The United Nations is calling violence against women, including femicide, a global emergency. UN rights chief Volker Türk cited ongoing US congressional hearings into Jeffrey Epstein's circle and the case of Gisèle Pellicot, a French woman drugged and raped over nine years. Türk questioned the prevalence of men like Dominique Pellicot or Jeffrey Epstein, stating that social systems that silence women and insulate powerful men enable such abuse. He also noted the increasing attacks against women in public life, with many politicians reporting constant misogyny and online hate.
In a significant health advance, Denmark has eradicated mother-to-child transmission of syphilis and HIV. The World Health Organization (WHO) praised this milestone, attributing it to Denmark's sustained commitment, strong political will, and consistent investment in primary care and integrated maternal and child health services.
UN independent human rights experts welcomed the release of over a hundred political prisoners in Belarus but warned of "alarming" conditions, including forced expulsion. More than a thousand individuals remain imprisoned for politically motivated reasons. Experts highlighted a state-led strategy to silence dissent through arbitrary arrest, detention, torture, and ill-treatment, noting at least eight deaths in detention due to harsh confinement and inadequate medical care. The report calls for international action to ensure accountability for systematic violations.