"All of the countries in Asia and the Pacific region experience a high prevalence of violence against women,” says Thi Lan Phuong, a programme analyst from UN Women Viet Nam. “Based on the analysis of the root causes and contributing factors, we believe that violence against women and children can be prevented. And that's why RESPECT was developed."

The sixty-seventh session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place from 6 to 17 March 2023. Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world are invited to contribute to the session.

UN Women, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Sweden, represented by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), have now renewed their commitment to building women’s resilience to disasters and climate change in the Asia-Pacific region.

Minah Kang, Professor at Ewha Women’s University, said “The expert consultation provided an excellent conceptual framework on the development of women-technology indicators that links data, institutions, knowledge, and innovations.” She also emphasized the need for statistical measures and indicators to impact policy change and create knowledge on bridging the gender gap.

On behalf of the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, the Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Bahous, and the Assistant Secretary-General of the Department of Political, Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, Khaled Khiari, completed a four-day visit to Afghanistan to appraise the situation, engage de facto authorities and underscore UN solidarity with the Afghan people.

United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the National Human Rights Commission, Nepal (NHRC) signed a five-year-long memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration to advance gender equality and human rights in Nepal.

The entrepreneurship trainings and support provided to Habeeba, Aysha, Shiromi and Jeyavinoja are part of UN Women’s three-year project titled Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Sri Lanka. More than 700 women have benefitted from the trainings conducted by UN Women and Chrysalis, a local social enterprise. The project was implemented from 2020 – 2022 and was funded by the Government of Japan.

“Many in our neighbourhood don’t even know what they are fighting about. But awareness about social cohesion can bring clarity to their minds and as a result prevent scuffles. I believe the conflicts around us can be solved if we learn to communicate with understanding and love,” says Yogamathi Yoganathan who lives in Karaitivu, a coastal village in the Eastern Coast of Sri Lanka.

A new agreement between the Federation of Thai SMEs and UN Women aims to improve market opportunities for women-owned businesses, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) supplying large corporations and government departments.

Vietnam Airlines adopted an orange theme on two of its flights to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in a first collaboration between the national airline and UN Women Viet Nam.

Velangilala Paletu’a, 37, is among 27 enumerators of Tonga Statistics Department tasked with doing the first survey on gender and environment in Tonga from 31 October to 24 December 2022. Velangilala and three other enumerators surveyed 300 households on Ha’apai island, where she was born. Tonga was hit in January 2022 by a Tsunami caused by a volcanic eruption. The UN Women-supported survey detailed how women and men manage natural resources, deal with hazards and the consequences of climate change and conserve the environment.

Moana Kioa, 45 is Principal Assistant-Secretary for Disaster Risk Management at the National Emergency Management Office in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. She is a finalist for the 2022 Women’s International Network for Disaster Risk Reduction Excellence Leadership Award. She believes the views of women, children and people with disabilities should be at the heart of any response to disasters.

Matafolau Fa’aoa, 29, is among 27 enumerators of the Tonga Government’s Department of Statistics who are doing the first survey on gender and environment. The 31 October-24 December 2022 survey supported by UN Women, covers 2,541 households on the main island of Tongatapu and outlying islands. It details how women and men manage natural resources, deal with hazards and with the consequences of climate change, among many other areas.

Carter Pasikala, 35, is among 27 enumerators of the Tonga Statistics Department tasked with doing the first survey on women and the environment. The 31 October-24 December 2022 survey, supported by UN Women, covers 2,541 households on the main island of Tongatapu and the outlying islands. It details how women and men manage natural resources, and deal with hazards and the consequences of climate change, and other challenges. Tonga was hit in January 2022 by a tsunami caused by a volcanic eruption.

“I am happy that the programme gave my life back,” said Daw Mya Mya Aye, a single mother of two. “I received business training, cash, 17 piglets and stock feed to revive my pig business, which had collapsed.

UN Women stands in full solidarity with the women and girls of Afghanistan. I stress again our complete condemnation of the continued erasure and oppression of Afghanistan’s women and girls from public life and our outrage at this latest act of cruelty.

Papua New Guinea has one of the highest rates of violence against women globally, with 58% of women experiencing violence in their lifetime. But for women living with HIV, the risk of violence is even greater.

'The Elephant in the Room' was an innovative event held on the first day of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence that poses the question, ‘Am I A Feminist?’ It aimed to help "sow seeds of change" through storytelling and facilitating discussions that demystified feminism and envisioned a future free from violence against women.

Women have always played a key role in shaping Afghanistan’s development, and in supporting its peace, security and resilience. In the face of incredible challenges, Afghan women have continued to go to university. These institutions were some of the last places where they could come together and continue to learn.

“The destruction of infrastructure and the lack of global resources have made it extremely difficult [...] to reach far-flung areas, and the floods have jeopardized medical care systems and community support, which [leaves] women and girls at increased risk of violence,” explains Fouzia.