Peace and Security

Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

Ghanaian women push for an increase and strengthening of the meaningful participation of women peacekeepers as they explore the WPS agenda
Ms. Fatima Maada Bio, the First Lady of Sierra Leone
Gender

Empowering change: Safeguarding women in Sierra Leone

- A discussion with the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio
Cassava farming in Liberia: Women’s rights to land must be legally recognized.
Trade

Intra-African trade provides an opportunity for inclusive economic growth

Women’s land tenure security is essential for both their empowerment at a micro-level as agricultural producers in a household and at a macro-level for unlocking transformative social and economic benefits
Racheal Kalinaki.
Human Rights

Racheal’s resolve: Championing disability rights in Uganda

She envisions a world where everything we do is inclusive of young people with disabilities
CRS staff addressing the community in Hashaba village, West Darfur, Sudan.
Gender

Inclusive peacebuilding: Empowering women as agents of peace

We need the voices of women at the table, not as victims but as stakeholders in society
Gender

Fighting gender-based violence and early marriages

- A discussion with the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio
Gender

Mozambican mother shares her experience of extremism and discrimination

Kidnapped by al-Shabaab militants, the woman recounts the choice she faced: join their ranks or witness her family’s execution.
Sustainable Development Goals

How the UN is assisting Mauritius to secure its food systems

Mauritius’ heavy dependence on food imports makes it vulnerable to global commodity and supply disruptions, but collaborative sustainable interventions are making a difference
Gender

Sudan: UN condemns spike in violence against women and girls

Top UN officials call for an immediate end to the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war, want perpetrators held accountable
Somalia’s first all-women media team marks first year anniversary
Gender

Somalia’s first all-women media team marks first anniversary

Established with support from the United Nations Development Programme, Bilan has provided the first opportunity for Somali women journalists to exercise complete editorial independence
UNDP
By UNDP
Health workers at the UNFPA Tunaydbah field hospital in Sudan’s eastern Gedaraf state
Gender

Escalating violence in Sudan shuts hospitals, puts pregnant women at risk

Doctors, nurses and hospital staff unable to travel to work and vital humanitarian aid not getting through
Climate Change

Historic UN conference marks watershed moment to tackle global water crisis and ensure water-secure future

Water Action Agenda, the key outcome of the Conference, captured over 700 commitments aimed at driving transformation from a global water crisis to a water-secure world
Gender

Women Hold Up Half the Sky

Ms. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee – the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa – reflects on women overcoming differences and leading movements for peace, gender equality and women’s rights
UN News
Health

A woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth: UN agencies

New data show major setbacks for maternal health in many parts of the world, highlighting stark disparities in healthcare access
World Health Organization
By WHO
Mabingue Ngom
Trade

AfCFTA: Reaping the benefits of the world’s most youth and women-friendly trade agreement

Priority must be given to investments in women and youth in all facets of the AfCFTA implementation arrangements
Michèle Mbo’o-Tchouawou
Climate Change

Sustainable Future: Equipping young researchers, innovators to work for climate

Green alternatives can transform Africa’s agri-food systems and generate significant benefits
Dr. Njuki
Climate Change

For a food-secure world, invest in women and girls

World Food Day is 16 October: Why the case for empowering women, girls, and youth is urgent
Lourena Gboeah in front of her home
Humanitarian Aid

Being a Black woman in the US

Reflections of a refugee and advocate
Major Monira Mahjabeen Mowri, from Bangladesh, serving in South Sudan
Women in Peacekeeping

“Once a peacekeeper, always a peacekeeper”

— Major Monira Mowri, from Bangladesh, serving in South Sudan
Captain Tanvi Shukla from India, serving in the DR Congo
Women in Peacekeeping

"Be the change you want to see"

— Captain Tanvi Shukla from India, serving in the DRC
Roseline Stephen Agwai, from Nigeria, serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Women in Peacekeeping

“Female peacekeepers inspire women and girls”

— Major Roseline Stephen Agwai, from Nigeria, serving in the DRC
-Lieutenant Colonel Martha Masango, serving in the DR Congo
Women in Peacekeeping

"As a female peacekeeper, it is easy to connect with people"

— Lt Col Martha Masango from South Africa, serving in the DRC
Lieutenant-Colonel Doamba Sawadogo from Burkina Faso, serving in DR Congo
Women in Peacekeeping

‘Women peacekeepers make it easier to interact with communities’

-Lieutenant-Colonel Doamba Sawadogo from Burkina Faso, serving in DR Congo
Major Nargis Parvin from Bangladesh, serving in the DR Congo
Women in Peacekeeping

“Peacekeeping is challenging but exciting too”

-Major Nargis Parvin from Bangladesh, serving in the DR Congo
Jackline Urujeni from Rwanda, serving in South Sudan
Women in Peacekeeping

‘Women are effective in building peace and unity’

— Jackline Urujeni from Rwanda, serving in South Sudan
-Sandra Amissah from Ghana, serving in Darfur
Women in Peacekeeping

Female peacekeepers are role models

-Sandra Amissah from Ghana, serving in Darfur
Mrs. Belay with her husband, Priest Leul Hunegnaw, in front of their barn. She says contraception has had a liberating effect.
Participants at the African Women Leaders Network held in New York in June, 2017. Photo: Africa Renewal/Ihuoma Atanga
Women in the Lougba group, Benin, making soy biscuits. Photo: ANAF Benin
Traditional ceremonies are an opportunity to reach young people with life-saving information. © UNFPA/Meaghan Charkowick
Three of the 39 women elected to Rwanda's legislature in September 2003. From left: Constance Rwaka, Solange Tuyisenge and Athanasie Gahondogo.
Also

Women break into African politics

Quota systems allow more women to gain elected office
Web Feature

Mothers’ health is improving across Africa

But far too many are still dying from childbirth complications
Web Feature

‘Take away the guns,’ women tell UN envoy

Reforms needed to stop war-time sex crimes, says Zainab Bangura
Economic empowerment

Tapping women’s entrepreneurship in Ghana

Access to credit, technology vital for breaking into manufacturing
Economic empowerment

Does financing benefit African women?

New initiatives to track the gender impact of development funds
Improving health

Gender violence hampers AIDS fight

Activists in Zambia counter a deadly link
Improving health

Investing in the health of Africa’s mothers

Lacking care, too many women do not survive childbirth
Combating violence

Security reform key to protecting women

Training, recruitment and prosecutions can reduce violence
Combating violence

Taking on violence against women in Africa

International norms and local activism start to alter laws, attitudes
Political Empowerment

North African women on the barricades

Activists press for freedom, dignity and rights
Political Empowerment

Three women laureates

Wangari Maathai, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee
Political Empowerment

African women are ready to lead

But social beliefs and attitudes hinder their quest
Equality

NEPAD embraces women’s rights

After slow start, continental initiative advances gender equity
Equality

Battling for equality on all fronts

Some progress since Beijing, but hurdles persist
Equality

African women’s long walk to freedom

Some gains, but an uphill climb still looms
Equality

‘Renewed energy for women’s empowerment’

Interview with head of UN Women in Southern Africa
Cover Story

African women: asserting their rights

Introduction to the Special Edition on Women
Improving health

In Africa, AIDS often has a woman’s face

Knowledge, power and resources needed to combat the scourge
and Aissata Haidara  and 
Also

Malian women create beauty — and profit

Hand-dyed fabrics win praises, capture markets
and Aissata Haidara  and 
Also

Malian women create beauty — and profit

Hand-dyed fabrics win praises, capture markets
NEPAD at 10

NEPAD on the ground

Concrete action in five key areas
and Oliver Schwank  and 
Also

Microfinance: What role in Africa's development?

Time to reassess the limits and strengths of small-scale lending
and Oliver Schwank  and 
Also

Microfinance: What role in Africa's development?

Time to reassess the limits and strengths of small-scale lending
Cover Story

North African women on the barricades

Activists press for freedom, dignity and rights
Africa at 50

African women’s long walk to equality

Some gains, but an uphill climb still looms
Also

To save the lives of mothers, infants

Commitment, money and innovation can reduce high mortality rates
Also

Women in North Africa secure more rights

Despite hurdles, notable legal, political and social progress
Also

Enlisting men for women’s equality

South African initiatives against sexual violence, gender i
Cover Story

Women struggle to secure land rights

Hard fight for access and decision-making power
Also

Women push onto Africa’s agenda

NEPAD responds to advocates for women’s rights
Also

Taking on violence against women in Africa

International norms, local activism start to alter laws, attitudes
Also

Congolese women confront legacy of rape

War and sexual violence leave survivors in desperate need
NEPAD in action

Woman storekeeper boosts Malawi farming

NEPAD seeks to bring fertilizer nearer to villagers
Cover Story

African women are ready to lead

But social beliefs and attitudes hinder their quest
Also

Rwandan women: AIDS therapy beyond drugs

Food and hope are also essential to survival
Also

Tapping women’s entrepreneurship in Ghana

Access to credit, technology vital for breaking into manufacturing
Also

Women: Africa's ignored combatants

Gradual progress towards a greater role in DDR
Also

African women battle for equality

Some progress 10 years after Beijing, but major challenges remain
Podcast