Women in rural Cambodia cultivate their way out of vulnerability

Date: 19 July 2017

In five rural districts of Battambang and Siem Reap provinces in Cambodia, Banteay Srei, a local women-led NGO works with the poorest, most marginalized women—including those who are illiterate or single mothers—to help them improve their livelihoods. More

Joint UN–AU high-level delegation to Nigeria and the DRC to spotlight women, peace and security agenda

Date: 19 July 2017

Today, the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed began a first-of-its-kind visit to Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), joined by the Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, and the African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, Bineta Diop. More

Statement: Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on the continued detention of women human rights activists in Turkey

Date: 18 July 2017

In a statement on the continued detention of women human rights activists in Turkey, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka calls for immediate release of the arrested women’s rights and human rights activists and support to those, like women’s human rights defenders, who work for the good of their societies. More

In Albania, elections herald historic increase in number of women MPs

Date: 18 July 2017

In the recently concluded national elections, Albania has reached a new milestone with 28 per cent of women parliamentarians. Women candidates benefited from the gender quota and public forums organized by UN Women and partners that enabled them to outreach to the public. Efforts continue to boost women’s political participation nationally and to secure gender balance in local elections. More

News: Women’s economic empowerment is a pre-condition for sustainable development, say UN High-Level Panel members

Date: 17 July 2017

The UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel (HLP) on Women’s Economic Empowerment held an event on 17 July 2017 titled, “Accelerating Women’s Economic Empowerment to Achieve the 2030 Agenda”, in the context of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development in New York. The event was co-hosted by the Group of Champions of Women’s Economic Empowerment, led by the Government of Costa Rica and the United Kingdom, together with UN Women and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). More

Speech: “Women entrepreneurs can drive economic growth”—Lakshmi Puri

Date: 17 July 2017

Remarks by UN Women Deputy Executive Director Lakshmi Puri at the SHE·ERA: 2017 Global Conference on Women and Entrepreneurship, in Hangzhou, China. More

Maternal health gets a new boost in Liberia

Date: 17 July 2017

With 1,072 maternal deaths for every 100,000 births, Liberia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. In the remote areas, infrastructure and facilities in clinics are often lacking; midwives and health workers have to deliver babies without any electricity at night. With the installation of solar lighting systems by UN Women and partners, conditions have improved in 26 clinics and five newly constructed Maternal Waiting Rooms across Liberia. More

Reshaping the future: Women, girls, ICTs and the SDGs

Date: 14 July 2017

A chapter on Sustainable Development Goal 5, written by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and originally published in the ITU publication, “Fast forward progress: leveraging tech to achieve the global goals”, launched at the High-Level Political Forum in New York. More

Speech: “Young people need their voices to be heard”—Executive Director

Date: 12 July 2017

Remarks by United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, at the London Family Planning Summit, Spotlight Session on “Transitions to Adulthood and the Importance of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights to Girls’ Empowerment” in London. More

In the words of Elena Kochoska: "Women bear a double burden because of their gender and disability”

Date: 11 July 2017

Elena Kochoska is a vocal advocate for persons with disabilities in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and works at the local organization, Polio Plus, Movement Against Disability. She participated in training and mentoring sessions on gender-responsive budgeting (GRB)—analyzing a budget to ensure women’s needs are met—organized by UN Women’s regional programme on GRB, supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Austrian Development Agency. Thereafter, she prepared a report that did a cost-benefit analysis showing the benefits of including children with disabilities in mainstream education. More

Feminism in Times of War and Peace

Date: 10 July 2017

In June 2016, the Government of Colombia signed the first historic cease-fire agreement with the FARC insurgency group. While this first peace accord was rejected in a referendum, a second agreement was ratified by the Colombian Congress in November of the same year, bringing an end to 52 years of armed conflict. Colombian women peacebuilders played a pivotal role in building consensus and bringing to light the needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls throughout the peace process. More

Deputy Executive Director Lakshmi Puri highlights women’s entrepreneurship and decent work at the SHE-ERA Conference in China

Date: 10 July 2017

UN Women Deputy Executive Director Ms. Lakshmi Puri starts today a visit to China to participate in the "SHE·ERA: 2017 Global Conference on Women and Entrepreneurship", organized by the Alibaba Group in Hangzhou. From 10 – 11 July, the conference is convening women leaders in politics, business, fashion, and many other areas to share their experiences. This year’s conference will focus on the themes of “Altruism, Inclusiveness, Dreams,” and will highlight how women entrepreneurs can help achieve sustainable and inclusive growth and development. More

Press Release: UN Women and the European Union launch a new initiative to focus on ending violence against women in the Western Balkans and Turkey

Date: 10 July 2017

UN Women and the EU will aim to reform policies in line with international standards, transfrom dicriminatory social norms and empower women and girls subjected to violence. More

Interview with Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Kai Mykkänen

Date: 07 July 2017

In a May 2017 interview, the Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen referred to his country’s combined core and non-core contribution of approximately USD 14.53 to UN Women in 2016, and urged other Member States to also step up and help UN Women deliver on its mandate of achieving gender equality by 2030. Finland has been one of UN Women’s largest donors, topping the list in 2014. More

Interview with Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate, and Deputy Prime Minister, Isabella Lövin

Date: 07 July 2017

In 2016, the Government of Sweden donated a core contribution of USD 12 million to UN Women. In addition, the Government, through the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), contributed USD 30 million in multi-bi support – bringing its overall 2016 contribution to approximately USD 42 million and making Sweden UN Women’s largest donor. In an interview, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate, and Deputy Prime Minister, Isabella Lövin explains why her Government believes UN Women’s work is such an important priority for its multilateral aid. More

Editorial spotlight: High-level Political Forum

Date: 06 July 2017

The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the main UN platform for review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York from 10 – 19 July. More

Press Release: Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka appointed to a second term as Executive Director of UN Women

Date: 05 July 2017

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres re-appointed Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka for a second term as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women) for a period of four years. More

High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment calls for ending gender discrimination to ensure the full potential of Africa’s youth at African Union Summit

Date: 30 June 2017

The United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel (HLP) on Women’s Economic Empowerment was represented at the  4 th  African Union (AU) High Level Panel on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, 29-30 June,  in Addis Ababa, by HLP member Mr. Amadou Mahtar Ba, Founder and Executive Chairman of AllAfrica Global Media.  More

Speech: “We commit ourselves to working diligently”—Executive Director

Date: 29 June 2017

Closing remarks by Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, at the Annual Session of the UN Women Executive Board More

In Benin, small savings and loans groups drive rural women’s empowerment

Date: 28 June 2017

Across rural Africa, women farmers are benefiting from Savings and Loans Groups to grow their businesses. Some 40 per cent of the UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality grantees in Africa are now using this methodology, leading to better nutrition, business development and sustainable land management outcomes. The Miguéze’ programme, for example, has impacted 2,780 people, and women are emerging as leaders and role models. More