In Focus: International Women’s Day 2022

Date:

IWD 2022
 

This International Women’s Day, 8 March, join UN Women and the world in coming together under the theme “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, and call for climate action for women, by women.

With the latest data, we now understand the vital link between gender, social equity and climate change, and recognize that without gender equality today, a sustainable future, an equal future, remains out of reach. 

Women and girls experience the greatest impacts of the climate crisis as it amplifies existing gender inequalities and puts women’s lives and livelihoods at risk. Across the world, women depend more on, yet have less access to, natural resources, and often bear a disproportionate responsibility for securing food, water, and fuel.

As women and girls bear the burden of climate impacts, they are also essential to leading and driving change in climate adaption, mitigation and solutions.  Without the inclusion of half of the world's population, it is unlikely that solutions for a sustainable planet and a gender equal world tomorrow will be realized. 

Women still rarely hold the rank of First Secretary in China’s villages. Photo: UN Women/Qiu Bi
Women still rarely hold the rank of First Secretary in China’s villages. Photo: UN Women/Qiu Bi

Last year, at the Generation Equality Forum, the Action Coalition for Feminist Action for Climate Justice was launched, bringing together governments, private sector companies, the UN system and civil society in order to make concrete commitments toward climate justice. This International Women’s Day, the Action Coalition is helping drive global action and investment with a focus on financing for gender-just climate solutions, increasing women’s leadership in the green economy, building women’s and girls resilience to climate impacts and disasters and increasing the use of data on gender equality and climate.

Join us in celebrating all the ways women and girls are taking climate action at all levels, and help elevate their voices and support their work. 

In statements and messages

Video Message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on International Women’s Day 2022
In her message for International Women’s Day 2022, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous recognizes the courage, resilience and leadership of women and girls as solution multipliers against the climate crisis.

In events

The United Nations Observance of International Women’s Day in New York by a high-level virtual event on Tuesday, 8 March 2022, 10–11.30 a.m. EST. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, the President of the General Assembly, the Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women, the Executive Director of UN Women as well as gender equality and climate change activists and celebrities will participate. The event will be followed by a high-level panel discussion and musical performances.

In Asia and the Pacific, UNESCAP and UN Women join hands with the UN family in Thailand for a hybrid event on the same date (08 March 2022, 10-11.30 a.m. GMT+7)

Recorded-LIVE of "The Asia-Pacific Regional Commemoration of International Women’s Day 2022" from UNCC, Bangkok
Ring the Bell with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SET) | Thailand

International Women's Day 2022 - Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow | United Nations

In exhibition

A virtual exhibition created to amplify stories of change and hope in the context of a changing climate.

The exhibit features nine visionaries who have challenged norms to continuously transform themselves and their communities to advance gender equality and climate resilience.

AnnaMaria Oltorp, Head of Regional Development Cooperation, Asia and the Pacific, Embassy of Sweden invites audiences to visit the virtual exhibition.

RE-ENVISION RESILIENCE: Journeys for Gender Equality and Climate Action

Click [here] to visit the exhibition in full-screen mode. Developed by EmPowerforClimate/Paulene Santos

In stories

At the same time, women and girls are effective and powerful leaders and change-makers for climate adaptation and mitigation. They are involved in sustainability initiatives around the world, and their participation and leadership result in more effective climate action. Continuing to examine the opportunities, as well as the constraints, to empower women and girls to have a voice and be equal players in decision-making related to climate change and sustainability is essential for sustainable development and greater gender equality. Without gender equality today, a sustainable future, and an equal future remains beyond our reach.

Same as women and girls around the globe who are working tirelessly to make our place better for everyone. These showcases are only a fractional number of women in Asia and the Pacific.

 

In videos

It’s not too late: Climate action for women, by women

The Letters
Climate action and women's leadership

How do gender roles influence solid waste management at the household level?
3 Years
More videos

 

In podcast

On International Women’s Day, UN Women x Nitivajra Institute of the Office of Attorney-General hosted a podcast discussion to raise awareness on the roles of women public prosecutors to advance gender equality in the justice system in Thailand, with support of Safe and Fair Programme. #IWD2022

Video: Nitivajra Institute of the Office of Attorney-General, Thailand

In photos

The Asia-Pacific Regional Commemoration of International Women’s Day 2022

 

In publications

 

In the press

Bangladesh

ACCESS TO FINANCE FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: SPEAKERS ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY:

To celebrate International Women’s Day, UN Women, UNDP and UNCDF jointly organized an event in Dhaka with several financial institutions in Bangladesh to highlight the importance of better and easier access to finance for women. The event was an initiative of the “WING: Women’s Empowerment for Inclusive Growth” project, funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh.

IFC, DHAKA STOCK EXCHANGE, AND UNITED NATIONS PUSH FOR GREATER PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP ROLES:

Celebrating International Women’s Day, IFC partnered with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), UN Women, and United Nations Global Compact for the seventh consecutive year to ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality.’ While emphasizing women’s role in shaping a more equal future, the annual event highlighted how greater participation of women in the economy can spur sustainable and inclusive growth.

 

In social media

Celebrate International Women’s Day with us online! Use your own platforms to speak up for gender equality and celebrate the contribution of women and girls who are leading the charge on climate change to build a sustainable tomorrow.

Follow us on Twitter @UN_Women (HQ) and @unwomenasia (Asia-Pacific), and join the conversation on social media using #IWD2022. You can download graphics, slogans GIFs and more in our social media package