Survivors of domestic violence sew face masks for those in the front line of COVID-19

Paying attention to women’s needs and leadership will strengthen the COVID-19 response. Globally, women make up 70 per cent of workers in the health and social sector, and they do three times as much unpaid care work at home.

Beyond a health issue, the COVID-19 pandemic is a profound shock to our societies and economies, with women at the heart of care and response efforts. As frontline responders, health professionals, community volunteers, transport and logistics managers, scientists and more, women make critical contributions to address the outbreak. The majority of caregivers, at home and in our communities, are also women. UN Women is bringing up-to-date information and analysis on how and why gender matters in COVID-19 response.

Anastasiia Yeva Domani, a 40-year-old transgender woman from Kyiv, never intended to be a human rights activist. Her own experience with the legal aspects of transitioning made her decide to help others.

BREAKING NEWS: We found a country that has achieved gender equality! In Equiterra all people have equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their gender. Join us for a tour of its bustling capital!

How much progress have we achieved in the global struggle for equal rights, and how much work remains? From worldwide suffrage campaigns to the rise of #MeToo and digital activism, we have marched slowly forward. But today, the fight for gender equality is far from over.

Kiara Nirghin, 19, is a student, scientist, and advocate for women and girls in STEM. In 2016, she won the Google Science Fair for her work on a method to increase food security in drought-affected areas.

For centuries, women have made significant contributions to the field of science. They’ve discovered life-saving remedies, devised world-altering inventions, and produced far-reaching research, but in many cases their invaluable advances are minimized or neglected. For too long, the STEM fields have been shaped by gender biases that exclude women and girls. The gender gap in science, technology and innovation translates to missed talent, untapped discoveries and biased solutions. Here are just seven women scientists you need to know and celebrate.

Call for Action to Meet the Unfulfilled Promise of Education for Girls

Gambian activist Jaha Dukureh is a survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced child marriage.

The Generation Equality Forum, taking place in May in Mexico City and in July in Paris, is a global gathering for gender equality convened by UN Women. Twenty-five years after the Beijing Declaration, the most comprehensive blueprint to achieve women’s empowerment, the Forum will set an agenda to achieve gender equality before 2030. It will also announce six catalytic Action Coalitions. This week Chile hosts a preparatory regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean (27-31 January) centered on the theme of women’s autonomy in changing economic scenarios.

Things you can do to become part of Generation Equality: 1) be the change you want to see 2) stand up against sexual harassment and racism 3) support and promote gender-neutral upbringing of children, says Celina Jaitly, acclaimed Indian actress, human rights activist and Champion of the UN Free & Equal campaign.

Francy L. Jaramillo Piedrahita is a human rights defender with over a decade of experience working on women’s rights, LGBTQ issues and peacebuilding in Colombia. Read her story.

Women are entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of all of their human rights and to be free from all forms of discrimination. See the full infographic on the various aspects of women's human rights, prepared by UN Women.

From the first all-woman spacewalk to Sudanese women leading the country’s revolution, the last 12 months have seen some incredible achievements by and for women. Next year, 2020, is expected to be an even bigger year for women’s rights worldwide. It will mark several milestones, such as the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, the most progressive global agenda for women’s rights adopted by 189 countries in 1995, and five years since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, among others. Women’s rights can’t wait, won’t wait. As 2019 comes to an end, we’re taking a look back at some of the memorable moments for gender equality and women’s rights around the world.