Over one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, secondary waves continue to unfurl across fragile economic and social landscapes, with the most devastating consequences for individuals and groups with pre-existing vulnerabilities. As lockdowns and restrictions persist, inequalities that underscore the pervasive impacts of the pandemic threaten to further exacerbate conditions for those most marginalized and vulnerable. Disproportionate increases in inequalities for women across health.

This report was produced by the Asia-Pacific Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group (co-chaired by UN Women, CARE International and OCHA), Gender-Based Violence Area of Responsibility, and Voice. This work has been made possible by supplementary funding from the Government of Japan.

Stateless women and girls experience particular gender-related barriers, and the pandemic further exacerbated their vulnerability. Increased sexual and gender-based violence, socioeconomic impacts, school dropouts due to excess demands at home, forced marriage and early pregnancy are some of the major factors that continue to threaten to reverse hard-won gains on gender equality.

Adolescents and youth are a vital positive force in emergency preparedness and response. While they have wide-ranging capacities they also have unique needs, and too often adolescents are lost between programming for children and programming for older adults. In particular, adolescent girls are disproportionately affected by crises. Compared to boys, girls are less likely to be able to meet their basic needs.

In July 2019, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee published Guidelines on the ‘Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action’ which set out essential actions that humanitarian actors must take in order to effectively identify and respond to the needs and rights of persons with disabilities.

The year 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, and this report takes stock of the progress that has been made since by member States to realize women’s and girls’ rights. It reflects a synthesis of member State actions to implement the Beijing Platform for Action and identifies areas where significant progress has been made on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action remains the most comprehensive and progressive blueprint for achieving gender equality to date. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development reinforces its ambitions, through advancing Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. The Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+25 Review was convened by ESCAP and UN Women in late 2019.

This report tells UN Women’s story over the period 2019–2020. It shares how we and our many partners are striding forward to realize a better world for women and girls—one of equality and empowerment. Looking forward, we will draw on our full resources and experiences in protecting and advancing the rights of all women and girls. That is what we do and who we are, as a leader, mobilizer, convenor, provider of programmes, and partner for change.

The infographics examine the progress made and challenges faced in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in Asia and the Pacific 25 years after its adoption.

Adopted in 1995 by 189 countries, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is considered the foundational document for international agreements on gender equality. Twenty-five years later, governments, civil society, and activists are coming together to review the implementation of this agenda. This newsletter highlights the voices and stories behind the Beijing movement in Asia and the Pacific.

A new guideline “Cash & Voucher Assistance and Gender-Based Violence Compendium: Practical Guidance for Humanitarian Practitioner” is to be finalized by May 2019. The guidance was developed through the efforts of 15 NGO and UN organizations who contributed expertise in the inception, design and review of the document.

Global processes towards the achievement of gender equality