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 Speech: Multilateralism will only remain fit for purpose if it shares power, centres women’s leadership, and delivers for the people it serves https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/speech/2026/09/speech-multilateralism-will-only-remain-fit-for-purpose-if-it-shares-power-centres-womens-leadership-and-delivers-for-the-people-it-serves Opening remarks delivered by UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous at the UNGA 81 side event, “High-level dialogue on reinvigorating feminist multilateralism”, UN headquarters, 25 September 2026. UN Women UN Women b18f8e5f-b58b-4231-9a84-7dc4962620c8 UN Women Leaders Network champions intergenerational leadership at UNGA81 https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/news/2026/09/un-women-leaders-network-at-unga81 The event’s message was clear: Achieving gender equality depends on the leadership of every generation. UN Women UN Women 45b719e9-a249-424b-a3fc-035238ba0d96 WPS Focal Points Network brings ministers together at UNGA81 to advance women’s role in global security decision-making https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/news/2026/09/wps-focal-points-network-brings-ministers-together-at-unga81-to-advance-womens-role-in-global-security-decision-making The event, “Delivering on WPS: Consolidating implementation and accountability in a fragmented security landscape” also marked the Network’s 10th anniversary. UN Women UN Women 0a315327-24c9-4cc8-88c3-fa651d28e5ff Governments, civil society, and private sector call for coordinated action to end technology-facilitated violence against women and girls https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/news/2026/09/governments-civil-society-and-private-sector-call-for-coordinated-action-to-end-technology-facilitated-violence-against-women-and-girls On the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Republic of Croatia and UN Women convened the G77 and Emerging Partners Ministerial Roundtable, “Addressing Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Women and Girls.” UN Women UN Women 2539f565-9322-42b6-b040-c4ce93ea2ef2 UN Women launches the Digital, Innovation and AI Hub dedicated exclusively to gender equality https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/09/un-women-launches-the-digital-innovation-and-ai-hub-dedicated-exclusively-to-gender-equality New global platform brings together researchers, governments, technology companies and women’s rights organizations to help shape AI and digital transformation in ways that advance gender equality and benefit women and girls. UN Women UN Women 322fc713-e3c8-44d7-b649-ac00ff21b547 AI is advancing fast. Women are being left behind in the workforce and leadership. https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/09/ai-is-advancing-fast-women-are-being-left-behind-in-the-workforce-and-leadership Men hold nearly 8 in 10 artificial intelligence jobs and almost 9 in 10 senior leadership positions shaping the technology, according to a new UN Women report launched at the United Nations General Assembly. UN Women UN Women ffd326e4-9622-43e5-bb0e-09e7069b57a7 One month after the Nepal floods, women are running community kitchens, feeding their communities, and rebuilding their lives https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2026/09/one-month-after-the-nepal-floods-women-are-running-community-kitchens-feeding-their-communities-and-rebuilding-their-lives In disasters like the Bhotekoshi floods, women and girls face the greatest impacts, including increased risk of violence and exploitation. Women also take on much greater unpaid care responsibilities than men, are forced to travel even further to secure water, and fall quicker and more deeply into poverty. UN Women UN Women e6b5f3a1-1f20-42a9-8454-33de8b605626 How conflict is experienced across three generations of Lebanese women https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2026/09/how-conflict-is-experienced-across-three-generations-of-lebanese-women UN Women spoke with Lebanese women and girls to understand how the trauma, loss, and realities of conflict are shaping their lives. UN Women UN Women 8a07d5a2-008d-4c55-840f-50694751c74f UN Women at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81) https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/media-advisory/2026/09/un-women-at-the-81st-session-of-the-un-general-assembly-unga-81 Amid a record number of conflicts, stalled progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and an organized backlash on the rights of women and girls, realizing the rights of all women and girls is more important than ever. UN Women UN Women 093636f3-15f5-4159-9a74-d2b18da3c75f Speech: When women lead and power is shared, everyone moves forward https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/speech/2026/09/speech-when-women-lead-and-power-is-shared-everyone-moves-forward Opening remarks by UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous at global launch of “Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The gender snapshot 2026”, Japan Society, New York, 23 September 2026. UN Women UN Women 4bd37026-31f4-45f4-9ef0-d3622f9251a5 Speech: Let us ensure that women are not only protected by cybersecurity, but are designing it, delivering it, and leading it https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/speech/2026/09/speech-let-us-ensure-that-women-are-not-only-protected-by-cybersecurity-but-are-designing-it-delivering-it-and-leading-it Opening remarks by UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous at the high-level event on “Women’s empowerment in cybersecurity” on the margins of UNGA81, UN headquarters, 22 September 2026. UN Women UN Women f7ef66d6-2d84-4249-936d-15360612d794 Building a safer digital future through women’s leadership in cybersecurity https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/news/2026/09/building-a-safer-digital-future-through-womens-leadership-in-cybersecurity As cybersecurity becomes increasingly central to economic stability, public trust and global resilience, UN Women and the Global Cybersecurity Forum have signed a new partnership agreement to expand women’s participation and leadership in one of the world’s most critical and fast-growing sectors. UN Women UN Women 05fbbfa7-ffa3-4f62-8142-60b95f8131b2 Speech: Let us be remembered as the generation that kept its promise to women and girls and made equality irreversible https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/speech/2026/09/speech-let-us-be-remembered-as-the-generation-that-kept-its-promise-to-women-and-girls-and-made-equality-irreversible Remarks by UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous at the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly Platform of Women Leaders, UN headquarters, 23 September 2026. UN Women UN Women c5ab6ab7-9260-41f5-958c-bc779979b21c Women’s care work fuels an unaccounted death toll in the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-briefing/2026/09/womens-care-work-fuels-an-unaccounted-death-toll-in-the-fastest-growing-ebola-outbreak-on-record UN Women warns that women account for over 54% of confirmed Ebola cases in the DRC, as care work puts women and girls at heightened risk. UN Women UN Women 2d86681c-270e-4326-b7c8-45b09c401738 One in three institutions built to advance gender equality stripped of power in just two years, new UN report reveals https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/09/one-in-three-institutions-built-to-advance-gender-equality-stripped-of-power-in-just-two-years-new-un-report-reveals The UN warns that a deliberate political retreat from gender equality is reversing decades of progress, and calls for equal power for women everywhere. UN Women UN Women 8930f408-a39d-48d2-8baa-ad39649cfb2f One in three institutions built to advance gender equality stripped of power in just two years, new UN report reveals https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/09/one-in-three-institutions-built-to-advance-gender-equality-stripped-of-power-in-just-two-years-new-un-report-reveals The UN warns that a deliberate political retreat from gender equality is reversing decades of progress, and calls for equal power for women everywhere. UN Women UN Women 8930f408-a39d-48d2-8baa-ad39649cfb2f One in three institutions built to advance gender equality stripped of power in just two years, new UN report reveals https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/09/one-in-three-institutions-built-to-advance-gender-equality-stripped-of-power-in-just-two-years-new-un-report-reveals The UN warns that a deliberate political retreat from gender equality is reversing decades of progress, and calls for equal power for women everywhere. UN Women UN Women 8930f408-a39d-48d2-8baa-ad39649cfb2f How Sudanese women uplift one another – and their communities – amid war https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2026/09/how-sudanese-women-uplift-one-another-and-their-communities-amid-war Two young Sudanese peacebuilders speak to UN Women about what it has been like to live through conflict – and to help shape the country’s path toward healing, resilience, and peace. UN Women UN Women d40edc32-3e43-4633-a712-39b792d12902 Media fact sheet: Women in the occupied West Bank fear violence and arrest, as settler attacks, military operations, and movement restrictions reach two-decade high https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/09/media-fact-sheet-women-in-the-occupied-west-bank-fear-violence-and-arrest A new analysis from UN Women reveals the extent of daily suffering endured by women and girls across the occupied West Bank. UN Women UN Women 88a26dec-adb6-4e33-a195-1da81953da3a Women in the occupied West Bank increasingly cut off from daily life, living in fear amid rising violence and restrictions https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-briefing/2026/09/women-in-the-occupied-west-bank-increasingly-cut-off-from-daily-life-living-in-fear-amid-rising-violence-and-restrictions As prepared remarks by UN Women Chief of Humanitarian Action Sofia Calltorp – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. UN Women UN Women 84f9a128-d383-4ab7-a1c3-94a5cbf3ea43 Women head one in four households in Gaza as war tears families apart and reshapes household structures https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/09/women-head-one-in-four-households-in-gaza-as-war-tears-families-apart-and-reshapes-household-structures Despite the October 2025 ceasefire, six women and girls are among those killed every week since October 2025. UN Women UN Women ba7beb88-ae5c-4bef-ac83-38401eb4d135 UN Women statement for International Equal Pay Day 2026 https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/statement/2026/09/un-women-statement-for-international-equal-pay-day-2026 On International Equal Pay Day, UN Women stands with women workers everywhere calling for equal pay for work of equal value. UN Women UN Women 9b422fd7-04a3-416c-b3f8-9b0957283c82 Speech: The progress shared from your own countries demonstrates what national leadership, strong institutions, and sustained partnership can achieve https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/speech/2026/09/speech-the-progress-shared-from-your-own-countries-demonstrates-what-national-leadership-strong-institutions-and-sustained-partnership-can-achieve Remarks by UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous during the closing of the second regular session 2026 of the UN Women Executive Board, UN Headquarters, 10 September 2026. UN Women UN Women 1895513e-8fc7-4797-8021-a947ba118fd6 Speech: You gave us a mandate that has never been more relevant; and every day, together, we make it real https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/speech/2026/09/speech-you-gave-us-a-mandate-that-has-never-been-more-relevant-and-every-day-together-we-make-it-real Remarks delivered by UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous during the opening of the second regular session 2026 of the UN Women Executive Board, UN Headquarters, 9 September 2026. UN Women UN Women 8e1bc62d-9391-40ce-949c-95442370230b Nepal floods: 43,000 women and girls need immediate humanitarian assistance https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-briefing/2026/09/nepal-floods-43000-women-and-girls-need-immediate-humanitarian-assistance Remarks by Christine Arab, UN Women Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. UN Women UN Women 00049b08-39cb-4e38-82d4-921261b9a936 Killing of Palestinians in Gaza has been so widespread that women now head one in four households, double the pre-October 2023 rate https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-briefing/2026/09/women-now-head-one-in-four-households-double-the-pre-october-2023-rate As prepared remarks by Sofia Calltorp, UN Women Chief of Humanitarian Action – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. UN Women UN Women c9682f54-e0c9-4d1d-b319-9e77a07ab408 No homes and no support: The women in Gaza trying to rebuild their lives https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2026/09/no-homes-and-no-support-the-women-in-gaza-trying-to-rebuild-their-lives Mothers Hiba and Nour are among tens of thousands of Palestinian women navigating life alone since the war. Their stories reveal how conflict reshapes families and why humanitarian access and support are urgently needed. UN Women UN Women b0412711-48d2-41e4-8383-5494de3ad5e5 A year since Afghan women staff barred from entering United Nations premises across the country https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/statement/2026/09/a-year-since-afghan-women-staff-barred-from-entering-united-nations-premises-across-the-country Statement by UN Women Special Representative in Afghanistan, Susan Ferguson UN Women UN Women 4eb507e3-e4f3-4e5f-9a0b-9bc9e408c6ce UN Women Afghanistan statement on Decree No. 12 issued by the de facto authorities https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/statement/2026/02/un-women-afghanistan-statement-on-decree-no-12-issued-by-the-de-facto-authorities The latest Decree No. 12 issued by the de facto authorities in Afghanistan further diminishes the rights of women and girls and exposes them to even greater risk of violence. UN Women calls on the de facto authorities to ensure that all laws and policies protect the rights of women and girls, in line with human rights treaties and conventions to which Afghanistan is a party. UN Women UN Women 2516a439-b9f6-4ed5-9af7-d5a0cdf7ca83 UN Women Afghanistan statement on Decree No. 18 issued by the de facto authorities https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/statement/2026/05/un-women-afghanistan-statement-on-decree-no-18-issued-by-the-de-facto-authorities As Afghanistan approaches five years since the Taliban takeover, this latest Decree, published by the de facto Ministry of Justice on 14 May 2026, sets out the conditions for separation from a spouse, raising serious concerns around child marriage and women’s consent. UN Women UN Women 3160f9f6-d4e6-4a7c-afc3-3215dcf5919c UN Women Executive Director concludes three-day visit to Jordan https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/news/2026/09/un-women-executive-director-concludes-three-day-visit-to-jordan United Nations Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous focused on advancing women’s economic empowerment and political participation. UN Women UN Women d15c3c46-e349-48da-a037-7125a5c296e1 The fatherhood programme challenging gender norms https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2026/06/the-fatherhood-programme-challenging-gender-norms Meet fathers from Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco who are embracing the joys of caregiving – to the benefit of their families and themselves. UN Women UN Women 4158c028-4859-433a-9bd1-ad4411c0be46 Alysa Liu: ‘I know my worth’ https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/interview/2026/08/alysa-liu-i-know-my-worth Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu on joy, feminism, friendship over rivalry, and joining forces with UN Women to stand up to stereotypes that shape how women and girls experience sport. UN Women UN Women c855a4ae-de2c-4e61-b505-467bcbffe127 Alysa Liu: ‘I know my worth’ https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/interview/2026/08/alysa-liu-i-know-my-worth Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu on joy, feminism, friendship over rivalry, and joining forces with UN Women to stand up to stereotypes that shape how women and girls experience sport. UN Women UN Women c855a4ae-de2c-4e61-b505-467bcbffe127 Nearly 160,000 women and girls impacted by Nepal flash floods https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/08/nepal-floods Survivors now face severe shortages of food and water, disrupted health and protection services, and heightened risks of violence and exploitation. These risks are particularly acute for women and girls. UN Women UN Women 1c9b2a10-c90e-4931-98bf-01a957de376d Alysa Liu: ‘I know my worth’ https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/interview/2026/08/alysa-liu-i-know-my-worth Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu on joy, feminism, friendship over rivalry, and joining forces with UN Women to stand up to stereotypes that shape how women and girls experience sport. UN Women UN Women c855a4ae-de2c-4e61-b505-467bcbffe127 One man’s quest to end female genital mutilation (FGM) in Mali https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2026/08/one-mans-quest-to-end-female-genital-mutilation-fgm-in-mali After years of defending FGM as a cultural practice, Sidi Haidara came to a realization: No tradition should come at the expense of a girl’s health, rights, or future. UN Women UN Women fc4ff932-e10c-425e-85f2-769bede7eba8 Five years after the Taliban takeover: the normalization of the exclusion of women and girls in Afghanistan https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/08/five-years-after-the-taliban-takeover-the-normalization-of-the-exclusion-of-women-and-girls-in-afghanistan New UN Women data reveals that half of Afghan women interviewed leave home only once or twice a month because of the severe restrictions on their movement and access to public spaces. UN Women UN Women 3a28c70a-414b-421b-918a-836d20bdfa41 Five years after the Taliban takeover: the normalization of the exclusion of women and girls in Afghanistan https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2026/08/five-years-after-the-taliban-takeover-the-normalization-of-the-exclusion-of-women-and-girls-in-afghanistan New UN Women data reveals that half of Afghan women interviewed leave home only once or twice a month because of the severe restrictions on their movement and access to public spaces. UN Women UN Women 3a28c70a-414b-421b-918a-836d20bdfa41 Five things to know about women and sport https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2024/07/five-things-to-know-about-women-and-sport Women's sports are on a winning streak, reaching new heights and shattering records. From the Olympics achieving gender equality to the growing audience for women's sports, there is much to celebrate and explore. Yet many gender gaps remain. Here are five key things to know about women and sport:  UN Women UN Women 6cc50c2e-31a5-485d-862c-8888e6d03497 Five things to know about women and sport https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2024/07/five-things-to-know-about-women-and-sport Women's sports are on a winning streak, reaching new heights and shattering records. From the Olympics achieving gender equality to the growing audience for women's sports, there is much to celebrate and explore. Yet many gender gaps remain. Here are five key things to know about women and sport:  UN Women UN Women 6cc50c2e-31a5-485d-862c-8888e6d03497 Five things to know about women and sport https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2024/07/five-things-to-know-about-women-and-sport Women's sports are on a winning streak, reaching new heights and shattering records. From the Olympics achieving gender equality to the growing audience for women's sports, there is much to celebrate and explore. Yet many gender gaps remain. Here are five key things to know about women and sport:  UN Women UN Women 6cc50c2e-31a5-485d-862c-8888e6d03497 Making investment in violence prevention a priority https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/explainer/2023/11/making-investment-in-violence-prevention-a-priority If current trends continue, more than 340 million women and girls— 8 per cent of the world’s female population—will live in extreme poverty by 2030. UN Women UN Women fa669d7f-fa09-451e-af93-de17b8c1cf46 Making investment in violence prevention a priority https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/explainer/2023/11/making-investment-in-violence-prevention-a-priority If current trends continue, more than 340 million women and girls— 8 per cent of the world’s female population—will live in extreme poverty by 2030. UN Women UN Women fa669d7f-fa09-451e-af93-de17b8c1cf46 Your guide to CSW67 https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/explainer/2023/02/your-guide-to-csw67 In March of every year, activists, advocates, experts and governments from around the world come together for the annual meeting of the Commission for the Status of Women (CSW). The 67th CSW session, 6-17 March 2023, the first in-person CSW since 2019, will convene under the theme: “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”  UN Women UN Women 36be649b-4813-403f-907c-5725a9da7c59 How can gender equality reduce poverty? https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/explainer/2024/02/how-can-gender-equality-reduce-poverty Explainer article on how achieving gender equality can reduce poverty among women and girls. UN Women UN Women 056c57b1-23e6-458d-9f0c-1abfdbca6e14 Your guide to CSW67 https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/explainer/2023/02/your-guide-to-csw67 In March of every year, activists, advocates, experts and governments from around the world come together for the annual meeting of the Commission for the Status of Women (CSW). The 67th CSW session, 6-17 March 2023, the first in-person CSW since 2019, will convene under the theme: “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”  UN Women UN Women 36be649b-4813-403f-907c-5725a9da7c59 How can gender equality reduce poverty? https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/explainer/2024/02/how-can-gender-equality-reduce-poverty Explainer article on how achieving gender equality can reduce poverty among women and girls. UN Women UN Women 056c57b1-23e6-458d-9f0c-1abfdbca6e14 How can gender equality reduce poverty? https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/explainer/2024/02/how-can-gender-equality-reduce-poverty Explainer article on how achieving gender equality can reduce poverty among women and girls. UN Women UN Women 056c57b1-23e6-458d-9f0c-1abfdbca6e14 Sustainable Development Goal 5 https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/explainer/2022/09/explainer-sustainable-development-goal-five In 2015, UN Member states universally adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, encompassing three core elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. Together, these interconnected principles form the basis of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which provide a blueprint for progress across all areas of life. Gender has its own Goal, SDG 5—with the ambition of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls—and is mentioned explicitly in 10 of the other Goals. Each SDG contains specific objectives that can be measured and tracked over time, allowing us to check our progress as we approach the 2030 deadline. There are nine objectives within SDG 5, which UN Women and UNDESA take annual stock of in our Gender Snapshot report. Learn more about these nine objectives, and find out how near—or far—we are from reaching them in 2022. UN Women UN Women 303b5d6d-03be-45f1-a6f7-34e45c82d7f2