Statement from UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on the anniversary of George Floyd’s death

Globally, George Floyd’s death has renewed conversations about inequalities, racism, discrimination, disenfranchisement and violations of human rights on almost every continent. His murder has brought significant progress in many areas including in processes of law enforcement but there remains difficult work ahead to dismantle all forms of racial injustice and discrimination in every country.

We unite today across the world through a day of anti-racism solidarity and celebrate the rekindling of the global racial justice movement. We acknowledge and condemn the rise of other forms of violent discrimination, such as anti-Asian racism, that have arisen over the past year. And we acknowledge too, how for so many women, racial discrimination is yet one more barrier they face in addition to those raised by their gender. Today we assert again the rights of all people to live and to thrive, free from fear, in safety and dignity.