Stories
In the words of Tarcila Rivera Zea: “My parents, illiterate as they were, pushed to learn more”
18 April 2017
Tarcila Rivera Zea is a Quechuan activist from Ayacucho, Peru, and Founder of the organization Chirapaq, and leader in the movement of indigenous women of the Americas. From 2013 – 2015, UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality has supported Chirapaq’s work on strengthening rural indigenous women’s economic empowerment. Ms. Rivera Zea was recently elected to the UN’s Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. She is a journalist by profession and for more than 30 years has worked as an activist for indigenous peoples' rights, particularly those related to women, children and indigenous youth in national and international areas. More
Women gain political representation and leadership in rural China
15 September 2016
Working at the grassroots level, a programme in the world’s most populous country successfully trained young women to run in local elections, and dismantled negative perceptions and discriminatory rules that hindered women’s political participation. More
In host country Lebanon, refugee and rural women build entrepreneurship, cohesion and future
14 September 2016
Women entrepreneurs from refugee and host communities in Lebanon are using their unique skills and creativity to build their own model of social stability in Lebanon while launching economically viable businesses. More
Migrant women of Viet Nam claim social protection and rights
24 August 2016
An estimated 40 – 50 per cent of migrants in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the two biggest cities in Viet Nam, are women, and they face distinct challenges. Low and unstable incomes and lack of social protection make them particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. But migrant women workers of Viet Nam refuse to live on the fringes any longer. More than 10,000 migrant workers have learnt how to access social welfare benefits, legal protection and health care. They are advocating for their rights and helping one another. More
Indigenous women in Peru combat climate change and boost economy
09 August 2016
To combat the impact of climate change, the indigenous women of Laramate in Peru have turned to ancestral farming techniques with support from UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality. In addition to healthier crops and improved incomes for the community, the programme has boosted indigenous women’s participation in public spaces and decision-making. More
From child labourer to women’s rights defender
10 June 2016
In Bolivia, after studying at the UN Women-supported School for Women Leaders, an indigenous Aymara woman managed to overcome a childhood and adolescence of labour exploitation to become an advocate for women's rights. More
In Guinea, a cooperative empowers rural women
09 February 2016
In the Katfoura village on the Tristao Islands in Guinea, one civil society organization is providing rural women with new opportunities to generate income and improve community life. More
16 December 2015
UN Women's Fund for Gender Equality has expanded it's global grant-making portfolio to 80 Countries in six years, More
Rural Peruvian women spur local dairy industry
14 October 2015
With support from UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality, an association of rural indigenous women cheese and yogurt producers is growing, boosting incomes and economic independence. More
Girls and young women gain ground in male-dominated fields
08 October 2015
With support from UN Women's Fund for Gender Equality, young women around the world are entering non-traditional economic and political spheres, and redefining leadership on their own terms. More
Girls bridge the digital gender gap in Central America
08 October 2015
Nearly 3,000 girls and youth across Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic are using technology and innovative strategies to achieve gender equality in male-dominated fields. More
Income empowers Kilimanjaro women to seek justice
01 June 2015
Through a programme supported by UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality, more than 1,000 women have joined savings and loans groups, started businesses, and sought legal advice to claim their rights. More
Young Palestinians push for a gender-equal Constitution
08 April 2015
More than 700 young Palestinians have received leadership and gender-sensitivity training and several have collectively drafted an alternative constitution that challenges the status quo. More
Fund for Gender Equality's application system is open
23 February 2015
Innovative civil society initiatives seeking to spur women’s economic and/or political empowerment are invited to apply for funding. More
‘Ready for the lists’, say Uruguayan women
16 July 2014
A new series of commercials featuring public figures, as well as workshops and support for women politicians from all parties, and a project to broaden the current quota law are all stimulating the participation of women in decision-making in Uruguay. More
Trinidadian women gain ground at the ballot box
27 June 2014
With support from UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality, the Network of NGOs in Trinidad and Tobago is training women to be more effective in running for election. They seek to learn the rules, use the rules and change the system. More
Women in power and decision-making: Strengthening voices for democracy
27 June 2014
Strengthening women's role in power and decision-making is one of the 12 critical areas of concern outlined in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which turns 20 next year. Giving women a greater voice in all spheres is central to achieving change and boosting women’s leadership and political participation is one of UN Women’s seven key areas of work. More
UN Women Executive Director condemns assassination of women's rights activist in Libya
26 June 2014
UN Women strongly condemns the assassination of the Libyan leader and women’s rights advocate Salwa Bugaighis. Today we join millions in mourning the loss of a sister and courageous human rights defender. More
Women living with HIV cultivate leaders and food, in Uganda’s slums
07 April 2014
In the Katwe slum in Kampala, a group of women living with HIV are cultivating food, cleaning up the community and raising awareness of the right to sanitation and adequate housing. More
Saturday night in Viet Nam, migrant women market workers take the floor
01 April 2014
During a three-day visit to Viet Nam, UN Women’s Executive Director visited the Long Bien night market to spotlight the daily challenges faced by migrant women workers. More