UNON Director-General, Zainab Bangura message for International Women's Day 2025

Описание: #ForAllWomenAndGirls: Message for the International Women's Day 2025 by UNON Director-General Zainab Bangura
Today, we celebrate International Women's Day, honoring the achievements of women and girls worldwide. This year's theme, "For All Women and Girls; Rights. Equality. Empowerment," calls us to action for a future where no one is left behind, especially young women.
As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, we reflect on both progress and challenges. The Secretary-General's report on Beijing+30 highlights that eliminating violence against women remains a top priority for member states, including Kenya.
Despite this prioritization, gender inequality persists. Women often face significant barriers to participating in leadership and decision-making roles. Additionally, they are threatened by gender-based violence and harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation and child marriages.
In Kenya, femicide has become a particularly alarming issue, representing the most extreme form of violence against women and girls. We commend the Kenyan government for establishing the Taskforce on Femicide to address this critical concern.
We reaffirm the UN’s commitment to gender equality and celebrate women's achievements in various fields. International Women's Day is a call to action to engage governments, media, corporate leaders, community leaders, civil society, and youths in advancing women's and girls' rights, promoting gender equality, and fostering empowerment.
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has consistently championed gender equality and women's empowerment, because in his words, “When the doors of equal opportunity are open to women and girls, everyone wins. Egalitarian societies are more prosperous and peaceful and are the foundation of sustainable development”.
And so, the UN is walking the talk, making significant strides in gender parity with an unprecedented number of women in the UN System, including in senior leadership positions at the head of entity level. In 2017, only 5 UN entities had reached parity. The SG’s office advises that today, that number stands at 28 – a testament to our collective institutional efforts.
Even with these remarkable strides, we cannot rest on our laurels. We must continue to fight for the full range of human rights for women and girls, challenge all forms of violence and discrimination, and ensure inclusive access to education, employment, leadership, and decision-making. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable world for all.
Let our voices be heard, and our actions relevant – for all Women and Girls, the world over!
Thank you.