Takeaways from Eunice Reddick and KhinSandi Lwin's International Women's Day Celebration

This UNA-sponsored International Day of Women Celebration: Supporting Women in Global Leadership program was one of the most influential events I’ve had the opportunity to attend and participate in. I was fortunate enough to mediate the discussion portion of the event- something that first really frightened me, but ultimately turned out to be so incredibly illuminating. During the event, we had the distinct privilege to hear from Ambassador Eunice Reddick, American diplomat and former ambassador to Niger, Gabon and São Tomé and Príncipe, as well as (for the second time!),

Khin Sandi Lwin UNICEF Representative with a 35-year career working in ten countries. I was so struck by the similarities in their experiences. They both shared almost identical anecdotes about subtle but impactful disrespect they faced as women in their field. Even as such distinguished and accomplished members of the international community, these two women still find themselves being dismissed and talked over by male counter parts. Their experiences reinforce the truth that there is very little that women can control when it comes to mitigating gender-based mistreatment. When talking about gender issues, I've found that people frequently look for ways that the women involved can solve the issue, when really, it is obvious that women are not at fault. This idea connects to Khin Sandi Lwin's leadership work. As she shared in the event, Khin Sandi works with both men in women in leadership as a way to educate men on the ways in which they are unconsciously contributing to misogynistic tendencies in the workplace. I felt so so lucky to have been able to speak with Eunice and KhinSandi- I know that experience will stay with me for a long time.

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Haitian President, Jovenel Moise, Shot and Killed Amid Political Turmoil

Yesterday, Haitian President Jovenel Moise was shot and killed in his home. Much controversy surrounded his term length, as alleged election fraud resulted in a 12 month delay in which the new polls opened, and the election results of 2015 were annulled. These new polls were won by Moise. His opposition denied the legitimacy of the upcoming year of his presidency, claiming that he had served his 5-year term, because former Haitian president, Michel Martelly, stepped down 5 years prior. Moise, however, argued that he still had another year of his presidency due to the fact that he only took office in February of 2017 as a result of the aforementioned delay. Mr Moise continued to rule by decree, causing outrage throughout Haiti. Protests riddled the streets of Haiti, calling for Mr Moise’s resignation. Opponents also claimed that Mr Moise was to blame for a surge in violence, seeing as he left Haiti without a Parliament during the postponement of the October 2019 legislative elections. O...

Saudi Arabia Executes 81 Men in 24 Hours

Marking the largest mass execution in decades, Saudi Arabia executed 81 men on March 12. Each of these men were reported to have been convicted for various violent or terrorist-related crimes. 37 of them were reported Saudi nationals who were accused of attempted assassination of Saudi security officers. It is important to assert that these accusations come directly from the historically corrupt interior ministry. Countries using the death penalty are falling to the minority, but Saudi Arabia has been consistent in its enforcement of this punishment. With that said, this most recent execution surpassed the 67 executions reported in Saudi Arabia in all of 2021. This day stands out in human and Saudi history, as the largest government-sanctioned execution on a given day. In 1980, a shocking but lesser 63 people were executed in one day. The kingdom’s utilization of the death penalty has caused many accusations of human rights violations in recent years, especially as it relates to religi...

American Couple Attempts to Leak Nuclear-Submarine Restricted Data

Nuclear submarines have been a topic of international concern and tension in recent months. As seen in the USA’s poorly handled deal with the French, and subsequent partnership with Australia, the relevance of these naval powerhouses is significant. Most recently, an American couple- Jonathan and Diana Toebbe- were arrested by the FBI and the NCIS after selling “information known as Restricted Data concerning the design of nuclear-powered warships” to an undercover FBI agent, posing as an international representative. Mr. Toebbe has been employed as a nuclear engineer for the Department of the Navy’s Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. It was through this job, and the national security clearance his job provided him with, that he was able to access this highly sensitive information. The “leaked” information outlined the specific design elements and processes of the warships, the characteristics of the reactors on the ships, and the submarine’s general operating principles. Because only 6...

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