#MyRedLine2 brings women’s rights campaign to farthest reaches of Afghanistan

Date: Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Nearly 100 human rights activists from 10 provinces of Afghanistan gathered today by the tomb of Gawharshad Begum to launch #MyRedLine2, the second phase of a social media campaign to ensure women’s rights are protected in any future peace settlement. The gathering took place in the garden of the tomb in Herat, in the country’s west. Gawharshad Begum (1378-1457) is remembered as a great Afghan woman who, with her husband the emperor of the Timurid Empire, led her people in a cultural renaissance.

Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway Support Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Afghanistan by providing USD12 million to UN Women

Date: Wednesday, August 7, 2019

[PRESS RELEASE] The Government of Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway signed a joint cooperation agreement worth USD 12 million with UN Women Afghanistan in Kabul, today. The assistance supports UN Women to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in Afghanistan for four years, (2019-2022).

‘Equality means business’ in Bangladesh

Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Inspired by the Women’s Empowerment Principles of UN Women and United Nations Global Compact, more companies operating in Bangladesh -- including multinationals Unilever and Standard Charter Bank -- have pledged to improve conditions and opportunities for female employees. On 9 March, International Women’s Day, UN Women and consumer goods giant Unilever in Bangladesh jointly organized a series of events called Balance for Better that brought together private businesses, youths and academics to start talking about gender equality. CEOs of companies pledged to work on gender equality, youth leaders spoke about their journeys and aspirations

Bangladesh submits assessment of progress and challenges on women’s rights

Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2019

With UN Women’s technical support, Bangladesh has completed a review of its achievements and challenges in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action. The Beijing+25 National Review, drafted by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, was submitted on 22 July for inclusion in a regional consultation to be organized in November by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

Consultation to Shape New Programme on Women’s Resilience to Disasters

Date: Thursday, July 18, 2019

Recognising the strength and innovation of women, and harnessing existing initiatives through lessons learned in the face of a changing climate and in the aftermath of disasters is vital to women’s resilience building.

Beijing+25 Asia-Pacific Youth Blog

Date: Wednesday, July 17, 2019

[Call for submissions] The Beijing+25 Asia-Pacific Youth Blog will be hosted on the UN Women Asia-Pacific website and will accept submissions from young people aged 14 to 30 years from any country in the region. The year 2020 will also mark the five-year review of the Sustainable Development Goals, the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, and the 10th anniversary of the creation of UN Women.

UN Women helps bring a rainbow to Metro Manila during Pride march

Date: Monday, July 15, 2019

The sun may not have been shining on the Metro Manila Pride March in Marikina City, but the horizon was nonetheless illuminated with bright rainbow flags and costumes celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community. Roughly 56,000 people took to the streets in the 29 June march to celebrate diversity of sexual expression and gender identity, and to rally for the rights of the LGBTQI community. This year’s theme was Resist Together, a call for advocates and supporters to fight discrimination against LGBTQI people.

Ethnic minorities contribute to review of historic women’s rights

Date: Friday, July 12, 2019

[Press release] Today, the Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs (CEMA) and UN Women held a consultation workshop in support of Viet Nam’s review of the report on the 25-year implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and invited ethnic minorities to share their perspective. The Beijing Platform for Action is one of the world’s most comprehensive documents on women’s rights and empowerment. The workshop was funded by Irish Aid Viet Nam.

From Where I Stand: “Being part of the LGBTI community in Timor-Leste..”

Date: Thursday, July 11, 2019

Joker da Silva is an openly trans man. He is one of many LGBTI activists in Timor-Leste who have helped raise the visibility of the community, including through activities supported by UN Women that build connections and support among members. “I hated to look at myself in the mirror because I was a pretty girl but had a male attitude. Then I decided to devote myself to the church to change.

Thai designer raises funds to help refugee women and girls

Date: Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Leading Thai designer and entertainer Vatanika Patamasingh hosted a gala event to raise funds for the life-changing work of UN Women supporting women and girls living in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh. Actors, journalists and CEOs of Thai and Chinese businesses were among the about 60 people who attended the 26 June gala dinner in Bangkok that Vatanika hosted to celebrate the responses to her donation drive and to raise awareness about UN Women’s work in Cox’s Bazar.