International Women’s Day 2020

Photo: Paula Kindsvater CC BY-SA 4.0

Statement | Video | Top stories | News | Social media | Around the world

Women’s rights and gender equality are taking centre stage in 2020.

Twenty-five years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—a progressive roadmap for gender equality—it’s time to take stock of progress and bridge the gaps that remain through bold, decisive actions.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day (8 March) is, “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”.

The Generation Equality campaign is bringing together people of every gender, age, ethnicity, race, religion and country, to drive actions that will create the gender-equal world we all deserve.

Together, we want to mobilize to end gender-based violence; we are calling for economic justice and rights for all; bodily autonomy, sexual and reproductive health and rights; and feminist action for climate justice. We want technology and innovation for gender equality; and feminist leadership.

Small actions can have big impacts in making this vision a reality. On International Women’s Day, join #GenerationEquality and become part of the movement.

• Statement for International Women’s Day by Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
  In her statement for International Women's Day (8 March), UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka highlights 2020 as the year for gender equality and calls on everyone to tackle the persistent barriers against gender equality.

Small actions, big impact

From the Liberian women’s sex strike paving the way for peace to the Icelandic “Women’s Day Off” demanding economic equality to the global impact of the #MeToo movement, history has taught us that change can happen through collective activism. Generation Equality brings you 12 Small Actions with Big Impact for Generation Equality that you can take every day.

Video: We are #GenerationEquality

Around the world and through the decades, we have all shared in the global struggle for gender equality. Regardless of our age, country, background or gender, the fight for equal rights has collectively defined our lives and we must take action together to achieve it. This International Women’s Day, UN Women’s multi-generational campaign, Generation Equality, brings together past and present advocates to demand gender equality in this generation.

Top stories

News

• Press release: Ahead of International Women´s Day, new UN Women report warns that progress towards gender equality is lagging and hard-fought gains are under threat
• Closing remarks by Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the official commemoration of International Women’s Day in New York
• Press release: Netflix and UN Women launch special collection curated by 55 groundbreaking women in entertainment
• Media advisory: International Women’s Day 2020 events

Social media

It’s time to speak up for women’s rights! Show the world that you are #GenerationEquality by clicking here and tweeting a message of solidarity. International Women’s Day is an opportunity to use your platforms to empower each other and support women everywhere who are mobilizing for an equal future. Use #IWD2020 to join the movement and check out our social media package to download fun GIFs, illustrations, videos, data cards and slogans!

•  Check out the automatic emoji on Twitter when using the official hashtags #IWD2020 and #GenerationEquality.
•  Search for Generation Equality stickers to use on your Instagram stories & show your feminist colors.
•  Find out which feminist you are with the @unwomen face filter on Instagram.

In photos

Around the world

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

Elena Crasmari: How a Moldovan woman with disabilities fought for her rights and won an election

My Take, Your Take: Fighting for justice and gender equality in Liberia

The United Nations stands for Generation Equality

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

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Justice and compassion for rape survivors (UNDP)
One in three women and girls worldwide experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most frequently by an intimate partner. But in in Fiji, according to the UN, that figure rises to two in three, or 64.1 percent, the second highest rate in the world. Find out how UNDP is working with the European Union to enable sexual assault survivors seek justice and services. Read more ►

See our coverage of International Women's Day in the past: 2019, 2018,2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012