Today, only one in three researchers is a woman. The International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February) is a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in science and technology communities and that their participation should be strengthened. Under the theme of 鈥淚nnovate. Demonstrate. Elevate. Advance. Sustain. - Bringing Everyone Forward for Sustainable and Equitable Development鈥, the 8th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly will focus on the role of women and girls in science as relates to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). #WomenInScience
Some 4.2 million girls are at risk of the harmful practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) during 2023 alone. Partnerships with men and boys can make the largest global impact in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals target of eliminating FGM by 2030. Be part of the of this year鈥檚 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (6 February) and share with the world: #MenEndFGM!
A group of worried women gathered at a community centre on the outskirts of Afghanistan鈥檚 capital, Kabul. Many have recently completed a livelihoods training project run by local NGO in partnership with the . But the future of the project and the women hangs in the balance. Recent decrees issued by Afghanistan鈥檚 authorities have barred female employees with non-governmental organisations from going to work. If the decree is not amended, projects such as this one, which involves female NGO staff training other women, will be unable to continue.
In 2022, amidst conflict, crisis, and a growing global pushback on gender equality, pushed forward. Looking ahead to 2023, the UN agency is calling on everyone around the world to work together to ensure that women鈥檚 rights are upheld, their leadership is guaranteed, their needs are met in times of crisis, and their lives are always free of violence.
Emel Mathlouthi was named the 鈥榲oice of the Tunisian revolution, after a video of her performing a version of the song 鈥楳y Word is Free鈥, during a Tunisian street protest, went viral online during the Arab Spring.
Her music was banned by the regime, and she became known as the "voice of the Tunisian revolution." Three years later, she was invited to perform the song at the Nobel 探花精选 Prize ceremony.
Over the years, Emel鈥檚 musical journey has led her to incorporate electronica and digital glitches, but it was clear from talking to her, that she hasn鈥檛 lost her revolutionary spirit.
Original music that appears in is included with the kind permission of the artists. All rights reserved.
Ranu was married at 14 and lost her first child in pregnancy at 16. To combat gender inequality and advocate for girls in her village, Ranu joined a -supported group of activists in Bangladesh.
In conflict and crises around the world, women and girls from the frontlines are almost always hardest hit, yet against all odds, are ushering change. Supported by and partners, women around the world are standing up and transforming their lives, their communities, and the world. Because when women鈥檚 voices are heard, development thrives, economies grow, and peace prevails.
鈥淎 gender equal world is a more accessible, more free, and more peaceful world,鈥 said Pashtana Dorani. 鈥淚t is a fascinating world, where men and women have equal pay; a world where girls and boys are not told which colour is for which or told they cannot play sports or do anything.鈥 The efforts of women human rights defenders like Dorani continue to be indispensable for the rights of women and girls. supports the courageous women demanding an end to discrimination and advocating for legal reforms to ensure their rights and justice.
Inas is now a volunteer at a -supported safe space in Jabilya, in the Gaza Strip, where she was helped to leave an abusive marriage and get medical treatment for her cancer.
Around the world, women musicians are producing art in the face of the challenges they face in society, whether related to conflict, human rights, climate change, inequality, or simply because of their gender. is a new UN podcast, where ten inspiring women musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds talk to us about their challenges as women in a male-dominated industry, overcoming barriers, and what drives them to continue creating music. !
Gender-based violence is one of the world鈥檚 most pervasive human rights鈥 violations. Every woman in every part of the world deserves to live without fear, threats and violence. is taking action to prevent, respond to and address gender-based violence (GBV) in more than 150 countries.
At a roundtable discussion on , Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres made a rallying call to partners to summon the political will and recommit to women as key agents of peace. In the presence of four women leaders from Mali, Central African Republic, Darfur and Cyprus, the Secretary-General heard about the progress and remaining challenges in a number of key areas including women鈥檚 participation in peace processes and conflict resolution, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and ensuring women鈥檚 voices as voters and candidates in elections.
In conflicts and crises, women and girls are almost always hit hardest. During the COVID-19 pandemic, women were nearly twice as likely as men to lose their jobs, and there鈥檚 been an increase in . The climate emergency is another example of how women and girls face greater hardship in times of crisis. Yet, around the world women are Meet 16 of the millions of changemakers, partners and advocates who tirelessly fight to make a difference from the frontlines of crises.
Violence against women and girls remains the most pervasive human rights violation in the world, affecting more than 1 in 3 women鈥攁 figure that has remained largely unchanged over the last decade. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (Nov 25) launches , a 16-day campaign that encourages us all to show solidarity with feminist movements and advocates around the world. Whether you鈥檙e a seasoned activist or just getting started, here are you can act now to end violence against women and girls.
In the midst of interlinked crises around the world threatening progress on women鈥檚 rights and pushing women out of the paid economy, Goodwill Ambassador Anne Hathaway called on leaders of the global business community to put women at the heart of economic growth and recovery. UN Women has observed that care that is appreciated and properly valued in all its forms is a critical missing link in unlocking the full potential of women in the economy and in society. Watch the video to find out more.