Despite the ongoing ban on girls’ secondary education, Afghans across gender and socioeconomic backgrounds almost universally support girls’ right to learn, according to a new UN Women Gender Alert. The alert looks at the current situation for women and girls across ten key areas, including education and employment, safety and mobility, shedding light on the impact of the crystallizing system of restrictions four years after the Taliban takeover. In a nationwide, door-to-door survey of more than 2,000 Afghans, 92 per cent said it was “important” for girls to continue their…
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Jordan sets historic record for women in politics: legal reforms and leadership training drive change
A new generation of Jordanian women are participating in politics – backed by grassroots advocacy and concrete national reforms, supported by UN Women initiatives. “We want women to say, ‘This is my place’”, declares Yusra Al-Kharisha. “We want women to move into Parliament, into education and political leadership. We want them to say, “My place extends beyond the home.” In the last five years, Jordan has enacted sweeping changes to boost women’s participation as voters, election workers and political candidates. In 2024, women won almost 20 per cent of parliamentary…
Read More$420 billion annual shortfall blocking gender equality in developing countries
Developing countries are falling short by an estimated USD 420 billion a year in the funding needed to achieve gender equality under the Sustainable Development Goals. At the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Sevilla, Spain, UN Women welcomed the adoption by consensus of the Compromiso de Sevilla, which reaffirms Member States’ shared commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. Despite a difficult global context, the agreement signals a step forward in recognizing the essential role of gender equality in financing strategies. FfD4 is a critical opportunity to…
Read MorePolitical leadership roles in 2025: Men continue to dominate
New data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women reveal limited progress in achieving gender equality in political leadership at the start of 2025, the year which marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the landmark UN framework which set out the roadmap for gender equality and women’s rights. According to the 2025 edition of the IPU–UN Women “Women in politics” map, men outnumber women by more than three times in executive and legislative positions. The map presents the latest rankings of women in…
Read MoreInternational Women’s Day 2025 – For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment
On 8 March 2025, join UN Women to celebrate International Women’s Day under the theme, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” This year’s theme calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind. Central to this vision is empowering the next generation—youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls—as catalysts for lasting change. The year 2025 is a pivotal moment in the global pursuit of gender equality and women’s empowerment, as it marks the 30th anniversary…
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