NAIROBI, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The UN refugee agency said it has repatriated some 38,159 Somali refugees in Kenya since the return exercise began in December 2014.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in its bi-weekly update received in Nairobi on Thursday that some 1,743 returnees were supported to voluntarily return to Mogadishu, Kismayo and Baidoa by flight between Dec. 1 and 15.
"In total, as of Dec. 15, 38,159 Somali refugees had returned home since Dec. 8, 2014, when UNHCR started supporting voluntary return of Somali refugees in Kenya, out of which 32,058 were supported in 2016 alone," the UNHCR said.
The agency said the number of flights has been significantly increased as it remains the only means of transportation to Somalia.
Kenya in collaboration with the UNHCR are working on a program that will ensure a smooth and voluntary repatriation of over 300,000 refugees living in five camps at Dadaab, which Nairobi has planned to close.
The UN agency has said it expects the majority of the remaining refugee population to return to Somalia throughout 2017 and possibly into early 2018.
Kenya said it had put solid measures in place to fast-track repatriation of Somalia refugees and their re-integration in their native country.
The East African country on Nov. 16 announced that it would delay by six months the closure of the Dadaab camp, the world's largest.
UNHCR has supported people's returns from Dadaab for years and in June, it worked with Kenya and Somalia to devise an action plan to that effect.
A survey between August and October found that 283,558 refugees were living at Dadaab, 58,000 fewer than in the past.
The UNHCR has since called on Kenya to be flexible in terms of a return time frame in order to meet the different elements of the plan that was devised earlier this year, citing concerns that rigid time frames would be difficult to meet.
UNITED NATIONS, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The anti-domestic violence law is a "landmark" legislation in China, which needs effective implementation at national and local levels, said Julia Broussard, UN Women country program manager in China.
"It provides a clear definition of domestic violence, introduces enforceable measures such as warning letters and protection orders, establishes a mandatory reporting system, and assigns specific responsibilities to governmental and civil society organizations," said Broussard in an email interview with Xinhua ahead of the International Women's Day.
China's first national law against domestic violence came into effect on March 1, 2016.
It defined domestic violence as physical, psychological and other harm inflicted by family members with beatings, restraint or forcible limits on physical liberty, recurring invectives and verbal threats listed as examples.
According to the law, victims and those in immediate danger can file for a personal protection order that the court must grant or deny within 72 hours. In urgent cases, decisions must be made within 24 hours.
Broussard said "500 protection orders have been issued by people's courts at all levels, as indicated by the courts' online database."
Broussard also noted that some aspects of the law itself and its implementation need improvements such as building clear multi-sector coordination frameworks for better effect.
"The most effective way to fight domestic violence is to prevent it," she said. "More efforts need to take place in schools, enterprises, governmental agencies and online to address negative social norms and stop domestic violence."
The International Women's Day is annually celebrated worldwide on March 8. This year, with a theme of "Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030," the UN advocates economic empowerment for women.
Broussard said the top challenges facing Chinese women at workplace relate to gender norms and family duties.
According to her, in China, there is a gender imbalance in unpaid care work at home, with women spending on average about three times as many hours as men on unpaid work, including housework and childcare.
"The Chinese government is aware of the current challenges and is taking action on several fronts," said Broussard.
She illustrated that Shanghai will establish child care centers for children aged 2-3 in more than 20 communities in 2017.h In addition, municipal governments in various parts of China are planning to increase the days of paternity leave, she added.
To help improve the situation, joint efforts from the government, companies and civil society are needed, said Broussard, adding that UN Women will continue working with different sectors to advance gender equality in China.
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ROME Nike Air Max 90 Ultra BR Baratas , May 30 (Xinhua) -- Parma President Tommaso Ghirardi confirmed that he was pushed away from the game and will put his club up for sale.
Ghirardi felt betrayed after he was notified that Parma had been denied the chance to play in next season's UEFA Europa League.
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Parma enjoyed a stunning campaign last season to finish sixth in Serie, a position that should qualify them for the Europa League. But the Italy Football Association (FIGC) decided not to grant the Ennio Tardinin outfit the license to compete in Europe due to an unpaid tax bill.
Ghirardi said they had followed the FIGC officials' advice on the tax issue.
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