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Though women are active agents of peace, their leadership remains largely unrecognized. UN ̽����ѡkeeping continues to push for their full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes.

Today, the UN Security Council marks 20 years since the historic vote that recognized, for the first time, the unique impact conflict has on women and the critical role they play in conflict prevention and resolution. The Council will convene its annual Open Debate on to ensure a COVID-19 response that is truly inclusive and rooted in the power of women-led peace, as a transformative opportunity towards a more, sustainable and equitable world. on 29 October, at 10:00 a.m. EDT.

In Pakistan, women are major contributors to agricultural production and food security for their families, but like many other nations, the COVID pandemic has exacerbated an already alarming gender gap there. Mina Dowlatchahi, Food and Agriculture Organization () Representative to Pakistan, explains to Charlotta Lomas, , despite the corrosive impact of the pandemic. 

Teen. Girl. Activist.

Rural women, nature and development: An agenda to advance towards just, inclusive and, resilient societies

“Teaching girls how to read and write is one of the biggest ways I can make a difference,” says Rimu Sultana Rimu, an 18-year-old peace activist, who is part of the Young Women for Leadership (YWL) network in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, one of the world’s largest refugee settlements. She runs workshops on women and youth participation in peacebuilding, educates young women about their rights, using theater and radio broadcasts. UN Women spoke with Rimu on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of UN Security Council resolution 1325, which continues to shape the agenda for women, peace and security.

What do data tell us about progress towards the commitments made in the 25 years ago?

A report released on the International Day of the Girl Child shows that 180 million more girls have enrolled in primary and secondary education since 1995. However, despite an increase across all levels of education, girls are still more likely to suffer exclusion than boys, and this is further exacerbated by the current pandemic. It therefore remains vital for governments to tackle persisting discrimination to achieve equality for the next generation of girls, argues the .

On International Day of Rural Women (15 October), the spotlight is on the urgent need for strengthening rural women’s sustainable livelihoods and wellbeing. They play a crucial role in agriculture and are at the front lines of responding to the pandemic even as their . Gender-responsive investment to expand basic infrastructure and healthcare services in rural areas has never been more critical. calls to support rural women to rebuild their lives after COVID-19 and to increase their resilience to better prepare for future crises.

commemorates Beijing+25, the most visionary agenda for achieving gender equality. COVID-19 crisis threatens to undo many of the gains on gender equality over the past 25 years. 

Today’s more than 1.1 billion girls are poised to take on the future. However, progress for adolescent girls has not kept pace with the realities they face, and COVID-19 has reinforced many of these gaps. Under the theme , International Day of the Girl Child 2020 will focus on adolescent girls’ being free from violence, learning new skills and leading for change. Let’s seize the opportunity to be inspired by what adolescent girls see as the change they want, the solutions - big and small - they are leading in and demanding across the globe.

Twenty years ago, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 1325 on Women, ̽����ѡ and Security, underscoring the importance of women’s involvement in peace and security issues. Since, the UN has prioritized gender parity in peacekeeping, peacemaking, and conflict prevention. “” celebrates the impact women are making in UN peacekeeping and special political missions around the world as they serve in civilian, military, police and justice and corrections roles, and  to help it achieve all its peace and security mandates.

Promises to keep: Meeting the Nairobi Summit commitments

In 2010, the General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution to merge four parts of the United Nations system into .

The question is not whether women can lead as capably as men. Instead asks why is women’s leadership invisible? How women lead for the wellbeing of all, in just five stories.