UN Women – News https://www.unwomen.org/en Latest news from UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. en UN Women statement: Drone attacks by day and sexual violence by night leave no safe window for women and girls to collect water amidst rainy season in Sudan’s El Obeid https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/statement/2026/07/drone-attacks-by-day-and-sexual-violence-by-night-leave-no-safe-window-for-women-and-girls-to-collect-water-amidst-rainy-season-in-sudans-el-obeid UN Women is gravely concerned by the emerging pattern of violence against women and girls in El Obeid, Sudan. UN Women UN Women f864bad1-ccee-469e-8010-0dd3a261b8f7 Why the Men’s World Cup 2026 is a gender equality opportunity https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/media-advisory/2026/06/why-the-mens-world-cup-2026-is-a-gender-equality-opportunity As the Men’s World Cup 2026 is set to command more global attention than any other event, the game that moves the world remains unequal at its foundation. Every World Cup is a chance to change that. UN Women UN Women f2e6b8ad-8e57-46d4-b727-f373f02ee846 The community godmothers protecting women against violence in Senegal https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2026/07/the-community-godmothers-protecting-women-against-violence-in-senegal The “Badienou Gokh” open their homes to women and girls experiencing abuse – and step into the spaces where formal systems don’t reach. UN Women UN Women 865deeac-5c2e-4f21-a1e2-f1b1f0323c26 In focus: Women in Afghanistan one year after the Taliban takeover https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/in-focus/2022/08/in-focus-women-in-afghanistan-one-year-after-the-taliban-takeover One year ago, on 15 August 2021, the Taliban entered Afghanistan’s capital city of Kabul and captured control of the country. Over the past 12 months, human rights violations against women and girls have mounted steadily. Despite initial promises that women would be allowed to exercise their rights within Islamic law—including the right to work and to study—the Taliban has systematically excluded women and girls from public life. UN Women UN Women dbc030a1-f046-47cd-9f40-ad9649fe8623 In focus: 77th Session of the UN General Assembly https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/in-focus/2022/09/in-focus-77th-session-of-the-un-general-assembly The 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) opened on Tuesday, 13 September 2022, with the high level debate running from Tuesday, 20 September to Monday, 26 September. This year’s theme, “A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges”, acknowledges the shared roots of crises such as COVID-19, climate change and conflict—and the need for solutions that build global sustainability and resilience. UN Women UN Women b6d03904-24e4-4c2f-aca8-908aba50ba48 What it is like to survive female genital mutilation (FGM) https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2026/01/what-it-is-like-to-survive-female-genital-mutilation-fgm Learn what life after FGM looks like and why legal bans on the practice alone are not delivering justice for women and girls. UN Women UN Women 798b0891-ca34-4839-9ec2-e269b5f1cbe7 Female genital mutilation in Mali: The fight to end a deadly tradition  https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2025/02/female-genital-mutilation-in-mali-the-fight-to-end-a-deadly-tradition In Mali, where 89% of women have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM), advocates like Siaka Traoré are fighting to end this deadly tradition. With no national law banning the practice, Mali has become a safe haven for FGM, drawing families from neighboring countries and even Europe. Survivors speak out about the devastating consequences, while activists push for legal and cultural change. Learn how communities are working to break the cycle and protect future generations. UN Women UN Women 64ec97bf-81fa-477e-a1bc-77ecf2f79f82 UN Women statement on the impact of the recent military escalation in the Middle East on women and girls https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/statement/2026/04/un-women-statement-on-the-impact-of-the-recent-military-escalation-in-the-middle-east-on-women-and-girls UN Women echoes the UN Secretary-General’s welcome of the announcement of a two-week ceasefire by the United States and Iran and his alarm at the wave of Israeli strikes across Lebanon, with reports indicating that hundreds of people have been killed and injured this week alone, including women and girls. UN Women continues its calls for a lasting and just peace in the region - one that upholds the rights, safety and dignity of all women and girls. UN Women UN Women 8530310d-16cb-4014-addc-68995e49ad0e Kathmandu is a caring city – here’s what that means for women https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2026/07/kathmandu-is-a-caring-city-heres-what-that-means-for-women Transforming care through policy, services, urban infrastructure, and shared responsibility in Kathmandu, Nepal UN Women UN Women 281dda61-b275-42a2-a845-dc865f85a445 Aid cuts, employment bans, movement restrictions: The triple threat to Afghan women https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2026/07/aid-cuts-employment-bans-movement-restrictions-the-triple-threat-to-afghan-women Women’s organizations, often the last remaining lifeline for Afghan women and girls, are struggling to survive under the combined pressure of aid cuts, and employment and movement restrictions. UN Women UN Women 42109c92-880b-46cc-8d63-12386d1a8210 UN Women at the High-Level Political Forum 2026: Placing gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at the heart of sustainable development https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/media-advisory/2026/06/un-women-at-the-high-level-political-forum-2026-hlpf At HLPF 2026, UN Women calls for renewed commitment, stronger partnerships, and accelerated action to ensure that women and girls benefit equally from progress across all SDGs. UN Women UN Women 81ff5285-7c16-420d-8d40-cdc0fa0ac5c4 Aid cuts decimate services for women and girls as women’s organizations struggle to stay afloat https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-briefing/2026/07/aid-cuts-decimate-services-for-women-and-girls-as-womens-organizations-struggle-to-stay-afloat Remarks by Sofia Calltorp, UN Women Chief of Humanitarian Action – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on 10 July UN Women UN Women 17378c47-9da1-4341-a1e4-8426ebd2dc43 At least one million women and girls lose access to critical support as aid cuts dismantle women’s organizations working in humanitarian crises https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/07/at-least-one-million-women-and-girls-lose-access-to-critical-support A new UN Women report finds that 84 per cent of women’s organizations report that demand for their services has increased since January 2025, while nearly nine in 10 can no longer meet current levels of need. UN Women UN Women 73419c6d-1bf7-4bb2-aa06-5c69b255d87a At least one million women and girls lose access to critical support as aid cuts dismantle women’s organizations working in humanitarian crises https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/07/at-least-one-million-women-and-girls-lose-access-to-critical-support A new UN Women report finds that 84 per cent of women’s organizations report that demand for their services has increased since January 2025, while nearly nine in 10 can no longer meet current levels of need. UN Women UN Women 73419c6d-1bf7-4bb2-aa06-5c69b255d87a At least one million women and girls lose access to critical support as aid cuts dismantle women’s organizations working in humanitarian crises https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/07/at-least-one-million-women-and-girls-lose-access-to-critical-support A new UN Women report finds that 84 per cent of women’s organizations report that demand for their services has increased since January 2025, while nearly nine in 10 can no longer meet current levels of need. UN Women UN Women 73419c6d-1bf7-4bb2-aa06-5c69b255d87a More than 38,000 women and girls were killed in Gaza between October 2023 and December 2025 https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/04/more-than-38000-women-and-girls-were-killed-in-gaza-between-october-2023-and-december-2025-un-women Six months after the ceasefire, and as regional developments shift global attention, UN Women warns that women and girls in Gaza remain at critical risk. UN Women UN Women 64c36b5f-a5f6-41c2-b6d5-c5544b40a373 Haiti opens first state-supported safe houses for women and girls, as gangs continue to weaponize sexual violence https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-briefing/2026/06/haiti-opens-first-state-supported-safe-houses-for-women-and-girls-as-gangs-continue-to-weaponize-sexual-violence Remarks by Marie Goretti Nduwayo, UN Women Representative in Haiti – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on 12 June. UN Women UN Women 268c75c9-60f9-4d21-8c7c-d26f610e2428 No country in the world has reached full legal equality for women and girls https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/03/no-country-in-the-world-has-reached-full-legal-equality-for-women-and-girls From protection against gender-based violence to equal pay, women and girls remain unequal under the law, as impunity for violations of their rights persists worldwide, said UN Women. UN Women UN Women 4785c4cd-0351-4acf-b095-93115ce5e3f3 Ongoing killing and displacement of women and girls in Lebanon under a fragile ceasefire https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-briefing/2026/05/ongoing-killing-and-displacement-of-women-and-girls-in-lebanon-under-a-fragile-ceasefire Remarks by Moez Doraid, UN Women Regional Director for Arab States – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva UN Women UN Women dca5c8fc-887d-482e-9e8f-e5bee3a843ac War in Ukraine becomes deadlier for women and girls, more than 1,500 days after full-scale invasion https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-briefing/2026/05/war-in-ukraine-becomes-deadlier-for-women-and-girls-more-than-1500-days-after-full-scale-invasion Remarks delivered by Sabine Friezer Gunes, UN Women Representative in Ukraine – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva UN Women UN Women 32571018-415b-4c6e-995e-fef4f53130b8 Lebanon conflict drives mental health crisis for displaced women: ‘We hear, see and feel pain constantly’ https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2026/04/lebanon-conflict-drives-mental-health-crisis-for-displaced-women-we-hear-see-and-feel-pain-constantly Escalating conflict in Lebanon has forced hundreds of thousands of women and girls to flee their homes, and women are on the frontlines of the response UN Women UN Women 497b9c4c-dd0f-43cb-ade5-91fbea2faf80 For 50 years, women have been overrepresented in Ebola deaths – UN Women fears the current outbreak will follow the same pattern https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/statement/2026/05/for-50-years-women-have-been-overrepresented-in-ebola-deaths-un-women-fears-the-current-outbreak-will-follow-the-same-pattern Statement by UN Women delivered by Chief of Humanitarian Action Sofia Calltorp at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. UN Women UN Women 63275255-1fe5-4227-8cb4-8f1fe07b3eb6 UN Women statement: Women and girls account for the majority of laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/statement/2026/06/women-and-girls-account-for-the-majority-of-laboratory-confirmed-ebola-cases The reality of this current outbreak follows the same pattern that history has repeatedly shown us: women and girls are disproportionately affected in past Ebola outbreaks. UN Women UN Women 48df56bd-b385-4f40-9a94-54ea6f5675dc UN Women Executive Director’s message for World Water Day https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/statement/2026/03/un-women-executive-directors-message-for-world-water-day A message from UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous for World Water Day, 22 March 2026. UN Women UN Women 92c38fe6-5005-425d-b216-ae62aa103321 Media fact sheet: Five reasons why the care economy is one of the most transformative investments of our time https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/06/media-factsheet-five-reasons-why-the-care-economy-is-one-of-the-most-transformative-investments-of-our-time Care work is the invisible foundation of every economy and society. UN Women is helping to reduce the unequal care workload on women and girls and build care systems that work for everyone. UN Women UN Women 1e2799e8-b041-408a-946b-d9cf994b0afd Women lead peacebuilding efforts in Colombia, Lebanon, and Malawi through dialogue, mediation, and justice https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2026/06/women-lead-peacebuilding-efforts-in-colombia-lebanon-and-malawi Across the world, women are leading local peacebuilding efforts, strengthening their communities. UN Women UN Women 64f8b2db-790f-4228-8946-486a8c7c4538 In East and Southern Africa, care is everyone’s business – and it’s changing lives https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2025/10/in-east-and-southern-africa-care-is-everyones-business-and-its-changing-lives East and Southern Africa governments are prioritising investing in the care economy. From unpaid care work time-saving solutions in Rwanda to safer care jobs in South Africa, communities are proving that care work is real work that is reshaping economies. UN Women UN Women 058e6ccb-cd62-4a6b-a0ab-0c8b36027da1 In Latin America, we’re not just recognizing care work – we’re rebuilding economies around it https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2025/06/in-latin-america-were-not-just-recognizing-care-work-were-rebuilding-economies-around-it Discover how Latin America is leading a care revolution by recognising and valuing the care work that women and girls shoulder. UN Women UN Women 82054009-a20c-4cd4-953e-c302af96f98c Speech: Sports is really a good way of showcasing the strength that women and girls have https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/10/speech-ed-phumzile-sport-for-generation-equality-event Remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the UN Women Sport for Generation Equality event. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women d20224e4-7c3c-4775-9ca5-706d59fa02f4 Speech: We look forward to a Peace and Security agenda that brings benefit to women and girls fast rather than slowly, because each day passed is a day lost. https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/10/speech-ed-phumzile-security-council-open-debate-on-women-peace-and-security Statement by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to the UN Security Council, on the 20th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325, presenting the Secretary-General’s report on Women, Peace and Security. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women c8357b33-ad5d-461d-98ae-4e9237e01386 Speech: The women that you have been inviting have inspiring stories and a powerful message. It is your turn to show that you have been listening. https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/10/speech-ga-danai-gurira-security-council-open-debate-on-women-peace-and-security Statement by UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and award-winning playwright and actor, Danai Gurira, to the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security. UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Danai Gurira UN Women ac948209-c3b1-4846-ac0b-1537fa0b2c17 Speech: There is a growing momentum and strong political engagement to address violence against women and girls https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/11/speech-ed-phumzile-international-day-for-the-elimination-of-violence-against-women Opening remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women 95dc2437-10c3-4f83-a593-da4247b06a2f Speech: Breathe new life into our common cause https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/12/speech-ed-phumzile-international-conference-on-women-peace-and-security Opening remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka for the International Conference on Women, Peace and Security, “Strengthening Women’s Role in Building and Sustaining Peace: From Commitments to Results″, in Viet Nam. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women a17f0133-3004-46cd-93f1-b92f1cec853c Speech: This is the time to accelerate the attainment of women’s rights https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/1/speech-ed-phumzile-launch-citizens-call-for-a-gender-equal-world-a-roadmap-for-action Remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the virtual launch event for “Citizens Call for A Gender-Equal World: A Roadmap for Action”, a public perception survey in 17 countries by Women Deliver & Focus 2030. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women a7025c27-2057-4850-adfa-d8298368c53f Speech: Building back green, equitable, gender-responsive and inclusive https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/2/speech-ed-phumzile-executive-board-first-regular-session-2021 Opening remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the UN Women Executive Board First Regular Session 2021. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women 70c59854-7614-4221-b85d-89650f88baad Speech: If women are not mentioned, women will not benefit https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/2/speech-ed-phumzile-closing-remarks-executive-board-first-regular-session-2021 Closing remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the First Regular Session of the UN Women Executive Board. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women 8b981ed7-ac3e-4674-8230-bd0ab77d5f4f Speech: No human rights scourge is more prevalent than gender inequality https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/2/speech-sg-guterres-46th-regular-session-of-the-human-rights-council Remarks by UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, to the opening of the high-level segment of the 46th regular session of the Human Rights Council. UN Secretary-General António Guterres UN Women a027bf98-6edd-4adc-881c-8245e8fe109b Speech: We have the responsibility to call out under-representation of women https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/3/speech-ed-phumzile-international-womens-day Opening Remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the UN Observance of International Women’s Day 2021, “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world on the way to the Generation Equality Forum”. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women 52b3d555-04ad-4e84-8172-7a97e896eee1 Speech: CSW65, a defining moment in a time of crisis to propel gender equality https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/3/speech-ed-phumzile-opening-remarks-csw65 Opening remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the opening of the 65th Commission on the Status of Women. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women 15ad49a6-8727-4287-bbd6-38c00bc22955 Speech: Agreement on action for a just, safe, and sustainable planet https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/speech/2022/03/speech-agreement-on-action-for-a-just-safe-and-sustainable-planet Closing remarks by UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous to the 66th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, on 25 March 2022. UN Women UN Women f07693b5-894f-4325-8fe8-82be5e9a5340 Speech: ‘The excitement about Generation Equality is something you can now feel and touch’ https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/3/speech-the-excitement-about-generation-equality Remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, interactive virtual side event on the Generation Equality Forum: The road to Mexico, Paris and beyond. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women 6395a0fe-3da3-4217-ba34-c6a82f7d3bc2 Speech: Women need to be front and centre of the recovery from the pandemic https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/3/speech-women-need-to-be-front-and-centre-of-the-recovery-from-the-pandemic Remarks by UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, at the Town Hall with Civil Society, during the 65th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. UN Secretary-General António Guterres UN Women f273066d-c8c8-4d42-be17-f53ca7868f54 Speech: Demanding bold outcomes https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/3/speech-demanding-bold-outcomes Remarks by UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, at the Town Hall with Civil Society and the UN Secretary-General. UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women 70546cfb-7b20-4d60-8287-70142cc3c540 Speech: This is supposed to be a moment and an opportunity to reset our countries https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/3/speech-this-is-supposed-to-be-a-moment-and-and-opportunity-to-reset-our-countries Remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) National Chapters: Driving Women’s Leadership in Africa. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women 268fea23-3a9f-4ed8-ac0b-f462c394bdba Speech: We listen to the voices of women and girls in our capitals, in our villages, and in our towns https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/3/speech-we-listen-to-the-voices-of-women-and-girls Remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the closing of the 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women 01acb629-c916-4ab2-8c81-85bd10a12fea Speech: Syria’s future will not be sustainable without the participation and contribution of women https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/3/speech-syrias-future-will-not-be-sustainable-without-the-participation-and-contribution-of-women Remarks by UN Women Deputy Executive Director of Åsa Regnér at Brussels V Conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region”. UN Women Deputy Executive Director Åsa Regnér UN Women e8da1b1b-87a1-4352-a583-a284e2d44a57 Speech: It is time to regroup and re-energize our quest to create a more equal, more just, more sustainable world https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/3/speech-it-is-time-to-regroup-and-re-energize-our-quest Remarks by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the Generation Equality Forum, in Mexico. UN Secretary-General António Guterres UN Women 69b29e4f-ba98-4025-b0db-07d282a4b8ab Speech: Eradicating stereotypes – one of the most destructive barriers to progress https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/3/speech-eradicating-stereotypes-one-of-the-most-destructive-barriers-to-progress Remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the Launch of Mexico National Chapter of the Unstereotype Alliance. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women 7a891590-81a0-46e5-9d45-20f0e615a8ef Speech: Converting hope into strategy, investment, and unstoppable action https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/3/speech-converting-hope-into-strategy-investment-and-unstoppable-action Remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the Opening Plenary on Women’s Transformative Leadership for Gender Equality at the Generation Equality Forum, in Mexico. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women da69d2a2-1392-4d65-ad9a-db42da814564 Speech: Standing with women everywhere, united in calling for change https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/3/speech-standing-with-women-everywhere-united-in-calling-for-change Opening remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, at the Generation Equality Forum, in Mexico. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka UN Women ef73134a-03b9-4706-b52f-f00d21a80c53