unmultimedia.org - Women should be able to "leapfrog" into evolving world of work The world of work is changing and women should be empowered to "leapfrog" into high-tech or green jobs in the future, the Deputy-Executive Director of UN Women has said. Lakshmi Puri shared this message with delegates at a multi-stakeholder forum on "Women's Economic Empowerment in the Changing World of Work". It is also the priority theme for the latest session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) taking place in March. Speaking to Jocelyne Sambira, Ms Puri also highlighted the structural barriers to gender equality and gender-based discrimination that persist within and across national boundaries.

A "massive, structural transformation" is needed to advance women's political representation in Somalia, a female member of parliament or MP has urged. Asha Gelle Dirie was appointed Chairperson of the Committee of Goodwill Ambassadors in the Horn of Africa country to help women secure 30 per cent of seats in the Federal Parliament. Women faced a tough battle in last year's election, she recently told members of the UN Security Council, but ultimately won 25 per cent of seats. Speaking to Vibhu Mishra, Ms. Dirie called for more logistical and financial support for women in politics to "even the playing field".