A better normal must mean tackling workplace violence and harassment

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Manal Azzi, Senior Specialist, Occupational Safety and Health

Violence and harassment is a persistent and pernicious issue in the world of work.

It transcends national boundaries, socioeconomic conditions, occupational sectors and working arrangements. It can manifest itself between co-workers, managers and subordinates, or between workers and their clients or the public, threatening the safety and health of all those subjected to it. Continue reading

Include indigenous people in COVID-19 response

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Pratima Gurung, General Secretary, IPWDGN President, NIDWAN

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on an indigenous peoples, particularly those with disabilities.

In Nepal the COVID-19 crisis has been especially hard on indigenous peoples. We had to learn a new vocabulary and use words like quarantine, self-isolation, hand sanitizers and social distancing. Continue reading

My first 100 days in Baghdad under COVID-19 lockdown

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Maha Kattaa, Country Coordinator for Iraq


From my very first meeting in Baghdad I knew things would not be simple. The high-level UN official I met greeted me with only a faint smile. Looking at my headscarf, she said, “You will face many challenges in Iraq because of your appearance. You look like the local staff, and I worry that you will be led to another room to sit with the assistants during official meetings.”

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