Ahead of International Women’s Day (8 March) and the start of the 65th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (15 to 26 March), we look at Goal 5 – Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women – and what to expect in March and the rest of 2021.
“Whether running a country, a business or a popular movement, women are making contributions that are delivering for all and driving progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.”
— Excerpt from UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for International Women’s Day 2021
FEATURE STORIES
IN FOCUS: Gender Equality Events in 2021
Please note that the list is not exhaustive
8 March | International Women’s Day | #IWD2021
This International Women’s Day, the United Nations focuses on “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World,” calling on all efforts to recover and rebuild to ensure the rights of women and girls to realize their fullest potential – as leaders shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Media advisory on the official virtual commemoration, featuring UN Secretary-General António Guterres, head of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, and guest Somaya Faruqi from the Afghan Girls Robotic Team, is available here.
The Secretary-General’s recent report on gender equality, which looks at global trends, persistent barriers and opportunities to ensure women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, is available here and will inform the forthcoming 65th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
UN Women’s In Focus editorial for March features latest news, speech, feature stories, videos and social media content to mark the day. Highlights include a feature about seven women and girls – from Colombia, Uganda to Kazakhstan – who are leading change in their communities; a vibrant blog on how to support women in leadership; and an interactive digital story, Generation Equality rising, featuring inspiring women leaders creating a world without gender-based discrimination.
The UN Visitors Services offers special virtual tours that focus on the significant contributions women leaders, such as UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and former US first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, have made throughout history.
Here is a list of more new events to mark the day:
9 March | Launch of the Violence against Women Prevalence Estimates
The new report will include the latest available data on physical or sexual violence against women by an intimate partner or sexual violence from a non-partner.
Based on data from 2000 to 2018, it is expected to include worrying trends such as the increase in violence against young women and lack of substantial progress. The last report was issued in 2013.
15 to 26 March | 65th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women
Today, only 21 countries have women leaders and 119 countries have never had women leaders. UN Women says that at the current rate, parity in the highest decisions of power will not be achieved for another 130 years.
This year’s Commission on the Status of Women will highlight the critical role women play in public life and the need to ensure their equal participation in decision-making.
Convened by UN Women and partners, the Generation Equality Forum will take stock of progress and drive concrete actions to accelerate progress towards gender equality. With civil society at its core, it will reinforce the power and voice of youth and feminist movements, and comittments of various entities, including countries, the private sector and international organizations. It will kick-off in Mexico City 29 to 31 March and culminate in Paris in June 2021.
As part of the Generation Equality campaign, UN Women recently issued a global call for original artwork that visualizes and celebrates activism for gender equality.
22 April | International Girls in ICT Day
The lack of women participating in ICT studies is reflected in companies and government agencies around the world, says the International Telecommunications Union. The sector is currently male-dominated, especially at senior levels. Where women are present, it is often in low-level, low-skilled jobs.
This year the United Nations will mark the 10th anniversary of the international day, stressing that girls in ICTs have a positive impact to create a meaningful shift in the gender gap, as well as help shape the future in a post-COVID era.
19 June | International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
Every year, the international day serves as a reminder that we must combat impunity for sexual violence, which has been further obscured by the pandemic, and protect the survivors of such heinous war crimes. As in previous years, the message often focuses on placing survivors at the centre of response, holding perpetrators accountable, and expanding support for people facing such heinous crimes.
23 June | International Widow’s Day
According to the United Nations, there are an estimated 258 million widows around the world, and nearly one in ten live in extreme poverty. Many widowed women face stigma, discrimination and destitution, and are often denied inheritance and rights to property. The day draws attention to the voices and plight of widows, calling for the recognition of their full rights.
18 September | International Equal Pay Day
Why do we need an International Equal Pay Day? Today, women make only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. As we recover from the pandemic, which has exacerbated the global gender pay gap, the day will focus on the necessary steps needed to ensure equal recognition and pay is at the heart of recovery efforts worldwide.
11 October | International Day of the Girl Child
Ten years ago, the UN General Assembly established the international day to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges they face around the world. Every year, UNICEF launches an annual campaign with girls to amplify their voices and stand up for their rights.
15 Oct | International Day of Rural Women
Did you know that rural women, who make a quarter of the world’s population, work as farmers, wage earners and entrepreneurs. Yet, less than 20 percent of landholders worldwide are women and in rural areas, the gender pay gap is as high as 40 percent. Working on the frontline when natural resources and agriculture are threatened, these women are agents of change in the fight against poverty, hunger and climate change, says UN Women.
Oct (TBD) | UN Security Council Meeting on Women, Peace and Security
Every year, the UN Security Council holds a open debate on Women, Peace and Security – linking gender equality to the maintenance of international peace and security. Over the years, progress on engaging women in peace processes has been slow, although the evidence is clear: involving women in negotiations has led to peace agreements more likely to last 15 years or longer.
25 Nov | International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Since the start of lockdowns due to the pandemic, violence against women, especially domestic violence, has intensitfied. In some countries, calls to helplines have increased five-fold, says UN Women.
The international day also marks the launch of 16 Days of Activism that will conclude on Human Rights Day (10 December). Every year, iconic buildings and landmarks will be lit in orange – the colour of the UN campaign on ending violence against women called UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign.