International Celebration

World Science Day for Peace and Development is on the 10th of November. A day celebrated annually to contribute to promoting peace and encouraging further academic exchanges on topics of global importance. In addition, raising awareness of the relationship between science and peace among the general public. [1]

World Science Day for Peace and Development

We may be surprised when we think of the fact that science is a tool for peace and development. The quality of knowledge is that it is open, meaning that it is accessible to everyone. There is no set rule for which group should know or learn. The role of science through its academic engagements each year should not be underestimated. This contributes to increasing international understanding and opportunities for collaboration in science applications to promote peace.

Access to science and its benefits is a right of any individual in society, based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations Assembly in Paris in 1948. Article 27 states: “Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts, and to contribute to scientific progress and benefit from its results.” But what needs to be done now is to find easy, safe, and responsible ways to access science. [4]

The Objectives of the World Science Day for Peace and Development and How to Achieve Them

1. Promote public awareness of the role of science in building peaceful and sustainable societies.
2. Strengthening the national and international solidarity of inter-country sciences.
3. Renewing national and international commitments to use science for the benefit of societies.
4. Draw attention to the challenges science faces in mobilizing support for the scientific endeavor. [2]

It is necessary to integrate different partners to achieve the above-mentioned objectives. Starting from governmental and non-governmental organizations and institutions, reaching to the media and science teachers in schools as a basis to achieve the previous goals, and emphasizing that science is in the service of society.

How Science Can Be a Tool for Peace

Science and technology have an undeniable impact on improving living standards and increasing productivity. And even push the wheel of progress and production toward sustainability. If this progress is achieved in the environments that need it, it eliminates the conflicts that invade it and thus brings peace.

With rapid technological advances in recent years, computers are increasingly prevalent in fields that were previously considered exclusively human. For example:

1. Artificial intelligence contributes to improving the decision-making process and increasing economic growth. 
2. Drones can be used to reach disaster and conflict areas.
3. In addition to genetic techniques that allow the control of biological systems, including the human genome. It opened the door to access customized, precise medicines. Biological technology also helps us agriculturally and leads us to produce varieties of crops that are of high quality and resistant to difficult conditions. [3]

The previous scientific examples all serve the goal of achieving peace and development. It assures us that science is a means to achieve them in the world, so the celebration of this day represents an important contribution to promoting peace.

UNESCO Periodic Report on the Role of Science in Development

The UNESCO Science Report is one of the most important tools available to countries to monitor progress toward the 2030 Agenda. The UNESCO Science Report Series regularly maps science, technology, and innovation worldwide.

UNESCO publishes a science report on science every 5  years. The latest version of it was published in 2021. It is one of the key tools available to countries to monitor progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Agenda. [2]

Our initiative seeks to spread culture, educate, and empower women to build sustainable peace realistically. Because we fully believe that science is a constructive means, not a demolition, and it is our closest savior to ending conflicts and crises and overcoming their consequences.

Also read: United Nations Day.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peacebuilding in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] UNESCO

[2] UN

[3] UNDOC

[4] UN- Observances

“The United Nations is our one great hope for a peaceful and free world.”
– Ralph Bunche. [1]

The United Nations

“To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.” [2]

This is what the United Nations aims to achieve in accordance with its Charter signed in 1945 in Francisco. That was after the Second World War, which had devastating effects on most countries of the world, and after the failure of the League of Nations, founded in 1920, to achieve its goals of maintaining international peace and security due to the outbreak of World War II. It was necessary to have a global organization that seeks to achieve international peace and security, resolve conflicts by peaceful means, and preserve human dignity and rights in all countries of the world, so it was the United Nations.

The establishment of the United Nations came after several agreements and conferences between the major countries of the world and the Allies during World War II. Starting with the Atlantic Charter in 1941, which emphasized the establishment of an international organization whose mission is to maintain international peace and security.

Then the Moscow Conference in 1943, was attended by representatives of the Soviet Union, Britain, China, and America, and this agreement called for the establishment of an international organization which other countries were entitled to join.

Then the Washington Conference in 1944, at which the United Nations was formulated and negotiated. Finally, it was the San Francisco Conference on October 24, 1945, where representatives from 50 countries attended and drafted and signed the United Nations Charter. 

The objectives of the United Nations Charter can be summarized thus:

• Maintain international peace and security.
• Cooperate in solving international economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems and in promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• Develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples
• Respect all human rights regardless of gender, religion, race, or nationality. [3]

The Structure of the United Nations

The United Nations is made up of a group of basic organs, which are:

• The UN Security Council: It is one of the most important organs of the United Nations, as it has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 members; 5 are permanent members: France, America, Russia, China, and Britain, and these countries have the right to veto the decisions of the Council. In addition to 10 non-permanent members who are elected by the General Assembly for a term of two years. Among the council’s tasks is also to identify the threats to international peace and security, and to resolve disputes, either peacefully or through the use of force.
• The General Assembly: It includes all the member states of the United Nations, and it meets once a year or at the request of the Security Council or the majority of the members. Decisions in the Assembly are made by a two-thirds majority of the participating members. The General Assembly undertakes the following tasks:
  – Maintaining international peace and security.
  – Strengthening international relations in economic and social affairs.
  – Supervising the administration of the United Nations.
• Economic and Social Council: This Council consists of 54 members who are elected by the General Assembly for a term of 3 years and undertake the tasks of increasing international cooperation in the fields of culture and education, respecting fundamental human freedoms and promoting and strengthening factors of social and economic progress.
• The Secretariat: a body made up of a number of members and headed by the Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the United Nations once every 5 years.
• International Court of Justice: This court represents the main judicial organ of the United Nations and is entrusted with expressing legal opinions on issues brought by the Security Council or the General Assembly. It resolves disputes and issues judgments in accordance with international law, and its judgment is not subject to appeal.
• Trusteeship Council: This council supervises the territories placed under the trusteeship of the United Nations in order to achieve their independence. It works to develop these regions socially, economically, and politically.

In addition to a number of organizations affiliated with the United Nations, such as the International Labor Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. There are many such organizations working in the fields of economy, health, and education. [3]

The United Nations and Women’s Issues

Since its founding, the United Nations has sought gender equality through Articles 1 and 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The articles state that all human beings are born free and equal in rights, duties, and dignity without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, religion, language or birth, or another status. Then, in 1979, the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

The first international conference on women was held in 1975 in Mexico City, followed by several conferences in order to assess the status of women and formulate global plans for their advancement. In 2010, the General Assembly created “UN Women” with the aim of accelerating the process of gender equality and the empowerment of women. [4]

As for violence against women, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a declaration on the elimination of violence against women in 1993. It affirmed that violence against women represents an obstacle to achieving peace and equality, a breach of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and impedes women’s possession of those rights. In this declaration, the General Assembly defined violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in harm or suffering to women”

It stressed the need for women to possess all their rights and equality with men in all fields and the need for all countries to condemn violence against women and to enact laws that prevent this issue. In addition to the need for cooperation between all United Nations organizations with all countries in seeking to eliminate this issue. [5]

Significance of This Day to the World

In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 24 of each year to be United Nations Day. In 1971, the General Assembly recommended that member states celebrate this day with the aim of reminding people around the world of the goals of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security, promoting friendly relations, and emphasizing the equality of all people of all races, races, and religions. [6]

It is worth mentioning that the Uplifting Syrian Women initiative has sought, since its inception, to spread a culture of peace, accept differences and equality among all individuals, and celebrate global days. The initiative has provided and continues to provide many workshops and training that help many Syrians, regardless of their gender and religion, to develop their lives. The values ​​of the initiative call for the necessity of equality between all groups of Syrian society and the elimination of discrimination and violence against women because of its repercussions and effects on Syrian society.

Also read: World Food Day.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] Brainy Quote

[2] UNFPA

[3] Mawdoo3

[4] UN

[5] UNESCWA

[6] Sana

People eat and throw away their leftovers, and others are undernourished. How and Why?

Perhaps our ancestors would be surprised if they saw the crises and famines that constantly afflict different peoples. Because despite all the development and progress made by mankind, many individuals do not get enough food in their daily lives. Everyone who reads this article probably knows someone who is barely able to provide food for themselves or their family. Why? And how can we solve this problem?

World Food Day

Because food is essential to the survival and continuity of humanity, and our need for it is constantly increasing. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) celebrates World Food Day on October 16 every year. The anniversary of the organization’s founding in 1945. [1]

World Food Day is one of the most celebrated days among the global events of the United Nations, as a result of the solidarity and work of 150 countries. While more than 3 billion people – almost 40% of the world’s population – do not enjoy a healthy diet. [2]

There are also nearly 2 billion people who are overweight or obese. As noted by Mr. Qu Dongyu – WHO Director-General – Indicated that 14% of food is lost and 17% is wasted, in his speech during the celebration of World Food Day, which was hosted by FAO in 2021. [1]

So there is enough food for everyone, why is there such a big contradiction?

Objectives of World Food Day

• Raising awareness about the problem of world hunger.
• Increasing interest in agricultural food production and stimulating international and non-governmental efforts in this direction.
• Encouraging the participation of rural people, especially women and vulnerable groups, in making decisions and holding events that affect their lives.
• Encouraging economic and technical cooperation in developing countries and stimulating technology transfer to these countries.
• Strengthening international and global solidarity to confront hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. In addition to highlighting the progress in the field of food and agricultural development. [3]

Ratios and Statistics

• Globally, women are 15% more likely to suffer from – moderate or severe- food insecurity than men.
• Almost 193 million people experienced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2021. They also needed humanitarian assistance to survive. While more than 500,000 people faced catastrophic conditions, namely starvation and death.
• Indigenous peoples are responsible for about 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity. However, it suffers from high rates of poverty, malnutrition and landlessness.
• Globally, food systems produce nearly a third of greenhouse gases and contribute to the deforestation of tropical forests by 80%. It is also the main cause of water scarcity, desertification, soil degradation, and biodiversity. [2]

The World Food Program

The World Food Program is affiliated with the United Nations and is the leading humanitarian organization in the field of food assistance. The program focuses on providing emergency food assistance, relief, and rehabilitation, as well as working with local communities to improve nutrition.

WFP also conducts two-thirds of its work in conflict-affected countries, where the population of these countries is vulnerable to undernourishment. This is 3 times more than the population of conflict-free countries.

And for all its fruitful efforts to change lives by fighting hunger and preventing using hunger as a weapon in wars and conflicts. Which in turn paves the way for peace-building in conflict-affected areas. In addition, it helped 115.5 million people in 84 countries in 2020, the largest number since 2012. The World Food Program was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. [4]

World Food Day Activities

A large number of events are held to celebrate World Food Day every year. Some of this year’s events:

1. World Food Day Photo Contest – Europe and Central Asia.
   It runs from August 1 to November 2. Residents of these two areas must submit a photo under the slogan “Healthy Nutrition for All”. To focus on the production, processing, and sharing of food, rather than the food itself. [5]
   World Food Day exhibit including photographs by FAO Ambassador and astronaut Thomas Pesquet.
   It will shed light on some of the global challenges the world faces from a new perspective, which is space. [6]
2. World Food Day poster competition.
   Presenting a poster showing a world where no one is left behind and where everyone can have affordable, healthy food. The applicant must be between 5 and 19 years old and the submission is available until November 4, 2022. [2]

And many more events and activities in Italy, Canada, and other countries.

World Food Day in Syria

The Syrian war has drained families and individuals in Syria, and many are suffering from poverty and food insecurity. Day after day, Syrians are struggling to get their food on a daily basis. As a result of severe economic decline, mass displacement, and conflict. According to WFP, about 12.4 million Syrians suffer from food insecurity. 1.3 million Syrians suffer from acute food insecurity.

Consequently, WFP provides food aid to 5.6 million people in Syria each month and provides healthy snacks for children at school. It also supports families to acquire new income-earning skills. [7]

As Syrians, we know that access to adequate and healthy food is a right for every human being. We must strive as hard as we can to achieve this goal and not stop until we see it implemented on the ground. In our initiative, we seek to help women – especially Syrian women – to learn and hone their skills. May this help them find job opportunities and improve their lives in general.

Also read:

• International Day of Rural Women.

• World Mental Health Day.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] FAO- News

[2] FAO- World Food Day

[3] GDRC

[4] WFP

[5] FAO- Events P.1

[6] FAO- Events P.3

[7] WFP- Countries

The International Day of Rural Women is marked on October 15 every year to recognize the crucial role that rural women, including Indigenous women, play in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security, and eradicating rural poverty. [1]

On average, women make up more than 40 percent of the agricultural workforce in developing countries, ranging from 20 percent in Latin America to 50 percent or more in parts of Africa and Asia. Yet, they face significant discrimination when it comes to land and livestock ownership, equal pay, participation in decision-making entities, and access to resources, credit, and the market for their farms to thrive. [2]

The importance of the role of rural women

Gender equality and the empowerment of rural women are inextricably linked to the strengthening of food systems to fight hunger and malnutrition, and to real gains for the population and rural lives and livelihoods at large.

Rural women are a significant, vital, and remarkable proportion of humankind. As farmers, farm workers, horticulturists, market sellers, businesswomen, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, they make up over a quarter of the world’s population.

There is a wide range of evidence that as much as half of the reduction in hunger recorded between 1970 and 1995 is due to improvements in women’s societal status. Progress in women’s access to education alone has improved food security by 43 percent- as significant as the gains from increased food availability (26 percent) and health advances (19 percent) combined.
It has been observed that women spend a larger share of the additional income that they may have than men on food, health, clothing, and education for their children.

Thus, Enabling and empowering rural women translates into improved overall well-being for children, families, and communities. This, in turn, contributes to the building of human capital for future generations and to long-term social and economic growth. As a result, the empowerment of rural women and girls is not only critical for agricultural development, it is crucial to social and economic progress and sustainable development in general. [3]

Problems facing Rural Women

The main problem facing women in general, and rural women in particular, is inequality with men. Women farmers may be as productive and enterprising as their male counterparts, but they have less access to land, credit, agricultural inputs, markets, and high-value agrifood chains. In addition, they obtain lower prices for their crops.

Women and girls in rural areas lack equal access to productive resources and assets, public services such as education, health care, and infrastructure (including safe water and sanitation services), while much of their labour remains invisible and unpaid, even as their workloads become increasingly heavy due to the out-migration of men.

At the global level, with few exceptions, every gender and development indicator for which data are available reveals that rural women suffer more than men in rural areas. As well as experiencing poverty, exclusion, and the impact of the effects of climate change. [2]

By many customs, women are the last to eat. At least, within the home, where they are also responsible for the largest share of caregiving and unpaid domestic work. [4] In addition to early marriage, and the objectification of women without considering them as human beings with full rights and full capacity to make decisions.

Solutions

• The key solution is to fully achieve equality between women and men.
• Providing educational opportunities.
• Providing basic health services.
• Support women’s right to access leadership positions and make decisions.
• Providing modern agricultural means to help working women.

The previous solutions ensure the progress and development of the entire society, as well as ensuring significant progress in the field of food security and climate change.

Syrian rural women

Women in Syria make up 65% of the total economically active population in agriculture, according to statistics from world organizations in 2004.

Through the“ telefood campaign”, FAO supported 13 projects in the Syrian Arab Republic, mainly focusing on poultry farming and beekeeping, home gardening, and the development of small family enterprises to grow edible mushrooms.

The database ”Dimitra” includes 10 organizations in the Syrian Arab Republic working on 16 projects beneficial for rural women. These projects vary in scope and cover a wide range of issues ranging from literacy to vocational training and microcredit programs. [5]

Women constitute a significant human force that is being unfairly used, or often neglected, which leads us in our initiative to support them and demand equality in all areas in order to make the best use of these forces, in order to achieve justice and safety for women, to get rid of the inferior view of women and to give them complete freedom, which are the rights of any human being.

Also Read: World Mental Health Day.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] UN

[2] UN- Observances

[3] FAO

[4] UN- News

[5] OHCHR

Do you think that physical health is more important than mental health? Do you know how many people end their lives because of mental health disorders? Does World Mental Health Day really exist?

Some may think that health is limited to physical health alone, without mental health. Forgetting that we are human beings who first feel and then act, that is, we are creatures who rely heavily on our feelings and thoughts. Although physical wounds may heal and disappear, damage and psychological trauma accompany a person for a long time. 

What is mental health? 

Mental health is a basic and important human right. The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, make their own decisions, learn and work well, and be active members of their community to which they can contribute. In addition, mental health does not mean only the absence of mental disorders. [1]

The matter is more complex than that, because the causes of diseases and disorders that affect mental health are numerous, including external factors such as social and economic conditions as well as genetic and biological factors. Mental health also greatly affects physical health. Therefore, a day was dedicated to reminding us of the importance of mental health around the world.

World Mental Health Day and Its goals

World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on October 10. and this celebration was first started in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has been organizing a global campaign for World Health Day annually since 2013. The United Nations organizes activities and events during the month of October to promote the importance of mental health. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Make mental health a global priority for everyone”. [2]

The theme in 2021 was “Mental Health in an Unequal World”, and in 2020 was “Mental Health for All. Greater Investment – Greater Reach. Everyone, Everywhere”. [2]

Among the objectives of this day

• First, to spread awareness about mental health globally, in addition to mobilizing and increasing efforts to support individuals exposed to mental health problems.
• Second, to create an opportunity for doctors and mental health specialists to hold together and work to improve the services provided in this field.
• Third, Work to open up and talk about mental health and break the surrounding stigma. [3]

Important facts and figures

– Close to one billion people suffer from some form of mental health disorder. 

– More than 75% of people with mental illness receive no treatment for their condition at all in low- and middle-income countries.

– In general, countries spend on average only 2% of their health budget on mental health.

– Suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 15 and 29; every 40 seconds, an individual ends his life (that is, 800,000 people annually).

– Almost half of psychological problems begin by age 14, but most of them are not detected or treated most of the time. [4]

Mental health and COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused problems in many ways and created a major crisis for mental health; as it multiplied stress and depression and undermined the mental health of millions. Estimates put the rise in both anxiety and depressive disorders at more than 25% during the first year of the pandemic. The pandemic was accompanied by the disruption of mental health services, which exacerbated these cases. [3]

The Role of the World Health Organization in Mental Health

The World Health Organization launched the “Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030”, which aims to improve mental health by strengthening effective leadership and governance and providing comprehensive and integrated community-based care. 

WHO also released the “Global Report on Mental Health: Transforming Mental Health for All”. Which calls on all countries to accelerate the implementation of the Action Plan. According to the report, all countries can make great progress in improving the mental health of their populations by focusing on 3 “transformation paths”:

• First, deepen the value given to mental health by individuals, communities, and governments.
• Second, develop and improve the physical, social, and economic characteristics of environments, such as homes, schools, and even the local community.
• Third, strengthen mental health care. So that the full spectrum of mental health needs is met through a community-based network of accessible, affordable, and quality services and supports. [1]

Steps to take care of and maintain mental health

In addition to the attempts of organizations and governments to improve the available health care services, the individual, during his life and daily routine, can also strive to maintain his mental health. Some of these steps are: 

1- Keep physically active: Doing any kind of exercise has many physical benefits in addition to improving your mood.

2- Have a balanced and healthy diet: such as eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, and many others. In addition to drinking adequate amounts of water.

3- Manage Stress: Persistent exposure to stress without any solution is very harmful to mental health. So, the problem should not be ignored and should be confronted as much as possible. For example: Take a short break when feeling stressed from school or work. Break the routine and do a new activity on the weekend. 

4- Self-acceptance and positive thinking: Avoid comparing yourself to others, we are all different and special in our own way. Strive to build a good relationship with yourself and practice self-love.

5- Learn a new skill. Learning new skills gives self-confidence and creates a sense of accomplishment. [5]

6- Do things you are good at taking time to do something you love, no matter what promotes mental health.

In conclusion, we would like to remind you that there is no health without mental health. Public health is harmony between physical and mental health together. Therefore, we believe that protecting and maintaining mental health is very important. In our initiative, we seek to build a safe space for everyone in need, especially Syrian women, by providing psychological support and guidance. As well as empowering women and providing services that allow them to improve and develop, as this will positively affect their mental health. We also dedicate an article on women’s mental health every month; to raise awareness about important topics, such as depression associated with menopause.

For everyone with mental health issues. No matter if they are big or small. We would like to tell you that you are NOT alone, we are ALL here with you.

Also read: International Day of Peace.

References:

[1] WHO- Facts

[2] UN- Healthy Workforce

[3] WHO- Campaigns

[4] UN- News

[5] Your Mind Matters

“Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man”.

– Mahatma Gandhi. [2]

A man by his very nature resorts to violence only when he feels fear, and he believes that life is sacred, and there is not enough reason to take it away. The proof of this is that you will never witness a happy, balanced human being beating another person. But life on this planet has undergone a lot of changes and developments, both positive and negative.

Because a person dreams of healthy living, but whenever he is reassured, leaving his weapon, he finds that war has broken out again. He saw himself living in a state of fear again, afraid for himself and his loved ones from the flames of war, and could not find the solution and the way to survive except by fighting and resorting to violence.

History is full of violence and stories whose victims were more than the beneficiaries, and we realize that the stories of history repeat themselves and the wheel of time turns, why then do we humans not strive to hold on to our humanity and look for another way, perhaps nonviolence?

And as Mahatma Gandhi once said, ” There are many causes I would die for. There is not a single cause I would kill for”. [1]

What is the story behind the International Day of non-violence?

October 2 of each year is considered the International Day of non-violence, in accordance with the resolution of the UN General Assembly in 2007. [2]

This day was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, (the leader of the Indian independence movement and the pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of nonviolence.

The principle of nonviolence – as its name indicates – rejects the use of physical violence to achieve social or political change. [2]

Therefore, the UN General Assembly considered that the International Day of non-violence is the best way to spread the message of non-violence, and to educate the public and the people of the world about its principles and the method of its implementation. That’s because reality tells us that we have reached the limit of excessive use of violence in conflict resolution.

And to emphasize the common desire to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding, and non-violence, through the use of peace as a tool.
When we all hear the term nonviolence, it comes to our minds that it is synonymous with peace, but it carries the meaning of nonviolent resistance, allowing a person to obtain his rights and fight for his future to resist an authoritarian decision or a dictatorial regime.

In other words, nonviolence does not mean avoiding conflict and confrontation, but rather responding to the issue effectively, and avoiding physical violence, as Molham says on the International Day of nonviolence: ” I can’t teach you Violence because I don’t believe in it. I can only teach you not to bow your head in front of anyone even at the cost of your life”. [1]

Forms of nonviolent resistance: protest and persuasion, including marches and sit-ins. There is also a lack of cooperation and non-violent intervention such as blockades. [2]

How to celebrate the International Day of non-violence?

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “Hatred, division, and conflict have had their day. It is time to usher in a new era of peace, trust, and tolerance. On this International Day of Non-Violence – Gandhi’s birthday – let’s heed his message of peace, and commit to building a better future for all”. [3]

The dream of a man in any part of the Earth is to live a decent life, this is something that we agree on, no matter how many and varied our beliefs, the ideas we believe in and the doctrines we follow.

We all dream of a secure future, in fact, all our dreams depend on stability and peace because war is not a place for creativity but a hotbed of survival, your most important achievement of the day becomes that you are alive.

Mahatma Gandhi raised the slogan “Just Means lead to just ends” [2], so by celebrating nonviolence and his birthday, we should spread awareness about his principle.

Through campaigns, rallies, and seminars we hold to illuminate the big and small events. From the use of weapons to achieve ends in wars and on the streets, to the dangers of the illicit trade in small arms. Spreading the beliefs and methods of peace leader Mahatma Gandhi.

In every war, we find a lot of collateral losses, both human and material. And also in every war, we see that the stories of these people do not see the light, we can shed light on the stories of these people, we talk about their lives and families who lost them due to violence. We strive by all means so that their lives are not lost and their stories are not repeated.

A woman’s place in this day

A woman in every war loses, whether she loses her son or husband, or takes on additional responsibilities that should not fall on her shoulders. As well as in peacetime, women fall victim to other forms of violence, domestic, in the workplace, and even on the street.

During the March of women’s resistance to all other forms of violence, we find that she set her sights on peace. She also used it as a tool, she did not raise a weapon in the man’s face, but went out on marches and fought in court, and used the judiciary to get her rights.

The woman is not trying to take over the world, just trying to get her right, and not to lose too much for no logical reason. The task of trying to reach a world that follows the principle of nonviolence is a difficult but not impossible task. Its application requires all members of society, regardless of gender, religion, and belief, to keep it as their goal.

In fact, the International Day of nonviolence carries with it a lot of dreams. Because those who follow the doctrine of nonviolence can confidently see the rights of others and respect their freedoms.

This is all we need to live harmoniously and cooperatively in one society that respects women and men, and honors children and the elderly. Everyone has his right and freedom, and peace is what drives our societies.

At the uplifting Syrian Woman initiative, we see that nonviolence and the doctrine of leader Mahatma Gandhi coincide with our goals, and unite with the voices we seek to raise. Through nonviolence, we preserve the dignity of women in particular and of human beings in general. We remind you that during the covid-19 pandemic, all communities faced the same difficulties, and we managed to overcome most of them with cooperation.

Also read:

• International Day of Translation.

• World Breast Cancer Awareness Month- Pink October.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] Unique News Online

[2] UN

[3] Masr

Breast cancer is one of the most common and important cancers in the world, so the month of October was devoted to raising awareness about it.
Pink October, Awareness Month or the Pink Month, is the month agreed upon globally to carry out wide campaigns aimed at raising awareness of breast cancer and ways to prevent it to limit its incidence and thus reduce the number of deaths resulting from it.

The activities of this International Breast Cancer Awareness Month have been going on since 1985 at the request and suggestion of the American Cancer Society and an international pharmaceutical company. Most countries, media, and cancer survivors around the world celebrate this occasion. [1]

It is very important to be highly aware of our body and to know any change that may occur to any of its organs, and the breast is an especially important organ in the female body and may be exposed to what is considered to be of the most dangerous diseases. Hence the importance of the Pink October Campaign is aimed at reducing the number of cases and deaths as much as possible, because life is worth it, and our bodies deserve care and attention.

Breast Cancer And Its Most Common Types

Worldwide, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed life-threatening cancer in women and is the leading cause of cancer death among women. Cancer is basically a group of diseases causing cells in the body to change and proliferate in an unorganized manner. [2]

There are different kinds of breast cancer depending on which cells of the breast tissue show malignancy. Breast cancer can begin in any part of the breast;  lobules, ducts, or connective tissue. It can also spread outside the breast through blood and lymph vessels as metastases. [2]

Invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma are the most common types of breast cancer.

The Most Important Global Events That Took Place During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This month, this disease is being highlighted through several educational conferences and seminars around the world. In addition to an intensive media campaign to motivate women and encourage them to go to the screening centers scattered in all regions. [1]

Also, during this month, sports races such as running, walking, and bike races are held to raise donations to help women suffering from this disease. Many famous landmarks around the world are also illuminated with pink lighting to visually remind us of breast cancer. In addition, “Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week” is being held to raise awareness of breast cancer in men. [1]

There are also many commercial goods that are sold to remind and raise awareness of the matter, such as awareness bracelets, pens, candy, blades, clothes, jewelry, candles, and coffee mugs.

Why Is Early Detection of Breast Cancer Better?

Because when it is done, it will facilitate the detection of the disease in its early stages, access to treatment, increase the cure rate to 95% and reduce the mortality rate to 30%. [2]

Therefore, make awareness culture and hurry to go and get checked in the screening centers scattered in all regions, because your health matters to us and because staying in your best shape are the goal of awareness.

Role and Opinion of Uplifting Syrian Women in Pink October

The Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative is holding an awareness campaign throughout the month of October, its goal during this month is to increase the awareness of women in general and Syrian women in particular about the need to go periodically to check up on their health and, if needed, get rapid treatment for breast cancer in its early stages. Believing in the importance of health and the need to obtain appropriate health care and attention for all parts of the body in general and the breast in particular during this month.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] Feedo

[2] MOH

Translation is not only a way of communication but rather a creative cultural and artistic activity that is essential in the fields of science, literature, and speeches; do you think that rapprochement between peoples and relocation of their own outputs across continents would have been possible without translation?

Through translation, we are actually transcending borders and uniting all humanity. Here comes the idea of the International Day of Translation, which intends to celebrate language specialists, who play an important role in bringing countries closer together, contributing to their development, and promoting global peace and safety.

In recognition of the importance of translation, the International Federation of Translation (founded in 1953) launched the idea of celebrating “The International Day of Translation” in 1991, as an occasion for showing cooperation between translators all around the world and to promote the importance of translation and the work of translators. Then the United Nations General Assembly responded to this proposal and acknowledged and celebrated this day for the first time on the 30th of September, 2017. [2]

Why On September 30th?

On the 30th of September, the feast of Saint Jerome, the translator of the Bible, who is considered the patron saint of translators, is celebrated.

He was a priest from northeastern Italy, he tried to translate most of the Bible into Latin from the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. He also translated parts of the Hebrew Bible into Greek. His mother tongue was Illyrian, he learned Latin at school in addition to being fluent in Greek and Hebrew. Jerome died near Bethlehem on the 30th of September, 420 AD.

How Is This Day Celebrated?

Every year since 2005, The United Nations invites all its employees,  accredited Permanent Missions staff, and students from selected partner universities to compete in the Saint Jerome Translation Competition at the UN, a competition that rewards the best translations in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish and German. It aims to celebrate Multilingualism and highlights the important role of translators and other linguistic specialists in multilateral diplomacy. [1]

Multilingualism; Importance and Necessity

Humans speak about 7 thousand languages. With their complex reflection on identity, communication, social integration, education and development. It is of strategic importance for people and the entire world. It plays a vital role in development, in ensuring cultural diversity and intercultural conversations, as well as in building inclusive knowledge societies, preserving the cultural legacy and achieving the political desire to apply the benefits of science and technology for Sustainable Development.

Multilingualism is considered an essential factor in harmonious communication between nations, and the United Nations General Assembly considers it a fundamental value of the Organization. By promoting tolerance, multilingualism ensures effective and increased participation of all in the work of the Organization, as well as increased effectiveness, better performance, and improved transparency. [3]

Translation at the United Nations

The United Nations is one of the world’s largest employers of language professionals. Several hundreds of language employees work in the United Nations offices in New York, Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi, or in the UN regional commissions in Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Beirut, Geneva, and Santiago. Translators are a type of language professional working for the United Nations.

UN language specialists include Editorial and desktop publishing assistants, Editors, Interpreters, Précis-writers, Production editors and desktop publishers, Translators, and Verbatim reporters. [1]

Translation Under the Light of Artificial Intelligence

In the age of communication technology, the profession of translators is currently in fierce competition with machines and artificial intelligence. Several years ago, Google announced the launch of the Neural Machine Translation System (GNMT), stressing that through this technology machine translations would be indistinguishable from human translations, growing the belief that this ancient profession is on the way to extinction at the hands of machines, however, the promises of programmers to remove language barriers and cancel the need for translators does not seem to be have been fulfilled.

Decades ago – when the first computer-based machine translation process was invented- translators, who work in various fields including politics, commerce, media, tourism, and even government departments,  were still indispensable. It is increasingly believed that machine translation will serve as an auxiliary tool for human translators, and not as a pure substitute for them. [3]

Multilingualism – as we mentioned earlier – is one of the basics of our time and the world in which we live. In the era of globalization, information moves from one place to another and from one country to another at the speed of lightning, and so one of the pivotal departments at our initiative, Uplifting Syrian Women, is the translation team, which translates every article and post on our platforms.

We want to thank our translation team for their great efforts and wish all its members continued brilliance and success on their special day. It is worth noting that among the most important educational courses we provide are the conversation and English language courses. To find out more, check out our social media platforms or visit our website.

Also read: International Equal Pay Day.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] UN

[2] Alesco

[3] Aljazeera

257 years to close the global gender pay gap!
Humanity has been able to achieve many civilizational revolutions to transcend and overcome everything that is obsolete and old, but it has not been able to achieve equal pay between men and women. Therefore, the Sustainable Development plan seeks to mainstream a gender perspective and for both women and men to receive wages that are commensurate with the value given at work.

International Equal Pay Day

The International Day for Equal Pay celebrated on September 18, represents the longstanding efforts towards the achievement of equal pay for work of equal value.

Despite these efforts, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls continue to be held back owing to the persistence of historical and structural unequal power relations between women and men. We, therefore, see progress in narrowing this gap as slow, despite considerable support, but in practice, it has been difficult and inflexible to change women’s reality of suffering and misery. [1]

Facts you should know

• Women earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn in jobs with job insecurity and are under-represented in decision-making roles.
• Despite the scientific achievements of women in the Arab world, women’s access to employment is significantly lower than men’s by up to 44%.
• The overall rate of the gender pay gap in Saudi Arabia is 16.4%, and in the private sector, it is 36%. It was also found that the gender pay gap in the ratio of the average salary of women to men is 79% in the Sultanate of Oman, 77% in Egypt, and 61% in Lebanon. [2] [3]
• Overall productivity will increase by investing in women’s skills because women currently represent 40% of the workforce and more than half of university students globally. [4]
• If women have access to work on equal terms with the opportunities given to men, the global annual gross domestic product will increase by an average of 26%, which is approximately 28 trillion US dollars. [5]

Negative Effects of the Gender Pay Gap

• The effects are not limited to women only, but to the whole family, especially when the woman is the breadwinner for her family. The results extend to reach the matter of hunger and poverty, and we move from the core of our problem, which is gender equality, to reducing hunger and poverty. [6]
• The negative consequences do not depend on the foregoing, but rather the creative state of the woman is undermined because she does not have a stimulus to continue her work, and it may also cause her a state of anger and hatred for the man himself or for her being. All of this may lead us to psychological disorders that hinder women’s enjoyment of a decent life.
• We also add a decrease in the level of job satisfaction among employees, and thus a decrease in the ability to produce and generate new ideas. Therefore, this will affect the establishment as a whole, and its reputation as well.

Gender Pay Equality in Syria

Syria is experiencing this kind of gender inequality like other Arab countries. The situation is exacerbated by the inability of some women to refuse their unequal remuneration, owing to the country’s low economic conditions and general wages. But fortunately, we live in an age that supports self-employment, so some women have gone into its market. Thus, women can follow their services’ pricing policy away from what they are exposed to in some companies.

The initiative’s relationship with the International Equal Pay Day

The initiative seeks, through its provided services, to increase the opportunities for women and girls to get better jobs. It also seeks to enable them to acquire skills with which they can start self-employment away from the policies of external work environments. The initiative’s services do not stop at enriching women with certain skills, but rather seek to remind them of the rights that they should enjoy.

Also read: International Literacy Day.

🌿 Uplifting Syrian Women is an initiative that seeks to build sustainable peace in Syria by focusing on and assisting women by providing free online courses, workshops, discussions and trainings; With the aim of achieving the goals of gender equality, quality education and improving the economic situation, which are in the interest of society in general and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] UN

[2] Alwatan

[3] Albayan

[4] Syr- res

[5] UN Women

[6] Rwateb