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

New Jersey’s first COVID-19 Community-Based Testing Site opened on March 20, 2020, at Bergen Community College in Paramus. Photo: Edwin J. Torres for the New Jersey Governor’s Office

In Focus: Gender equality matters in COVID-19 response

UN Women is bringing up-to-date information and analysis on how and why gender matters in COVID-19 response. Learn more

Entela Kolovani is a doctor in Tirana, Albania and currently works with patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Photo courtesy of Entela Kolovani.

“Nurses are the real heroes,” says Albanian doctor on the front line of COVID-19 response

On World Health Day, 7 April, Dr. Entela Kolovani shares her experience working on the front line of COVID-19 response, and her gratitude for the roles nurses are taking on. Learn more

Kathely Rosa (centre with ball) with other other graduates of the One Win Leads to another programme in Brazil. Photo: UN Women/Camille Miranda

Sport is empowering girls in Brazil

In February, girls from the One Win Leads to Another programme met UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Marta Vieira da Silva. Now, as the girls are confined to their homes due to COVID-19, the sense of hope and empowering messages from Marta are more meaningful. Learn more

In Sombor, Serbia, beneficiaries of a women's shelter got together to contribut to COVID-19 response in their local community by sewing protective face masks. Photo: UN Women/Tamara Savovic

In Serbia, survivors of domestic violence sew face masks for those on the front line of COVID-19 response

By sewing face masks, the women survivors and volunteers are contributing to protect the health of those on the front line of the pandemic. Learn more

Highlights

In Focus: Gender equality matters in COVID-19 response

The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a health issue. It is a profound shock to our societies and economies, and women are at the heart of care and response efforts underway. UN Women is bringing up-to-date information and analysis on how and why gender matters in COVID-19 response. More

Infographic: The shadow pandemic - violence against women and girls and COVID-19

In times of crisis, violence against women and girls is likely to increase as security, health, and money worries heighten tensions and strains are accentuated by cramped and confined living conditions. More
Checklist for COVID-19 response by Deputy Executive Director Åsa Regnér

As governments respond to the global COVID-19 crisis under huge pressures to act fast, UN Women Deputy Executive Director Åsa Regnér calls on leaders and decision-makers to answer 10 key questions about how their responses and policies will include and impact women and girls. More
Women and COVID-19: Five things governments can do now

UN Women Deputy Executive Director Anita Bhatia takes a look at how impacts of COVID-19 are hitting women hardest, and how governments around the world can address these issues. More
Gender equality: Women’s rights in review 25 years after Beijing

Marking the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action, as well as the first time that progress on the implementation of the Platform is reviewed in light of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, this report takes an integrated approach to reporting on progress, gaps, and challenges related to the advancement of gender equality and women’s rights. More
Announcement: Generation Equality Forum postponed

As the situation surrounding COVID-19 evolves, the number of people around the world affected by this disease continues to increase. In light of this crisis, the Generation Equality Forum will be postponed until the first half of 2021. The new dates will be announced in the coming months. 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

Featured publications

COVID-19 and ending violence against women and girls
This brief highlights emerging evidence of the impact of the recent global pandemic of COVID-19 on violence against women and girls. It makes recommendations to be considered by all sectors of society, from governments to international organizations and to civil society organizations, in order to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.
Family-friendly policies and other good workplace practices in the context of COVID-19: Key steps employers can take
This document offers (interim) recommendations for employers to mitigate the negative consequences stemming from COVID-19.

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Events

06/03/2020 – 20/04/2020
Exhibition: “Generation Equality: The Time is Now”
07/05/2020 – 08/05/2020
Generation Equality Forum kickoff – Mexico
07/07/2020 – 10/07/2020
Generation Equality Forum culmination – France

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Violence against women and girls: the shadow pandemic

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

With 90 countries in lockdown and four billion people sheltering at home from the global contagion of COVID-19, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka highlights another deadly danger growing in the shadows: violence against women and girls. More

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How are women uniquely impacted by crises like COVID-19?

During crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, women make essential contributions as leaders and frontline responders. But they are also hit harder by the health, economic and social impacts of the outbreak. Paying attention to women’s needs and leadership will strengthen the #COVID19 response.

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