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- In Focus: Climate action by, and for, women
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- In Focus: International Day of Rural Women
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- 72nd session of the General Assembly
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- About
- What we do
- Where we are
- How we work
- Partnerships
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News and events
- News
- Editorial series
-
In Focus
- World Refugee Day
- CSW62
- International Women’s Day
- Women and the SDGs
- International Day of Women and Girls in Science
- Leave No One Behind - End Violence against Women and Girls
- In Focus: Climate action by, and for, women
- Women, peace and security: Preventing war and sustaining peace
- In Focus: International Day of Rural Women
- International Day of the Girl Child
- 72nd session of the General Assembly
- World Humanitarian Day
- International Youth Day
- Empowering women to conserve our oceans
- Indigenous women’s rights and activism
- CSW61
- Women refugees and migrants
- Women and sport
- CSW60
- Financing: Why it matters for women and girls
- Engaging Men
- SIDS Conference
- MDG Momentum
- Strengthening Women’s Access to Justice
- Events
- Media contacts
- Digital library
Women play a key role in rescue, reconstruction and resilience after volcanic eruption in Guatemala
In a government-run shelter, women have organized themselves to ensure equitable distribution of relief items and protection for women and girls. Learn more
Six essential objects for refugee women and girls
Today, 50 per cent of refugees uprooted from their homes from conflict, persecution or natural disasters are women and girls. Take a look at some of the objects that give women and girls agency and secure their health, dignity and rights. Learn more
Six activists who are using social media for change offline
By harnessing the power of social media, these trailblazers are engaging women and men in tough conversations and raising awareness about gender equality and women’s rights. Learn more
Healing from trauma in conflict-affected Gaza
here are 1.9 million people living in Gaza and 72 per cent of them are refugees. Samia Asaf and her family have lived as refugees across three generations now. After a devastating injury, Asaf found her bearings through a UN Women-supported programme. Today she is an inspiration to many others. Learn more
Highlights
Annual Report 2017–2018
The time is now! At a historic time when women’s activism is galvanized around #Metoo, #TimesUp and other movements, around the world UN Women supports women politicians, lawmakers, farmers, small business owners, civil society activists and many others to claim their rights and to be heard. This year’s annual report highlights some of the key results achieved in 2017–2018. More
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World Refugee Day 2018
World Refugee Day is on 20 June. There are 22.5 million refugees around the world today, and half of them—some 11 million—are women and girls. With the average length of displacement being 17 years or more, entire generations are born and raised in refugee camps. Humanitarian action needs to offer long-term solutions that protect and advance women’s rights. Join us as we stand #WithRefugees. More
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In Focus: Women and the SDGs
Gender equality is a right. Fulfilling this right is the best chance we have in meeting some of the most pressing challenges of our time—from economic crisis and lack of health care, to climate change, violence against women and escalating conflicts. Check out new data, stories, videos and more illustrating how and why gender equality matters across all the Sustainable Development Goals. More
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Gender parity in the UN system
UN Women is committed to supporting the UN system to reach gender parity, based on its mandate to lead, promote and coordinate efforts to advance the full realization of women’s rights and opportunities. More
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Latest news
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05/07/2018Editorial spotlight: High-level Political Forum 2018
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03/07/2018Comedy for Equality: Harnessing the power of laughter for empowerment and peace
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03/07/2018UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women releases annual report 2017
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02/07/2018From where I stand: “Not only did we have no money to buy food with, we didn’t know how to change that”
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29/06/2018Six activists who are using social media for change offline
“We owe it to the widows of the world to give them the respect, visibility and unique support they need”
In her statement for International Widows' Day (23 June), UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka highlights both the vital role widows play in our society, the ways in which gender inequality impacts their ability to thrive on their own, and the specific recognition and attention that they need from all of us. More
Featured video
The problem is not seeing the problem
The Unstereotype Alliance launches a call to action to the advertising industry sending a clear message about the perils of stereotyping. Built around the notion that “the problem is not seeing the problem” the film calls on the industry to take a deeper look to recognize the problem of stereotypes, as a first step to eliminating them. The short film is produced by IPG and MullenLowe.
UN Women Watch
Teacher works overtime to give Rohingya girls a chance to learn
Alinesa fled Myanmar with her family 26 years ago and found safety in the south-eastern Bangladeshi coastal district of Cox's Bazar. She grew up there in Kutupalong refugee settlement, taking advantage of educational opportunities she was denied back home. More
Empowering Caribbean women through migration
To fully understand the Caribbean region, one must look at migration and its effects. This region has experienced - and is still experiencing - several migratory movements which have contributed to the configuration of Caribbean societies. The feminization of migration, the emigration of skilled professionals to developed countries and intra-regional... More
International Women's Day 2018: Interview with Sister Catharina
Sister Catharina is popularly known as "Sister Gender" or "Sister of Gender Equality" for her continuous promotion of gender equality in Lampung Province, Indonesia. Sister Catharina, who is a part of Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George, has been a women's rights activist since 1997, supporting in particular women who are victims and survivors... More
IOM Director General William Lacy Swing Statement, International Women's Day
Women and girls represent a significant proportion of people on the move worldwide, all of whom carry with them a heart full of hope, a mind filled with ideas, and a diverse range of migration experiences. IOM, the UN Migration Agency, stands with each and every one of them on International Women’s Day 2018 and embraces the official United Nations theme: Time... More
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay Statement, International Women’s Day
Every year on 8 March, the international community celebrates International Women’s Day. It is an occasion to give particular resonance, worldwide, to the struggle to achieve equality between men and women, and to launch initiatives that will raise awareness and help to change mindsets. More
The rise of a girl hero
KATHMANDU, Nepal - In her home district in far-western Nepal, 19-year-old Sangita BK needs no introduction. She is well-known as an activist against child marriage. In the last three years, she has - on her own - stopped at least a dozen child marriages. More
UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem Statement, International Women’s Day
The economic inequalities plaguing much of the world today are reinforced by many other forms of inequality, including inequalities in sexual and reproductive health. More than 200 million women-many of them poor and living in rural and remote parts of the world-lack access to voluntary family planning methods. More
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Statement, International Women’s Day
On this International Women's Day, we imagine a world where every woman and girl has access to quality and affordable health care, a world in which women and girls can freely exercise their sexual and reproductive health rights, and one where all women and girls are treated and respected as equals. More
UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov Statement, International Women’s Day
International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the towering achievements and immense strengths of women and girls everywhere. But it is also a day to reflect on continuing challenges and to agree on joint action to further advance gender equality and the empowerment of women. More
Borderline: Ambassadors from Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia open event marking International Women's Week 2018
The stories of women who trade small goods across borders in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia, often by unofficial routes to avoid cumbersome and costly customs crossings, came to life in Geneva at an UNCTAD photography exhibit and video screening, called “Borderline”, marking International Women’s Week, 5–9 March 2018. More
UN Secretary-General António Guterres Statement, International Women's Day
The activism and advocacy of generations of women has borne fruit. There are more girls in school than ever before; more women are doing paid work and in senior roles in the private sector, academia, politics and in international organizations, including the United Nations. More
Changemakers
This year, International Women’s Day comes at a time of global agitation for women’s rights, equality and justice. This is a moment that screams for transformation and celebrates the activists and changemakers among us. The #TimeisNow for less talk and more action. Meet some of the women, among millions, who are changing the world. More