Africa: One Woman Killed Every 10 Minutes - the Harrowing Global Reality of Femicide

A sobering report released by UN Women and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Monday reveals that in 2023, 140 women and girls died every day at the hands of their partner… Read more »

Africa: A City Safe for Women Is Safe for All - Women's Voices Lead At World Urban Forum in Cairo

One of the main messages conveyed by women leaders, activists, young people and others gathered for a discussion on Wednesday in Cairo at the World Urban Forum was that: "a city… Read more »

Africa: New UN Push to Ensure Women's Equal Participation Peace

The UN on Thursday launched the "Common Pledge" initiative, designed to bring together mediators, governments, and civil society to ensure the full, equal and meaningful engagement… Read more »

Africa: How to Advance Women's Roles in Peace and Security

Ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Haiti, Sudan and Ukraine and beyond reveal that females are disproportionately affected - from gender-based violence to rape used as a tool of war - but… Read more »

Africa: 'Trauma That Echoes Across Generations' - UN Highlights Weaponisation of Sexual Violence

The United Nations marked 15 years of its mandate on sexual violence and conflict with a commemoration ceremony held in New York on Wednesday. Read more »

Africa: Number of Women Killed in War Doubled in 2023 - UN Report

The proportion of women killed in armed conflicts doubled last year compared to 2022, accounting for 40 per cent of all deaths in war, while UN-verified cases of conflict-related… Read more »

Africa: Two Billion Women Without Access to Social Protection

A UN Women report reveals that policies ranging from cash benefits to healthcare and pensions are not being extended to enough women and girls, leaving them more vulnerable to… Read more »

Africa: Trailblazing Women Win Top UNHCR Award for Life-Changing Work

Five trailblazing women - a nun, an activist, a social entrepreneur, a volunteer aid worker, and an advocate for ending statelessness - have been named the winners of this year's… Read more »

Sudan: Women and Girls in Sudan Disproportionately Impacted By Ongoing Conflict

Women and girls in the midst of the brutal conflict between rival militaries in Sudan are being disproportionately impacted, including 5.8 million who are now displaced, according… Read more »

Africa: At World Women's Forum, UN Deputy Chief Urges Action On Gender Equality

The UN Deputy Secretary-General called for stronger efforts in women's empowerment, gender equality, and climate action in remarks to the World Women's Forum in Mongolia this week. Read more »

Africa: Gender Equality At Risk - UN Officials Highlight Danger of Pulling Peacekeepers Out

Senior UN officials on Wednesday warned of the consequences for protection of women and their rights in conflict zones, amid recent decisions to close or shrink peacekeeping and… Read more »

Africa: Millions of Young Women Suffer At the Hands of Their Intimate Partners - WHO

Nearly a quarter of all adolescent girls who have been in a relationship - close to 19 million - will have experienced intimate partner violence by the time they turn 20, the UN… Read more »

Africa: UN Rights Chief Calls Time On 'Economic Violence' Against Women and Girls

On Friday, at the UN Human Rights Council's (OHCHR) first panel for the annual full-day discussion on women's rights, The UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Friday told a… Read more »

Africa: Adequate Healthcare Crucial to Support Survivors of Sexual Violence

The United Nations on Wednesday commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, highlighting the vital role hospital's play in helping… Read more »

Africa: Global Efforts to End Female Genital Mutilation Undermined By 'Vacation Cutting'

The global fight to tackle female genital mutilation (FGM) is being undermined by the movement of some girls across national borders and beyond to undergo the procedure, the UN… Read more »

Congo-Kinshasa: Orlando Bloom Describes 'Devastating Impact' of DR Congo Violence On Women and Children

As violence escalates and millions of people continue to be displaced in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), grave violations against children are reaching an all-time… Read more »

Madagascar: First Person - Women in Madagascar Too Ashamed to Seek Help Giving Birth

Some of the poorest women in an underdeveloped region south of Madagascar are "too ashamed" to seek the maternal health services they need, according to a midwife working in a… Read more »

Africa: Silence the Guns, Amplify Women's Voices for Peace to End Rape in Wartime

The UN verified 3,688 cases of rape and other sexual violence committed in war in 2023, a "dramatic increase" of 50 percent over the previous year, the Security Council heard on… Read more »

Madagascar: Southern Madagascar, Where Girls Are Sold Into Marriage Before They Are Born

Efforts are being made in the south of Madagascar to end a traditional but illegal practice in which girls are promised as a wife to older men, sometimes even before they are born. Read more »

Africa: 'The Patriarchy May Be Pushing Back, but So Are We', UN Chief Tells CSW68

Women's rights are under attack, and governments must act to reverse that dangerous trend, the UN chief told a his annual town hall event with civil society activists on Wednesday,… Read more »

Africa: Women in Parliament - Slow Progress Towards Equal Representation

Progress on women's representation in national legislatures was "slow and mixed" in 2023, registering a growth of 0.4 per cent over the preceding year, the Inter Parliamentary… Read more »

Uganda: Fighting Gender-Based Violence Door-to-Door With Support of Ugandan Men

A Ugandan man, who is employed as a village health worker, has told the UN how men and boys must play a critical role in eliminating gender-based violence to change their… Read more »

Uganda: Ugandan Woman Advocates for Her Rights After 'Life of Pain'

A Ugandan woman who has a physical disability is learning how to fight for her and other women's rights after suffering a life "full of pain", thanks to a UN-supported programme. Read more »

Africa: Step Up Investment to End Violence Against Women and Girls - UN Deputy Chief

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohamed has called for greater investment in preventing violence against women and girls, an issue that transcends all borders and cultures. Read more »

Africa: Women in Islam - Mohammed Calls for Action On Education, Empowerment and Peace

Even though women have made extraordinary contributions to Islamic civilization, in many countries they are still being left behind, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said… Read more »