In the West African country of Guinea-Bissau, more than 400,000 girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation. Despite decades of effort, the prevalence of the harmful practice has remained. Now, communities are coming together to change that. In the Gabu region, in the eastern part of the country, 24 rural communities recently united in a show of solidarity and hope, gathering to advocate for the right of women and girls to live free from harm 每 and to sign a declaration of intent to end the practice for good. Here, .
Women and Gender Equality
With over 5.5 billion people online - nearly all of them active on social media - digital platforms have become the main arena for public debate.
But a steady rise in misogynistic content online is fuelling a toxic environment that not only silences women and girls but also reinforces harmful gender norms, the UN Agency for gender equality, , warns.
Experts say that addressing this trend requires more than just protecting girls. It also means building a world where boys are free from the pressures of toxic masculinity and restrictive gender expectations.
UN Women＊s Kalliopi Mingeirou, who leads the effort to end violence against women and girls,＊s Ana Carmo the alarming spread of online misogyny 每 and what can be done to stop it.
Women remain underrepresented in legislatures worldwide, limiting their influence on policymaking. UN Women and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) work to advance women＊s political participation through leadership training, inclusive laws, and collaboration. The empowers female MPs, promotes male allyship, and backs the 2025 theme: ※§ Founded in 1889, the IPU promotes conflict resolution through dialogue and supports democratic institution-building in post-conflict nations.
Seafarers are the backbone of global trade, yet many face bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Studies show that over 50% of female seafarers, and significant number of male seafarers, have experienced harassment at sea that threatens their safety, mental wellbeing and career progression. On 25 June, the global maritime community comes together to celebrate the . This year, the International Maritime Organization ) launched the campaign 'My Harassment-Free Ship', a bold initiative to promote a culture of respect and zero tolerance for bullying and harassment at sea.
Despite global commitments to gender equality, women remain significantly underrepresented in diplomacy and political leadership, with recent trends showing troubling regression. The and both highlight systemic barriers, including discrimination, gender stereotypes, and political violence, which continue to exclude women from high-level decision-making. Bold action is needed - from implementing quotas and leadership appointments to mentorship and anti-harassment measures - to achieve meaningful, equal representation and uphold the promises of the and .
Millions of people around the world are unable to have the number of children they want 每 whether they want more, fewer, or none at all. Recently, fertility declines are making headlines, with women all too often blamed for these demographic shifts. Some governments are employing drastic measures to incentivize young people to make fertility decisions in line with national targets. But the real crisis is that the most consequential reproductive decision a human being can make 每 when, whether and with whom to have a child 每 is being undermined. Together with YouGov, conducted a of 14 countries to ask people whether they are having the families they desire. We found that alarmingly high proportions of adults are unable to realize their fertility intentions.
Thirty years after the Beijing Platform for Action, women remain underrepresented in UN peace operations, yet their leadership is crucial to building lasting global peace and security.
This year's , 28 May, to ensure that menstruation does not limit access to education, health, or opportunity. Marked since 2014, Menstrual Hygiene Day, is about the persistent inequalities surrounding menstrual health and hygiene. The Day raises awareness that investments in menstrual health can have transformative impacts on girls＊ and women＊s lives. Menstruation hygiene support is . in the aftermath of the severe earthquake there.
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.