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17 August 2021 Excellency, It has been a privilege to lead UN Women over the last eight years and to see the cause of gender equality and women’s rights continue to gain momentum through allies like yourself/yourselves. Gender equality has faced pushback all over the world and we thank you for assisting us to push back against the pushback. Our efforts have borne fruit most recently in the Generation Equality Forum and the US$40 billion in financial commitments to implement the work of its Action Coalitions that will tackle six inter-related areas crucial to gender equality, as well as the Compact on Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action. This pulls together the journey of eight years and begins a five-year journey of implementation and collaboration in which everyone can play a part. I encourage you to read the attached report, “A Decade of Daring”, for a look at how far the organization has come in its first decade. I thank you for our work together over the lifetime of UN Women. I hope that this partnership will further grow and deepen. I know that my successor, whose name will announced by the UN Secretary-General in due course, will appreciate your support just as I have done. I hope UN Women can count on your continued strong advocacy and action for gender equality in the decades to come to secure the future of the world’s women and girls. I can be reached at [email protected] where I will be working on education. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director 220 East 42nd Street, 19th Floor New York, NY. 10017 T: + 1 646-781-4400 F: + 1 646-781-4567 www.unwomen.org Saatja: Permanent Mission of Estonia to the UN <[email protected]> Saadetud: 26.08.2021 16:07 Adressaat: SM Info <[email protected]>; Anniki Lai <[email protected]> Koopia: Helen Kaljuläte <[email protected]> Teema: FW: Farewell letter from Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka addressed to the Minister of Social Protection of Estonia Tere Edastan Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka kirja, mis on adresseeritud minister Signe Riisalole. Lugupidamisega Siiri Lind Assistant to the Ambassador Permanent Mission of the Republic of Estonia to the U.N. 305 E. 47th St, 6th Floor New York, NY 10017 Tel: 1-212-883- 0640 From: UN Women executive office <[email protected]> Sent: kolmapäev, 25. august 2021 18:07To: Permanent Mission of Estonia to the UN <[email protected]>Subject: Farewell letter from Phumzile Mlambo- Ngcuka addressed to the Minister of Social Protection of Estonia Dear Colleagues, Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Executive Director of UN Women, would be grateful if you could kindly transmit the attached letter to Ms. Signe Riisalo, Minister of Social Protection of the Republic of Estonia. I would be grateful if you could kindly acknowledge receipt of this email and its attachments. With best regards,Isabel Isabel Deza Administrative Analyst Office of the Executive Director220 East 42nd Street, Room 1902 New York, NY 10017 Tel: +1 646-781-4515 Cel: +917-628-4172 E-mail: UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ A DECADE OF DARING 1 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ “Together, we can be game-changers. With the women and girls, men and boys of the world, we can make the 21st century one of irreversible progress—for women and all humanity.” Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women Executive Director This landmark publication was made possible through the hard work of many dedicated people, too numerous to name. Durgi Devi is among the more than 2,800 rural women and girls who have joined peer groups as part of a UN Trust Fund-supported violence prevention We wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all UN Women staff, donors, partners, beneficiaries, young women, and programme for ethnic minority women in India. UN Women manages the UN many others who contributed to this book and helped us share our journey and our vision. A special word of thanks to Trust Fund to End Violence against Women on behalf of the UN system. Professor Fiona MacKay of the University of Edinburgh for insights that laid the foundation of this publication. 2 3  TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD 6 PREFACE 8 INTRODUCTION 10 UN Women at a Glance 12 Gender Equality – a Global Overview 16 PART 1. THE JOURNEY OF UN WOMEN 22 Chapter 1 THE PATH TO UN WOMEN 24 Chapter 2 THE EARLY YEARS 32 PART 2. un women in action 40 Chapter 1 Memorable moments 42 Chapter 2 In Her Words: Stories 52 Chapter 3 The value of partnerships 68 Chapter 4 Civil Society Organizations 74 Chapter 5 We are UN Women 78 PART 3. THE FUTURE 84 Chapter 1 I am Generation Equality 86 Ardo Djibo Fadimatou, 64, lost eight of her 15 children during the conflict in Central African Republic. She speaks for the over 12,000 Chapter 2 conclusion 96 women in the Gado refugee camp in Cameroon, as their elected President and leads meetings in UN Women’s Social Cohesion Space. 4 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Foreword “With the birth of UN Women, we welcome a powerful new agent for progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment … true gender equality should be our shared legacy in the 21st century.” When I stood in the UN General Assembly Hall UN Women is the true global champion for Indeed, we should remember that across the on 24 February 2011 to celebrate the formal women and girls. And while it is just a decade world, women are disproportionately affected launch of UN Women, I felt an incredible sense old, it has already achieved so much: UN Women by the impacts of conflict, inequality, poverty, of pride knowing that the hard work, dedication, has helped integrate women in political and climate change. These major global and struggles of so many people were finally participation and leadership roles at all levels challenges are inherently interconnected, coming to fruition. in every continent. It has scaled-up economic and the empowerment of women and girls is empowerment and inclusion. It has fought to a prerequisite to our global response to such As UN Secretary-General, I witnessed trying end violence against women and girls. And it is challenges. environments for women and girls first-hand leading the response to the COVID-19 “shadow everywhere I went. I realized early on that pandemic” that has created and magnified To construct a sustainable future for all people despite the best efforts of the UN to improve the socio-economic gender inequalities. and our planet, UN Women must continue situation for women, it simply wasn’t enough. to fiercely advocate for the rights, health, However, despite these successes, we must go education, and wellbeing of all women and girls So, standing at the famous podium on that further to shatter the barriers to gender equality in every corner of the world. memorable New York day, I felt like a proud at all levels, everywhere. new father; both overcome with emotion and I am confident that UN Women will lead the fight deeply honored to have streamlined the UN’s Today, as the international community faces for our next generations and help illuminate the critical work on women’s issues and launch UN historic challenges as a result of the COVID-19 path towards our shared future. Women to help deliver on gender equality and pandemic, accelerating climate change, and women’s empowerment. increasing nationalism, we now need to scale- This is a future that is equitable, peaceful, up our efforts in fulfilling UN Women’s guiding inclusive, and sustainable; one where true Ten years on, UN Women continues to represent vision and mandate. gender equality defines our common legacy the most ambitious effort the UN has ever in the 21st century and beyond. undertaken to accelerate actions to achieve This is particularly important as the gender equality. And my pride continues to empowerment of women is essential to grow every day as I have witnessed its first steps, achieving the UN Sustainable Development inspiring growth, and multitude of successes. Goals by their 2030 target date. Ban Ki-moon Former United Nations Secretary-General September 2020 6 7 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Preface “UN Women is the spearhead of the global campaign to uproot and upend discrimination and violence against women, and to ensure this half of humanity has an equal say and seat at the table moving forward.” I congratulate UN Women on the first decade leadership. The global gender gap has narrowed, front and centre. This will require us to take of their work, and their leadership in mobilizing but it persists. Not a single country has yet bold actions, including quotas and targeted the United Nations system to deliver for women achieved equality in rights, participation and pay. measures, recognizing that equal representation and girls. is a fundamental human right. Until women’s We are at a watershed moment. The digital voices are fully heard in the hallways of power The past 10 years have seen UN Women revolution is expanding access to information and politics, policies will continue to be based spearhead global, evidence-based campaigns and opportunities – but there are troubling on the opinions and experiences of just half the and programmes to uproot and upend signs that it could reinforce discrimination and population. discrimination and violence against women, exclusion. This is the time to pick up the pace and to advocate for half of humanity to have an on our efforts, to bridge gaps, and to make a Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals equal say at every decision-making table, be it in generational shift. Young people, and young by 2030 will require the strength, capacity, and peace processes, parliament, or the boardroom. women in particular, are mobilizing for greater expertise of the whole of humanity. Achieving inclusion, equality, climate justice and human gender equality is a prerequisite for all the As we mark this anniversary, it is a moment to rights for all. As we mark 25 years of the Beijing SDGs, which is why I describe Goal 5 as the SDG take stock of where we are, and importantly, Platform for Action and ten years of UN Women, ‘docking station’. where we need to be. we should see this milestone as an opportunity to acknowledge the power and drive of the The United Nations is totally committed to Discrimination continues to permeate every next generation and to journey beside them, supporting gender equality and women’s rights, sphere of the lives of women and girls, at supporting their transformative leadership. from the highest levels and with the expertise tremendous personal and global costs. Inequality and leadership of UN Women. I look forward to is not limited to poor economies, war zones or COVID-19 is a stark reminder that the gains continuing our work together for the equal rights restrictive regimes. It lurks in the fine print of made on gender equality have shallow roots and and dignity of women and girls everywhere. legislation and lingers in attitudes everywhere, are easily destabilized, and of the violence and deeply embedded in social, financial and political insecurity that is a daily experience for too many systems worldwide. It is writ large at the United and has only escalated in these past months. Nations General Assembly, where just a handful of national leaders are women. Yet the crisis also highlights the promise of inclusive leadership, as women leaders guide Amina J. Mohammed From conflict zones to long established Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations nations to safety with policies based on evidence (on behalf of the agencies, funds and democracies, women continue to fight for safety, and inclusion. Women are rising for all. We must programmes of the United Nations system) education and opportunities for inclusion and emerge from this crisis with women’s leadership September 2020 8 9 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Introduction “As we celebrate the first decade of UN Women, we acknowledge the responsibility that accompanies a coming of age. We are grateful to reach this threshold; we cross it with the confidence of experience gained and the knowledge that there is still much more to achieve for the women and girls of the world.” A decade has passed since the landmark The drive for the next decade of action rests We know that together, we have the power to establishment of UN Women- an unprecedented on massive building blocks that we have been make permanent changes to our lives and our joining of United Nations forces into a single body able to put in place with the support of our world. UN Women is proud to be the global committed to half of humanity. Marking the many partners. These are the foundations for leader that brings us together and galvanizes milestone through this book allows us to pause a the progress that is critical to realize women’s action to create a more equal reality for everyone. moment to reflect on 10 years of achievements, rights, backed by good laws and policies. We the gaps and challenges we have faced, and the have seen how we must together occupy more In its second decade, UN Women will lengthen road ahead to gender equality. space as leaders in the key decision-making its stride to close gaps faster and drive change arenas, from parliaments and peace tables to that is widespread across generations. We will Across the world there is a formidable movement corporate and editorial boards. We have seen mobilize simultaneously from the ground up of articulate women. Young and older are and shown how vital it is for women to have and from the top down. We will value equally working with skill and passion to take forward viable alternatives that redistribute the burden the voices and strength of our grassroots allies and protect the advances made for women’s of unpaid care at home. And we have set out just as we heed our Member States, and work rights. They are adamantly resisting any erosion women’s need for decent work and income, in every sector of society on our common goals, of those rights. starting with education, and including the from sports fields to stock exchanges. ability to plan their families. We have worked Marking this anniversary during the COVID-19 with allies across the world to raise the profile In my first address as Executive Director, I quoted pandemic has underscored the centrality of violence against women and girls in its many an African proverb: If you want to go fast, go of gender equality to sustainable progress. public and private forms, from domestic abuse alone. If you want to go far, go together. UN Women’s resilient and capable responses have to child marriage, from cyberbullying to rape, Women does not walk alone, and we thank all demonstrated over and over again what we in peace and in conflict, and to mobilize the those sharing our journey-- Member States, civil bring. We are frontline health care providers resources to tackle change. society organizations, the business sector, faith and experts, national leaders steering countries leaders, men and boys. Above all, we thank the effectively through economic and social crisis, The same forces that take us towards an equal women and girls with whom we walk and whose and parents finding ways to manage and world hold the potential for positive impact bright future leads us forward. overcome multiple and simultaneous challenges on boys and men too. A society that moves at home. We have flagged where there has away from narrow and harmful stereotypes of been unacceptable cost to women and girls of masculinity, away from violence and harassment shouldering these loads. And we have proposed of those who dare to step out from constricting Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka United Nations Under-Secretary-General the solutions needed, which have women and gender norms, identities and roles, is a better Executive Director of UN Women girls at their centre. society for all. September 2020 10 11 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ UN WOMEN AT A GLANCE UN Women connects people, issues and ideas behind one shared purpose: making gender equality a reality in our lifetime. It is the only entity in the United Nations system solely dedicated to achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls. WHO WE ARE UN Women Locations across geographical regions UN Women is the trusted global UN agency for gender equality, working to develop and uphold standards and create an environment in which every woman and girl can exercise her human rights and live up to her full potential. With over 2,000 staff representing more than 150 nationalities and operations in all continents, UN Women works with governments and civil society to design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to ensure that the standards are implemented and truly benefit women and girls worldwide. UN Women draws on its collective historic relationship with feminist movements to push the frontiers of public debate, create partnerships, enable new thinking, and propel global action. Americas & Caribbean Europe & Central Asia Liason Offices West & Central Africa Asia & Pacific HQ East & Southern Africa Arab States/North Africa 12 13 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ “Gender equality and women empowerment are A FEW KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF our most powerful solutions to achieve sustainable UN WOMEN ACCOMPLISHMENTS development. UN Women’s flagship programmes to foster peace and security, greater resilience to crises, OVER THE DECADE governance and political empowerment, economic development and elimination of violence against women demonstrate the power of women’s rights In recent years, we have:1 to address the key challenges of our time.” Yannick Glemarec, Former Deputy Executive Director, UN Women Secured inclusion of Reached more than gender equality 270 million people in Enhanced women’s 180 countries with civil perspectives in Rio+20, the Trained 25,000 2030 Agenda, the Paris economic society partnerships people on Agreement and other participation, focused on addressing improving entrepreneurship and UN Women works to make the vision of the key intergovernmental multiple deprivation and gender data agreements. business skills with marginalization. training for 100,000 collection and Sustainable Development Goals a reality and use. women per year. stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life, focusing on 4 Advanced gender- Strengthened strategic priorities responsive essential services to Engaged 660 Enabled disasters policies respond to violence million people 160,000 to ensure that: covering 181 million against women on social women to people. Reached 83% in nearly 60 countries, media with access legal aid within two 1 of humanitarian teams Helped strengthen and scaled-up support 106 accounts in Women lead, participate in and with our expertise. legislation to end for women and girl 17 languages. years alone. benefit equally from governance violence against survivors in 49. systems women in more than 60 countries. 2 Women have income security, decent work and economic autonomy Supported more Successfully supported than 30,000 Deployed 130 experts to 3 All women and girls live a life free from all forms of violence Provided training on 175 legal reforms and 25 constitutional reforms to strengthen women’s rights. aspiring women political candidates with investigate conflict-related sexual violence. Work with inquiry commissions and war 4 the skills to run for crimes investigations has led to Women and girls have greater women’s human office. ground-breaking prosecution influence in building sustainable rights for 18,000 justice of gender-related crimes under peace and resilience, and benefit personnel in 54 countries. international law. equally from the prevention of natural disasters and conflicts and humanitarian action Doubled grants Engaged more than 3 Helped 55 countries eliminate to civil society million men and boys discriminatory laws on Reviewed progress on organizations with commitments to land, inheritance and other to a total of gender equality with 102 gender equality and economic issues and adopt US$ 35 million. countries and strengthened women’s rights through policies for women’s gender equality accountability HeForShe. economic participation. and reporting throughout UN systems. 14 15 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ GENDER EQUALITY gLOBAL OVERVIEW UN Women has supported laws and reforms that have affected the lives of more than 1 billion women in 2019 alone. Alongside some progress in key areas, deep disparities remain between and within countries, and all hurdles are markedly higher in rural areas, for minority groups, and for girls and women with disabilities. Women’s Economic Empowerment Women lag behind in access to economic Africa, this rises to over 60% of all working opportunities and rights. While 94% of men women. Yet, women are far less likely to be aged 25-54 were part of the global workforce agricultural land holders, holding only 13% of in 2018, only 63% of women were, a rate which land rights globally. 5 has changed very little over the past 20 years. 2 Women hold just 27% of managerial posi- Globally, women do three times as much un- tions in most of the world. Only 7.4% of For- paid care and domestic work as men, and tune 500 companies have a woman CEO6 , this ratio increases to six times as much for and the worldwide gender pay gap remains women in Northern Africa and Western Asia. 3 an average of 20%. Women’s access to employment tends to decrease when they get married and have Many inequalities are anchored in laws. In children. Only 52% of women married or in a 2018, 104 countries still had laws barring union are in the labour force, and partly as a women from specific jobs, affecting 2.7 billion result, women aged 25-34 are 18% more likely women. 59 countries do not criminalize sexu- to live in poverty than men of the same age.4 al harassment in the workplace, and men can legally prevent their wives from working in 18 Women are over-represented in informal and countries.7 vulnerable employment with low earnings and security. Globally, a quarter of economi- Maternity benefits coverage remains 41% on cally active women are engaged in agricul- global average, forcing mothers to choose ture, and in Southern Asia and sub-Saharan between health and livelihood. 8 16 17 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Women’s LEADERSHIP AND Political VIOLENCE AGAINST Participation 12 WOMEN AND GIRLS 9 Representation of women in politics has doubled over the past decade yet remains low, Girls and women are exposed to violence in with women currently holding one in four seats all settings. 144 countries have laws against (24.3%) of national parliaments, and one-third in domestic violence but enforcement and legal “Enhanced political and local governance bodies. The 80 countries with recourse are lacking. economic empowerment quotas for women show a higher representation of women than countries without, 30% and 18% In most countries with available data, less is needed to break the than 40% of women who experience violence respectively. stereotypes of women seek help and only 10% turn to the police. An Rwanda has the highest number of women estimated 35% of women worldwide have as vulnerable victims, or parliamentarians worldwide, with 61.3% of seats in experienced physical or sexual violence from mere 'beneficiaries', and the lower house. Yet in 27 countries women make up only 10% of parliament, and three chambers an intimate partner or sexual violence by a to ensure that women as in 2019 had not a single woman. The higher up in non-partner, with some national studies showing much higher numbers. equal citizens can take hierarchy, the fewer women there are. their place alongside Women make up 50% or more of cabinets in only Of the 87,000 women intentionally killed in 2017, it is estimated that 50,000 were killed men in determining 14 countries; only 11 countries have a woman as a head of state and 12 as a head of government. the directions and by intimate partners or family members. This means 137 women across the world are killed Women, Peace and Security, The numbers reflect public attitudes that must outcomes of sustainable change; globally, 53% of men and 43% of women by someone from their own family every day. development in the and Humanitarian Action believe men make better political leaders.13 At least 200 million women and girls aged 15- coming decade.” Women and girls face heightened risks in the ages of 20 and 24 had been married 49 have undergone female genital mutilation Carolyn Hannan, Former Director of the conflict and humanitarian crises due to the before the age of 18, and child marriage in (FGM) in the 30 countries with representative Division for the Advancement of Women breakdown of normal protection structures Syria has quadrupled since the crisis.10 data. In most of these countries, the majority and support and increased care-related tasks. of girls were cut before age five. in the UN (DAW) Between 1992 and 2019, women constituted, Increasingly protracted crises urgently require on average, only 13% of negotiators, 6% of Approximately 15 million adolescent girls have a gender-based approach and funding. Only mediators, and 6% of signatories in major peace experienced forced intercourse or other sexual 29% of the funds needed to address gender- processes. About seven out of every ten peace acts. In most countries, they are most at risk based violence in humanitarian crises was processes did not include women mediators from a current or former partner. raised in 2019, leaving a funding gap of US$ or women signatories at all. Worldwide, the 132 million. proportion of peace agreements with gender Gender-based violence increases in crisis equality provisions has only increased from settings, even doubling to 70%. 14% to 22% in the last 20 years, and between 2015-2019, only 11% of ceasefire agreements Child marriage is also more likely. More than included gender provisions.11 one-third of Syrian refugee women between 18 19 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING 3 Europe and Central Asia 18 UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ > Moldova took a big step forward in 2016 with Law No. 71 which established gender quotas for political party lists and cabinet nominees and led to amending another 15 laws. > In Tajikistan, persistent advocacy persuaded the country to raise the age of marriage to 18. > In Kyrgyzstan, women’s pressure to stop bride- 6 Arab States/North Africa 20 kidnapping led to outlawing the practice in 2013. > Yemen ranks 151 out of 152 for women’s national Kyrgyz women continue to demand the law be political participation. Now six of seven political parties implemented in full. have agreed to enhance membership and leadership > Fifteen years after the conflict in Kosovo, a decade of women and advocate for women’s rights. KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS of advocacy by UN Women and civil society finally achieved legal recognition of women survivors of violence in 2014. > Arab states convened representatives of governments, employers and workers in Jordan to discuss equitable labour. Several countries committed to establishing minimum wage, equalizing pay and REGIONS revising laws. > In Tunisia, years of efforts culminated in 201721 with the country’s first dedicated national law to combat violence against women. The law covers physical economic, sexual, political and psychological violence, and provides mechanisms to support survivors. 3 3 IN FOCUS 5 Asia Pacific 17 > Over 10,000 mostly female market vendors across Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are UN Women’s work over the past decade has 6 6 now represented through Market Vendors Associations to ensure marketplaces are safe had deep impact across the globe. By spurring 5 5 for women. > In Afghanistan, 1,500 survivors of violence action, focusing resources, raising awareness against women received culturally sensitive and increasing coordination between powerful 1 1 and age-appropriate lifesaving services. > In Nepal, over 14,000 women won various local entities like governments, international seats in 2017, 46% of them from the excluded Dalit caste, with 6% winning the four highest institutions, civil society movements and global 4 4 positions in rural and other municipalities. businesses, UN Women has been able to profile, 2 2 quantify and address some of the biggest obstacles women and girls face to realizing their rights with definitive research and policy 2 Eastern and Southern Africa 15 leadership on critical issues, from violence 4 Latin America > In Kenya, the new Women’s Empowerment Index16 against women to the burden of unpaid care. and the Caribbean 19 is the country’s first comprehensive and systematic > The Latin American “Model Protocol” guiding the 1 West and Central Africa 14 measurement of female empowerment and provides data for informing equality measures. UN Women played a significant role in justice system on investigating gender-related > UN Women is building a stronger ecosystem for women > UN Women has partnered with top global companies, killings has been adopted in Brazil, Argentina, these examples of victories for women Guatemala, Colombia, and Uruguay. agri-entrepreneurs, including through institutional the De Beers Group, Standard Bank and Coca-Cola strengthening of more than 200 women cooperatives in to build capacity for women micro-entrepreneurs across the six regions in which we work. > The region boasts the world’s highest percentage of Senegal, Mali, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria. Through resulting in more than 25,000 women acquiring skills to women parliamentarians (30.9%), as well as gender the Climate Smart Agriculture programme, UN Women grow and sustain their small enterprises. parity in the cabinets of Colombia, Costa Rica, helped increase the value of the products of over 20,000 > Across Southern Africa, 144 male tavern owners joined Mexico, El Salvador and Peru. women up to 10 times. the HeForShe campaign and declared their taverns > Colombia, Uruguay, Paraguay and Mexico have > A strong movement of women to end conflict in and environs violence-free and safe for women. Over implemented gender-responsive care policies to the Sahel is being built through a women’s regional 5,000 male patrons attended fortnightly dialogues on reduce the unpaid care burden that falls almost advocacy platform. Over 6,000 women now have the reducing gender-based violence. exclusively on women. The national care system in skills to actively engage in preventing community > South Africa has adopted a National Strategic Plan on Uruguay has become a model for the region. conflicts and over 8,000 security personnel were trained Gender Based Violence and Femicide and adopted a on protecting women from GBV in conflict. policy framework for addressing gender-based violence > A growing movement of more than 350,000 HeForShe in the post-school sector. supporters including heads of State (Ghana, Senegal), influential traditional and religious leaders and youth are challenging gender discriminatory attitudes and practices to change societal norms around GBV and child marriage. 20 21 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ THE JOURNEY OF PA RT 1 UN WOMEN “It is time to stop trying to change women, and start changing the systems that prevent them from achieving their potential. Our power structures have evolved gradually over thousands of years. One further evolution is long overdue. The 21st century must be the century of women’s equality.” António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General addressing The New School, New York, February 2020 Janete Dantas records the eggs, chicken, fruit and vegetables produced on the small farm she runs near Itaóca, in São Paulo state, Brazil, and how much it adds to her family’s income. Projects like these have obliged the Government to acknowledge the role of women in Brazilian agriculture. 22 23 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Aslam Biswas, left, is a transgender woman from Khulna, Bangladesh, which was devastated by Cyclone Amphan in 2020. After losing her source of income and being shunned by locals, she received cash support from UN Women, which she needed for essential commodities as well as medicine. chapter 1 THE PATH TO UN WOMEN “UN Women has been an inspiration to change the direction of my life for the last 10 years, they are inclusive, forward looking and always looking to challenge the status quo! Generation Equality Campaign is only one example. The possibilities of UN Women are limitless; the challenge is making sure we globally come together in the spirit of abundance rather than scarcity, and engage at all levels with a collaborative shared leadership model. UN Women can’t do it alone; we as civil society must stand with them to accomplish what is needed!” Houry Geudelekian, Chair at NGO Committee on the Status of Women (NGO CSW/NY) 24 25 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ In 2010, UN Women became the newest UN entity, ushering in a new era for advancing gender equality and women’s rights. Activists from across the globe celebrated when Member States unanimously voted for the creation of UN Women by adopting its founding Resolution 64/89 on 2 July 2010. It was a message to the world that gender equality had finally moved from the margins to the centre of policymaking. The origins of UN Women At face value, it appeared the UN possessed and Training Institute for the Advancement A Glimpse Inside the structures and entities to address gender of Women) oversaw research and training the Process equality and women’s rights issues. However, on women’s rights. DAW (Division for the Ambassador Tiina Intelmann was they consistently lacked resources, stature, Advancement of Women) was responsible for the Permanent Representative of commitment from senior management, supporting the formulation of international Estonia in New York and Co-Chair of operational capacity, and coherence. Women’s standards and policies and coordinated the System Wide Coherence Panel, organizations and UN staff were increasingly the World Conferences on Women. Finally, and previously Chair of the UNIFEM critical of a system which set up structures OSAGI (The Office of the Special Adviser Advisory Committee. Ambassador Tiina The Birth of UN Women to advance women’s empowerment and to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues was convinced that while UNIFEM was equality but consistently failed to provide and Advancement of Women) supported “Today UN Women is regarded as a poster change. And our hope is for a future that doing a great job, its influence was child of the 2006 reform agenda, with a delivers an even stronger, better resourced the resources and status required for them mainstreaming gender perspective within hampered by not being part of decision- seat at the highest levels of UN decision- and more impactful UN Women that builds on to have voice and influence. the UN and amongst Member States, but making tables of the UN system. The making and the ability to end the turf wars the legacy from which it was born: a legacy only had two full-time staff. same applied to the other 3 predecessor Prior to UN Women, there were four UN among gender entities. That could not have that emerges from feminist organizing in entities, DAW, OSAGI and INSTRAW. bodies working on women’s rights and After the seminal 1995 Beijing Platform for “There was no powerful entity dealing happened without the support and conviction every part of the globe and that re-imagines gender equality: UNIFEM (The United Nations Action, it became clear that this ambitious of my staff at UNIFEM and powerful and partnerships based on equitable sharing with women in the UN – and the time Development Fund for Women), with its gender equality agenda would not be achieved diverse civil society partners. Without that of power to ensure that our planet and its had come for the UN and Member States programmatic focus and country footprint, within this fractured UN structure. When the support, the initiative to create UN Women people survive and thrive. “ to make things right. As a Co-Chair I had the greatest reach and visibility, but it UN moved to improve overall coherence in the would not have yielded the result we see Noeleen Heyzer, Former Under-Secretary-General, was not going to leave a stone unturned today. It is the best example of inside-outside, UNESCAP (2007-2015), Former Executive Director, was marginalized within the UN system and mid-2000s, women’s rights activists inside to make this happen. I am proud I was UNIFEM (1994-2007) top-down and bottom-up partnerships for had little political clout and a fraction of the and outside of the UN seized the opportunity part of the making of history within the operating budgets of other agencies. INSTRAW to ensure reforms would extend to the UN’s UN System – creation of a new entity for (The United Nations International Research investment in women’s rights. the women of the world.” 26 27 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ uar y > Jan ar y - e c re t UN S n r al B a Gene e s e nt s i- m o on pr e K ns i v p re h e UN Women’s Creation a com p ro p o s al f o mp o o r site t h e “c g ende r n t it y ” for e ruar y e d th > Feb lit y an e qu a e nt o f ar y - w e rm e c re t p o UN S e m Gene r a l Ko fi o un c es wom en . 2011 n a n n An n a el h - Lev a Hig l on U N 2010 P an e ruar y - w id e > Feb m s y s te omen cohe re n c e . 20 0 9 UN W cially > J ul y is of fi l he d enera launc 2 0 07 UN G e m bly ad opt s durin g th e 5 5th he > Mar ch A s s n of t ar y - tion s es sio s sion e c re t Res olu f o rm a lly i 20 0 6 UN S r al B a n A / 6 4 / L .5 6 , g UN UN C o mm e Sta tu s o f > Mar ch Gene e s e nt s lishin o n th en’s on r p e s t ab en . l wom Ki-mo t io ns en . Wom Globa un c h il s o n “Op Wom ch s t s la d et a henin g > Mar a c ti v i re n g t 20 04 en's c amp aign for f or St s titut ion a l > S ep temb er Wom n s an d ualit y th e In siden t izatio e r Eq nt s ” e r Pre Gend 1997 ver n e o rg a e r o e A rr an gem F o r m ll e g at h e c tu r ing ile, M iche UNIF E M tu r e s Archit R) in pp or t o f Ch lls for signa (G E A for su alit y 1995 EM c a elet , is li o n r f o r m q u N I F 1 mil ende Re er e B a ch of U nden t ing g N. gend Head in dep e dem a n d t th e U omen ’s p o inte d n e p ar an d w a p 1976 a . ch smen t lit y b e nt . omen > Mar as ses e qu a fo m r wer m UN W e U N re emp o I termin of th e O S AG to d e 1975 T he F o ur th a b lishe d , if it ca n f ulfi ll agen da . T h ey er es t t . e temb World e d by an d a ed. > S ep 1947 succe d EM a n re n c e head it s m ations enera l UNIF C o nf e s i s t an t mend UN G s in an A s l c o m dors e IN S T R AW omen enera R e bly en 1946 r World . on W t ar y - G f ro m emb e s s e m n of a Firs t lishe d g an d Se c r e r an g e nce > N ov A reatio re n c e e s t ab B eijin nder ende th e c r for Ge indep anel ’s ende ing C o nf e eijing . T he P g as O ne” site g m e et omen , th e B lit y. rging in co m p o lutio n Firs t on W rm f o r Eq u a to m e “ D eli v e r end s (R e s o UN it y . Plat fo co mm entit y of th e on Mexic oC re p o r t r e 3 1) 1 T he U N is sion Ac tio n. g th e S /6 3 / th e o m m lidatin A /RE n for C of con s o . Divisio t a tu s > J ul y tities e nt th e S ar y - er en ncem e c re t gend emb e r Adv a , DAW , Wom en . UN S > N ov men r a l Ko fi AW, o f W o e Gene o un c ed I F EM , D ally th a n n U N (origin An n a n I an d n on t he About the Beijing Platform for Action s t h at O S AG S e c tio omen ) re f o r m IN S T R AW s of W le the with S t a t u d . In 1995, representatives from 189 countries convened in Beijing, e nab b o r a te s tabli she ualit y c o ll a encie s was e China, for the Fourth World Conference on Women. For two er e q UN ag gend evelo p t h e r t li ne. weeks, government delegates laboured on a document of t it ie s to d o e r g er ou en cy on a m agreed written targets towards achieving gender equality. agen inter- s. More than 17,000 participants and 30,000 non-governmental a ni s m activists joined for the opening, with civil society advocates m e ch following the process closely with inputs in real time. The momentous conference produced the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA), defining 12 critical areas of concern and concrete actions for each. It has been described as “the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing women’s rights”. 28 29 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ “Today's action will do more than simply consolidate United Nations strengths. The new entity will help the UN system to be accountable for its own commitments on gender equality, including regular monitoring of system-wide progress.” Asha-Rose Migiro, Former United Nations Deputy Secretary-General The Launch Resolution 64/89 adopted by the General of UN Women Assembly on 2 July 2010 H.E. Joseph Deiss (Switzerland), in his capacity “The United-Nations General Assembly as the President of the General Assembly 65th decides to establish, by the present Session, officially launched UN Women on 24 resolution, as a composite entity, to February 2011. “The creation of UN Women be operational by 1 January 2011, the is an expression of the growing realization United Nations Entity for Gender that we cannot address the world’s most Equality and the Empowerment of complex problems without the wisdom Women, to be known as UN-Women, and full participation of women. Complex by consolidating and transferring challenges like conflicts, global warming, to the Entity the existing mandates migration, pandemics or financial crises will and functions of the Office of the only be solved through true global partnership Special Adviser on Gender Issues where men and women both have a voice.” and Advancement of Women and Then began a period of transition during the Division for the Advancement which UNIFEM, OSAGI, DAW and INSTRAW of Women of the Secretariat, as were pieced together and their mandates well as those of the United Nations and functions were all transferred to the new Development Fund for Women and the entity. From then on, UN Women would be the International Research and Training one governing body to spearhead and drive Institute for the Advancement of progress on gender equality and women’s Women, to function as a secretariat rights. A new dawn of progress on women’s and also to carry out operational rights had finally arrived. activities at the country level.” 30 31 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ chapter 2 THE EARLY YEARS OF UN WOMEN Artists from a widows’ association in “We are relentless! The GEAR Campaign demonstrated feminist collaboration to co-create UN Women. Comalapa pause for a photo in front of a This is the hallmark of CSOs who bring diverse experience and inter-generational expertise to the table. memorial they are painting for the 200,000 victims of Guatemala’s 36-year armed We drive UN Women’s commitment to partnership with the women’s rights and feminist movement. That conflict. UN Women supports the National way, policy commitments become transformative reality - in our homes, communities, and countries.” Widows Coordinator of Guatemala to advance women’s rights to truth, justice and Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, Member of UN Women's Global Civil Society Advisory Group, and Chair of the Board of the Global Partnership reparation to break the cycle of violence. for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC); Member of the GEAR campaign for establishing UN Women 32 33 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Teaching the world It was late 2011 when Clemencia Muñoz arrived in Santo Domingo to head the newly formed UN Women Training Centre, which was to build on the work of INSTRAW. “When I arrived, there was a beautiful The First 100 Days building and a lot of computers from the 1980s and cubicles for 40 people. There was When Ban Ki-moon appointed Michelle both push new policies and processes at the no training centre. And not much clarity on Bachelet – a former head of state - as UN UN level, stay in touch with women’s needs on what a training centre would look like, other than a global mandate and the need to Women’s first Executive Director in October the ground, and effectively connect the two. work on UN Women strategic areas. I had a 2010, it was a step toward meeting the It was also necessary to ensure that all UN budget of US$ 1.5 million and 28 people whose aspiration to have a high-level, influential bodies would indeed be guided by the one contracts were ending in the next months. voice at the head of the organization. It also expert entity on gender equality issues. Among We started by exploring key questions: increased the pressure on UN Women to be other things, this required guaranteeing that ‘What is training for gender equality?’ How up and running quickly, as Madame Bachelet unlike its predecessors, UN Women would have will a UN training center for gender equality wanted to articulate concrete achievements a seat at the table in all decision-making spaces be different from other UN offerings?’ We in the first 100 days. wanted to re-politicize training, move from at the UN. And finally, the new organization The enormous energy to reform the ways in would have to ensure it had adequate resources transactional to transformative training, which the UN dealt with women’s rights and to deliver. UN Women estimated it would need address inequitable power relations. gender equality had created high expectations an annual budget of at least US$ 500 million We developed face-to-face, blended and of UN Women, and several big challenges. The to fulfill its mandate, more than double the self-paced online courses that have grown new organization would have to be able to combined resources of its four predecessors. exponentially in popularity and diversity, with steady growth every year since 2014. Quite an achievement!” Clemencia Muñoz, Head of Training Centre and Country Representative at UN Women 34 35 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Voices from the Pioneers “We saw some advantages “Even in the early days of UN Women in “Delivering UN Women was a long, "I’m very proud of the work we did as UN immediately. One of the key Africa, it did quite well on issues such often frustrating process. But advocates Women strongly advocating for a stand- positives was that we got a full- as ending violence against women or – in and outside of the UN – saw alone goal on gender equality within fledged UN Women office in gender responsive budgeting. Where the huge potential of a stronger UN the Sustainable Development Goals Nepal. Before that, we had to deal we needed to see more action was on body advancing women’s rights and (SDGs). Importantly, we were successful with the regional office in Delhi contentious issues, such as LGBT rights empowerment, and kept pushing. We in getting a goal that addressed the for everything. UN Women’s voice and political space for civil society. learned to move the bureaucracy and root causes of gender inequality and became more vibrant in terms of There was also need for UN Women avoid becoming a political football in systemic discrimination. This focus also “As soon as Madame Bachelet arrived and “At UNIFEM, we'd been working on the leading national level advocacy to simplify partnership strategies. nation states’ disputes. Once created, UN helped us work better across the silos. started attending the Secretary General’s gender dimensions of HIV and AIDS for on women’s issues. It dealt with Complex calls for proposals drove Women faced enormous expectations Focusing on policy positions and policy Senior Management Team meetings, we more than a decade but were refused ministries directly. It lifted the away the smaller organizations that without enough resources, but built change worked.” started getting internal briefing notes with entry into the UNAIDS partnership women’s rights profile higher. Those are often at the forefront of change. All on the strength and desires of a global John Hendra: Assistant Secretary General confidential information about countries because we "were too small." Shortly were exciting times.” this changed with the coming of UN constituency who wanted it to succeed.” and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women in conflict, different perspectives on how after we became UN Women and 2011-2014. Bandana Rana: CEDAW Committee member Women.” Charlotte Bunch: Founding Director, Center for the UN should support peace-building, and Madame Bachelet arrived, doors opened and long-time advocate for women’s rights Women's Global Leadership, Rutgers University Florence Butegwa: Representative to the African in Nepal and globally, who played a key role other important insider political insights. and co-chair of the GEAR campaign for the and we were immediately encouraged Union and the UN-Economic Commission in securing high-level political support for That was an ‘aha!’ moment for me. We creation of UN Women. to seek co-sponsorship status in the joint for Africa in the early years of UN Women, creating UN Women. had been operating in the dark for years, previously of UNIFEM. programme, even though our resources working without this essential information hadn't changed significantly. It was an because we were not represented on the immediate sea change.” Senior Management Team. It made all the Nazneen Damji: Senior Advisor, Gender Equality, difference to our work on the ground and HIV and Health, UN Women. our capacity to mobilize the UN system for women’s rights.” Joanne Sandler: Former UNIFEM and UN Women Deputy Executive Director – feminist activist and researcher. 36 37 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Where’s the money for gender equality? Forged within the context of UN reforms, UN Yet there is hope. The Climate agenda grew Women was living proof of the value assigned with momentum because it coalesced around to coordinated delivery for women’s equality targets and indicators, and launched new and empowerment. And yet, three years after financial instruments, such as green bonds, its establishment, UN Women’s resources only to fund the required investment to achieve reached about half of the minimal US$ 500 those targets. million initial goal needed22, which was not To close our own funding gap, and the overall achieved until its 10th year — a resource gap gender equality gap, UN Women aims to faced the world over by women’s organizations Partners for Peace replicate the climate strategy to encourage at all levels. Financing dedicated to gender new financial instruments that will fund the In 2013, Belen Sanz Luque became UN equality and women’s empowerment is rare, promise of a more equal world, and we are Women Country Director in Colombia, stalled at around 4% of OECD’s Development renewing our focus on Financing for Gender and was immediately presented with a Assistance Committee (DAC) bilateral aid, key opportunity: After nearly 50 years Equality. We have deepened our relationships and as a secondary objective is not yet high of civil war, Colombia was once again with Development Banks and raised the enough, at 34%. In terms of total private equity entering into a peace process between visibility of gender lens investing at a time and venture capital funding, the International the government and the Revolutionary when the consequences for being left behind Finance Corporation (IFC) estimates that only Armed Forces of Colombia People’s are extremely high. 7% goes to female-led businesses. Army (FARC). This is mission critical as we Build Back Better “UN Women had a strong interest and Yet this lack of support for contributing the from the global pandemic. Pre-COVID, women a lot of experience in using Security funds needed to help achieving gender made up only 41% of the global workforce, Council resolutions like 1325 to support equality and women’s empowerment makes local women peace advocates and to according to the International Monetary Fund no economic sense: investing in women brings claim a place at negotiating tables. (IMF), and the majority of the jobs lost during measurable returns – socially, economically Our team seized the opportunity and COVID were women's jobs, given women’s and financially. Gender inequality costs the Michelle Bachelet traveled to Colombia over-representation in hardest- hit industries. world some US$ 16.2 trillion in earnings, by to meet with President Santos. More than ever, our response must go beyond the World Bank’s estimate – but despite this Then doors started to open for Building Out the UN Women Office in Ukraine proving to traditional donors the value of compelling business case, progress lags far women’s voices. The Government of “The starting point for UN Women’s work as I arrived – although I saw the horrors of investing in women as we ensure availability behind ambition. Colombia asked the UN to coordinate in Ukraine was not promising. It was the what was happening to women in conflict of resources for achieving gender equality. 23 consultations with civil society and UN only country in the European context that affected areas – I was skeptical of our Women jumped on the opportunity. had armed conflict. There were a lot of capacity to be effective as a humanitarian When the final agreement was reached, resources for humanitarian and immediate actor. As the new UN agency in town, I was 11% 5% there were almost 100 provisions needs, but structural reform was badly doubtful that we could leverage resources ensuring gender equality is central to needed to deliver. from traditional donors. So, I changed our Flows not screened against the DAC marker every aspect of the peace agreement.” A gender advisor to the UN system position focus: with women’s rights activists and Belen Sanz Luque, UN Women Country Director was established. I arrived with confusing government, we designed a longer-term Integrated gender equality 30% in Mexico and former UN Women Country Gender not a focus Director in Colombia terms of reference. I didn’t have an office, path to establish UN Women as a part of 53% I worked on my own laptop, and I was the renewed Ukraine and its new vision of Dedicated to gender equality my own driver. I was supposed to limit development. That paid off.” myself to advising the country team Anastasia Divinskaya, first UN Women Country Note: Figure based on partial reporting against DAC gender equality policy marker by 11 multilateral organizations under humanitarian action. But as soon Director in Ukraine and currently UN Women Source: (oecd, 2019) Creditor Reporting System Country Director in Brazil https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=CRS1 38 39 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ PA RT 2 UN WOMEN in ACTION “UN Women opens UN spaces for young feminist activists to highlight concerning issues, share the work we achieved, and foster connections. I received a UNW scholarship for CSW59; this convening of women’s rights advocates played a critical role in my journey.” Sophia Pierre-Antoine, PSEA Officer at IOM, YWCA member, and former Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of FRIDA Young Feminist Fund UN Women distributes urgently needed aid to 144 families during a 2016 emergency mission near eastern Mosul, Iraq, at a camp for those internally displaced by anti-terrorist military operations. UN Women’s ‘necessity kits’ contain basic provisions for families as well as feminine hygiene products. 40 41 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ chapter 1 memorable MOMENTS “In every girl there is a President, in every woman a Nobel Laureate and peace builder. Humanity cannot afford to continue squandering this treasure at an unspeakable direct cost to women, and a ruinous price for the global economy, sustainability and peace. UN Women is effecting an unprecedented sea-change of global policy to ensure women have Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf addresses the UN Women "Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender an equal, active role in shaping the decisions and policies impacting us and humanity at large.” Equality" event held in New York City on 10 March 2015. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Nobel Peace Laureate (2011), former President of Liberia and Africa’s first elected female head of state The celebration marked the 20th anniversary of the World Conference on Women in Beijing. 42 43 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ In this chapter, we pay tribute to a fraction of the memorable moments which mark the first decade of UN Women at the helm of the women’s movement across the globe. Global Leaders Black Women UNITE to End Violence Commit to Gender March against Against Women Equality Action Racism in Brazil Orange the World! Every year during the In September 2015, commemorating the On 18 November, 2015 UN Women 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo- Violence (25 November to 15 December), UN and Platform for Action (BDPfA), UN Ngcuka traveled to Brazil in support of Women activates the Secretary General’s Women and the People’s Republic of UN WOMEN MOVES some 20,000 women who took part in UNiTE campaign. Through its campaign to “orange” global landmarks, UN Women China convened a summit of over 70 heads THE NEEDLE ON the Black Women’s March against Racism dramatically brings global attention to of State and Government at the United and Violence in Brasilia. A diverse range of Nations headquarters: The Global Leaders’ CHANGING NORMS AND women came from all over the country to violence against women and urges the world Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s STEREOTYPES draw attention to the double discrimination to take action. Empowerment: A commitment to action. UN Women has made changing norms and and violence faced by women of African Fighting Domestic The leaders delivered personal pledges to stereotypes a key cross-cutting priority, making descent in Brazil on account of their Transformative address the gaps identified in the 20-year Violence with Help review and appraisal of the implementation significant inroads in the last ten years at gender and the colour of their skin. She pledged, at the start of International Policy Influence multiple levels. from Big Tech of the BDfPA, and announced concrete Decade for People of African Descent, for Gender Equality In particular, religious and traditional leaders In June 2020, UN Women partnered and measurable actions to kick-start rapid who perform, promote or defend child that the United Nations would stand with and Women’s Rights with the “Big Five” tech giants to provide change in their countries. Commitments marriage and FGM are some of the most women of African descent, then and in the UN Women successfully used its policy help for the spike in reported domestic addressed the most pressing barriers for powerful custodians of these practices and can years to come. advocacy function to make sure that violence, or “the shadow pandemic”, women, such as increasing investment in therefore be powerful allies to stamp out these global debates include strong gender during COVID-19 lockdowns. Google gender equality, reaching parity for women violations. By supporting their engagement at perspectives. In 2015, UN Women’s policy linked to UN Women’s main site through at all levels of decision-making, eliminating community and regional levels, UN Women paper on the post-2015 development its COVID-19 information hub, and dozens discriminatory legislation, and addressing has been able to help move the needle, for agenda called for a transformative goal on of UN Women country offices contributed harmful social norms. example through supporting the 2018 meeting achieving gender equality – this became to the help repository on Facebook, of traditional leaders from 17 African countries the basis for Sustainable Development both providing essential support and in Kenya, and the 2019 convening of the Goal 5 in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable information for women experiencing first African Summit to end Female Genital Development. Five years later, UN Women violence in isolation. Twitter too launched Mutilation (FGM) and Child Marriage, convened led the development of a policy brief on a #ThereIsHelp with relevant information by the governments of Senegal and The the impact of COVID-19 on women, which and hotline numbers. Gambia in Dakar. became a reference point for advocates And at the international level, recognizing the and policy-makers worldwide for the power of the advertising industry, UN Women response to the pandemic to take gender convened the Unstereotype Alliance, a thought considerations into account. and action platform of advertising industry members that seeks to eradicate harmful gender-based stereotypes in all media and advertising content. 44 45 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ “Over two years ago, sitting in a dark straw hut in the UN Mission in South Sudan with the Executive Director of UN Women, we heard the harrowing stories of Deborah and Nyamile. A month after the signature of the revitalized peace agreement, which included promising new gender provisions, we heard the challenges and hopes they saw for their country. What we learned from them continues to guide our paths today as we implement the landmark Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which reaffirmed the critical role of women in preventing and resolving conflicts.” Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General, Department of Peace Operations UN WOMEN PUSHES FOCUS ON WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY UN Women drew global attention to the In addition, in 2017, the African Women Leaders Twenty-six years after the Fourth World Conference on Women in Women, Peace and Security agenda, focusing Network (AWLN) was launched, supported by Beijing: The Generation Equality Forum in Mexico and France on ensuring that the voices of women are head UN Women and the African Union Commission at the peace table and in conflict prevention. through the Office of the Special Envoy on The Generation Equality Forum – a major global It will strengthen global movements, and ensure Part of this strategy was the series of high-profile WPS. It is a unique continental movement, gathering to advance gender equality - is implementation of the Beijing Platform for visits of the Executive Director to numerous strengthening efforts towards Africa’s convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the Action and the achievement of the Sustainable conflict-affected countries: Somalia, South transformation into a peaceful, inclusive, and governments of Mexico and France, in partnership Development Goals. Sudan, Colombia, Ukraine, Liberia, Democratic prosperous continent. In four years, AWLN has with youth and civil society. The forum kicked off in The Forum will also fuel a significant and lasting Mexico in March 2021 and (at time of publication) coalition for gender equality, offering a vital Republic of Congo, Chad, Mali, Niger, Burkina established 25 national chapters, confirming will culminate in Paris from 30 June to 2 July. moment for activists, feminists, young people Faso and Nigeria, as well as peace talks in Havana itself as a key player at the national level. Its between the Colombian government and the strong intergenerational focus fosters the The Forum takes place at a critical moment and allies to achieve transformative change for to reverse rising gender inequality caused by generations to come. FARC, Syrian refugees in Za'atari, Jordan and transfer of knowledge and skills between young COVID-19. It launches a series of concrete ambitions The Forum’s #ActforEqual campaign encourages Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. and senior women. and transformative actions, fueled by investments, everyone to take action and make their own to drive a rapid acceleration in equality, leadership commitments for gender equality. and opportunity for women and girls worldwide. 46 47 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ In September 2014, UN Women launched the HeForShe campaign to engage men as change agents and form a global solidarity movement for gender equality. HeForShe invites men and boys to complement the work of the women’s movement as equal partners, crafting and implementing a shared vision of gender equality that will benefit all of humanity. UN Women Goodwill Prime Minister of Sweden, Ambassador, Stefan Löfven Malawi committed to lead the charge to In 2018, dozens of iconic landmarks in cities HeForShe Taverns is a project that uses Emma Watson end child marriage and in 2016, Parliament around the world, from the Empire State taverns as a space for mobilization of men to I am a #HeForShe Impact Champion. As HeForShe Champions, we are amended the Constitution to outlaw child Building in New York City to the Burj Khalifa end gender-based violence, and to promote Since 2014, I’ve been proud to lead the growing a new world, advancing marriage at the highest level of the legal in Dubai, turned off half their lights to raise world’s first feminist government, one gender equity, healthier relationships and equality by every means at our that consists of as many female as system, protecting girls and boys under age awareness for the importance of gender an improved vision of what masculinity is. disposal and using our influence to male ministers. Still, gender equality is 18 from a violation of their human rights. equality. The #MorePowerfulTogether The project, which was introduced in South magnify our impact. Every step takes not just about equal representation but campaign created a visual metaphor of Africa, aims to initiate conversations between us forward and the momentum keeps Traditional chief Theresa Kachindamoto is about equal power– rights, resources the power lost when half the population is men and women about the violence in their and being heard. building. known for her fierce leadership in annulling eliminated. communities. It also fights alcohol-related over 2,500 child marriages (and counting) Sweden has been one of UN Women’s Men—I would like to take this violence and encourages tavern owners to and sending girls and boys back to school in strongest supporters, politically and opportunity to extend your formal have zero-tolerance to acts of violence within invitation. Gender equality is your Dedza district, in the central region of Malawi. financially. We will maintain this their establishments. issue too. firm support. In its short life span, HeForShe has built a community of over UN Women has changed the lives of 3 million activists through male-focused many women and girls, men and boys, positive messaging and has been actively giving them tools and greater power to extending the invitation to men to not only influence their lives. be part of the gender equality conversation, but to be part of the solution. 48 49 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Indigenous Women Managed by the Civil Society Division at UN Women, the Yvonne Hebert Fund is an innovative mechanism to ensure the inclusion of voices of individuals who would otherwise not be able to attend CSW. The programme has funded a kaleidoscope of voices and sectors from around the world: young documentary filmmakers; widows; human rights defenders; differently- abled individuals; survivors of violence. In response to a call by the UN Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Issues (IASG) and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, UN Women dedicates specific funds to support indigenous people, who often face some of the Memorable most pernicious forms of violence and gains from the discrimination. “Just the act of wearing past 10 years our traditional clothes is an expression of resistance.” Sonia Maribel Sontay Herrera, Survivor Voices Majawil Q’ij Association, Guatemala THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN The successful outcome at the 57th Session of CSW in 2013 pushed the The Commission on the Status of Women For two weeks every year, the streets of east boundaries of the gender equality (CSW) is one of the oldest intergovernmental mid-town Manhattan and the hallways of the and women’s empowerment agenda bodies of the United Nations and its second United Nations Secretariat are transformed, as on ending violence against women, largest annual meeting, and it is the diverse groups of women and young people underscoring the importance of YOUTH mechanism through which governments and activists - representatives of CSOs, gender including survivor views. It ended with UN Women continues to ramp up its efforts dialogues, youth have an opportunity to monitor implementation of the Beijing advocates and UN entities - join Member a historic outcome document in the to include young people in the CSW process draft recommendations that are presented Declaration and Platform for Action (BDPfA). States to discuss progress and gaps in the form of the “Agreed Conclusions” which in a meaningful way. The number of youth- to the Member States in efforts to inform Being the seminal UN intergovernmental implementation of the BDPfA. They also called on Member States to prevent and focused events and the participation of negotiations. forum on gender equality, CSW annually collectively push the gender equality agenda end violence against women and girls. youth in formal dialogues have increased hosts the largest number of NGOs of all the to the forefront; Member States agree on For the first time ever, the Conclusions substantially. Moreover, UN Women continues “We lack fora to express Commissions of the United Nations – over 5200 further actions to accelerate progress. incorporated the voices of survivors to create safe spaces for young people to ourselves. But we have a lot registered Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in its text, which reflected the strong discuss their issues amongst their peers, representatives from over 130 countries in 2019 CSW is instrumental in amplifying and recognition that violence against women as well as with other stakeholders and to do and a lot to give.” elevating critical women’s rights issues in and girls is a human rights violation that Priscilla Magamba Busabono, Youth advocate alone, and nearly 35,000 representatives since actors who are helping to move and shape the global arena. It documents the reality warrants significant redress. the CSW agenda. Through the multiple for women’s rights, YWCA member, Democratic 2010. Many more participate in parallel CSO Republic of Congo/ CSW60 of women’s lives throughout the world, and events outside of the formal spaces of the shapes global standards on gender equality Commission. and the empowerment of women. 50 51 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ chapter 2 In her words: Stories “We go out into the streets for those who died, those who died fighting for the rights that Severely traumatized after losing her four-year-old daughter during the we still don't have and those who died without the opportunity of defending themselves.” April 2015 earthquake in Nepal, Kalpana Shrestha (left) is on the road to recovery today, thanks to psychosocial counselling she received at a UN Vanina Escales, co-founder of Ni Una Menos, a cultural, political and social movement that swept across Latin America and the world. Women-supported multi-purpose women’s centre in Sindhupalchok District. Humanitarian assistance is one of UN Women’s areas of work. 52 53 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ “As COVID-19 has exacerbated existing inequalities, strong UN Women programming in every corner of the world will continue to be crucial to ensure that women and girls, in all their diversity, including those women and girls who are facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, are not left behind. UN Women’s unique triple mandate allows us, apart from our coordination and normative work, to join hands with our programme partners on the ground to deliver for all women and girls. We will continue to work directly with civil society to empower all women and girls from all walks of life through our programmes. If we want to live in a green, equitable, gender- responsive and inclusive post-pandemic world, meaningful inclusion and participation of all women and girls in decision-making processes is key. Here are the stories of 12 women and men, whom we support with knowledge, training and other instruments that help them live free and empowered lives. I hope you will feel as inspired as I am when reading their first-hand experiences!” Åsa Regnér, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women 54 55 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Europe and Central Humanitarian assistance, women’s economic Asia empowerment Our work is a source of joy Kursanali kyzy Begimai, 24, lives on the more than 1,000 plants and installed drip disputed border between Kyrgyzstan and irrigation – a game-changer in an area where Governance, Tajikistan, where conflicts are many and water is scarce, and access hampered by disabilities resources scarce. border tensions. The purpose of my life In April, they enjoyed their first crop of three Most men from her village are labour tons, which sold for 300,000 KGS (US$ 4,300). migrants in Russia, leaving the women and Divided equally between the five women, children behind. Begimai heads a self-help each earned the equivalent of US$ 860. Elana Georgievska’s day starts at 5 a.m., Change came in 2019 when the Aerodrom group of women in her village. The group of getting her family ready for the day ahead. municipality joined a UN Women- five young mothers is named “Yrysky”, which “Our work is an achievement and a source Her children, Jovan and Yana, attend school of joy, not only for us as members of the partnered project that funds personal means ‘Bountifulness’ in Kyrgyz. The bounty in the Aerodrom municipality in Skopje, the self-help group but also for our neighbors assistants to support children with comes from Albion strawberries, a new in the village,” says Begimai, whose group capital of North Macedonia. disabilities in school and promotes gender- fast-growing variety that bears fruit three to has inspired others in the village to buy the Jovan studies in the ninth grade. When he was responsive and inclusive policies and four times a year. Begimai and her group are strawberry seeds from them and start farms. diagnosed with autism as a little boy, doctors budgets. among the first to plant it in the region. The training has provided more than recommended Jovan be placed in a specialized The change has been tremendous. “Jovan When Begimai first presented the group’s agricultural support, says the young group- school. Elana insisted on a regular school. “I plan for their small berry business to the finishes his homework on time. He became leader. told them to give him a chance,” she says. UN Women staff from the project for cross- more active and participates in projects border cooperation for sustainable peace “Thanks to the UN Women project, I attended Standing up for her son’s right to inclusive with other children.” and development and local partners, she trainings and events at community and education took persistence. “The life of a child Recently, Jovan opened his school province level and I became more active. was very nervous. “Like many women, I was “Expanding economic with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) largely concert with a performance of one of his I have learned different ways of conflict not confident. I couldn’t formulate complete depends on the will and efforts of the parents. favorite songs, ‘We Will Rock You’. “It was resolution, women’s role in peace-building, sentences and didn’t look the audience in You need to show your teeth, fight doctors’ opinions,” Elana says. unbelievable! Everyone rose to their feet in applause, they could not believe Jovan the eye.” and the importance of sustainable practices.” opportunities for women is one of the key factors to Now Begimai wants to grow the message But she won over the selection committee, Elana has little time left for herself but is could do that,” Elana smiles proudly. “I was and empower other women. “Expanding and received the plants, fertilizers and the happiest mom!” ensure safety and prosperity” determined. “I set a goal- to set the right economic opportunities for women is one agricultural equipment through the project, direction for the development of my child. It of the key factors to ensure safety and Now Elana’s mission is ensuring Jovan which also provided training and ongoing has become the purpose of my life,” she says. consultation. The young mothers planted prosperity,” she says. completes secondary education so that he Jovan struggled at first. “He was afraid to can earn a living in the future. “That means speak in class, afraid to say something wrong you need to continue to fight and never give and that his classmates would make fun of up. I will knock on every door!” him,” Elana says. 56 57 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Eastern and Southern Africa information and communications technologies for development (ICT4D) African girls can code engaging men, When Rebecca Azanaw got the news that she In 2019, she and 10 other girls from the eliminating violence against would get to meet the Secretary-General programme met with United Nations women (EVAW) of the United Nations, nothing could keep Secretary-General António Guterres on Men and women are equal her away from the opportunity, not even the sidelines of the African Union Summit crunch-time at school as the 17-year-old was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to share their preparing for semester exams. experiences and ambitions. Oupa Vani, a tavern owner in Klerksdorp, violence against women and children, which Azanaw was among more than 80 girls who “If more girls and women are not joining South Africa, has taken a pledge to ensure his Vani says is common in his community. participated in the first coding camp of the these professions, the power relations tavern and its immediate vicinity is free from UN Women-supported African Girls Can of the world will remain very male As part of the pledge, Vani is also committed Code Initiative in September 2018. “I am very dominated,” said Secretary-General acts of violence against women. He is one to weekly community dialogue sessions and of 550 men who have joined the HeForShe proud that I got to be one of the first African Guterres, addressing the girls and a series of educational activities throughout girls to do the camp. That was a chance for representatives of various UN agencies Taverns Campaign and taken an active stand the year aimed at ending gender-based me to start coding seriously,” she explained. and dignitaries. It needs a movement of for gender equality. violence. “Education is key” in changing girls to bring more women into the field negative attitudes and perceptions among The coding camp is part of a four-year “As a tavern owner, I was not aware that I of science and technology, he added, male patrons, he says. “Taking the pledge as programme aiming to spark the interest of had a role to play in addressing the problem commending the initiative for involving a tavern owner means committing to zero girls from across African in Information and of gender-based violence in my community, young girls across Africa. “What we are tolerance of harassment of women or any Communications Technologies (ICT) as a “I am very proud that I but during the campaign I was inspired to be doing here is helping more girls come form of violence in the tavern” Vani explains. career path and avenue of innovation. part of the solution.” In 2014, the proprietor into ICT.” got to be one of the first joined the HeForShe Taverns Campaign run “Men and women are equal, and all Since then, Azanaw has continued to hone Azanaw took the opportunity to deliver a by the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ patronize taverns for various reasons such as her skills in Python programming. She is message of her own. African girls to do the Conference in partnership with UN Women, enjoyment, to share ideas or to release their also spreading her new skills by founding a local project within the larger global stress. We can all co-exist even when drunk - a coding club at her school, Andinet “I want other girls to know that they HeForShe campaign. Campaign coordinator Robert Mafinyori no one is better than the other,” he says. “Since I have taken the pledge, I can no longer International School in Addis Ababa, teaching other girls to code. can do it. If they want to, it is possible to achieve what they want to achieve.” camp.” explains that the idea is “using tavern owners be a bystander and allow acts of violence as gatekeepers” to fight alcohol-related against women to take place within my tavern”. 58 59 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Western and Central women’s economic empowerment Africa Business is good! Mereng Alima Bessela, 50, is a successful management and farming skills to women entrepreneur from Ntui, in the Central Region entrepreneurs living along the road being of Cameroon. She is a cocoa farmer, owns her built between the townships of Batchenga, own restaurant business and a fish farm. Ntui and Yoko. UN Women aims to empower HIV/AIDS 20,000 women in the region by preparing I want to stay healthy and strong “I started the restaurant business three years them for enhanced opportunities once the ago when I heard that the government is road is complete. building a road between Ntui and Yoko. I knew the road project will bring more The training has helped Bessela improve her In most communities in Liberia, women and Change came for Asatu in late 2019, when UN people” says Bessela. “Business is good! fish farm enterprise. “I have learned how to girls remain vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, lacking Women and partners implemented EWPR, I cook traditional food and everyone build the reservoir, how to breed and multiply prevention and treatment knowledge, and a project dedicated to engaging women and appreciates that.” the fish stock and how to feed the fish using support from their environment. girls living with HIV/AIDS, and for training local and natural food that’s organic and less The following year, Bessela attended a communities for better prevention of sexual costly. I have learned business management Mrs. Asatu Kromah is a mother of two from training supported by the Ministry of Fisheries and gender-based violence and harmful skills, which helped me grow my business,” Margibi County in Liberia. Since testing and Animal Husbandry and got the idea for traditional practices that put women and she says. positive for HIV two years ago, things have her next venture- a fishpond. “I fell in love with girls at increased vulnerability to the virus. fish farming. In the morning, when I go to the Bessela has four girls and a boy and is not been easy. “I did not understand the importance of drugs adherence. I would “Today, I never want to miss my medication pond to feed the fish, it’s my favourite time sending them all to school. “I am a fighter skip medication sometimes and this would because I want to stay strong and healthy of the day. Sometimes I feel so happy that I and I do everything I need to do. The most “I am a fighter and I do affect my health,” she says. to take care of my children until they are stand there for an hour, forgetting I must start important thing is that my children finish grown,” says Asatu. “Staying safe and taking cooking at the restaurant!” school and find good jobs.” everything I need to do. Stigma was a problem. Even after finishing care of my children is my priority.” Like thousands of women in the region, She has a vision for her own future, too. “After the drugs she had, Asatu avoided getting Madame Bessela lacks not acumen but my divorce, I bought forested land, got it The most important thing more. “I didn’t have the courage to go to the Asatu’s health has improved greatly and so health center because I feared that people has her confidence, and she shares her story access to skills, markets and finance- and UN cleared and started my own cocoa farm. My is that my children finish would see me and talk about me, I didn’t in community meetings. “I speak openly of Women’s Gender Road Project is tackling dream is to build my own house when my like it.” Asatu’s health suffered, and so did my status and also encourage other women exactly this. cocoa farm starts producing crops. I can then school and find good jobs.” her children, who do not carry the virus. on the importance of drug adherence.” close this restaurant and live off the farm and Funded by The Development Bank of Central “My children were always sad seeing their spend the rest of my days in my own house”. “In the past five or six months, my life has African States, the project teaches business mother’s health deteriorate. They couldn’t completely changed,” Asatu says. “Now my concentrate in school.” children are happy to see their mother more active.” 60 61 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN women’s political participation, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) climate change, women’s political I want the world to know empowerment The Women are Upbeat! Demecia Yat, an indigenous Q’eqchi’ woman When the Abuelas began their fight, they from Guatemala, was just 28 when she was were afraid but found strength in each forced into sexual and domestic slavery at other and support from international the Sepur Zarco military outpost during the organizations. “Breaking the silence was decades-long civil war. not easy but we started discussing among Hurricane Maria hit the island nation of Many women could not immediately return The women farmers asked for short crop seeds, us and found that we were not the only Dominica in September 2017, causing to work and begin repair efforts because their fast-growing vegetables such as tomatoes, peas She was not alone; many women of her survivors of sexual violence,” she recalls. devastation that was still visible everywhere homes had suffered extensive damage as well. and carrots, so that they would have produce to community were systematically raped and many months later. sell in less than two months. enslaved by the army, as husbands and male “My message to the world is eradicate “Livelihoods were lost!” said Jennifer Pascal, UN Women supported women farmers’ relatives were brutalized and disappeared. sexual violence. I want everyone to know The agriculture sector, which employs nearly vice president of the North-East Women groups to get labour and equipment to bring what happened in Sepur Zarco so that one-fifth of the small island’s population, was Farmers Group. “The income we make from the “I suffered violence. I suffered abuse. I their farms back into production, focusing on it doesn’t happen again. We were made badly battered. Especially hard-hit were women farm, that is how the women feed their families suffered the conflict,” she explains. contributing seeds, equipment and access to sexual and domestic slaves for years. Our “My message to today’s farmers: 76% reported catastrophic losses. and send their children to school,” she said. finance. Pascal said things were looking up. Supported by UN Women and partner families, husbands, our bodies and our Of her own farm, only avocado trees survived. organizations, Yat and 14 other survivors liberty were stolen from us. I am not literate, generation and survivors “The women are upbeat!” The greenhouses were flattened, water tanks waged a five-year fight for justice at a national but I have knowledge of my rights. I carry toppled, and the irrigation pipes carried away Since Maria, the women’s fight to recover their is that they should land and livelihoods had been an arduous high court. In 2016, their battle resulted in the pain of what was inflicted to us in my by the river. journey, and the COVID-19 crisis dealt yet the groundbreaking conviction of two former body, so I asked for justice,” says Yat. “A lot of people had to start again. I had to start all over,” Pascal said. another blow to their progress, yet the women are undeterred. army officers of crimes against humanity, and a series of reparation measures. Now she co-leads a UN Women programme to monitor the implementation speak out against any violation of their rights UN Women conducted a special Post Disaster UN Women reoriented its programming to Now Yat is a powerful voice for justice. In of the reparations ruled by the court, which Needs Assessment after the disaster that connect the women farmers to new outlets include scholarships for girls and a mobile because justice can be provided important information for the World 2019, she brought her story and that of and market opportunities. One way has been the other Abuelas - ‘grandmothers’, as the clinic. Bank and national government’s efforts to connecting them with Callister Sango, a young rebuild Dominica. The assessment made clear to UN Women woman entrepreneur, whose online platform AgriVertise allows the women to set up virtual survivors are respectfully called, before the entire international community at the United Yat and the Abuelas continue to fight for their community, using their role as reached.” Nations in New York. “For me, this is a great peacebuilders to advance gender justice for that what Pascal and others needed was shops to advertise their goods and receive fresh achievement,” she says. all women. immediate assistance to get back on their produce orders. They refuse to be daunted. In feet and work, not handouts. the words of Pascal, “We are keeping the faith.” 62 63 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Arab States/ North Africa sports, EVAW, education The importance of education A small group of women and men in boost their self-confidence, the Kholoud Youssoufia, a region in central Morocco, is Association in partnership with UN working hard to end violence against women. Women provides training to Najmat Al Youssoufia Women’s Football Club. humanitarian Hanane Satour is a native of the area, and assistance, a co-founder of the Kholoud Association “I chose to help girls get involved in women’s economic empowerment for Development, Education and football because only boys played football The strength to rebuild myself again Communication, which works with support in our area,” Hanane said. “Girls wanting from UN Women to end gender-based to play football were flocking to us, so we violence and increase women and girl’s decided to help them in order to change education. this misperception that only boys can Falha Abrabo arrived at the Za’atari refugee moment of stepping into Jordan, we became one-third of Za’atari’s households are headed play.” “A lot of women from the villages around camp in Jordan with one hope: to find a known as refugees,” she adds. by women. Youssoufia come into our centre because of Hanane strives to break down the gender safe place for her family. “The war destroyed violence from their husbands” says Hanane. barriers embodied in acts of violence From refugee camps to urban settlements Through UN Women’s programme at the almost everything that I had. I left Dara’a with She says the violence is tied to economic against women and girls that hinder them and rural communities, Jordan has provided Oasis, Falha now earns an income as an adult my family in 2012. It was the only way that we hardship, illiteracy, and the low social status from realizing their right to an education. refuge to more Syrians than any other country literacy teacher. “Oasis has given me the would survive and have a future together,” of women. “Often the women suffering from The Kholoud Association also runs a in the world. 86% of Syrian refugees live below strength that I need to rebuild myself again,” says the 48-year-old mother of four. “In that violence at home are illiterate and don’t know kindergarten for children from families the poverty line; half the refugee population she explains. “The position I have is much are women and girls. more than earning money. Not only am I their legal rights. So, we provide free legal who otherwise would not be able to afford In 2012, UN Women opened its first Oasis learning new skills, but I have the opportunity to teach other women life-long skills.” advice, and hold forums in villages to inform women of their legal rights”. an education. Most of the 50 students are girls. “Our “Education is the key to addressing violence Centre in the Za’atari camp as a safe space Falha is among 300 women gaining The Kholoud Association is not only fighting school aims to provide the opportunity for for refugee women and girls. Over the years, against women.” educational and livelihood opportunities intimate partner violence in the community a basic education to girls at risk of illiteracy. the Oasis model has evolved into what is now through Za’atari’s three Oasis centres. Falha but also empowering girls and changing They are taught how to read and write a centre for building women’s resilience and is very grateful for the support system and harmful gender norms through football, and then they develop these skills further,” empowerment, while also engaging men and friends she has found today. “I want other which is widely popular in Morocco. In order Hanane added. Her organization also holds boys in dialogue for social equality. refugees to know that being a refugee to promote women and girls’ participation public gender sensitization trainings, in Shortly after Falha arrived in Jordan, her should not define who they are. You have in sports as part of a healthy lifestyle and to which men are encouraged to participate. husband suffered a stroke that left him survived conflict, lived through displacement, disabled and her the sole breadwinner, experienced heartache, and you are still here. desperate for work to feed her family. Around You are strong, never give up.” 64 65 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ ASIA AND THE climate change, women’s political PACIFIC empowerment Learning to overcome the challenges Rajena Boiragi wakes up at six in the morning coordinator for Gender and Climate Change. to collect crab and shrimp in her family “We are working on providing them with humanitarian fishing pond, spending around five hours skills training on alternative and sustainable assistance, in muddy waters gathering what she can to livelihoods and providing them grants women’s economic empowerment, sell at the local market. The 55-year-old lives so they can try to change their lives, for R oses in the battlefield COVID-19 response with her son and daughter in south-western themselves and their families, and thereby Bangladesh. build and increase their resilience.” She had been a fish farmer before. But in Thanks to this programme, Boiragi managed 2009, cyclone Aila hit the country, killing at to rebuild her house and fishpond, and In January 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic The programme also gained Shenglian least 179 people and affecting more than has doubled her previous income. Now began spreading across China. Two-thirds of improved farming and business skills, such as 2.6 million others in the region. The disaster she is group leader too, encouraging other the 42,600 medical workers dispatched to the using cost-cutting organic farming and online left an estimated 500,000 people homeless women to invest in their capacities. “The hardest-hit Hubei Province in early March were platforms for selling her produce. These have throughout the south-western coastal belt, women who lost their husbands in 2009 women, dubbed “roses in the battlefield”. helped her maintain steady production and including Ms. Boiragi, who took shelter in a are now succeeding and moving forward. income throughout the pandemic: Shenglian primary school. “I lost everything: my house They learned to overcome the challenges In other provinces, women with no medical has managed to sell 46 pigs through online and the pond were washed away along presented in their lives thanks to the background volunteered for vital roles. In the platforms, earning 50,000 CNY, or US$ 7,100. with roads and people’s belongings,” she investment made in us.” village of Xiaruoyao, in China’s northwestern Qinghai Province, 45-year-old pig farmer “Many rural women like Yan Shenglian gained remembers. In May, Boiragi travelled to the country’s Yan Shenglian joined her village COVID-19 knowledge, information and leadership skills The numbers of people displaced due to capital to speak of her experiences at a high- management team, standing at front-line checkpoints daily to take people’s temperature during the programme. Now, the impact of the programme is evident through the roles they riverbank erosion, permanent inundation level meeting on South-South cooperation for sustainable development goals. Her “I am happy now because I had the chance and rising sea levels are increasing rapidly and ensure precautions were observed. are playing in supporting and contributing to message to the participants, including every year. Bangladesh, already one of the This may not have happened a few years back. their own communities, as well as to the most ministers and advisors, was simple: “I am to rebuild my life." countries most vulnerable to climate change, Like many in her village, Shenglian used to believe hard-hit Hubei Province,” said Wang Qing, UN happy now because I had the chance to will likely face more frequent and larger-scale that public affairs was a man’s job. But her ideas Women Project Manager for Qinghai. rebuild my life by getting the right support floods, cyclones and droughts. changed after participating in a UN Women at the right time and by learning how to “As farmers, these women are also playing a programme on gender and climate change. “Women in Bangladesh are actually the first be strong and resilient. More women need, critical role in food security in the aftermath of to face the impact of climate change,” says and can benefit from, such initiatives and “Although some men do not want to admit COVID-19. Bringing their voices and leadership UN Women’s Dilruba Haider, programme improve their lives.” it, they are silently imitating and learning my at the forefront of the recovery phase is very methods,” she says. important.” 66 67 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ chapter 3 The value of partnerships “As co-founders of the Black Feminist Fund, we know that we can only leverage the resources Black feminist movements around the world need by building strong partnerships - with the Palestinian girls participate in a wheelchair basketball championship as philanthropic community, individual donors, and institutions like UN Women. That’s the only part of a sports for violence-reduction programme in Gaza in December 2015. UN Women works with a wide range of women’s organizations – way we can fund Black feminist movements like we want them to win!” including grassroots, civil society, community-based and other groups, including those addressing multiple and intersecting forms of exclusion. Amina Doherty, co-founder of Black Feminist Fund and Director of Women's Voice and Leadership-Caribbean. 68 69 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ UN Women’s story reflects the transformative power of partnerships. UN Women was established following the concerted efforts of actors across governments and women’s movements, and with a mandate that expressly reflected both the power and imperative of bringing people together to achieve equality, partnership was woven into the DNA of UN Women from the start. UN Women partners both broadly and deeply. It works with governments, civil society and the private sector on policy, resources and initiatives. It engages philanthropy, The Grand Bargain academia, media, religious leaders, celebrities and others, all as part of building an Born of the 2016 World Humanitarian unstoppable movement for change. Summit, the Grand Bargain is a framework bringing together multiple donors and providers of humanitarian assistance for coordinating and streamlining humanitarian Government work to serve those affected by crisis as effectively and efficiently as possible. Partnerships: The Grand Bargain was important but did investments, policy not include gender equality in any of its nine goals, despite women and girls being and political action consistently under-served in humanitarian UN Women’s work with government partners response. UN Women raised the issue – the bedrock of the organization's funding among signatories and gained support from base – has led to more than a doubling its major donors like the EU and US, and key budget over the first decade, from US$ 236 actors like the Red Cross. million in 2011 to over US$ 500 million in 2019. The funding commitments reflect the mandate Private Sector UN Women was elected onto the first Facilitation Group (the Grand Bargain’s governments have given UN Women to head global efforts towards achieving gender Partnerships: coordination structure) and from that position advanced several crucial elements including equality. equality is good business gender-responsive cash assistance, support UN Women’s initiatives with private sector for local women’s organizations and spaces partners have led to new standards and for the voices of crisis-affected women. top 10 un women partners, practices across a range of industries from 2011-2019 (in USD million) media to tech and entertainment leaders. Private Sector and Philanthropy 2015 meeting One particularly powerful partnership is the In September 2015, UN Women’s Business and million from Alibaba and US$ 1 million from Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), a Philanthropy Leaders’ Forum brought attention the Gates Foundation, and marked the framework for corporate business to advance 337.7 234.9 211.5 169.5 162.9 gender equality in their companies and to the need for private sector and philanthropic beginning of longstanding business and Sweden Norway United Switzerland Finland organizations to “step it up” to close the gender philanthropy relationships and increased levels encourage other corporations to promote Kingdom financing gap. With the Alibaba Group’s Jack of funding. Other participating leaders included gender equality in the workplace, marketplace Ma and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s representatives from Coca-Cola, Cisco, Infosys, and community. To date, an impressive 3,000 Melinda Gates as co-hosts, the event was a Itaipu, Mastercard, H&M, Citibank and State Bank companies have joined the WEPs, which also watershed moment in UN Women’s determination of India, along with the Ford Foundation, General includes a Gap Analysis Tool, a confidential 157.7 134.3 113.2 108.9 104.4 online platform that helps companies track their to engage more deeply with the private sector Electric Foundation and Nigeria-based Dangote Australia Japan Netherlands Canada Denmark progress on issues such as human resources, and philanthropy. Pledges included US$ 5 Foundation. procurement and corporate sustainability. 70 71 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ The continued projection of negative and degrading images of women in media communications - electronic, print, visual and audio - must be changed. Beijing Platform for Action, Section J Media partnerships: UN System-wide Action Plan (UN-SWAP) on a game changer Gender Equality and the for gender equality Empowerment of Women In 2014, UN Women was preparing for the In 2012, UN Women developed the UN- commemoration of the 20th anniversary of SWAP into pioneering system-wide the Beijing Platform for Action and launched framework for accountability on gender a year-long campaign to invigorate old and equality, setting a new gold standard new supporters. Realizing the importance across the UN. Now nearly all UN entities of a dedicated partnership with media, UN use the system to report progress on Women formed the Media Compact, a pro- gender equality requirements and indictors bono alliance in which top-tier national and Expanding and have mandatory gender training for staff at all levels. In 2015, collaboration international media joined UN Women to move the needle on gender equality. It draws partnerships between UN Women and the National its inspiration from the Beijing Platform. towards 2030 Health System (NHS) in the UK examining applying the UN-SWAP model to the British Thirty outlets joined, producing thousands Spotlight Initiative UN Women is already planning the next NHS led to a pioneering transformation of stories featuring courageous women and decade’s partnerships including new areas process of increasing women at key UN Women and partners launched this high impact The results have been impressive, with campaigns giving voice to the marginalized. In 2016, the of focus, international financial institutions positions within the health system. partnership with the EU in 2017 aimed at eliminating reaching 42 million people. Over one-third of partnership expanded to form the ‘Step It Up such as the World Bank, expanding the all forms of violence against women and girls, based Spotlight countries now have disaggregated for Gender Equality Media Compact’, with WEPs, and enhancing accountability so that on the shared recognition that more and better national statistics to better reflect multiple forms of members committing to champion women’s commitments are followed by action. resourced dedicated interventions were needed. discrimination. Education programmes have reached rights, ensure inclusion of women as sources nearly 350,000 adolescents and countries have The EU invested an unprecedented €500 million to Partnership is change, and the stronger passed dozens of laws and policy instruments on in stories, aim for gender parity in newsrooms, support interventions in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the efforts in this area, the faster the issues ranging from labour migration regulations to adopt a gender-sensitive code of conduct on the Pacific and the Caribbean, tackling challenges advancement towards a gender equal world national action plans on eliminating violence against reporting, and mentor women journalists for including harmful traditional practices, human by the year 2030. women and girls. career advancement. With over 80 current trafficking, femicide and domestic and family partners from France 24 to Jordan Times, violence. Spotlight remains one of the biggest programmes the Compact has inspired new models of UN in UN Women’s history and reflects a strong and growing partnership with the European Union. partnership. 72 73 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ chapter 4 Civil Society Organizations “During my term, I was inspired every day by the resilience, innovation and boldness of young women from Africa and the diaspora who advocated for Intergenerational Co- Leadership. The 10 practical demands from the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto addressed the intention of the millennials to push for action, along with our elders, and Aya Chebbi, pictured at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark in 2019, impact in the global fora, and not wait another 108 years for gender equity. Young women is a Tunisian feminist blogger, first-ever African Union Youth Envoy, and founder of the Voice of Women initiative. As a youth speaker said ‘Enough is Enough!’ I applaud UN Women and its leadership for the continued work at UN Women's celebratory event for the 20th anniversary of the in making the difference in the lives of women and girls.” Fourth World Conference on Women in March 2015, she rallied an audience of some 2,000 people. Aya Chebbi, Outgoing African Union Youth Envoy; Chair of Africa Young Women Manifesto Group. 74 75 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Purity Dorothy Soinato UN Women would not exist without the powerful “UN Women is the Senatus Executive Director Femmes en Democratie, Haiti “The Beijing Platform for Oiyie Maasai woman from Kenya and Say NO to FGM advocate organizing of the women’s institutional achiever of Action placed sexual and the past decade. It has “There’s a monopoly of rights movement, led by reproductive rights as accomplished massively, land ownership by big fundamental human rights. civil society organizations though generally under- corporations in Indonesia. It advanced specific public from across the globe. resourced and overstretched. This makes women even services for women who Into the new decade, UN poorer. They go on to In March 2007, the “Rural women are the backbone experience violence and “I was only 10 or 11 years old, Women should bring its become low-wage workers Women’s Environment and of Haitian society and a pillar access to legal abortion, when my father decided to strong base, amazing brave in palm oil, sugar or tobacco of the economy and of food for example, but many circumcise me. I talked to Development Organization heart and huge ear for plantations. When women security. And yet, they have women still lack access to my class teacher and she (WEDO) and the Center for feminist voices to continue menstruate, they can ask limited and unequal access to sexual and reproductive informed the police chief. pushing for breakthroughs.” for holiday, but plantation Women’s Global Leadership productive resources such as rights. We hope that Just two hours before the officials ask them to take (CWGL) convened 50 global land, financing, technology and we get government cutting ceremony, the police off their pants to prove that Sanja Nikolin information. I would like to see commitments.” came and took me away. women activists for a single they are menstruating.” comprehensive policies and Today, I work with World Elisa Silva purpose - to call for a fully sustainable funding mechanisms Vision and the Kenyan resourced UN women’s that increase rural women’s anti-FGM Board to help Helda Khasmy international development expert, entrepreneur and entity. That driving force activist of the Women’s resilience and support their raise awareness among Platform for the Development transformative integration across member of Curumim, feminist and people in the villages.” that forged UN Women of Serbia & UN Women Europe anti-racist NGO in Brazil devoted and Central Asia Civil Society agribusiness value chains.” to the promotion of sexual and into existence still plays a Advisory Group member reproductive rights of women from Indonesia, Chair of SERUNI- Indonesian major role today, keeping Women’s Organization UN Women’s feet to the fire and rallying global support around its leadership. Here are the hopes and concerns of a few of our global partners. 76 77  [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ chapter 5 We are UN Women dedicated team of staff, consultants, interns, volunteers and goodwill ambassadors in its country, multi-country and regional offices around the world are the key to the organization’s success. UN Women “Joining UN Women through its Inaugural Young Women Leaders Programme has assured me that my voice matters and that my story has value. My colleagues inspire me. We all share a common desire for transformative change within our families, communities and countries, and this can all be possible - together! Our differences should not keep us back, they can be an enabling catalyst that leads us to common ground.” Kabelo Botlhe Dikobe (Botswana), Executive Analyst, UN Women HQ 78 79 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Tribute to UN Women over the years “I am so impressed by the passion, the commitment and conviction of UN Women personnel. For the last 10 years, UN Women’s people have worked relentlessly to push the gender equality agenda forward around the world. From remote islands to crowded cities, they have spared no effort to make sure that women enjoy their full human rights: that Mayan women in Guatemala have access to land, that Afghan women have a seat at the peace table, that girls in Uganda do not experience early marriages and other forms of violence, that women market vendors in Fiji have skills to negotiate with the market council management, and that sex-disaggregated data is available to develop informed and effective policies - among other achievements. To this end, they have tirelessly engaged with a wide range of partners — grassroots organizations, Governments, the private sector, academia, young people, men and boys, and traditional leaders. I am so proud of the achievements and the hard work done by my deeply valued colleagues!” Anita Bhatia, Deputy Executive Director UN Women 80 81 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ “I am proud to be among those who witnessed the birth of UN Women, the establishment of which the Government of Egypt strongly supported. Many women and feminist government institutions around the world look to UN Women and expect timely support, smart “For me, UN Women has been a beacon to investments, and renewed commitments to all governments globally, and is the driving achieve the empowerment of women by all force behind national actions, which has possible means. led to meaningful progress towards gender equality and the increased empowerment of As a former member of the UN Women family and women. As the global advocate for women a contributor to the formulation of the Sustainable in leadership and the overall champion Development Agenda 2030, it is a great honor for gender equality, UN Women plays a to be part of its practical achievement through significant role in providing support and supporting the implementation of Egypt’s first- the necessary tools to create societies, “For 10 years, UN Women has pushed the ever global strategy at national level on the “UN Women represents power and justice frontiers of global norms and standards for where women and girls are treated as equal empowerment of Egyptian women responding to in the historic struggle waged by diverse gender equality and women’s rights. We partners with our men and boys.” the Sustainable Development Goals. women, girls and all gender-marginalized forged a multi-stakeholder Global Gender people across the globe. Only by situating Equality Compact in every area of the I sincerely hope that UN Women will continue to grassroots movements fighting for the UN’s priority pillars of Peace and Security, grow and make a tangible difference in the lives of many women worldwide, and for it to be able empowerment of women and girls at the Ambassador Pennelope Beckles Human Rights, Sustainable Development center of decision-making processes, can and Humanitarian response. We enabled to do so, women’s economic empowerment is the we hope to achieve meaningful gender millions of women and men, institutions winning horse and key to achieving planet 50-50.” equality. The move for a globalized society and leaders everywhere to value, own and must unquestionably uphold institutions that Minister of Housing and Urban invest in gender equality within their families, reinforce the principles of justice inherently Development, Trinidad and Tobago; Maya Morsy Former Permanent Representative of communities and nations. embodied by UN Women if we are to create Trinidad and Tobago to the UN; advocate for women in STEM, politics and sport We must now be a revolutionary force for a world based on fairness and equality for more rapid progress, and for deepening future generations.” President, National Council for and updating these norms and their Women, Egypt; Former UNIFEM representative, Egypt implementation everywhere. The time to Dr. Nadine Gasman create a gender equal world is now!” Lakshmi Puri President, National Women’s Institute, Mexico; Former UN Women representative, Brazil Former Deputy Executive Director, UN Women 82 83 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ PA RT 3 THE FUTURE “Staying on the track through storms, pursuing the mission of waking up the world brings us closer to fulfilling Generation Equality. Reimagine what the youth can do, and let’s ally. Let’s unite and make the Decade of Action sure-fire.” Dario Korolija (21) is a National Gender Youth Advocate globally selected for the UN Women’s Generational Equality Campaign, and a HeForShe Advocate from North Macedonia On 7 December 2019, as part of the 16 Days of Activism in Colombia, a variety of bold arts, dance and theatrical performances took over the Parkway, a traditional neighbourhood in Bogotá, to say NO to violence against women and girls. 84 85 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ chapter 1 I am Generation Equality Realizing women’s rights for an equal future I am Generation Equality because … “We all deserve equal opportunity. I am passionate about trying to figure out how to reduce UN Women marked International Women’s Day 2020 in the city of Gjakova, in western Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244), with an poverty and inequality. Poverty is one of the most urgent issues of our time. It cuts across activity for young women and girls in basketball. UN Women everything, including climate change, gender equity and the digital divide.” introduced the Generation Equality campaign and called on youth and girls in sports to join the movement and promote Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, 33, is an Economist, former Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry in Botswana, and a gender equality. member of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation. 86 87 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING Our Voices, Our Common Future We are Generation Equality! Here we invite you to listen to some of the voices of the next generation of gender equality activists and leaders. Realizing women’s rights for an equal future An entire generation has come of age since Beijing. We call it Generation Equality. Not because gender equality has been achieved- far from it- but because its members live in a generation more determined than ever to achieve it. Already now, women and girls, and men and boys, are speaking up for themselves and others, demanding I am Generation Equality because… I am Generation Equality because… I am Generation Equality because… economies, societies and political systems that leave no one behind.We will not wait for another generation. “As a digital product designer and “It has been my dream since “Gender equality is my issue, to make Generation Equality is now. front-end developer, I believe women childhood to be in a profession that sure that the views and contributions can make a meaningful contribution touches people’s lives. My role model of women and girls are valued and to society through technology. We was my uncle who was a firefighter. used to develop Zanzibar’s social, should have more diversity in tech. After graduating from university, I cultural, economic and political When COVID-19 started, unverified became a workplace nurse. One day growth. I also advocate for inclusion I am Generation Equality because… information kept spreading on social I am Generation Equality because… I saw a vacancy announcement for of women and girls in sport. Growing media. I asked myself, 'why is there no firefighters at the Parliament and “It’s thousands of years since the start up, I noticed that despite their place that gathers all the information “Art is a good way to bring change, immediately applied. Successfully of civilization and I cannot believe I huge potential, women were often about COVID-19 cases so we can to challenge people’s mindsets. completing the examinations and am still teaching people that women’s deprived of the opportunity to check easily?'. This sparked the idea If you want issues to be solved in outperforming many men, I became rights are human rights, still asking for participate. We need to break these of developing a website that curates society, you need popular discussions the first woman firefighter at the freedom of choice, body and assets. barriers, so women and girls know news and data about the virus, and this around it. Art is the best way for Turkish Grand National Assembly. Not only that, but I have to lower they have the right to participate me to express my concerns about I am Generation Equality because… was the beginning of "COVID Tracker Initially, I faced a lot of prejudice. my standards. Instead of asking for and see sport as a career and tool by 5Lab". It started with the simple idea feminism. When I first raised the My mother said, “You’re a nurse, equal inheritance, I am asking for the than can transcend boundaries of “Having witnessed violence first-hand, of visualizing the information from the issue of women’s rights in my go do your own job”. But my father minimal share guaranteed by law or sex, race, religion and nationality.” it made me obsessed with fighting for Ministry of Health- we did it in a one- songs, there was a huge backlash, supported me. My dream came religion. Instead of asking for the same Equality. I witnessed my mum suffer Fatma Ahmed, 25, is a Generation Equality night hackathon! We gained four million because society is super patriarchal. true—now in my daily work, I can authority at home, I am begging to Champion and Founder of the Girls’ Inclusion in violence and its always made me feel Sports Campaign in Zanzibar, Tanzania users within five days, way beyond our I got a lot of threats, hate speech, save lives.” stop female genital mutilation (FGM). bad. Growing up didn’t get any simpler - expectations.” harassment-- even death threats. I am asked to surrender to patriarchal I wanted to become Vice-President of Merve Erbay, 21, became the first woman But what I didn’t expect was firefighter in the Turkish Parliament orders choosing my partner, career the Student Union in Maseno University. Ramida Juengpaisal, 24, is a digital product designer and front-end developer, Thailand support. I received a lot of support and even my dreams! But I am from But as a woman you are told you need from both men and women. My Generation Equality with a vision for to do this and that, sleep around with songs are about freedom, which is change to a world that is 50-50 and men to get favors and such. It makes for everyone.” peaceful, where everyone can grow to you think ‘let’s call it quits.’ I don’t want Zere Asylbek, feminist singer from Kyrgyzstan their full potential safely.” anyone to suffer the same things I have.” Hanien Adel, 17-year-old activist, Egypt Kathy Gitau, 22, was elected Vice President of the Student Union at Maseno University, Kenya 88 89  An Intergenerational Let ’s start at the very Conversation I am Generation Equality: Join three feminists – young, older and older – for a talk about hope, love, beginning expectation, stories, solidarity and sharing. A conversation about UN Women at 10 and beyond. “It was the early 2000s. I was “I remember vividly when I first “How I heard about UN Women working with UNICEF and I began hearing heard of the UN. I was maybe six or was from my father, in 2012. about the Gender Equality Architecture seven, sitting on the floor with my family, I remember that day. I was coming home Reform and this big campaign. They were having lunch. My dad used to watch the from school and it was raining. I was wet talking about setting up a UN agency on news. It was a press conference of Kofi Annan, from head to toe. When I arrived, my father women. And I was like, wow! That would be behind him was the UN logo. I didn’t know greeted me and said, “What happened? Lopa Banerjee, 58, India Hajer Sharief, 28, Libya Getrude Mligo, 23, Tanzania such a great idea! And I want to work there! Fast forward to 2010. It was a very, very who Kofi Annan was. My dad explained, imagine there's a world government and he's You could wait until the rain stopped. Where did you come from?” Director of the Civil Society Division & Human rights advocate and co-founder Youth activist from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, difficult year for me. I was going through the head. Then my brother said, “oh Kofi like I said, “I was tired of staying at school. I Executive Coordinator of the Generation of “Together we build it”. Hajer promotes and author of the book 'Dear Girl Child, I a deep, personal tragedy around the ‘coffee’! that’s an interesting name and he’s wish I could just leave.” Equality Forum at UN Women, supporting the participation of women and youth in am Generation Equality, #Be Brave', written same time UN Women was being born. like the president of the world!” He looked at me and said, “Do you know and strengthening women’s rights peacebuilding efforts in Libya. She was during the COVID-19 crisis and school I was hearing about this amazing thing And we’re like “yeah, yeah, yeah. He's the great women?” groups and civil society organizations selected by the UN Secretary-General to closures to encourage young girls, to remind happening called UN Women at the same president of the world.” and movements in their contribution, serve as a member of the Advisory Group them of their power to brave hardships. The time as I was going through so much “All great women in this country, you can Life is funny, because then I got to meet Kofi personal grief. see them in United Nations Women.” It was participation and influence in policy of Experts for the Progress Study on Youth, book touches upon FGM, child marriage Annan and work with him. the first time I heard of UN Women. discussion and decision processes at global, Peace and Security mandated by UNSCR and resilience. In 2020, Mligo participated in So, UN Women is forever linked in my life I had never really learned about the UN, apart regional and national levels. 2250. She is also one of the twelve UN a mentorship programme that paired her in this personal/political way. I joined it one That was a moment. I said, “I want to find from that conversation. Later on, I learned Women Champions on Women, Peace, with UN Women Representative in Tanzania, week before its official launch in 2011. I was these women who are from United Nations more about it and about this agency that is Security and Human Rights. Hodan Addou. coming from deep sorrow, and it was like the Women. I need to see them. I need to know for us, the us Agency, which is UN Women.” hope in my life.” who they are, why are they great.” 90 91 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING Being a feminist Gender equality is “That's what being a feminist is, right? You create your own terms of how you are in this world.” “Many years ago, when I was young and just coming into my “Being a feminist means knowing feminism, when to speak up and when to enable I came across this poem: others to speak, because we are all different. I saw a woman sleeping. One issue I reflect on is intersectionality, In her sleep, she dreamt Life UN Women because there is no one way to speak of all stood before her “For me, it’s much more than gender injustices. For example, just because I'm And she held it in each hand a gift- the fight of sexes and genders. a feminist doesn’t mean I should speak about In the one hand – Love, Growing up, most of my experiences of indigenous women. I should go and speak to In the other – Freedom. injustices and inequalities were related them, because they can inform the debate.” And she said to the woman : “Choose”. to me being a woman, which made me And the woman waited long. realize that I don't actually understand to me is about... And she said : “Freedom”. every single struggle. If there is injustice “I'll say that it will be a world where all And Life said “You have chosen well, towards women, then there is injustice men and women can participate in “In our societies, patriarchal If you had said ‘Love’ towards races and religions and different making decisions, can be at all tables, systems want to kill our views I would have left you, groups of peoples in society. Being a are never pulled back or forced to do through labelling us bad girls and good girls. I And never returned. feminist is just about being and doing the something they don't want to do. A want to change that perspective.” Now the day will come right thing.” gender equal world is one “In my country, some people call themselves when I shall return, “I’ll imagine that I'm seven years old, and where both men and women feminists but they don't really know if they are. On that day, I shall bear both gifts I just wake up in the morning and it's a have equal rights to decide what If we want a world where people are proud to in one hand”. completely gender equal world. I say that I they want to be, who they want to be say they're feminist, then feminists should know I heard the woman laugh “I'd say it's all about “If I would describe UN women want to go horse riding. And I can, instead and where exactly they want to be. what they are fighting for. Being a feminist in her sleep. belongingness. It's about the in one word, or one sentence, of it being an extremely complicated Gender equality is about humanity, doesn't mean you know everything, but feminists And so, this concept of love and people. It's about those whom you’ve I'd say: the primary ally of all matter. And there're no questions like plurality. Most importantly, it is about should know exactly who they are. That's the first freedom together touched, those who are here because of you. women. Knowing that you cannot do it “should the girl ride horses or not?” and choice, about your rights.” question: why are you feminists? It's about those who get another chance, “are there even girls who do that? I want – that to me is UN Women. all by yourself and you really need someone, “To be a feminist in this world right now, there are who get to breathe, who get to believe in especially if we think of how our world to go to the beach, and no one is like, “oh Love for the work and the freedom to two things. One is resilience– pushing, focusing, themselves because of you. I'll define UN is constructed in terms of international, my god! scandal, scandal!” It's just about pursue it. And that's also in a sense what acting with determination. The other is hope, Women in that way.” national, local levels. That you rely on UN my right to do something I want.” gender equality means to me. Love of what which young people and activists everywhere you want to be and do, and the freedom to Women to do the work on your behalf - I “It is the freedom to just be.” represent.” do it. To live as you want to.” mean more in the context of partnership and soul solidarity.” 92 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN Women I am Generation Equality @10 and beyond “The next 10 years of UN Women cannot happen without inter- generational co-leadership, without shared stories and Storytelling solidarity. That's what goes forward.” “The time is now. If we want to change the tables, then we should change them now. The space should be given now. There's no tomorrow.” “We came into this “UN Women should conversation with stories and communicate with people that's who we are. We all come into this with stories about each other. Solidarity and stories. How do we tell our in their own language. When you speak in a language that only you understand, you’re just talking, not Co-leadership stories so that we create new ones?” communicating. The problem will still be there. To reach people, you must “When you bring people together in a free space where women can share their speak their language. understand why “It's not about having more young pains, their success, their stories …that is they are doing what they are doing. women, it's about sharing the That is where we solve the problem.” space. Instead of trying to fill a 5-seat table, where you create a safe space for women “Women feminists of my to understand that UN Women is there for let's make it a 50-seat table, where we can all generation are so tired of us. Not only to understand who we are, but lead together and optimize our achievements.” trying to have a seat at the to understand the pain and happiness of table. There's a saying among others.” feminists of my generation that if you don't have a seat at the table, bring a “What matters is what folding chair. There’s only that much “Sometimes it's not about me. It's about you bring to the table, space at the table for folding chairs. But the community, about others. It's about gaining what you want to gain young people have no fear of breaking comfort from others, knowing that you are not alone.” from it. What matters is the table, building a new one, changing what you want to do, what your the shape of the table, or just saying passion is. What do you want to we're all going to sit on the floor.” learn from that table?” 94 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ chapter 2 CONCLUSION “We are mobilized changemakers. We are empowered advocates. As adolescent girls, we play a crucial role in presenting UN Women with youth perspectives and insights on actions and legislation affecting our lives. An intergenerational approach to women's rights where adolescent girls have a seat at decision-making tables is essential to To mark the International Day of the Girl Child on highlight diverse youth voices and propel us toward an equitable society.” 11 October 2019, six young activists presented a collectively-drafted ‘Global Girls’ Bill of Rights’ to UN Hiya Shah, 17-year-old high school student living in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; Founder of Fundraising Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. for the Girl Child non-profit; UN Delegate of NGO Girls Learn International; UN GEF Planning Group Leader. 96 97 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ Hopes and Dreams for a Gender Equal Future This year marks the convergence of two If the United Nations is to effect change, it must Gender equality is fundamentally a question of major milestones: the 75th anniversary of the lead by example. As Secretary-General, I have power. We must undo the centuries of injustice United Nations, and the 10th anniversary of UN made gender equality a top priority. And for the that have corrupted power to keep girls down Women, its youngest entity. UN Women has first time ever, women now make up half of the and women out. revolutionized gender equality work within the United Nations’ senior management. United Nations family, accelerating efforts across I look to the future with great hope as we pursue the United Nations system through technical Gender parity is not a favour to women or an the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. expertise, support to the normative agenda, and administrative whim; it is the key to achieving This is the time to push ahead with full force. creation of greater accountability. equality and justice, everywhere. Even the best- Securing full gender equality for the world’s intended policies will fail if they are not informed, women by 2030 is ambitious. But not only is it From its earliest days, the United Nations shaped, budgeted and decided with the equal possible, it is an absolute imperative. has been committed to gender equality. representation of women. Our founding Charter pledged to protect In its first decade, UN Women has successfully fundamental human rights and dignity, and Humanity as a whole pays dearly for the strengthened the United Nations’ work for the equal rights of women and men. Three- obstacles we place in the way of women women. I am honoured to celebrate this quarters of a century later, UN Women is holding and girls. Gender gaps are holding back the anniversary with you and look forward to your us to our word and ensuring we deliver on that knowledge, science, technology and medicine continued success. promise—not merely to rectify the past, but to we need for a sustainable future. Even the most guarantee our future. innovative and advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, shows the bias born of our male-dominated world. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General September 2020 98 99 [ UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING UN WOMEN A DECADE OF DARING [ A Message to Generation Equality The 10 years of UN Women is the story of the progress that we have worked so hard to 25th anniversary year of the Beijing Declaration women, girls and people of all genders, ages secure must be preserved and strengthened and Platform for Action, younger generations of and backgrounds who are determined to create through proportionate, targeted investment and women and girls cannot face a repeated cycle of a world in which every woman and girl can political support. As this new decade opens, we the same conditions. That is why the leadership exercise their human rights and live up to their are seeing the dawning of radically increased and participation of young people is so vital to full potential. attention to innovative financing for gender the success of Generation Equality as a place for equality and a recognition of the previous all who believe in change. We are determined UN Women was created in 2010 in the midst shortcomings. to ensure that the UN System, representatives of a global financial crisis that was putting the from all sectors and people from all spheres of life realization of women’s economic and social We have been motivated by our triumphs, work together for gender equality and women’s rights in jeopardy. Right from the start, we were humbled by our trials and inspired by the empowerment, guided by multilateralism; and shaped by women’s resilience and grassroots women and girls we met along the way. We the vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable activism. We grew up in partnership with the continue our work, more determined than ever Development to leave no one behind. sisterhood of a multitude of other feminist and to ensure that all women and girls can live a women-led organizations, joined year by year life free from violence, with decision-making The challenges of gender inequality do have by people from all walks of life and experience power over their bodies; that poverty does not answers; we know this from the lessons we as the key recognition has grown that gender continue to have a woman’s face; that women have learnt along the way. We also know that equality is not just for women, it’s for everyone. and girls have equal access to leadership and gender equality is everybody’s business, and decision-making roles, as well as the enabling that it needs everyone’s engagement, including As we complete our first decade, we confront technology and skills needed to excel in the the most marginalized groups and those who the largest global crisis of our lifetimes caused future of work. Women must have the chance have not always been our traditional allies. As by COVID-19. Never simply a health issue, this to contribute to sustainable peace and resilience we enter the Decade of Action to deliver on pandemic demonstrated both the extent to in conflict-affected areas and benefit equally the Sustainable Development Goals, we aim to which economies and societies depend for from crisis prevention and humanitarian action. use the lessons of the COVID-19 crisis to build their functioning on women’s work inside and back a world that is green, equitable, gender- outside the home, and yet the fragility of so Our groundbreaking work on ‘Generation responsive and inclusive. And we look forward many women’s livelihoods. In countries across Equality’, which builds in the inclusivity and to the stories we will tell together over the next the world, the strength and value of women’s range of our partners for gender equality through 10 years of UN Women, and beyond. leadership has been clearly demonstrated, at the action coalitions, will help us move into our next same time as the huge gaps in representation. decade with the focused energy, commitment It has shown us once again how deeply gender and resources to achieve irreversible progress. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka inequality remains embedded in the fabric of It is time to ensure that women’s rights are fully Executive Director UN Women political, social and economic systems, and why realized and become their lived reality. In this September 2020 100 101 UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. Contact info UN Women 220 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017, USA • Tel: 646-781-4400 • Fax: 646-781-4496 www.unwomen.org www.facebook.com/unwomen www.twitter.com/un_women www.youtube.com/unwomen www.flickr.com/unwomen Credits Coordination and Lead Author: Letty Chiwara Contributors: Fiona MacKay, Joanne Sandler, Bandana Rana, Daniel Seymour, Lopa Banerjee Research Assistant: Chong Liu Copy-editing, layout, design & printing: Julie Pudlowski Consulting Photography: ©UN Women/Ryan Brown; ©UN/ Julie Pudlowski; ©UN Women/Ritu Bhardwaj; ©UN Women Kosovo; ©UN Women/Juan Camilo Arias; Courtesy of Aya Chebbi; ©UN Women/Samar Abu Al-ouf; ©UN Women/N. Shrestha; ©UN Women/Lianne Milton; ©UN Women/Fahad Kaizer; ©UN Women/J. 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Progress of the World’s Women 2019-2020: Families in a Changing World. New York: UN Women. 3 UN Women. 2019. Progress of the World’s Women 2019-2020: Families in a Changing World. New York: UN Women. 4 UN Women. 2020b. From Insights to Action: Gender equality in the wake of COVID-19. New York: UN Women 5 UN Women. 2018. Turning Promises into Action: Gender Equality in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. New York: UN Women. 6 Forbes. 2020 Women CEOs’ Highest Representation On The Fortune 500 List Still Isn’t Enough. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ forbescoachescouncil/2020/08/03/women-ceos-highest-representation-on-the-fortune-500-list-still-isnt-enough/?sh=1067c4415aa8 7 World Bank Group. 2018. Women, Business and the Law 2018: Key Findings. Washington, D.C.: World Bank. 8 UN Women. 2020a. Women’s Rights in Review 25 years after Beijing. New York: UN Women. 9 All facts from: https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-figures 10 https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/humanitarian-action/facts-and-figures 11 https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/peace-and-security/facts-and-figures 12 All facts from: https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/leadership-and-political-participation/facts-and-figures 13 Gender Equality- Women’s Rights in Review 25 years after Beijing, pdf. 4 https://africa.unwomen.org/en/where-we-are/west-and-central-africa 15 https://africa.unwomen.org/en/where-we-are/eastern-and-southern-africa 16 https://africa.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2020/08/womens-empowerment-index-for--kenyan-women-and-girls 17 https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en 18 https://www.unwomen.org/en/where-we-are/europe-and-central-asia 19 https://lac.unwomen.org/en 20 https://arabstates.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/leadership-and-political-participation 21 https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2017/8/news-tunisia-law-on-ending-violence-against-women 22 2015 assessment (ECOSOC, E/AC.51/2015/9) 23 OECD development policy papers January 2020, no. 25: Putting finance to work for GEWE – the way forward. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/development/putting-finance-to-work-for-gender-equality-and-women-s-empowerment_f0fa4d91-en “Flying in Sorority” UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, accompanied by the artist Adry del Rocio, together symbolically add the final touches to Adry’s mural, as part of the Generation Equality Forum closing ceremony in Mexico, March 2021. The painting gives a historical view of Mexico’s feminist movements in all their diversity and calls for action towards gender equality.