Women

NASA/Bill Ingalls

Space science ‘superpowers’ can light the way to success for girls in ‘STEM’ fields, hears UN forum

19 June 2018
Global

On its opening day, a major United Nations forum on the peaceful uses of outer space, was issued a clear challenge to break through the so-called “glass ceiling” that prevents women and girls from achieving their full potential; especially in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

UNICEF/Adriane Ohanesian

UNICEF urges all countries to provide ‘Super Dads’ with paid leave

13 June 2018
Global

Almost two-thirds of the world’s children under the age of one live in countries where fathers are not legally entitled to any paid paternity leave, according to a new analysis by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

UNRIC/Christophe Verhellen

‘Spotlight Initiative’ can make violence against women a thing of the past, says UN deputy chief

5 June 2018
Europe

The launch of a new partnership between the United Nations and European Union, is an essential tool to make violence against women and girls “a thing of the past”, said UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on Tuesday.

UN News/Elizabeth Scaffidi

UN pays tribute to the Organization’s founding mothers

22 May 2018
Global

Women have played a pivotal role in the United Nations since its inception in 1945, including in the first international agreement proclaiming gender equality as a fundamental human right: the UN Charter.

UNHCR/Roger Arnold

For Rohingya refugees, imminent surge in births is traumatic legacy of sexual violence - special report

11 May 2018
Asia Pacific

Late last year, as violent repression in Myanmar sent Rohingyas fleeing to safety in Bangladesh, women from the mainly Muslim minority were subjected to what a United Nations official called “a frenzy of sexual violence”.

UNCTAD

‘Gender-sensitive’ trade policies help empower East African women

9 May 2018
Africa

Trade and employment laws which give women greater access to the economy across East Africa, can pave the way for more inclusive development and prosperity, according to a new report from the United Nations trade body.

UNAMA/Fardin Waezi

Women journalists in Afghanistan defiant in the face of violence

2 May 2018
Asia Pacific

The dangers of working as a journalist in Afghanistan have been dramatically underlined by an attack in the capital Kabul on Monday in which nine Afghan photographers and reporters were killed. They had gone to report on a suicide attack, and were targeted by a second suicide bomber when they arrived on the scene.

ITU/D.Woldu

Make every day a day for girls in ICT, says UN

26 April 2018
Global

From Switzerland to Somalia girls are creating their own apps; they are programming the robots they build. On Girls in Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) Day, the United Nations is urging more girls to pursue careers in the fast-paced science and tech industry, generally regarded as a ‘boys-only’ club.

WIPO/Yuji Okuma

Women’s innovation, creativity take center stage on World Intellectual Property Day

26 April 2018
Global

The United Nations agency behind  World Intellectual Property Day is calling for greater participation of women in the field of innovation and creativity to reap maximum benefits for society.

UNICEF/Abubakar

More than 1,000 children in north-east Nigeria abducted by Boko Haram since 2013 – UNICEF

13 April 2018
Africa

At least 1,000 children have been abducted by the Boko Haram insurgent group in northeastern Nigeria since 2013 amid repeated attacks on schools, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said Friday, calling for an end to such violence and the release of those who have yet to be returned.