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Around the world and through the decades, we have all shared in the global struggle for gender equality.

The world has made unprecedented advances, but no country has achieved gender equality. Legal restrictions have kept 2.7 billion women from having the same choice of jobs as men. Less than 25% of parliamentarians are women. One in three women experiences gender-based violence. International Women’s Day, 8 March, is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women. This year’s theme, , is aligned with ’s campaign marking the of the . Let’s make 2020 count for women and girls everywhere!

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Global Issues:
Gender Equality

According to Estelle Koussoube, a senior economist at the World Bank, and Kehinde Ajayi, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development (CGD), investing in the economic success of adolescent girls in Africa can transform the continent. To learn more, listen to a new episode of the World Bank's podcast.

The journey of Viany Nguemakoue Djouffa — a former domestic worker turned entrepreneur, activist, and community leader - is one of defying expectations, reclaiming dignity, and building networks of support that transcend nationality and circumstance. Djouffa’s story began like many migrant workers’ in . She arrived from Cameroon in 2015 seeking work to support her family, entering into Lebanon’s kafala system — a sponsorship-based labour structure that often leaves migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. However, unlike many who remain trapped within the system, Djouffa found a way to carve out her independence. Drawing on her skills as a trained tailor, she launched her own workshop, creating a sustainable livelihood outside the confines of domestic work.

“Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation" is the theme of this year's (24 April). This global initiative serves as a powerful platform to inspire girls and young women to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as well as information and communications technology (ICT). The aim is to empower them to become active contributors to the digital society, economy and ecosystem. Let's work together to make a lasting impact. Join us today and help make every day a celebration of #GirlsinICTDay.

Maryam was forced to record a message for her parents while in detention, facing a mock execution for protesting against systemic discrimination against women and girls in Iran. Despite her fear, she expressed determination, saying she would die with purpose. Two and a half years after the protests began, women and girls in Iran still face severe persecution. A recent UN Human Rights confirms that Iranian authorities are implementing new restrictions on their rights and intensifying crackdowns on supporters of the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement. The report was recently presented to the in Geneva.

Anandita Philipose, leading UNFPA's work in Lebanon, addresses exploitation, violence, and protection risks, striving to safeguard women's health and dignity.

The Central African Republic is one of the worst places for women, marked with widespread illiteracy, poverty and gender-based violence.

It’s been 30 years since the established a global roadmap for advancing the rights of women and girls. Despite some progress, economic inequalities remain deeply entrenched in societies, exacerbating issues like domestic violence. Insufficient social protections, such as paid parental leave and childcare, along with higher tax rates for female earners, negatively impact women’s lives. The UNDP's for Public Institutions is a voluntary program in over 100 institutions across 30 countries, aimed at enhancing policy reforms to better address the diverse needs of women.

It will take an estimated 137 years to end extreme poverty for women and 257 years to close the pay gap between women and men. But what if we choose not to wait? In 2025, the world can choose to invest in gender equality so all of society benefits. Instead of waiting centuries, let’s choose to do it now. 

Lake Prokoško, located in the Vranica mountain range, is a stunning natural monument in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Declared a regional nature park in 1982 and a national nature monument in 2007, it faces threats from illegal construction and environmental degradation. Selma Kadrić Muharemović from the Public Utility Company ‘Šćona’ emphasizes the importance of protecting the lake through sustainable tourism initiatives like ecotourism, traditional crafts, and organic farming, supported by funding from protected area manager associations. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, women-led organizations are instrumental in preserving natural heritage. The five-year 'Sustainability of Protected Areas' project aims to enhance conservation and create opportunities for advocacy and empowerment. These efforts seek to ensure the protection of the country's rich biodiversity for future generations.

Today, over 60 million women and girls worldwide are either forcibly displaced or stateless. Many have fled from conflict, violence, and human rights abuses, yet they continue to live on the frontlines of crises, often separated from loved ones and exposed to greater risks of poverty, exploitation, and further violence. These women face significant obstacles as they strive to continue their education, secure employment, and access healthcare and other essential services.  However, it’s important to recognize that they are more than just refugees or survivors of displacement; they are mothers, students, business owners, leaders, and skilled professionals. Given the opportunity, their knowledge and lived experiences can contribute valuable solutions to their communities. The UN Refugy Agency () is committed to ensuring that the voices of displaced women are included in decision-making processes that affect their lives.

In Kairouan, central Tunisia, a shelter established by women's human rights defenders provides protection, psychological care, medical consultations, and legal support for women and children who are survivors of gender-based and domestic violence. “Victims are given a safe space to be heard and assessed,” says director Manel Kochat. The center also focuses on economically empowering survivors through vocational training in skills like sewing, pastry-making, and hairdressing, helping them achieve self-sufficiency and escape the cycle of poverty and exploitation. On International Women’s Day, the UN Human Rights () recognized the efforts of women activists and feminist movements in the fight against violence towards women and girls.