Âé¶ą´«Ă˝

“2.6 billion people don't have access to the internet … if you're not part of the digital revolution, you're not going to be part of the AI revolution – we’ve got to close that gap.”

Doreen Bogdan-Martin’s fascinating career handed her a front row seat for the digital revolution. Now Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), she’s among those leading global efforts to set guardrails on the use of Artificial Intelligence.

“I think we've never seen anything like this before … the plane is in flight and we're building it while we're flying - it's tremendous.”

AI presents huge opportunities for humanity, but also poses great risks. In this episode, Doreen Bogdan-Martin reflects on working to ensure the humane and sustainable use of AI, on connecting the billions around the world who are not yet online, and on juggling a career with four children.

Photo: ©ITU/D.Woldu

The 65 million people living in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are on the front lines of the climate crisis. Each climate-related disaster poses a risk to people’s lives, livelihoods, homes, safety, and access to services. This risk is not gender-neutral. Gender-based violence (GBV) increases during crises, while services, including GBV-support and maternal and newborn health care, are disrupted. is to protect women and girls living on the climate crisis front line in the Pacific.

Collecting data on sexual orientation and gender identity in censuses and surveys is crucial for ensuring the inclusion and well-being of LGBTIQ+ individuals in sustainable development and decent work efforts, aligning with the 2030 Agenda's commitment to leave no one behind.

In Artibonite, Haiti, a shelter provides crucial support and sanctuary for survivors of gender-based violence, led by dedicated volunteers and bolstered by initiatives like 's rehabilitation efforts.

Amid a global backlash against women’s rights, women are committed to championing rights and representation. Survey results from 185 countries show that 86 per cent cite climate change, and more than 50 per cent identify conflict as primary concerns for the next decade.

Menstrual health and hygiene are vital to the well-being and empowerment of women and adolescent girls. However, hundreds of millions of individuals lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities for menstrual health. Under the theme "Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld," this year's (28 May) urges the international community to prioritize menstrual health in both global and national health and development policies with investment reflecting the important role it plays in human rights, public health, gender equality and sustainable development.

The world has a gender equality problem, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) mirrors the gender bias in our society. Although globally more women are accessing the internet every year. The gender digital divide creates a data gap that is reflected in the gender bias in AI. Who creates AI and what biases are built into AI data (or not), can perpetuate, widen, or reduce gender equality gaps. Removing gender bias in AI starts with prioritizing gender equality as a goal, as AI systems are conceptualized and built. The AI field needs more women, and that requires enabling and increasing girls’ and women’s access to and leadership in STEM and ICT education and careers. Here, young women participants work together on a laptop at during an African Girls Can Code Initiative's coding bootcamp held at the GIZ Digital Transformation Center in Kigali, Rwanda in April 2024.

Hasina's inspirational journey showcases the resilience and potential of Afghan women in ICT, highlighting the transformative power of education and technology.

Why do and the humanitarian workers we support continue to help the seemingly endless number of women and girls in need? Because we care, and we know you do too.

Learn more about to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. 

At the 1994 , world leaders recognized that sustainable development requires prioritizing human rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, and empowering women and girls. While progress has been made, it has not been equal for everyone, and crises like climate change and war threaten to roll back advances. 30 years later, 47 UN Member States are meeting to assess progress and commit to closing gaps and ensuring rights and choices for all.

In Ethiopia's Somali Region, women are not only building businesses but also resilience against climate change through empowerment initiatives that provide training, access to markets, and financial services.

roundtable unites leaders in sport and government to combat gender-based violence, emphasize survivor voices, advocate for data-driven policies, and promote inclusive narratives for a safer and more equitable sports culture worldwide.

Despite women now constituting 40% of high-skill occupations worldwide, their involvement in ICT-related fields remains disproportionately low. This year's celebrations emphasize the crucial necessity for influential female role models in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. The 2024 event, under the theme of "Leadership," highlights the importance of exposing girls and young women to leadership roles in STEM, aiming to inspire them and dismantle barriers that impede their advancement. Let's support #GirlsinICTday!

Released for 2024 International Women’s Day, “” is a documentary film following the lives of Anee, Fabiana, Mkasi and Taina – four young women across three continents who struggle to fulfill their right to education

Today in Geneva, the United Nations Population Fund () unveils its flagship report "". The report calls for global action to dismantle unjust and discriminatory structures that hinder millions from realizing their full rights and potential. Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, along with a panel of experts, will delve into the report's compelling evidence on the systemic and intersectional discrimination impacting women's health and well-being.