UN Women - United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

As the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence kick off under the theme “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands against Rape!”, UN Women calls on everyone to take a stand against rape culture. Learn more

women and men stand together to end rape culture

16 ways you can stand against rape culture

Every day we have the opportunity to examine our behaviours and beliefs for biases that permit rape culture to continue. From the attitudes we have about gender identities to the policies we support in our communities, we can all take action to stand against rape culture. Learn more

Generation Equality action pack, November 2019

For the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, from 25 November to 10 December, we're calling upon people from all walks of life, across generations, to take our boldest stand yet against rape. Learn more

I am Generation Equality: Fatmira Dajlani, child marriage survivor and activist

Fatmira Dajlani has been working as an activist for 14 years in Albania and is leading the “Roma Gateway for Integration” organization in Fushe Kruje. Learn more

Crafts and jewelry made by Francoise Gbeko.

“Now I can support my family…and send my children to school”

In the Central African Republic, an estimated 2.6 million people are still in need of humanitarian assistance, half of them are women and girls. UN Women is working to economically empower gender-based violence survivors. Learn more

Highlights

Generation Equality action pack, November 2019: Generation Equality Stands against Rape

For the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, from 25 November to 10 December, and under the umbrella of the Generation Equality campaign to mark the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign is calling upon people from all walks of life, across generations, to take our boldest stand yet against rape. More

Unpack the everyday

For women, the fear of violence is an everyday reality. Whether it’s on their way to work, at home or anywhere in between; women carry a heavy burden—physically, emotionally and financially—to feel safe. Unpack the Everyday exposes the lengths women go to protect themselves through everyday objects, including in their bags. More
Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands against Rape

The UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign will mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, from 25 November to 10 December, under the theme, “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands against Rape”. Join us in galvanizing actions around the world to take a stand against sexual violence in all contexts and spark a global conversation about what it will take to prevent and end rape. More
Generation Equality

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, UN Women is launching a new campaign, “Generation Equality—Realizing women’s rights and an equal future”. The campaign demands equal pay, equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work, an end to sexual harassment and all forms of violence against women and girls, health-care services that respond to their needs, and their equal participation in political life and decision-making in all areas of life. More
In Focus: Women and the SDGs

Gender equality is a right. Fulfilling this right is the best chance we have in meeting some of the most pressing challenges of our time—from economic crisis and lack of health care, to climate change, violence against women and escalating conflicts. Check out new data, stories, videos and more illustrating how and why gender equality matters across all the Sustainable Development Goals. More

Generation Equality Forum

The Generation Equality Forum is a civil society–centred, multi-stakeholder, global gathering for gender equality, convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France. It will kick off in Mexico City, Mexico (7–8 May 2020), and culminate in Paris, France (7–10 July 2020).

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International Women's Day

The theme for International Women's Day (8 March 2020) will be "I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women's Rights". Join us in calling for actions towards gender equality and women's empowerment around the world.

End rape—an intolerable cost to society

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. Photo: Kea Taylor.

In her message for International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka says: "If I could have one wish granted, it might well be a total end to rape". More

Featured video

One story about rape is one story too many.

Across the world and in different contexts, women and girls universally experience rape, sexual violence, and abuse. From university campuses to armed conflicts, their voices and stories have reached a crescendo that can no longer be ignored or silenced. It’s time to take a stand to dismantle rape culture.

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UN Women Watch

Women and Girls with Disabilities: Needs of survivors of gender-based violence and services offered to them - occupied Palestinian territory

The objective of this study was to map the available services; analyze major gaps and challenges related to service delivery; identify roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and service providers, including stakeholder coordination, legislation and policies, capacity, prevention and response services, the referral process and accountability; as... More

Gender-based violence: Financial independence and economic empowerment key to survivors' recovery

An upsurge in violence and insecurity in several regions of Cameroon have triggered a spike in humanitarian needs. Around 4.3 million people need emergency assistance, marking a 30 per cent increase compared to 2018. Violence and forced displacement have dramatically affected the lives of women and children. More

In China, women work to raise the status of girls

LILING, China - Not long ago, Wen Xiujuan was swept up in a romance. Against the wishes of her parents, she moved to the small village of Liling, 300 km from her hometown, to marry a young man named Yang Liu. They lived happily with Mr. Liu's parents, who hoped the couple would have a son. More

UN food agencies step up joint efforts to tackle rural gender inequalities

Three United Nations agencies today launched a new European Union-supported global initiative to address the root causes of rural gender inequalities and thus strengthen efforts to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. More

Change attitudes for future generations of women in tech, UN urges

Celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday of April, the Day is an initiative of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and aims to encourage and empower girls and young women to consider entering the growing field of ICT, enabling both girls and technology companies to reap the benefits of greater female participation in the sector. More

Protect women's rights 'before, during and after conflict' UN chief tells high-level Security Council debate

Over the course of the past decade, there has been "a paradigm shift" in understanding the devastating impact of sexual violence in conflict on international peace and security, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council during a high-level debate on Tuesday. More

Former Somali refugee inspires children with illustrated book

The mind behind Nasra is Habso Mohamud, a 24-year-old former refugee from Somalia. Habso’s real life is very similar to Nasra’s fictional one, and she shares both stories with schoolchildren at readings across the United States. Habso is clear on the message she wants to transmit: “Don’t give up on yourself and don’t give up on your dreams, no matter... More

'Foreign children' in overwhelmed Syrian camp need urgent international help, says top UN official

Panos Moumtzis, Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis made the "special plea" to journalists in Geneva, noting that 75,000 people now shelter in Al Hol camp, after fleeing ISIL extremists. More

When disaster strikes: how education and children's futures were battered by Cyclone Idai - Mozambique

An in-depth look at how the deadly storm and flooding have disrupted the schooling of half a million children in southeast Africa - and the efforts to rebuild. First comes the shock and the terror. Then the fight for survival - to find food, water and shelter, and to avoid diseases. More

IFRC's - RCRC National Societies' Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Humanitarian Crises Appeal 2019 - 2022 - World

This appeal to support the work on 'Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in Humanitarian Crises' is in line with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies' commitment to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in disasters and other emergencies... More

Rohingya refugee and Bangladeshi women weave a brighter future

Only the encouraging murmurs of a trainer who checks on their progress break the silence of the focused women. They are mainly widows or other women heading their households alone. Ranging in age from 18 to 40, most had never learned how to sew before. More

Unique project in Cox's Bazar puts Bangladeshi and refugee women first, provides skills

A new training project in southeast Bangladesh to promote self-reliance among women in communities hosting refugees as well as among Rohingya refugee women has become operational in Cox's Bazar. The project is potentially a game-changer for women in these communities. It is being supported by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. More