Advocacy and lobbying are effective tools for gender advocates, male champions, civil society, and other stakeholders to hold leaders accountable to their commitments on concrete, measurable actions that guarantee women can fully and equally enjoy their rights. These include the ability to exercise freedom and choices, go to school, live free from violence, earn equal pay for equal work, and meaningfully engage in decision-making and political processes. Advocacy groups can collectively put pressure their leaders for legislative reforms to protect and promote women’s rights and concerns, which may require coalition-building, fundraising, civic education, awareness-raising and consensus-building on key issue platforms. Influencing legislation itself may require lobbying to convince policy makers and legislators to address specific issues relevant to gender equality and women’s empowerment, which may involve introducing or revising legislation and policy.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the African School of Governance (ASG), the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), today opened applications for the inaugural cohort of the African Academy for Women in Political Leadershi
Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Pune, has launched Asia’s first UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development.
Lusaka, Zambia | 21 April 2026 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Gender Division, the Non‑Governmental Gender Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC), the Spotlight Initiative, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), the Zambia
The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), in collaboration with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kenya, amongst other partners has stepped up efforts to tackle rising cases of online abuse against women and girls across Sub-Saharan Africa.
A recent study published in the journal Violence Against Women surveyed 19 victim-survivor support practitioners and interviewed five across nine Pacific Island nations, finding smartphones, Facebook and AI-generated sexualised deepfakes are used to control and harm women and girls.
The right to education does not end at the classroom. It extends into digital spaces, including social media, group chats, messaging apps, and even online learning platforms.
UN Women is inviting civil society organizations, especially women-led organizations, to submit proposals in
Yordanos Bezabih, an Ethiopian women’s rights activist, had faced online threats for years: of acid attacks, gang-rape and death. She tried her best to ignore the abuse as she continued her advocacy work. But in 2025, the threats became more menacing.
Christine Arab, Regional Director of UN Women for Asia and the Pacific, delivers opening remarks at Our Safety, the national dialogue on technology-facilitated gender-based violence on 10 December 2025, Phnom Penh. Photo: UN Women/Lim Sophorn