UN honours activists from India, Mexico and Russia for work on biodiversity protection
The United Nations today paid tribute to three activists who were awarded a top prize for biodiversity protection.
‘Orange the World’ kicks off 16 days of activism to fight gender-based violence
“The extent to which violence is embedded in society means that uprooting it is also a job for all of society," said UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
UN statistics forum addresses efforts toward gender equality
Monday marked the start of the 6th Global Forum on Gender Statistics, a two day event in Helsinki that will highlight ways to improve data on gender.
More than $2B pledged for well-being of women, children, adolescents
The pledges, made by long-standing and new partners in the Every Woman Every Child movement, are part of new commitments in support of the the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents' Health.
New HeForShe report puts spotlight on gender equality in global universities
UN Women unveiled the first-ever HeForShe IMPACT 10x10x10 University Parity Report in which 10 leading global universities lay out concrete commitments toward achieving gender parity.
At start of World Water Week, UNICEF highlights how girls lose time collecting water
The opportunity cost from a lack of access to water disproportionately falls on women and girls who collectively spend as much as 200 million hours every day collecting it.
Stand up for and invest in teenage girls, UN says on World Population Day
Leaders and communities must focus on and stand up for the rights of teenage girls, particularly those who are poor, out of school, exploited, or subjected to harmful traditional practices, the United Nations has said, marking World Population Day with a call to bolster the success of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by investing in better opportunities for teen girls.
Conflict prevention efforts more effective and sustainable when women participate – Security Council
Despite commitments of the international community, inconsistent levels of political will, resourcing, accountability and gender expertise often hinder the full and meaningful inclusion of women in efforts to prevent conflict, the Security Council said today.
World’s oft-marginalized widows must be part of sustainable development, says Ban
With nearly half the world’s 259 million widows living poverty, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged greater efforts to “make them more visible in our societies” and ensure they are a vital part of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda’s pledge to ‘leave no one behind.’
UN Women announces Anne Hathaway as Goodwill Ambassador
The United Nations entity tasked with promoting gender equality today announced the appointment of Academy Award-winning American actor Anne Hathaway as global Goodwill Ambassador.
UN Women unveils new Media Compact for gender equality
The Step it Up for Gender Equality Media Compact brings together a broad coalition of media outlets to ensure wide reach and robust efforts towards women’s rights.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon honoured with ‘Delivering for Girls and Women’ Award
The first-ever ‘Delivering for Girls and Women’ award was given today to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in recognition of his work and achievements to improve the lives of women and girls worldwide.
UN officials make call to ‘Step It Up’ for gender equality
Senior UN officials from around the world are marking International Women's Day with calls to “Step It Up” with more resources and greater political action to achieve gender equality by 2030.
Silent epidemic: The fight to end FGM in Colombia
Exact figures about FGM are hard to come by, but as many as two out of three girls from the indigenous Emberá group are subjected to the procedure.
UN event mobilizes action toward ending female genital mutilation
“I am proud to be among so many champions in the cause of eliminating female genital mutilation,” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said during his keynote address.
Senior UN officials urge elimination of ‘violent practice’ of female genital mutilation by 2030
The most senior United Nations officials are urging the world to eliminate female genital mutilation (FGM) by 2030, calling it a “violent practice” that scars girls for life, endangering their health, depriving them of their rights, and denying them the chance to reach their full potential.
Media advisory: Two events to end Female Genital Mutilation
To mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), officially celebrated on 6 February, an event will take place at UN headquarters on 8 February.
Secretary-General announces High-Level Advisory Group for Every Woman Every Child
Secretary-General announces High-Level Advisory Group for Every Woman Every Child. The Group includes leaders from governments, business community, philanthropists, young people’s network and civil society to champion women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health.