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They make up 49.7% of the global population, yet women and girls are often ignored in discussions on demographics, with their rights violated in population policies. This pervasive injustice keeps women and girls out of school, the workforce and leadership positions; limits their agency and ability to make decisions about their health and sexual and reproductive lives; and heightens their vulnerability to violence, harmful practices and preventable maternal death, with a woman dying every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth.

The world is more connected than ever, thanks to our always-evolving technology. But with such advancements come opportunities for harm, with predators finding new ways to perpetuate gender-based violence, using technology for harassment, cyberstalking, doxing, sextortion. brings us the stories of three world-changing women who are working to combat digital violence – creating new laws, technologies and support systems – and to end gender inequality, which creates an imbalance of power and a vulnerability to violence, both in the real and virtual worlds.

This year’s World Population Day focused on unleashing the power of gender equality. Women and girls make up 49.7% of the global population, yet they are often ignored in discussions on demographics, with their rights violated in population policies. We must advance gender equality to create a more just, resilient and sustainable world. When women and girls are empowered by societies to exert autonomy over their lives and bodies, they and their families thrive. highlights the need to advance gender equality to help realize the dreams of all 8 billion of us on our planet.

When Tropical Cyclone Freddy slammed into Madagascar, Mozambique and Malawi, 32,000 pregnant women were due to give birth within weeks. The destruction of homes, health facilities and travel routes during the cyclone made childbirth much more perilous. Around 5,000 of the women could expect to experience complications in their final months of pregnancy or during childbirth, which, without access to skilled care, could prove fatal. A climate crisis is an obstetric emergency. After a two-hour journey on an ambulance recently repaired by , Mercy, 37, gave birth to healthy twin boys.

Silvia Francisco joined the programme, aimed at empowering younger generations across Angola to take charge of their sexual and reproductive health – to help an HIV+ relative.

sheds light on the consequences of war on domestic violence in Ukraine and its support services to the survivors.

helps us discover the real-life stories of three Ukrainian mothers who each gave birth amidst the chaos of the war in Ukraine. Anna and her 2-month-old baby trapped beneath the Azovstal Steel Plant. Maryana, a frontline medic captured by Russian soldiers in Mariupol while pregnant. Ania who gave birth in an occupied city without electricity or water and with limited medical care.

When armed groups attacked her village, seven months pregnant Tantine escaped with her family. Her luck took a turn for the better when she learned about a mobile clinic operating in the camp.

The devastating Türkiye earthquake left pregnant women and new mothers in crisis. has been on the ground from day one, coordinating with partners to reestablish sexual and reproductive health and protection services in Syria and Türkiye.

To tackle period poverty,  and its partners manufacture sanitary pads and distribute them among women and girls in The Gambia.

is providing vital maternal health care to ensure women give birth safely as maternity hospitals in Syria are under immense strain after the recent earthquakes.

Health systems and communities are falling short in ending obstetric fistula. Gender discrimination and social marginalization create additional risks, resulting in fistula disproportionately occurring among impoverished, underserved and marginalized women and girls. leads the global Campaign to End Fistula, a drive to transform the lives of vulnerable women and girls. The 20-year-old campaign represents a global commitment to fistula prevention and holistic treatment, including surgical repair and social reintegration and rehabilitation.

highlights 5 reasons women and girls in Syria and Türkiye still need your support 3 months later after the devasting earthquake.  

The single most important factor in stopping preventable maternal and newborn deaths: access to midwives. And yet the world is of these essential service providers. Addressing this deficit could prevent two-thirds of maternal and newborn deaths, saving more than by 2035. What’s necessary now is the political will to expand the ranks and reach of midwives around the world. With that in mind, the theme for the International Day of the Midwife this year is “Actioning Evidence: Leading the Way to Enhance Quality Midwifery Care Globally.”

Instead of celebrating the world’s population landmark of 8 billion people, media reports have been overwhelmingly fearful. ’s asks what is fact and what is fiction.