Generation Equality action pack, January 2020

HerStory volunteers and participants of the Digital Inclusion Week 2019 in Cairo, Egypt. Photo: UN Women/ Emad Karim.
HerStory volunteers and participants of the Digital Inclusion Week 2019 in Cairo, Egypt. Photo: UN Women/ Emad Karim.

Read and learn | Video | Social media | Around the world

2020 is here, and with it comes a generational opportunity to put women’s rights centre stage.

The world has made unprecedented advances, but no country has achieved gender equality.

Fifty years ago, we landed on the moon; in the last decade, we discovered new human ancestors and photographed a black hole for the first time.

In the meantime, legal restrictions has kept 2.7 billion women from accessing the same choice of jobs as men. Less than 25 per cent of parliamentarians were women as of 2019. One in three women experience gender-based violence, still.

Let’s make 2020 count for women and girls everywhere.

This month in Generation Equality, we are featuring New Year’s Resolutions for gender equality, celebrity and activist voices, and unveiling the themes of six Action Coalitions—global, innovative partnerships with governments, civil society, international organizations and the private sector—to be launched at the upcoming Generation Equality Forum, to deliver game-changing results for women and girls everywhere.

Small actions, big impact

Three things you can do today to learn more, raise awareness and inspire others:

  1. What will you do in 2020 to help achieve gender equality? Share your answer on social media using #GenerationEquality!
  2. Read and share Generation Equality stories
  3. Retweet @UN_Women to spread the word about six game-changing Generation Equality Action Coalition themes just announced!

Read, learn, share

UN Women staff hold up Generation Equality signs. Photo: UN Women/Kennedy Okoth
In lead up to Generation Equality Forum, Action Coalition themes announced 
Women in Guatemala City took part in a 5-kilometer race organized by the Municipality of Guatemala City. With support from UN Women, the initiative was part of the Generation Equality Campaign, and sought to involve runners and their families, from all ages, in a call to promote safe spaces and an end to violence against all women and girls. Photo: UN Women/Luis Barrueto
New Year’s Resolutions: Committing to a gender-equal 2020 
Celina Jaitly, acclaimed Indian actress. Photo: Stuart Ramson for OHCHR
I am Generation Equality: Celina Jaitly, actor and activist  

Video: A global history of women’s rights, in 3 minutes

Social media

This is your chance to show the world that you stand on the right side of history. So, what are you waiting for? Voice your commitment to an equal future on social media, using #GenerationEquality! You can download cool GIFs, slogans and more in our social media package.


Around the world

Around the world along with partners, UN Women is mobilizing for #GenerationEquality

Ms. Marlene Schiappa. Photo: UN Women/Antoine Tardy
Marlène Schiappa, Minister of State for Gender Equality and the Fight against Discrimination in France, participated in the Regional Review Meeting of the Beijing Platform for Action. In an interview with UN Women, she said, “For generations, we have been nominating men just because they are men”
group photo
Young African women expressed their generation’s stand on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls across the continent at a regional meeting in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. 
Zere Asylbek, feminist singer from Kyrgyzstan. Photo: UN Women/Antoine Tardy
“My songs are about freedom, which is for everyone, for both women and men,” says Zere Asylbek, 25-year-oldfeminist singer from Kyrgyzstan who’s calling on everyone to respect women and their choices through her songs. 

The United Nations stands for Generation Equality

UN agencies are working to advance gender equality every day, everywhere

Ms. Banda reads the inscription on her award, which comes from members of her community: “Thank you our fierce fighter, Memory." Image from video feed.

Young voices demand to be heard (UNFPA)

Memory Banda, 23, knows how to change the world: by refusing to stay silent. Banda grew up in Malawi in an area where child marriage, sexual violence and early pregnancy were common. From ending child marriage to sexual violence in conflict and tackling the climate crisis, read what young changemakers from around the world are saying.


Freshta, a young Afghan woman who earned a scholarship to study in a neighboring country. Photo: UNDP Kazakhstan

The women who want to be free (UNDP)

For young women and girls in Afghanistan, getting higher education and jobs is a priority. It’s also a powerful way to reverse poverty, says UNDP. A recent initiative is bringing Afghan women to study in neighboring Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. “This is the most beautiful moment of my life, an excellent opportunity to fulfill my dream of becoming an economist,” said Jamila, one of the young Afghan women, upon her arrival at Almaty airport in Kazakhstan.


Beth Ribblett, the owner of Swirl Wine Bar and Market in New Orleans, recommends wine to a customer. Photo: ILO/John Isaac

Women in Business 'must be knowledgeable and trust their knowledge' (UN News)

Beth Ribblett is the owner of a successful wine bar, and Kai Bussant is a milliner, a hat-maker, in New Orleans, USA. Both women work in male-dominating industries and share their experience in this story. The UN’s specialized agency for work-related issues, the International Labour Organization (ILO), is creating more opportunities for women by promoting gender equality in workforces worldwide.