Stories
Monday, March 8, 2021
As we mark the grim tenth anniversary of the crisis in Syria in the context of a deepening humanitarian situation, compounded by the impacts of an economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, now is the time to redouble efforts to advance women’s rights and to further strengthen women’s voices and leadership.
Sunday, March 7, 2021
UNFPA and UN Women acknowledge the heroic role female healthcare workers have played in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Women make up nearly 80 per cent of the regional healthcare workforce.
UN Women statement for the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM
Thursday, February 4, 2021
This International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM is a moment to lead change wherever we have a voice and influence; to fund the approaches we know work and support women’s organizations to do so; to demand accountability for community and state actions; to provide essential support for health and social services for survivors of FGM; and to listen to the voices of adolescent girls and young women, and make it possible for them to decide on what happens to their own lives and bodies.
Statement: Rebuilding better together to end AIDS for women and girls
Monday, November 30, 2020
In a statement for World AIDS Day, 1 December, UN Women highlights the need to accelerate action towards gender equality, ending violence, supporting leadership and the full enjoyment of their human rights for all young women and girls, especially those affected by both coronavirus and HIV
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
In a statement for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka writes: "As we face COVID-19’s devastation, there has never been a more important moment to resolve to put our combined resources and commitment behind the biggest issues, and to end violence against women and girls, for good."
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Following UN Security Council Resolution 2510 (2020) which endorsed the conclusions of the Berlin Conference on Libya, the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) convened in Tunis from 9 to 15 November 2020 and continued online since 23 November in pursuit of a political solution to the crisis in Libya.
Women as drivers of economic recovery and resilience during COVID-19 and beyond
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
In a statement to G20 Finance Ministers ant Central Bank Governors, UN Women and Women 20 (W20) call for COVID-19 recovery plans to address women’s distinct economic roles, contributions and constraints, and put women at the centre of investment design to realize sustainable recovery.
Including widows in the work to “build back better” from COVID-19
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
In a statement for International Widows Day, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka writes: "Widows must not be left out of our work to “build back better” from COVID-19. Let us ensure that our recovery prioritizes their unique needs and supports societies to be more inclusive, resilient and equal for all".
UN in Iraq raises the alarm: Time to endorse the anti-domestic violence law
Friday, April 17, 2020
The UN in Iraq urges the Iraqi Parliament to speed up the endorsement of the Anti-Domestic Violence Law amid alarming reports of a rise in gender-based and domestic violence cases perpetrated across the country, especially with increased household tensions as a result of the confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thursday, April 9, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic affects everyone, everywhere. But it affects different groups of people differently, deepening existing inequalities. Today we are launching a report that shows how COVID-19 could reverse the limited progress that has been made on gender equality and women’s rights – and recommends ways to put women’s leadership and contributions at the heart of resilience and recovery.
Violence against women and girls: the shadow pandemic
Monday, April 6, 2020
With 90 countries in lockdown and four billion people sheltering at home from the global contagion of COVID-19, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka highlights another deadly danger growing in the shadows: Violence against women.
United Nations Secretary-General Statement on Gender-Based Violence and COVID-19
Monday, April 6, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing untold human suffering and economic devastation around the world. I recently called for an immediate global ceasefire to focus on our shared struggle to overcome the pandemic. I appealed for an end to violence everywhere, now. But violence is not confined to the battlefield.
Gender and COVID-19 in the Arab States
Thursday, March 26, 2020
We are currently living through a period of significant change and uncertainty, as governments, with the support of the World Health Organisation, respond to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolving international public health. While all our lives are affected by the impact of COVID-19, it is vital that global, regional and national response plans address the specific implications for the health and safety of women and girls, and consider the key roles and responsibilities that women and girls undertake.
COVID-19: Women front and centre
Friday, March 20, 2020
In a statement, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka calls on governments to recognize both the enormity of the contribution women make and the precarity of so many in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Each year on 8 March the world celebrates International Women’s Day. This is an opportunity to take stock of the progress we have made to uphold the fundamental rights of women and girls in an evolving global, regional and national context. This year the celebration is particularly significant, as the international community celebrates several important milestones, including the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the ground-breaking Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the progressive global roadmap for the empowerment of women and girls.
Statement for International Women’s Day by Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
In her statement for International Women's Day (8 March), UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka calls 2020 the year for gender equality and calls on everyone to tackle the persistent barriers against gender equality.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka calls on everyone to harness the power of innovation and technology as drivers of change, and work together to empower all women and girls across the science fields.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
There is no greater tragedy that can befall any society than the loss of its children, and even more so when their lives are taken through senseless, unnecessary and cruel acts. Just one week ago, people across the Arab States region were shocked and dismayed to learn of the death of 12 year-old Nada in Assiut Governorate, Egypt, while undergoing the outlawed practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) at a private clinic.
Monday, November 18, 2019
In her message for International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka says: "If I could have one wish granted, it might well be a total end to rape".
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
In her statement for International Youth Day, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka calls to transform education by making learning accessible to all young people, regardless of their access to a physical classroom and better integrating technology into education, so that girls can connect to educational materials wherever they are.