Stories
- Executive Director (393)
- Ending violence against women and girls (153)
- Deputy Executive Director, Intergovernmental Support and Strategic Partnerships (139)
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment (130)
- UN Women administration (127)
- 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (114)
- Peace and security (92)
- Commission on the Status of Women (84)
- Intergovernmental processes (76)
- Economic empowerment (69)
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Friday, September 17, 2021
"UN Women's role in promoting the empowerment of women and girls and ensuring that their rights are safeguarded has never been so critical as it is in this moment. The solidarity and commitment that you brought to this session will be essential in ensuring that UN Women can carry out its essential mandate on the road ahead," said Acting Executive Director Pramila Patten.
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
"We must stand in solidarity with Afghan women as we define and implement our collective humanitarian response. Daily, we see new violations of women’s human rights which left to continue unchecked will jeopardize decades of progress", said UN Women Deputy Executive Director Anita Bhatia.
Thursday, September 9, 2021
“Women have a right to peaceful protest and to a life free of violence. In taking control of Afghanistan the Taliban authorities assume a duty to respect and protect these rights,” Pramila Patten said.
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
“Women’s political participation is a fundamental prerequisite for gender equality and genuine democracy. Women’s participation in all walks of life is essential for an inclusive, strong, and prosperous society in Afghanistan, both to meet the many challenges the country faces today and to succeed tomorrow. It is therefore critical that political decision-making processes are participatory, responsive, equitable, and inclusive,” stated Pramila Patten.
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
In a statement calling for women's inclusion in the upcoming governance entity of Afghanistan, UN Women acting Executive Director Pramila Patten says: "The immediate inclusion of women in the governance structure of the new leadership in Afghanistan will be the ultimate litmus test for the Taliban".
Statement by UN Women on the situation in Afghanistan
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
In line with the statement by the UN Secretary-General, UN Women remains fully committed to support women and girls in Afghanistan. We will remain operational and engaged with our partners at this critical juncture for the country.
Monday, August 9, 2021
On International Youth Day, 12 August, we recognize the critical efforts of young people around the world to support and foster the health of our planet.
UN Women statement on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, 9 August 2021
Monday, August 2, 2021
Today, on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we join the call for a new social contract that will let us rebuild our world in a way that is forward-looking, equitable and targeted to the most marginalized.
Sunday, August 1, 2021
Since February 1, women and girls have been at the frontlines as leaders of civil society organizations, civil servants, activists, journalists, artists and influencers exercising their fundamental rights to express their hopes for the future of their country. Even before the coup, women, who make up 75 per cent of Myanmar’s healthcare professionals, were at the forefront of the COVID-19 response. Now, during a tragic surge in COVID-19 cases, many women continue in their activism and serve their communities while also assuming significant responsibilities as caregivers for sick family members, and for their children’s home-based learning.
Friday, July 2, 2021
In her remarks at the closing ceremony of the Generation Equality Forum in Paris, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said: "I have seen the world jump together and shake the world of patriarchy. It has not all collapsed, but it is in bad shape, and I think that we can only get better from here."
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
In her remarks at the opening ceremony of the Generation Equality Forum in Paris, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said: "Generation Equality is about change. It is about moving from making promises to telling us what you are going to do in order for the situation of women to change."
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
In her remarks to the UN Women Executive Board annual session, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said: "UN Women will continue to fight for organizational and cultural change that ends sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment until it is achieved for all."
Monday, June 21, 2021
In her opening remarks to the UN Women Executive Board annual session 2021, UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka looks back on eight years of progress for UN Women.
Monday, June 21, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has strained health systems, widened socio-economic gaps, and shifted strategic, political, and funding priorities, all of which disproportionately affect women and girls, particularly those who are most marginalized. The doubled risk of death for men from COVID-19 has not only created more widows; the pandemic has in many cases magnified the impact of the challenges they face, for example when confronted by extreme poverty from being disinherited from land and property with no alternative source of support.
UN Women statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
Friday, June 18, 2021
Today, as we observe the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, UN Women looks ahead to the Generation Equality Forum in Paris and the opportunities that it brings for collective actions that avert repeated cycles of violence and build inclusive and durable peace.
Statement: Set women at the heart of recovery decisions and processes
Monday, June 14, 2021
Statement by Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on the outcome of the summit of G7 nations.
Statement: Women and girls must be at the heart of the fight for climate justice
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Statement by Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka for World Environment Day, 5 June 2021
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
In a statement on the first anniversary of the death of George Floyd, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said: "We unite today across the world through a day of anti-racism solidarity and celebrate the rekindling of the global racial justice movement".
UN Women statement for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
Friday, May 14, 2021
In marking this International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia and every day, we emphasize that at UN Women we work for you; we stand with you, and in respect for, honour and celebration of the diversity and resilience of LGBTIQ+ peoples globally.
Statement by UN Women on the situation in Afghanistan
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
UN Women joins the United Nations Secretary-General and the UN family in Afghanistan in strongly condemning the horrific attack near a school in Dasht-i-Barchi, Kabul, Afghanistan, that killed and injured scores of civilians, including many girls. Attacks such as this constitute a grave violation of the rights of children and human rights more broadly.