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IWD Features from the UN System

Left Behind – Girls' Education in Africa

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics

What would your life be like with only five years of schooling? For many African girls, this is the most education they can expect and they are the lucky ones. Across the region, 28 million girls roughly between the ages of 6 and 15 are not in school, and many will never even set foot in a classroom.

International Women’s Day is an occasion to celebrate the tremendous progress achieved in girls’ access to education. But it is also a stark reminder of the millions of girls who are being left behind, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

A new interactive data tool from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) shows the progress to date and the challenges ahead as the international community crafts the next set of global education targets beyond 2015. Left Behind – Girls’ Education in Africa lets you explore a wide range of data for the region and beyond. How many years of school can girls expect to receive? To what extent are girls enrolling in primary and lower secondary school compared to boys? And what about the classroom conditions that are shaping the learning experiences of girls across the continent? How many schools have access to electricity, drinking water and separate toilets for girls and boys?

Left Behind gives you the facts to help get girls’ education at the top of the next global development agenda. So don’t just explore the data – use them! We urge you to share this new tool, embed it on your websites and blogs, and have your say on what needs to change on Twitter (#leftbehind). Read more: English | Español | Français

Economic Empowerment: Alice of Lulu Life - International Women's Day Message

Source: UNMISS

Meet Alice. She empowers hundreds of women to work and gain financial independence in South Sudan.

The women at LuLu Life make products from the nation's rich supply of shea nut. The business generates income and gives their children a chance for an education. #IWD2015

Economic Empowerment: Alice of Lulu Life: International Women's Day Message UNMISS from UNMISS Multimedia on Vimeo.

Empower Women, Empower Humanity: A Video from IOM on International Women's Day

Source: IOM

International Women's Day 2015: Celebrating the Strength of Refugee Women and Girls

Source: UNHCR

On March 8, people around the world will come together to celebrate International Women's Day – including UNHCR. This year's theme, "Make It Happen," recognizes the progress that has been made over the past 12 months in empowering women, with many rising up to become stronger than ever before. However, although thousands of refugee women are breaking barriers every day, there are still countless numbers who are victims of sexual and gender-based violence and lacking the support and justice they need.

In this photo set, UNHCR celebrates the enduring strength of refugee women and girls around the world, and supports their right to a normal, safe and dignified life. View photos »

How Being Energy Efficient In Ethiopia Is Helping The Environment

Source: WFP

WFP is expanding its safe-stove initiative in Ethiopia by distributing 24,000 additional safe, fuel-efficient stoves in the Ahmara region. The project, which began five years ago thanks to funding from Germany’s KfW Development Bank, will also be generating revenues from carbon credits that WFP will reinvest in food insecure communities. We met a few families to see the benefits of these stoves for their lives and their environment. Read more »

Niger: School Meals Help Girls Reach Their Full Potential

Source: WFP

WFP's school meals programme helps girls stay in school and pursue an education as well as break the cycle of malnutrition. Jaria Issa, 14, from the village of Dogo, Zinder region, is the first of her ten siblings to continue her studies. Read more »