Remarks by Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous, at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security

Date: Thursday, October 21, 2021

In her remarks to the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous said: "If we want to see a tangible difference in the lives of women and girls and a paradigm shift in the way we confront peace and security issues, we need governments to step up."

I am Generation Equality: Caryn Dasah, peacebuilder

Date: Thursday, October 21, 2021

Caryn Dasah, 29, is a peacebuilder and social justice and gender equality advocate from Cameroon. Dasah, a member of the Beijing+25 Youth Task Force, was recently elected General Coordinator of the Cameroon women’s peace movement, which is a constellation of women-led civil society organizations.

From where I stand: “If women are not part of decision-making processes… all the achievements we made would vanish”

Date: Thursday, October 21, 2021

Naheed Farid was among many women leaders who left Afghanistan, fearing for their lives, as the Taliban took over in August 2021. Farid spoke at the UN recently, calling for international support to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and to safeguard women’s rights.

Take five: Investing in gender equality and women peacebuilders makes for lasting peace

Date: Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Paivi Kannisto is the Chief of Peace and Security at UN Women with more than two decades of experience in international development and peace and security. As the UN Security Council prepares to meet for the Open Debate on women, peace and security on 21 October, Kannisto explains the state of progress and the need to invest in local women peacebuilders.

Press release: UN Women and AFD unveil new Report on Public Development Banks’ contributions to advancing gender equality

Date: Wednesday, October 20, 2021

UN Women and the Agence française de développement have launched the “Public Development Banks Driving Gender Equality” report, with learnings from participating institutions on their contribution to gender equality.

Media advisory: Afghan women to voice their priorities and concerns in the context of the Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security

Date: Monday, October 18, 2021

In the context of the Open Debate, UN Women together with partners will host a number of events that will bring together Afghan women leaders and women human rights defenders with key global actors on topics relevant to Afghanistan’s future, to advocate for an inclusive and peaceful Afghanistan that upholds the human rights of all.

Your questions answered: Women in Haiti

Date: Friday, October 15, 2021

UN Women answers some frequently asked questions about the current situation in Haiti and how it impacts women and girls.

UN Women statement on the International Day of Rural Women

Date: Wednesday, October 13, 2021

This International Day of Rural Women offers us a renewed opportunity to commit to a different way of organizing our world, to build on the vision of the Feminist Plan and on the outcomes and multistakeholder commitments of the recent United Nations Food System Summit, so that rural women benefit equally from their productivity, with good food enjoyed by all.

Women agricultural producers in North Macedonia get help to grow their businesses

Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Under a new measure achieved through gender-responsive budgeting, 250 women farmers received financial support to expand their businesses.

From where I stand: “Although women farmers work hard, many remain poor due to multiple barriers”

Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Mariamu Rasidi Tungu is one of the many women farmers in rural Tanzania. Together, UN Women and UNFPA are jointly supporting them to increase their production, and train them in new skills to boost their incomes, economic resilience and agency.

Press release: Building inclusive resilience in the Pacific through the new Women’s Resilience to Disasters Programme

Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021

On International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, UN Women in partnership with the Government of Australia, launches the Women’s Resilience to Disasters Programme in the Pacific

Supporting rural and Indigenous women in Argentina as gender-based violence rises during the COVID-19 pandemic

Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, femicide is on the rise in Argentina, and Indigenous and rural women who experience violence face multiple barriers to accessing the services and support they need. But the country’s civil society and women’s organizations are determined to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, even in the most challenging of circumstances.

Op-ed: Afghanistan’s women are critical to its survival

Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021

In an op-ed for the Global Governance Project, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous writes: "The international community, including G20 leaders, have an opportunity to work together in unity to prevent the reversal of the hard-won rights of Afghan women and girls and to work constructively to enable a more inclusive trajectory that will actively foster peace and resilience in Afghanistan – and the region."

Expert’s take: Gender equality is critical for Afghanistan’s future, long-term development, and sustained peace

Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Alison Davidian, Deputy Representative for UN Women in Afghanistan, breaks down what women in Afghanistan need most right now, what UN Women is doing for women in the country, and how the international community can support Afghan women now.

Take five: “Afghan women will not go backwards”

Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Hasina Safi served as Afghanistan's acting minister for women from May of 2020 until August 2021, and as Minister of Information and Culture before that. Ms. Safi has over 20 years’ experience in women development programs working with Afghan civil society organizations international organizations and UN agencies.

International Day of Rural Women theme: Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All

Date: Friday, October 8, 2021

This year, the International Day of Rural Women (15 October), puts a spotlight on “Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All.”

UN Women Statement for International Day of the Girl Child

Date: Thursday, October 7, 2021

On this International Day of the Girl, let us work together to ensure that girls are connected, supported and empowered so that we are co-leading the journey of digital transformation.

I am Generation Equality: Nidhi Mayurika, young innovator and space enthusiast

Date: Thursday, October 7, 2021

Nidhi Mayurika is a 17-year-old student from Bangalore, India, who is a three-time winner of the NASA Ames Space Settlement Contest. Nidhi is a space enthusiast and wants to create awareness about climate action using a scientific approach.

From where I stand: Learning sessions gave me the courage to aim for a career as a police officer and end illegal behaviour against women

Date: Thursday, October 7, 2021

Jesmin Aktar lives in a village of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. She regularly attends UN Women's "Shanti Khana" [Multi-Purpose Women's Centre – MPWC] learning sessions and is dedicated to improving her life by pursuing a challenging job and contributing to society.

Addressing the digital gender divide in Africa through the African Girls Can Code Initiative

Date: Thursday, October 7, 2021

As we celebrate International Day of the Girl Child, we hear from some of the participants of the African Girls Can Code Initiative as they share what they learned on this journey, and how they are using their newfound skills to benefit their communities.