By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, March 8 -- On International Women's Day Inner City Press asked the head of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo about the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, and about the UN's cover-up of mass rape in Tabit, Darfur and slated handing of Angela Kane's UN Disarmament post to Mister Kim Won-soo. Video here.
Phumzile Mlambo replied that ISIS is extreme, violent and cruel and that it more dangerous to be a woman than to be a soldier. She said, we need political solutions but UN Women may not be the lead agency for the UN. But, she said, in Colombia UN Women is so active for the UN system it is UN Women which is leading in the dialogue.
When it comes to recruiting, she said, we are always advocating for women. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, she said. What about Disarmament? Or even, OCHA?
In her response, Phumzile Mlambo spoke about cases where UN Peacekeepers are charged with sexual misconduct. Not addressed is that UN Peacekeeping does not make public the outcome of any cases -- essentially, being sent home is the only punishment that is disclosed.
As to UN Peacekeeping's UNAMID actively covering-up rapes in Tabit in Darfur, it has yet to be addressed. Perhaps during the March, or CSW. Watch this site.
