Fund for Gender Equality

The Fund for Gender Equality is a UN Women grant-making mechanism dedicated exclusively to the economic and political empowerment of women worldwide.Since its launch in 2009, the Fund has delivered grants of USD 56.5 million to 96 grantee programmes in 72 countries. Each programme supports women, especially those who are marginalized, with what they need and require to regain control over their lives, whether they are trying to start a business or initiate a grassroots movement.Guided by UN…

101 results found

From guerilla fighters to peacebuilders

Date: Tuesday, 23 July 2024

This short documentary produced by UN Women recounts the reincorporation process of former FARC guerrilla female fighters in the context of the Peace Accord. It shows the importance of reincorporation to achieve peace, presenting challenges and keys to success, proposing a reflection on the achievements of recent years and milestones that remain to be conquered. We will learn about this story through interviews with former guerrilla fighters, as well as UN Women and other relevant actors…

#WomensDay 2019: Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change

Date: Wednesday, 6 March 2019

In her message for International Women’s Day on 8 March 2019, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka calls for gender-sensitive technology and innovations to advance gender equality.

This #WomensDay, we’re innovating for change

Date: Friday, 1 March 2019

On International Women’s Day (8 March 2019), UN Women calls on the world to “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change.”Learn more: http://unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/international-womens-dayThis International Women’s Day, UN Women focuses on innovative ways in which we can advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services…

Calling all youth - join the fight for gender equality at CSW

Date: Thursday, 20 December 2018

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a global body to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. UN Women invites young people from all over the world to the CSW annual session in New York, where they will join thousands of gender equality advocates who are speaking out and demanding change. The Youth Dialogue at CSW is a critical opportunity and a safe space for young people and adolescents to convene and amplify their common concerns and advocacy efforts.

A returned migrant woman in Nepal finds a new start

Date: Tuesday, 18 December 2018

Basanti Tamang left her home in Nepal to work as a housemaid in Lebanon, only to find that the earnings she sent home had all been spent by the time she returned. Without a job or formal education, Basanti was economically dependent on her husband and faced negative attitudes from her community. After years of struggling to make ends meet, she learned about a tailoring training for returned women migrant workers. The “Future We Want” reintegration programme, a joint initiative of UN Women,…

A sanctuary for survivors in Adama, Ethiopia

Date: Thursday, 13 December 2018

Gender-based violence is a serious problem in Ethiopia. To support women and girls whose lives are affected by violence, Denmark and UN Women have established Ethiopia’s largest women’s shelter.Since its opening in 2015, the women’s shelter in Adama has helped 680 women, girls and their children to rebuild their lives and move on from a past haunted by violence. The women and girls are provided with accommodation, medical treatment, psychological support and counselling, legal aid, education…

Around the world: 16 Days to End Violence Against Women and Girls

Date: Wednesday, 12 December 2018

For this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, people around the world mobilized, marched, spoke out and stood up to end violence against women and girls. Building on the momentum of global movements and grassroots campaigns such as ‘#MeToo’, “#TimesUp”, “#BalanceTonPorc” “#NiUnaMenos”, #MetooIndia and “HollaBack!”, the UN theme for this year’s campaign is “Orange the World: #HearMeToo”.Subscribe to UN Women here: https://bit.ly/2AV6WZ8…

Support HIV prevention among young women

Date: Friday, 30 November 2018

This World AIDS Day, let’s eliminate gender inequality,promote girls’ education,end gender-based violence,create safe spacesand support HIV prevention among young women.#KnowYourStatus

Nepal’s Justice Reporters help survivors break their silence

Date: Monday, 19 November 2018

From 1996-2006, the government of Nepal engaged in armed conflict with a Maoist insurgency. Both parties to the conflict routinely tortured, raped, detained and killed women and girls. But the experiences of women have not been fully acknowledged as part of the history of Nepal's armed conflict.“There are so many cases of sexual violence, rape and torture in Nepal that happened during the armed conflict,” says Jaya Luintel, founder of the nonprofit organization, The Story Kitchen. “And…

#HearMeToo: A Message from UN Women’s Executive Director

Date: Monday, 19 November 2018

On this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November), we honor and amplify the voices of survivors and grassroots activists who have broken their silence, and we aim to support those whose voices are still not being heard. Under the theme “Orange the World: #HearMeToo,” UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka issues a call to listen to and believe survivors, to end the culture of silencing and to put survivors at the center of our responses…

Empower indigenous women, strengthen communities

Date: Monday, 6 August 2018

Indigenous women are custodians of their communities’ traditions and natural resources, but they are also among the world’s most vulnerable and marginalized peoples. On International Day of Indigenous Peoples, learn more about the challenges indigenous women face, and how they play key roles in their communities and countries, and contribute to peace building and sustainable environmental practices.

Why do women in peacekeeping matter?

Date: Friday, 18 May 2018

Women are powerful actors in sustaining peace but they make up a minority of UN Peacekeeping forces around the world. UN Women supports trainings that prepare female military officers for peacekeeping operations by providing exposure, visibility and opportunities for professional advancement, creating connections to exchange information and provide support, and promoting gender equality and gender mainstreaming in missions.

Gender equality through a cartoonist's lens

Date: Monday, 19 March 2018

Cartoonist Liza Donnelly talks about her work and the power of editorial cartoons to disrupt stereotypes and advance gender equality. Donnelly is a cartoonist and writer with The New Yorker Magazine, CBS News, and others. As a Cultural Envoy for the US State Department, Donnelly also travels around the world speaking about freedom of speech, cartoons and women’s rights. She is one of several Cartooning for Peace members featured by UN Women in a collaboration centered around International…

Policy Spotlight on Rural Women

Date: Friday, 9 March 2018

UN Women's Director of Policy, Purna Sen, speaks with UN Women Policy Specialist Venge Nyirongo about rural women.

#TimeIsNow: A Message from UN Women’s Executive Director on International Women's Day 2018

Date: Friday, 2 March 2018

In her message for International Women’s Day on March 8, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka draws attention to the work of rural and urban activists who have fought for women’s rights and gender equality.

International Women’s Day 2018: The Time is Now

Date: Friday, 2 March 2018

This International Women’s Day, UN Women celebrates the rural and urban activists who have transformed the lives of women around the world. From grassroots campaigns to global movements, women’s activism over the decades has paved the way for women’s rights and a more equal future. On March 8, join UN Women to reflect on progress made, to stand up for change, and to celebrate the ordinary and extraordinary women who have changed the world through their words and actions. The time is now.

Jaha's Journey: From FGM to UN Women Goodwill Ambassador

Date: Wednesday, 28 February 2018

Gambian activist Jaha Dukureh is a survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced child marriage. As UN Women’s Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Africa, she is committed to ending FGM by mobilizing youth and raising awareness of the harmful practice. Listen to Jaha’s story and learn more about her campaign to end FGM: http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2018/3/in-the-words-of-jaha-duku…

Life in Exile | Rebuilding Lives in Iraq

Date: Monday, 19 June 2017

There are 3.3 million refugees and internally displaced persons in Iraq. Many been brutalized by violence and denied access to safety and basic services. Newly displaced women and girls are often marginalized and stigmatized in camps. UN Women - with generous support from the Government of Japan - is working with partners to empower refugee and displaced women and girls through education, counseling and work opportunities.

Empowering women in Za'atari refugee camp

Date: Monday, 19 June 2017

UN Women's cash-for-work programme for Syrian women refugees produces 1,000 baby kits per year which are distributed to newborns and their mothers in the Za’atari refugee camp. This initiative is generously funded by the Government of Japan.

Women, oceans and conservation

Date: Monday, 5 June 2017

The world’s oceans are in crisis. Climate change has thrown marine ecosystems out of balance, as have pollution and ocean acidification. The ensuing droughts, floods, and extreme weather events hit women and girls harder than men and boys, and threaten the livelihoods of the millions of women employed in fisheries. UN Women works to address women’s and girl’s vulnerability to climate change and make them leaders in sustainable development.