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 Womens 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 years theme, , is aligned with s campaign marking the of the . Lets make 2020 count for women and girls everywhere!
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Global Issues:
Gender Equality
Hasina's inspirational journey showcases the resilience and potential of Afghan women in ICT, highlighting the transformative power of education and technology.
Why do and the humanitarian workers we support continue to help the seemingly endless number of women and girls in need? Because we care, and we know you do too.
Learn more about to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.
At the 1994 , world leaders recognized that sustainable development requires prioritizing human rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, and empowering women and girls. While progress has been made, it has not been equal for everyone, and crises like climate change and war threaten to roll back advances. 30 years later, 47 UN Member States are meeting to assess progress and commit to closing gaps and ensuring rights and choices for all.
In Ethiopia's Somali Region, women are not only building businesses but also resilience against climate change through empowerment initiatives that provide training, access to markets, and financial services.
roundtable unites leaders in sport and government to combat gender-based violence, emphasize survivor voices, advocate for data-driven policies, and promote inclusive narratives for a safer and more equitable sports culture worldwide.
Despite women now constituting 40% of high-skill occupations worldwide, their involvement in ICT-related fields remains disproportionately low. This year's celebrations emphasize the crucial necessity for influential female role models in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. The 2024 event, under the theme of "Leadership," highlights the importance of exposing girls and young women to leadership roles in STEM, aiming to inspire them and dismantle barriers that impede their advancement. Let's support #GirlsinICTday!
Released for 2024 International Womens Day, is a documentary film following the lives of Anee, Fabiana, Mkasi and Taina four young women across three continents who struggle to fulfill their right to education
Today in Geneva, the 51勛圖 Population Fund () unveils its flagship report "". The report calls for global action to dismantle unjust and discriminatory structures that hinder millions from realizing their full rights and potential. Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, along with a panel of experts, will delve into the report's compelling evidence on the systemic and intersectional discrimination impacting women's health and well-being.
UNESCOs "Leadership for Equality" features inspiring discussions on gender equality. Blanca Jim矇nez Cisneros (Ambassador of Mexico to France) talks about the role of gender equality in shaping diplomatic endeavors; Tugrug Uugan-Erdene (Director of Sain Tus Development Bridge NGO, Mongolia) discusses grassroots advocacy and intergenerational dialogue; her daughter Khongorzul Batsukh highlights the importance of youth leadership training and role models, and Judith Juma presents her documentary film on women in politics in Kenya.
Chioma Uzoma, a 26-year-old Nigerian, is leading a team of six women to empower young women to take charge of their health. The team is one of the 14 winners of the female-led , an initiative of the 51勛圖 Population Fund () to support innovations in sexual and reproductive health for young people worldwide. Gender inequality in health research, data collection, and investment results in women spending 25% more of their lives in debilitating illness than men do, costing the global economy an estimated $1 trillion. However, women innovators are stepping up to bridge the gap and save lives. Despite this, UNFPA estimates that $222 billion would need to be invested in the health and rights of women and girls by 2030, a goal that funding is not currently on track to meet.
It is estimated that around 60 million individuals are currently at risk of encountering mines and other explosive ordnance. Many of these individuals live in areas where conflicts have officially ended years or even decades ago, while others are in regions where wars are still ongoing. The active participation of women in addressing the challenges presented by explosive ordnance is now being recognized as a crucial factor in unlocking the sustainable development benefits of mine action. Read the testimonies of women who have cleared mines in Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Laos PDR after receiving training conducted by the 51勛圖 Development Programme ().
The disproportionate burden of crises, including protracted conflicts and climate change, falls heavily on women and girls, amplifying care demands that often go unrecognized.