In a world where real women are breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings, the United Nations has fallen short, choosing a comic book character as its Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls.
Campaign to Elect a Woman as Secretary General to the United Nations Fails
Antonio Gutteres, former prime minister of Portugal and leader of the UN refugee agency, was elected UN Secretary General last week, a disappointing end to a formal campaign attempting to elect a woman as the next leader of the United Nations.
October 11th Marks International Day of the Girl
Today we celebrate International Day of the Girl, a 100% youth led movement fighting for social justice for the 1.1 billion girls around the world.
Historic Climate Change Agreement Reached in Paris
On Saturday, representatives from 198 countries approved a plan to prevent increased global warming by cutting greenhouse gas emissions globally.
UN Reports Major Decrease In Maternal Mortality Worldwide
A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division reveals a 44 percent drop in maternal mortality worldwide since 1990.
World Commemorates International Day of the Girl Child
On Sunday, the world celebrated the fourth annual International Day of the Girl Child. Created by a United Nations Resolution in 2011, The Day of the Girl is meant to recognize the power of girls, while also addressing the problems that force millions of girl to drop out of school and not realize their potential.
World Leaders Commit to Ending Gender Discrimination at UN Summit
On the 20th anniversary of the fourth world conference on women in Beijing, leaders from around the globe met with the UN to discuss concrete and measurable plans for eliminating discrimination against women.
New Data Reveals Slow Progress For Women in Global Leadership
On anniversary of United Nations’ resolution, new data shows that most countries are far behind on their goals for women in positions of global leadership.
International Women’s Day Ushered in Activism and the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women
International Women’s Day this year marked a march for women’s rights attended by thousands of people and the beginning of a two-week long UN Commission on the Status of Women.
Worldwide Attacks Against Schoolgirls Are on the Rise
Despite legal protections for gender equality, around 3,600 attacks against schools, students, and teachers were recorded in just the year 2012 alone.
Senator Boxer Urges President to Continue Support for UN Population Fund
The United States restored its funding for UNFPA under President Obama in 2009.
#HeForShe Campaign Launches Pilot Effort Aimed at Institutional Equality
The United Nations’ gender equality campaign #HeForShe has launched a new program called IMPACT 10X10X10.
Groups Demand Gender-Responsive Climate Policy at UN Convention
The talks are a continuation of the UN Climate Summit in New York earlier this year, and a precursor to the 2015 climate meeting in Paris, where world leaders are expected to finalize a new global climate agreement.
On World AIDS Day, UN Women Calls for Fast-Tracking Gender Equality to Stem Epidemic
UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka reminded the international community that to end AIDS, we must first work to eradicate gender inequality.
UN Committee Reviews US on Police Brutality and Gender-Based Violence
Police brutality, military sexual assault, and gender-based violence in the US came under scrutiny this week.
12 Countries Have Called on El Salvador to Stop Criminalizing Abortion
“Now more than ever the international human rights community must continue to advocate and pressure the Salvadoran government to ensure women’s reproductive rights.”
Girl Activists Spoke Out at the United Nations on International Day of the Girl
The designated day was created to raise awareness that gender inequality is still alive and well, and is worse in developing countries.
UN Speaks Out Against Islamic State’s Attacks on Women
The United Nations last week condemned the brutal killings of women by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also know as ISIS.
UN Ambassador Says the World Needs a “Wake-Up Call” on Ebola Crisis
“This should be a wake-up call for the international community. It’s the worst Ebola epidemic we’ve seen in history.”
Reproductive Justice Activists Testify Before UN About Health Care Discrimination
A joint study by three major women’s health advocacy groups calls attention to the overwhelming disparity in health outcomes for women of color in the United States. The results of the study are now under the consideration of the United Nations.