Male Advocacy for Women's Rights as Human Rights

26/06/2026

Start your week with a recap of some of the top stories published on Devex over the past few days:

#1 👨‍⚖️A U.N. appeals court says the $60 million UNOPS scandal cannot be pinned on one man alone. While upholding findings of misconduct against Vitaly Vanshelboim, judges pointed to broader failures inside the organization.

https://www.devex.com/news/un-tribunal-more-to-blame-for-unops-housing-scandal-112758?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=audience&utm_content=link

#2 🇺🇳Tressa Rae Finerty is the newly appointed deputy U.N. high commissioner for refugees. She got the role after U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih passed over Washington’s preferred candidate, Simon Hankinson, a Heritage Foundation fellow and outspoken critic of international refugee policy.

https://www.devex.com/news/exclusive-how-the-un-rebuffed-us-pick-at-refugee-agency-112749?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=audience&utm_content=link

#3 💰According to the Office of Inspector General, USAID has already spent more than $360,000 storing family planning commodities and continues to accumulate over $24,000 a month while officials decide what to do next.

https://www.devex.com/news/usaid-leaves-contraceptives-in-limbo-as-storage-costs-exceed-360-000-112745?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=audience&utm_content=link

#4 🌍After years of advocacy, the Africa CDC has been approved as a Pandemic Fund “implementing entity,” making it the first African Union institution to achieve this milestone.

https://www.devex.com/news/africa-cdc-earns-pandemic-fund-accreditation-after-years-of-pursuit-112754?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=audience&utm_content=link

United Nations judges contend that former UNOPS officials may bear some financial liability for the loss of tens of millions of dollars under their watch.

26/06/2026

Everyone has the right to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic uses💧🚰

See how the United Nations is working to tackle the global water crisis: https://buff.ly/4fgrSup

29/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GxFpeWqWX/

Papua New Guinea Social Entrepreneur Wins Global UN SDG Recognition

PORT MORESBY| 29 May 2026: Papua New Guinea social entrepreneur and community advocate Tahina Booth has been named a 2026 awardee of the global WE Empower UN SDG Challenge, an international initiative recognising women entrepreneurs advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Booth was recognised for her work through the Grass Skirt Project, a Papua New Guinea-based organisation focused on preventing gender-based violence, strengthening youth leadership and improving community wellbeing through sport, education and culturally grounded programs.

The announcement places Papua New Guinea among a select group of countries represented in the 2026 cohort of women social entrepreneurs chosen from around the world. Awardees will participate in international leadership and innovation programs linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including engagements in Switzerland with global institutions, policymakers and development partners.

According to the WE Empower program, Booth's work was recognised for creating community-led approaches aimed at reducing violence and supporting young people through initiatives such as the 10 Million Strong leadership program, Gymbox wellness centres and the Hevea Cup & Wellness Expo. These programs combine sport, health education, mentorship and leadership development while drawing on Indigenous customs and community structures.

Papua New Guinea continues to face some of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the Pacific. The Grass Skirt Project has positioned sport as a tool to challenge harmful social norms, improve health awareness and create safer spaces for young people. The organisation says its programs focus on long-term behavioural change and community ownership rather than short-term interventions.

Founded by Booth, a former elite athlete who competed in rugby league, weightlifting and powerlifting, the organisation began through grassroots sports outreach before expanding into broader violence prevention, youth leadership and community health initiatives. The project has received support from international organisations and sporting partners and has been featured in regional media for its work using sport to address social issues in Papua New Guinea.

The WE Empower UN SDG Challenge was launched during the United Nations General Assembly in 2018 and is co-convened by Arizona State University's Global Futures Laboratory and Vital Voices Global Partnership. The program identifies women-led enterprises contributing to sustainable development, gender equality and social change across the world.

29/05/2026

With UltraViolet – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers!

23/05/2026

Our pain is real. And it can no longer be ignored.

We are done being dismissed.

We are done being gaslit in exam rooms.

We are done being told “just take a Tylenol.”

We are done accepting a healthcare system that treats women’s suffering as normal.

NOW is proud to support the Reproductive Healthcare Leave Act introduced by Congresswoman


, National NOW President

23/05/2026

The launch of the Borrowers' Platform marked a key step in a long but overdue journey to reform the international financial architecture.

Learn how this new initiative will level the playing field for developing countries — and what must happen next: bit.ly/4tLHs7q

23/05/2026

The actress and the Joyful Heart Foundation have reached a milestone 16 years in the making.

23/05/2026

Join us virtually for an important conversation on Security and the Pacific Islands! 🌊

The Young Pacific Leaders Report Launch is happening virtually with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and we're excited to hear insights from our incredible alumni who are shaping the future of the Pacific region.

📅May 26, 2026

Featuring presentations from:
🇬🇺 Kenneth Kuper - University of Guam - UOG
🇫🇯Marilyn Simmons - Pacific-Community-SPC
🇫🇼🇸 Romario Pose - Samoa Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Government of Samoa

This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from emerging leaders addressing critical security challenges facing Pacific Island nations. It is a follow-on from our YPL Security workshop in Vanuatu last year.

U.S. Embassy Suva US Embassy Apia, Samoa

23/05/2026

With National Organization for Women (NOW) – I just got recognized as one of their top fans!

23/05/2026

With UltraViolet – I just got recognized as one of their top fans!