Partner News

Distinguished Guests,

Dear friends,

It is an absolute pleasure to be here today with so many bright, passionate, young leaders and changemakers. 

You are the driving force behind the progress we've made in recent years.

And what an incredible journey it has been!

A groundbreaking handbook titled Beyond Numbers: Stories of Gender Equality in and through Parliaments was released on 10 October 2024, focusing on the vital role of gender representation in legislative bodies worldwide.

In the remote yet strikingly beautiful Nguruman Escarpment of Kajiado County, Kenya, a transformative initiative is unfolding. Here, in a traditionally patriarchal Maasai community, a group of men—known as the Men Champions—has become crucial allies in the fight for gender equality in leadership. These men are part of a broader effort to challenge deep-seated cultural barriers, offering crucial support for women seeking political leadership in a county where progress has been slow.

Launched during the 79th session of UN General Assembly, the UN Women Leaders Network unites a global intergenerational and intersectional group of women leaders advocating for gender-equal participation in leadership and decision-making.

Remarks delivered by UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous at the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly Platform of Women Leaders, during the high-level segment of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, 24 September 2024.

On September 19 and 20, the European Committee of the Regions hosted a two-day event to celebrate the International Day for Democracy, with support from the European Endowment for Democracy (EED), European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), International IDEA, the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP), and Carnegie Europe.

The Pact for the Future, set to be endorsed at the United Nations Summit of the Future on 22-23 September in New York, is a pivotal framework designed to address global challenges with a long-term vision extending beyond 2030. It includes two annexes: the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration for Future Generations, focusing on digital governance and the rights of future generations.

UN Women’s project Women Make Change* underscores the importance of increasing women’s participation and leadership in politics at all levels. Despite global advancements, women continue to be underrepresented in politics, particularly at the subnational level.

"Environmental work is meaningless and income-less. Why don't you go home and help your mother with housework?" This is what I frequently heard when I firstly began volunteering with the Qinghai Snowland Great Rivers Environmental Protection Association (SGR Association). Many couldn't understand why I dedicated my time to protecting our water sources, attending various trainings, and creating eco-friendly products to promote sustainable living. But I didn’t let their doubts stop me. The urgency of climate action is too significant to ignore.