What we do

All human development and human rights issues have gender dimensions. UN Women focuses on priority areas that are fundamental to women’s equality, and that can unlock progress across the board.

Voters turn out in Dili to cast their vote for the parliamentary elections in the morning. (Photo: UNMIT/Martine Perret, 7 July, 2012)
Women’s leadership and political participation
From the local to the global level, women’s leadership and political participation are compromised. Women are underrepresented as voters, as well as in leading positions, whether in elected offices, civil services, the private sector or academia. This occurs despite their proven abilities as leaders and agents of change, and their right to participate equally in democratic governance.
Women's economic empowerment at work
Economic empowerment
Investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth. Women make enormous contributions to economies, whether in businesses, on farms, as entrepreneurs or employees, or by doing unpaid care work at home.
On a Wednesday in May 2012, inspired by snowballing social media discussions on sexual harassment in Egypt, a group of independent activists took the conversation to an offline public. They aimed to build support in Cairo and beyond, using the most simpl
Ending violence against women
Violence against women and girls is a grave violation of human rights. Its impact ranges from immediate to long-term multiple physical, sexual and mental consequences for women and girls, including death.
A Chilean Peacekeeper with the United Nations Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) hands out explanatory flyers at the inauguration of a bridge project in the northern Haitian city of Cap Haitian. MINUSTAH Engineers and Chilean Peacekeepers have completed major st
Peace and security
UN Women supports women’s full and equal representation and participation in all levels of peace processes and security efforts. UN Women leads on implementing the women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda through research initiatives, data collection, learning exchanges, and documentation of good practices to inform policy and programming.
Photo: UNICEF/Shehzad Noorani
Humanitarian action
Humanitarian efforts must recognize the fact that women and girls—like men and boys—have much to contribute in preparing for, and responding to, crises. Women must be included in decision-making about the forms of assistance and protection they need. Humanitarian action can also present opportunities for new and more progressive gender roles and relationships to emerge.
Governance and national planning
National plans, policies, institutions and budgets are where governments begin to translate commitments to women into practical progress towards gender equality. Too often, however, they overlook measures to ensure that public services respond to women’s needs and priorities.
The opening of the Youth Forum at the 60th session of the Commission of the Status of Women, 11 March 2016 in New York. Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown
Youth and gender equality
The force and inspiration of our youngest leaders are critical drivers for accelerating progress on sustainable development and gender equality.
Palestinian girls participating in a wheelchair basketball championship in Gaza in December 2015. Photo: Samar Abu Al-ouf.
Women and girls with disabilities
Recognizing that gender-neutral approaches to disability inclusion perpetuate discrimination and vulnerability, UN Women has made concerted efforts to promote disability inclusion and gender equality, including by establishing and strengthening partnerships and contributing to amplifying the voices of women and girls with disabilities.
Are we on track to achieve gender equality by 2030?
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
In 2015, countries agreed on the need for comprehensive financing for development, adopted a new sustainable development agenda, and charted a universal and legally binding global agreement on climate change. Concluding a negotiating process that spanned more than two years and featured the unprecedented participation of civil society, governments united behind an ambitious agenda that features 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets to be achieved by 2030.
HIV/AIDS
HIV and AIDS
Gender inequality contributes to the spread of HIV. It can increase infection rates, and reduce the ability of women and girls to cope with the epidemic. Often, they have less information about HIV and fewer resources to take preventive measures.