Stories
World Rugby U20 Championship joins HeForShe
13 June 2017
Hosted by Georgia, the World Rugby U20 Championship 2017 saw its participating teams and the World Rugby Organization declare their support for HeForShe, the UN Women solidarity movement for gender equality. More
24 May 2017
After an 11-hour-climb from Camp 4 on Everest’s South Col route, Kanchhi Maya Tamang, together with Pemba Dorje Sherpa, and their Sherpa teammates reached the 29,035 feet (8,848 metres) summit of the world’s highest peak on 20 May. It was the first time someone has climbed Mount Everest for gender equality and women’s empowerment. More
Speech: Making equality a reality
06 March 2017
[Check against delivery] Mr. Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, Madam Fatma Samoura, FIFA Secretary-General, Distinguished participants, Ladies and gentlemen, Thank you very much to FIFA for inviting UN Women to be part of this important conference that brings together the worlds football constituency to celebrate the International Women’s Day. Remember that what we are pledging today requires us to work for women's human rights not just once a year, once a month or once a... More
In Albania, football and a mobile app get men to commit to gender equality
26 October 2016
The HeForShe in Stadiums campaign and HeForShe Fan mobile app use football to reach men and boys across Albania, encouraging them to empower women, stop discrimination and speak out against gender-based violence. More
“People are beginning to see our potential…the potential of all the girls who play sport”
23 August 2016
Marcelly Vitória de Mendonça, participant of ‘One Win Leads to Another’ programme by UN Women and the International Olympic Committee, received the Olympic Cup on behalf of the people of Rio de Janeiro in the Closing Ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games. More
The day we carried the Olympic Torch for women and girls
22 August 2016
By Thaiza Vitória, 15-year-old Brazilian handball player and member of the ‘One Win Leads to Another’ programme in Rio de Janeiro and UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. Both of them carried the Olympic Torch on the day of the opening ceremony of the Rio Games. More
From where I stand: Flor Isava-Fonseca
20 August 2016
Flor Isava- Fonseca, 95, is a tireless Venezuelan activist, athlete, journalist and writer. Ms. Isava-Fonseca and Finnish sprinter Pirjo Häggman were the first women to be elected to the International Olympic Committee. More
“We are carrying the torch for women and girls all over the world” – Executive Director
09 August 2016
Remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at One Win Leads to Another event at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro More
Media advisory: UN Women at the 2016 Rio Olympics
28 July 2016
At the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, UN Women, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Always (#LikeAGirl) will celebrate women’s and girls’ empowerment through sport and share experiences of the ‘One Win Leads to Another’ programme in Brazil. More
For the Federation, every day is Orange Day: Q&A with Stephan Fox
27 July 2016
Stephan Fox has lived in Thailand for 15 years. He is the Vice President of the World Muaythai Council, the General Secretary of the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur. Since 2014, he has been working with UN Women to promote gender equality and raise awareness on ending violence against women and girls. More
From where I stand: Abby Wambach
26 July 2016
Abby Wambach, a sports icon and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion, speaks out against pay inequality. More
Football camps in Jordan plant seeds of friendship and cohesion
25 July 2016
For Syrian refugees in Jordan, integration into the Jordanian society is fraught with challenges. Mistrust and rumors taint how each group perceives the other. A project by UN Women organized football camps for adolescent girls, where Jordanian and Syrian girls built friendships and social cohesion. More
From where I stand: Micaele Fernandes
25 July 2016
Micaele Fernandes, 16, is a handball player from Rio de Janeiro. She is a participant in ‘One Win Leads to Another’, a programme to empower young women and girls through sport in Brazil by UN Women and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). More
In Brazil, girls build self-esteem and independence through sport
25 July 2016
What does being a winner mean? For 12-year old Adrielle Alexandre, who will carry the Olympic torch, it’s not only about becoming an Olympic rhythmic gymnast, but to make her community a place free of violence and full of respect. She is among 400 girls who are participating in a programme in Brazil that empowers girls through sport and by creating safe spaces. More
From where I stand: Khalida Popal
25 July 2016
Khalida Popal made history by becoming the first female captain of the Afghan National Football team in 2007. More
Rugby players in Georgia scrum against violence
22 July 2016
From starring in billboards and videos to meetings with men and boys across the country, Georgian rugby players are leading advocacy to end violence against women. Public perception is changing, survivors are seeking support, and men and boys are taking a stand against violence. More
Playing for gender equality with Valencia Club de Fútbol
22 July 2016
Valencia Club de Fútbol, the first sport club to become a UN Women global partner, is hosting special matches and soccer clinics around the world to advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment. More
Photo Essay: Stela Savin, challenging gender stereotypes in Moldova
21 July 2016
Stela Savin comes from a Roma family and attends the eighth grade in Hînceşti, central Moldova. Her dream is to become a world boxing champion. More
Beating gender stereotypes in Pakistan with football
19 July 2016
Hajra Khan made history when she became the first Pakistani female footballer to sign a contract to play abroad in the Maldives National Women’s League in 2014. In a society where gender stereotypes and cultural barriers prevent girls from participating in football, this is not a small win. More
The fastest man in the world is HeForShe
14 July 2016
Usain Bolt, Jamaica’s Olympic champion and “the fastest man in the world” has signed on to UN Women’s HeForShe Campaign. More