Working together to bring change – Generation Equality partnerships are poised to push for progress for ALL women and girls 

On the opening day of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women on 10 March, UN Women and the Governments of Bolivia and Sweden held the side event, “Multistakeholder Partnerships: Leveraging Generation Equality to Advance Recommitment, Accountability, and Resourcing of the Beijing Platform for Action.”   Watch the archived webcast on UN Web TV. 

The event highlighted how Generation Equality has enabled tangible results towards the Beijing Platform for Action by spotlighting collective efforts advanced through the six Action Coalitions and the Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action (WPS-HA) Compact: 

• Reaching over one million people through the Reproductive Health Network Kenya, and five million in India by engaging young men in conversations around equitable partnerships (in-depth case studies in the new Accountability Report focused on the Action Coalition on Bodily Autonomy and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights); 

• From grassroots campaigns to policy reforms, showcased in the new “61 stories of change” Feminist Action for Climate Justice book; and 

• How commitment makers have tackled gender-based violence against women and girls, by scaling up evidence-based prevention programmes, strengthening services for survivors, and empowering women’s and girl-led organizations.  

“This year, as co-chair of the WPS-HA Compact Board, Namibia will continue to position gender equality at the centre of global progress,” said Helena Ndapewa Kuzee, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Namibia to the United Nations.  “The Compact has proven to be an effective space for collective action… as we harness the power of multilateralism and global networks to advance women’s rights, equality and empowerment particularly in conflict and crisis contexts, we must reinforce a simple yet profound truth: when women lead, peace follows.”  

2025 is a landmark year for gender equality. In the global context of regression and backlash, intergenerational partnerships from local to national, regional and international levels – and their collective ownership – show resilience and lasting impact.   

By uniting over 1,000 governments, civil society, youth and adolescent-led organizations, private sector entities and multilateral institutions, Generation Equality emphasizes inclusive results and is well-placed to renew and activate commitments from governments, private sector, civil society and the UN.  

“Here was a platform created by a shared vision across different types of stakeholders… generally these stakeholders are divided on where we sit and what access we have… but (Generation Equality) was able to bring everyone in,” said Sivananthi Thanenthiran, Executive Director, ARROW. “We are not the few, we are the many.”  

“(Five years ago) we embraced the belief that unity sparks impactful and lasting change, said UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous. “Today – despite the shifting winds – we must ensure that our commitment remains unwavering. It is in the spirit of partnership, in the union of our diverse voices, that we will trace the path forward.”