Equality is our goal, access is our right

Throughout history and around the world, women have always displayed exemplary leadership. Yet on this day, despite women’s increased engagement in public decision-making roles, equality is far off.

Measured purely by numbers and ratios, the picture of women’s and girls’ leadership globally is grim indeed. At the same time, women are not waiting for the doors to open. This exhibit features 13 extraordinary women leaders fighting for gender equality, whose words and stories inspired others to join “Generation Equality.” It presents women leading by example to change the places of power, end violence, stop climate change, and open opportunities for all women and girls. The exhibit is organized by UN Women in connection with International Women’s Day, 8 March.

Women of the world want and deserve an equal future free from stigma, stereotypes and violence; a future that’s sustainable, peaceful, with equal rights and opportunities for all. UN Women advocates to include women at every table where decisions are being made. This year, the theme for International Women’s Day (8 March), “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world,” celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the gaps that remain.

Data is critical to providing a better understanding of the nature, magnitude, severity, and frequency of violence against women and girls. While countries are increasingly using similar definitions and approaches, gaps remain in the availability of data on some forms of violence, such as femicide, sexual harassment, and online violence. UN Women established the Global Database on Violence against Women, which includes country profiles with data on various forms of violence. It also identifies effective policy responses to prevent and address violence against women around the world.

It will soon be a year since WHO declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. By now, every corner of the world has felt the devastating impact of the pandemic, and women and girls in science are on the front lines of response. They are healthcare workers and innovators. They are researching vaccines and pioneering treatments. They are leading us toward a safer world, and inspiring the next generation of girls to be forces of good in science and tech. This 11 February, we’re celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science by highlighting just some of the women and girls around the world who have made tremendous contributions during the ongoing crisis.

If you believe that women deserve equal rights, then you are already part of Generation Equality. The Generation Equality Forum is a civil society–centered, global gathering for gender equality, convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France.

"Generation Equality: Picture it!" is a global competition to mark the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration. The submission deadline is 21 March 2021.

Comprising roughly half of the world's 272 million migrants, UN Women features migrant women as agents of change and leaders who contribute to their countries of origin and destination.

For the #16Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 Nov – 10 Dec),

Best of the 16 Days of Activism

UN Women shines a light on the need for funding, essential services, prevention and data that shapes better-informed responses to violence against women and girls.

The UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign is marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence (25 November to 10 December 2020) under the global theme, “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!". UN Women’s Generation Equality campaign is amplifying the call for global action to bridge funding gaps, ensure essential services for survivors of violence during the COVID-19 crisis, focus on prevention, and collection of data that can improve life-saving services for women and girls. Read and share stories, get inspired by activists.

Hand over the mic: Women on the front lines of violence against women during COVID-19

The UN Security Council marks two decades since the landmark resolution 1325, which for the first time, enshrined the essential role of women in securing and maintaining peace. Peace is a prerequisite for health, equality and human security. Women are working against tremendous odds to build and sustain peace, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. UN Women supports the global ceasefire called by the Secretary-General and the feminist organizations on the ground: disarmament, arms control and shifting military spending to social investment.