENDS  For more information and media requests, please contact:Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.orgLiz Throssell - + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.orgJeremy Laurence - +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org  Tag and shareX @UNHumanRightsFacebook unitednationshumanrightsInstagram @unitednationshumanrights

 Manila, Philippines -- Ahead of the 2025 mid-term elections, UN Women Philippines, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and civil society partners are taking a stand against online abuse and harassment targeting female politicians. This form of gender-based violence threatens women’s leadership by discouraging their participation in governance and public life. At a forum held on February 7, 2025, at the National Cybercrime Hub in Taguig City, UN Women Philippines’ Women, Peace, and Security Programme Specialist, Catherine Rose Torres, highlighted how disinformation campaigns disproportionately harm women. “There is no shortage of discussions about online disinformation and online incivility or hate speech, but they often lack a gendered lens and fail to recognize that most of these harmful behaviors are directed at women—as usual,” Torres said. Timely conducted ahead of the Philippines’ mid-term elections, the forum explored how technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) deters women from entering and thriving in politics—and what can be done to stop it. How TFGBV Keeps Women Away from Politics Technology-facilitated gender-based violence, as defined by the United Nations Population Fund, is “an act of violence perpetrated by one or more individuals that is committed, assisted, aggravated, and amplified in part or fully by the use of information and communication technologies or digital media against a person on the basis of gender.” Government and civil society have documented cases of TFGBV in the Philippines, including disinformation attacks targeting women in public office, members of the press, and women running for election. The UN Secretary-General’s October 2024 report underscores that technology-facilitated violence against women is not just random but well-funded and well-organized, reinforcing discriminatory norms and promoting misogynistic attitudes.  This form of online abuse intensifies during elections. The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) had already issued warnings against “the objectification of women during election season” during the 2022 Presidential polls. PCW Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla outlined two major barriers to women’s political participation, saying that very few women are elected to public office because very few women run for elective posts, and that the culture of politics is not women-friendly. “It is characterized by aggression, atrocities, wasteful spending, character assassination, and all types of psychological, verbal, physical, direct, and digitally-mediated gender-based violence. These are all antithetical to the values that women generally uphold. The very culture of politics disempowers women, to the point that they shun away from it,” she said. The numbers further highlight the issue. PNP Women and Children Protection Chief, PBGen. Portia Manalad, revealed that they recorded 1,294 cases in 2023 and 1,333 cases in 2024 involving violations of the Safe Spaces Act (which penalizes online gender-based sexual harassment) and the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act. Meanwhile, Liza Garcia, Executive Director of the Foundation for Media Alternatives, cited real-world examples of TFGBV during past elections, including baseless accusations, viral scandal fabrications involving a politician’s daughter, red-tagging, and rape threats. Mel Migriño, President of the Women in Security Alliance Philippines, shared her personal experience as a victim of online impersonation and character assassination, further emphasizing how digital spaces remain hostile to women leaders. Despite its devastating impact, TFGBV is often underestimated. Dhyta Caturani, Helpline Southeast Asia Regional Coordinator of Access Now, pointed out that many dismiss it as a mere “consequence of being online” rather than recognizing its real-world harm. Dr. Jaimee Stuart of the United Nations University Macau explained that TFGBV stems from deeply ingrained gender norms that objectify women and undermine their credibility as leaders. She identified several manifestations of TFGBV, including doxing, non-consensual intimate image abuse, sextortion, online sexual harassment, cyberstalking, shallowfakes, deepfakes, misogynistic hate speech, and defamation—all of which push women out of public life. What Can We Do About TFGBV and Its Effects on Women’s Political Participation? DICT Undersecretary for ICT Industry Development Jocelle Batapa-Sigue made a strong call to action, stating, “Technology should never be a weapon against women; rather, it should be a tool that amplifies their voices.” She emphasized that addressing TFGBV and promoting women's political participation requires a multi-stakeholder approach integrating digital safety, policy reforms, and capacity-building initiatives. The DICT is at the forefront of this effort through the Digital Innovation for Women Advancement (DIWA) project, which enhances digital literacy, cybersecurity protections, and gender-sensitive policies in the ICT sector. DICT is also pushing for AI-driven content moderation to curb online harassment, stronger enforcement of digital harassment laws, and cybersecurity education programs to equip women leaders with essential digital safety skills. Beyond online protection, women must be empowered to lead confidently in the digital era. DICT and PCW believe that webinars and training sessions or even courses on political participation are essential in building women’s confidence. Commission on Elections’ Director for Barangay & SK Elections, Michelle Frances Morales-Paredes, stressed that programs tha help build the confidence of women in pursuing politics can enable them to break free from stereotypes that keep them out of politics. From a legal standpoint, Atty. Ona Caritos of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) highlighted that while existing laws—such as the Omnibus Election Code, Safe Spaces Act, and Cybercrime Law—offer protections, enforcement must be strengthened. Meanwhile, PBGen. Manalad assured that the PNP Women and Children Protection Center is intensifying enforcement efforts through rescue operations, legal action, investigations, capacity-building, and awareness campaigns. The tech industry must also step up. Dhyta Caturani advocated for a feminist approach to technology—one that prioritizes care and joy over profit. Dr. Stuart reinforced this by promoting human-centric cybersecurity, which means positioning people (rather than technology) as the primary subjects of cybersecurity, "protecting systems and networks so that they can support and create a foundation for the expression and exercise of human rights." On a hopeful note, Tez Cruz, Co-founder of the Feminist Media Lab, shared inspiring case studies demonstrating the impact of feminist community care. Utilizing technology, their initiatives have empowered survivors by believing them and amplifying their voices, supported feminist organizations in building safe digital communities, promoted women’s leadership through training, mentorship, and fellowships, and documented TFGBV cases among women in politics. For its part, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is taking proactive steps to combat TFGBV. Deputy Executive Director Assistant Secretary Mary Rose Magsaysay shared that the agency is enhancing cybersecurity protections, strengthening investigations, capacitating agencies, and enforcing digital safety laws. Through partnerships with law enforcement, ICT agencies, and advocacy groups, the CICC is improving mechanisms for reporting, detecting, and prosecuting cybercrimes targeting women. A Call to Action In closing, Rosalyn Mesina, Country Programme Coordinator of UN Women Philippines, urged participants to reflect on their families and loved ones, reminding them that the fight against TFGBV is deeply personal and affects everyone. She shared UN Women Philippines' vision of building a women-led, multisectoral community of practice—one that not only fights TFGBV but also amplifies women’s political participation, creating safer and more inclusive digital and governance spaces.  The “Disinformed, Disempowered, Disenfranchised” forum was jointly organized by UN Women, DICT, and CICC, with the support of the Australian Government’s Cyber and Critical Tech Cooperation Program. 

If you had to guess the leading cause of death for children and young people globally, what would you say?Malaria? Pneumonia? Suicide? They’re all up there, but no, it’s road crashes.Cars have been around for over 120 years, and we know how to prevent these tragedies. Yet road crashes still claim more than two lives every minute, and nearly 1.2 million lives every year.If these deaths were caused by a virus, it would be called a pandemic and the world would scramble to develop vaccines to prevent them.And yet reducing road deaths has long been overlooked, misunderstood and underfunded.People will always make mistakes on the roads, but we have proven solutions that ensure our transport systems can absorb these errors in a way that significantly reduces the risk of death.As part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, the world has set an ambitious target of halving road deaths worldwide by 2030.Just ten countries - including some hard-hit low and middle-income countries – managed to reduce road deaths by more than 50% in a decade, and more than 30 countries are close behind. This shows that the target can be met but it is nowhere near enough. We need urgent action.Key to meeting this goal is the decision to design and build our transport systems for people - not for motor vehicles - and to make safety paramount in all decisions and actions.This is especially important for the most vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle riders, who are often left dangerously exposed.Advancing road safety is crucial in itself, but it is also key to sustainable development overall.The world is going through an unprecedented wave of motorization. More than a billion vehicles are on the roads. This is unsustainable, so we must focus on moving people, not cars, motorbikes and trucks.Transport accounts for one quarter of global carbon emissions, and fuels congestion in our cities. Yet when mobility is made safe and accessible, people choose the greener options of public transport, walking and cycling.Designing cities around sustainable transport - with cycling lanes, pedestrian zones, and accessible public transport - also strengthens communities by making spaces safer and more livable, while improving access to adequate housing and basic services for all.Safe roads power economies. Road deaths can cost countries around 3 to 5% of GDP, and ensuring more people can move safely to their jobs, schools and vital services drives development.Safe, accessible and affordable transport also breaks down barriers to jobs, schools and opportunities for disadvantaged groups. This helps ensure everyone can reach their potential.The same holds true for gender equality, and in some countries up to 80% of women report suffering harassment on public transport, so we must make transport safe for women and girls.Road safety is everyone’s business and to succeed we need a range of sectors to be involved.Urban planners and engineers must ensure safety is built into infrastructure. Academia and civil society can generate evidence. The media can dig deeper into what works, what doesn’t and why.The private sector has tremendous influence. Businesses can contribute to safe and sustainable mobility by applying proven principles and practices throughout their value chains. They must only sell vehicles that meet United Nations safety standards.Yet the role of government is paramount. Governments must provide strategic and well-coordinated approaches, strong policy and legal frameworks that enforce safety standards and safe behaviors, and sufficient funding. Law enforcement and education are also key.This vision is right at the heart of the Global Plan for the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, which offers a blueprint for governments to reduce road deaths.This week, world leaders will meet for a Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Morocco. They will assess progress, share knowledge, and advance actions to halve road deaths by 2030.They are set to adopt a new Marrakech Declaration, which recognizes road safety as an urgent public health and development priority, and that our efforts must be guided by the principles of equity, accessibility, and sustainability.The Declaration calls on leaders to step up efforts to action the Global Plan for the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety. We need a step change in political will, a sense of urgency, evidenced-based, strategies that are costed and implemented, strong coordination and adequate financing.Road safety is a crisis that has gone on far too long. No road deaths are necessary or acceptable.Yet it is also much more than that. Safe and sustainable mobility can power a better future for us all. Op-Ed co-signed by the 15 Heads of UN agencies/departments in Morocco, Jean Todt, UN Special Envoy on Road Safety, Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and by H.E. Mr. Abdessamad Kayouh, Minister of Transport and Logistics of the Kingdom of Morocco, Host of the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety. 

The project will reach 28,000 people from indigenous and rural communities. It also aims to promote leadership opportunities for women and strengthen their skills for adapting to climate change that threatens food and nutrition security. “Despite significant progress at the global level, no country in the world has achieved gender equality.  That is the reason why Spanish Cooperation aims to not only boost but also accelerate the progress of women's participation and leadership at all decision-making levels. If we are talking about climate resilience in a country most at risk of extreme climate, we must put indigenous women and their communities at the centre of the action,” said Violeta Dominguez Acosta, Head of Spanish Cooperation in the Philippines.Climate change is impacting food security, nutrition and gender equality in conflict-affected BARMM. In 2024, WFP conducted a ‘Leaving No One Behind’ study that showed barriers such as climate-related risks hinder rural and indigenous women from accessing resources and decision making processes, resulting in the loss of livelihood opportunities and poverty.Under the AECID-funded project, rural and indigenous women will undergo training in climate-resilient agriculture and leadership skills. The project will aim at strengthening women’s cooperatives by linking their agricultural production to reliable markets. The activities will also incorporate social behavior change to improve local food and nutrition practices.“WFP thanks AECID for their important contribution to enhancing resilience in BARMM. With the increasing frequency and intensity of climate emergencies in the Philippines, women are especially vulnerable. It is urgent that we strengthen their capacities and so that they can withstand shocks better,” said WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Regis Chapman.In partnership with the BARMM Government, WFP will work closely with other UN agencies, community-based organizations and indigenous communities to ensure greater participation and grassroot implementation.Since 2006, WFP has been supporting the Philippine Government in augmenting emergency response operations, enhancing disaster management capacities, conducting resilience-building activities and strengthening food and social protection systems to improve development.#                 #                   #The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.Follow WFP on Twitter @wfp_media @wfp_philippines