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UPDATE: UN: Voices of protest over appointment of UNIFEM head

Source: 
DAWN
On 7 April 2008, Inés Alberdi was appointed the new Executive Director of the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). However, the appointment has sparked criticism from women's rights activists who had campaigned for a candidate from the developing world
The following news article highlight the criticism levelled at this decision, from feminist activists, civil society members from the Global South, and those who are concerned that the appointment is tied to the UN's concerns over funding and significant and open political pressure from the government of Spain. Networks which have voiced concern include DAWN and Isis.
'Appointment of Spanish sociology professor to U.N. women's post sparks criticism'
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/08/news/UN-GEN-UN-Women-Appointment.php
International Herald Tribune
8 April 2008

'Top Post in UN Women's Agency Slated for Spain in "Donor-Driven Process," $700 Million Echoes'
http://www.innercitypress.com/un1alberdi040708.html
By Matthew Russell Lee
Inner City Press
7 April 2008

'Women's network accuses UN of giving into political pressure in Spaniard's appointment'
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/09/news/UN-GEN-UN-Women-Appointment.php
International Herald Tribune
April 9, 2008

'Women activists criticize U.N. appointment'
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN08391592
By Patrick Worsnip
Reuters
8 April 2008

'NGO criticizes the choice of Spanish Inés Alberdi as director of UNIFEM'
http://actualidad.terra.es/nacional/articulo/ong_ines_alberdi_unifem_2384761.htm
Terra Actualidad – EFE (the largest Spanish-language news agency)
http://www.soitu.es/soitu/2008/04/08/info/1207683226_696780.html
8 April 2008

'UN forced to choose Spanish head over Indian'
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/UN_forced_to_pick_Spanish_head_over_Indian/articleshow/2939223.cms
Times of India
10 April 2008

'In UNIFEM Spin, Alberdi Speaks Only to Spanish Media, India Calls Sen More Qualified, UNDP Silent'
http://www.innercitypress.com/un1unifem041008.html
By Matthew Russell Lee
Inner City Press
10 April 2008

'How much does an office cost at the United Nations?'
http://www.choike.org/nuevo/informes/6187.html
By Roberto Bissio
Agenda Global, La Diaria (Montevideo, Uruguay)
11 April 2008

'In UN, Job Search by Kouchner and Prodi, Replacement for Eliasson Sought, Alberdi Fall-Out'
http://www.innercitypress.com/un1posts041808.html
By Matthew Russell Lee
Inner City Press at the UN
April 18 2008

'Controversial appointment of UNIFEM Executive Director'
http://www.awid.org/go.php?list=analysis&prefix=analysis&item=00439
By Rochelle Jones
April 18, 2008
AWID Friday File

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Submitted on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 23:00
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