UN Women

Around the world and through the decades, we have all shared in the global struggle for gender equality.

Environmental journalism's vital role in highlighting climate impacts and advocating for press freedom, emphasizing the need for accurate information dissemination amid the environmental crisis.

Natacha Sangwa's inspiring journey breaks stereotypes and empowers girls in technology, highlighting the importance of mentorship in shaping an inclusive tech industry.

UN Women, partnering with a Palestinian women's NGO, offers vital aid and advocacy, ensuring women's needs are met and their voices heard amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Woman washing her face under a running tap

The disproportionate burden of crises, including protracted conflicts and climate change, falls heavily on women and girls, amplifying care demands that often go unrecognized.

Urgent action is needed to advance women's economic empowerment, as highlighted by the 2024 International Women's Day theme 'Invest in women: Accelerate progress'. 

Approximately half of the world's 281 million international migrants are women and girls, but this demographic faces significant hazards during migration, including the risk of exploitation in domestic employment and increased vulnerability to violence.

A group of women and men walking in destroyed Gaza.

The people of Gaza are in the midst of an epic humanitarian catastrophe. UNWOMEN offers a snapshot of how women and girls in Gaza have endured attacks and displacement. 

Women’s demonstration in Quito, Ecuador

Worldwide, nearly one in three women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence at least once in her life. Yet only 5% of government aid goes to addressing gender-based violence, and less than 0.2% to its prevention. We need more investment in women's organizations, legislation, justice and services for survivors. This International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25) marks the start of our 16-day activism campaign, UNiTE! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls to demand action. Spread the message: No excuse!

A woman with a loudspeaker is demonstrating in the street with other women.

On 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, UN Women launches an annual UN-wide campaign. During the following 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the UN entity dedicated to gender equality asks governments, institutions and citizens to show how much the world cares about ending violence against women and girls under the theme "UNITE! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls. Some 736 million women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a partner, sexual violence by a non-partner, or both, at least once in their lives. No country is within reach of eliminating intimate partner violence.

Female footballers doing a hand stack

UN Women is partnering with FIFA on two calls to action: the first to “Unite for Gender Equality” and the second to “Unite for Ending Violence against Women, critical for a peaceful and sustainable world.

According to a new global report launched by UN Women and UNDP, no country has achieved full gender parity and fewer than 1 percent of women and girls live in a country with high women’s empowerment and a small gender gap. Analysis of 114 countries has found that women’s power and freedom to make choices and seize opportunities remain largely restricted. Globally, women achieve, on average, 72 percent of what men achieve across key human development dimensions, as measured by the Global Gender Parity Index (GGPI), reflecting a 28 percent of gender gap.

A woman on a UN army vehicle

Celebrating women peacekeepers

As peacekeeping has evolved throughout the years, women have been increasingly deployed in police, military, and civilian operations. Their heightened representation continues to have a tangible impact on peacekeeping environments. This year marks the 75th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping which honors all uniformed and civilian individuals who have served and continue to serve in UN peacekeeping operations around the world for their valuable contributions to peace. UNWOMEN celebrates the contributions of women peacekeepers

UN Women highlights the importance of collecting gender-environment data to improve women and men’s lives. It shows women and men in Tonga talk about their interactions with the environment, the effects of climate change, and the impact of disasters.

Delegates gather in the General Assembly Hall at UN Headquarters in New York.

Everything you need to know about the 67th session of the Commission for the Status of Women (SCW); a global gathering of gender equality champions.