Around the world and through the decades, we have all shared in the global struggle for gender equality.
The world has made unprecedented advances, but no country has achieved gender equality. Legal restrictions have kept 2.7 billion women from having the same choice of jobs as men. Less than 25% of parliamentarians are women. One in three women experiences gender-based violence. International Women鈥檚 Day, 8 March, is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women. This year鈥檚 theme, , is aligned with 鈥檚 campaign marking the of the . Let鈥檚 make 2020 count for women and girls everywhere!
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Life in refugee camps is harsh for girls, marked by overcrowding, lack of privacy, and limited access to food and basic necessities. They face heightened risks such as sexual violence and child marriage, alongside disrupted health services and education. Despite these challenges, girls are advocating for change, using their experiences to combat harmful practices and promote a future filled with peace and dignity. The United Nations Population Fund () empowers these girls and helps them build a more hopeful future.
Meet Dr. Rosa V谩squez Espinoza and Dr. Mounia Laassiri, young scientists breaking barriers in STEM and inspiring global gender equality through their .
Achieving gender equality is essential to ending poverty, hunger, and tackling climate change. Rural women, while safeguarding the environment, are key in this effort. Yet, they still face deep inequalities while sustaining their families through unpaid work. This International Day of Rural Women (15 October), under the theme 鈥淭he Rise of Rural Women: Building Resilient Futures with Beijing+30鈥, calls for their rights and full participation - reflecting the spirit of , a global commitment to gender equality for all women, everywhere.
Women and girls around the world are calling for peace with messages like 鈥淐easefire鈥 and 鈥淓nd the war.鈥 is amplifying these urgent demands through its initiatives. Research shows that when women participate in peace negotiations, the outcomes are more effective and enduring. Yet, 25 years since the launch of the 鈥攚here global leaders recognized the impact of war on women and committed to their participation in peace processes 鈥攇overnments are still falling short. Understanding the link between gender equality and peace is essential, especially given the risks of neglecting these critical areas.
The highlights historic progress in gender equality, including improved education for girls, a 40% drop in maternal mortality, increased women鈥檚 participation in climate talks, and 99 recent legal reforms against discrimination.
Across the globe, girls are rising to meet the challenges of our time. They are leading movements for climate justice, speaking out against violence, and boldly shaping their futures. But too often, their voices are silenced, their efforts overlooked, and their rights denied. As we mark 30 years since the Beijing Declaration - the world鈥檚 blueprint for gender equality 鈥 the International Day of the Girl Child (11 October) calls us to listen to their voices and recognize their boundless potential. Let鈥檚 stand with girls and support their leadership. Your voice matters.
2025 is a pivotal year for global equality, with just five years left to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The highlights the potential consequences of inaction versus the benefits of progress. While there are hopeful signs, such as girls surpassing boys in education and increased female representation in government, persistent issues like poverty, climate disasters, and anti-feminism threaten these gains. The choice is clear: the world must invest now to ensure that equality becomes a reality for girls born today.
鈥淵ou know, what am I doing every day for human beings, particularly those who are in, you know, a much more challenging situation, we need to support their courage, their resilience, their need to survive...and their rights.鈥
With her background in human rights law, Georgette Gagnon was once said to represent the conscience of war. Currently serving as the Secretary-General鈥檚 Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan, she has been devastated by the sweeping loss of rights for women and girls there.
鈥淵ou used to see across the country hundreds of girls going to school... Now, of course, you don't see that, and it's heartbreaking. It's such a huge loss for the entire society,鈥 she says.
Afghanistan has one of the highest numbers of people in need of humanitarian support, and drastic cuts to humanitarian assistance affect access to critical care for millions. In this episode, Georgette Gagnon shares her hopes and fears for a country close to her heart, and reflects on a career serving in some of the world鈥檚 toughest places, from Syria to Sudan and Libya.
Photo: 漏UN photo/UNAMA/Tahmina Osta
The Gender Transformative Mechanism () is an initiative by the International Fund for Agricultural Development () aimed at enhancing the impact of government-funded projects by promoting gender equality and women's empowerment alongside climate resilience. It provides financial support and technical assistance to help governments harness the potential of rural women. By 2030, it aims to empower over 20 million rural people across 20 countries.
What is life like for women and girls in Afghanistan today? UN Women鈥檚 explores the data and helps you understand what the world must do to stand with Afghan women.
Women and girls represent half of the world鈥檚 population and potential. Yet, persistent inequalities in rights, opportunities, and representation continue to hold them back. Achieving gender equality by 2030 will require an additional $360鈥痓illion annually. The UN is working with countries to advance rights, end violence, and ensure women鈥檚 full participation in all spheres of life. This urgent challenge is at the heart of the (Mexico City, August鈥12鈥15), where leaders and advocates will unite to drive lasting change across the region.
In conflicts across the globe, sexual violence 鈥 including rape, abuse, coercion and trafficking 鈥 is increasingly being wielded as a weapon to terrorize women and girls, often leading to devastating physical and psychological trauma. At least 20,000 women and men were raped or abused during the 1992-1995 conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Jasna (name changed) is one of these survivors. She has gained stability and healing through Snaga鈥絜ne, an NGO offering psychological, legal, social, and economic support, including access to a greenhouse to cultivate and sell vegetables.
