international women’s day: messages
UN Women Executive Director's message 2022
On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the power and potential of women and girls. We recognize their courage, resilience and leadership. We mark the ways in which we are making progress towards a more gender-equal world.
At the same time, we see how that progress is being undermined by multiple, interlocking and compounding generational crises.
Currently, we are witnessing the horrifying situation in Ukraine where the impacts on women and girls, including the hundreds of thousands displaced, remind us: all conflicts, from Ukraine to Myanmar to Afghanistan, from the Sahel to Yemen, exact their highest price from women and girls. The Secretary- General has been clear, War Must Stop.
Recently, we have seen the impact of COVID-19 in increasing inequalities, driving poverty and violence against women and girls; and rolling back their progress in employment, health and education. The accelerating crises of climate change and environmental degradation are disproportionately undermining the rights and wellbeing of women and girls. They are multiplying insecurity at all levels, from individual and household to national. Rising temperatures, extended droughts, violent storms and floods are resulting in loss of livelihoods, they are depleting resources and fueling migration and displacement. The latest major IPCC report on climate change, and our Secretary-General, have warned us that ‘nearly half of humanity is living in the danger zone – now, ’and that ‘many ecosystems are at the point of no return – now’.
Climate change is a threat multiplier. But women, and especially young women, are solution multipliers.
We have today the opportunity to put women and girls at the centre of our planning and action and to integrate gender perspectives into global and national laws and policies. We have the opportunity to re-think, re-frame and re-allocate resources. We have the opportunity to benefit from the leadership of women and girls environmental defenders and climate activists to guide our planet’s conservation. We need Indigenous women’s inter-generational knowledge, practices and skills.
It will take unprecedented levels of global cooperation and solidarity to succeed, but there is no alternative to success. We must protect our hard-won gains on human rights and women’s rights and lead decisively to leave no woman or girl behind.
We have a blueprint to follow. It involves women’s full and equal participation and leadership in decision-making; their access to green jobs and the blue economy; and their equal access to finance and resources.
We need to ensure universal social protection and a care economy that protects us all. We have to scale up financing for gender-responsive climate, environmental and disaster risk initiatives; including for COVID-19 recovery and to increase resilience to future shocks. The solution is there. We resolve to pursue it.
Let us make this International Women’s Day a moment to recall that we have the answers not just for SDG 5 but, through the advancement of gender equality, for all 17 Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030. I look forward to working with every one of you to that end.
Sima Bahous
Secretary-General of the United Nation’s message 2022
On International Women’s Day, we celebrate women and girls everywhere.
We celebrate their contributions to ending the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their ideas, innovations and activism that are changing our world for the better.
And their leadership across all walks of life.
But we also recognize that in too many areas, the clock on women’s rights is moving backwards.
The pandemic has kept girls and women out of schools and workplaces.
They face rising poverty and rising violence.
They do the vast majority of the world’s unpaid but essential care work.
They’re targets of violence and abuse, just because of their gender.
In all countries, women are scandalously under-represented in the halls of power and the boardrooms of business.
And as this year’s theme reminds us, they bear the brunt of climate change and environmental degradation.
Starting now, on International Women’s Day, it’s time to turn the clock forward for every woman and girl.
Through guaranteeing quality education for every girl, so they can build the lives they want and help make the world a better place for us all.
Through massive investments in women’s training and decent work.
Through effective action to end gender-based violence.
Through bold action to protect our planet.
Through universal care that is fully integrated into social protection systems.
And through targeted measures like gender quotas so we can all benefit from women’s ideas, experience and leadership everywhere decisions are made.
Gender inequality is essentially a question of power, in a male-dominated world and a male-dominated culture. Power relations must be reversed.
At the United Nations, we’ve achieved gender parity in senior management at headquarters and around the world — improving our work and better representing the communities we serve.
We need more women environment ministers, business leaders and presidents and prime ministers. They can push countries to address the climate crisis, develop green jobs and build a more just and sustainable world.
We cannot emerge from the pandemic with the clock spinning backwards on gender equality.
We need to turn the clock forward on women’s rights.
The time is now.
António Guterres
UNESCO Director-General's message 2022
Gender equality for tomorrow starts today. Right now, however, parity is still a work in progress. Even before the pandemic, it was estimated that it would take a century to close the gender gap. We need to turn this situation around.
We still have a long way to go. Gender equality for tomorrow starts today. Right now, however, parity is still a work in progress. Even before the pandemic, it was estimated that it would take a century to close the gender gap. We need to turn this situation around. We still have a long way to go. Globally, women earn just 77% as much as men. Women represent only one in three researchers, according to UNESCO estimates. Women own less than 20% of all land, and account for an estimated 80% of people displaced by climate change.
Yet a new day is dawning. Today’s women are leading global movements for change. They are tackling global issues such as climate justice, press freedom and access to scientific progress. And they are not asking for permission – they are taking their seats at the table.
This year, on International Women’s Day, I would like to applaud this new generation of young women – for their courage in speaking out, inspiring others and mobilizing their peers, for a more sustainable tomorrow.
They include young women like Melati and Isabel Wijsen, two Indonesian sisters who are committed to reducing plastic waste; Mabel Suglo, a Ghanaian social entrepreneur who works with local artisans with disabilities; and Bahraini activist Reem Al Mealla, a marine biologist who created one of the largest Arab environmental movements in history.
As we look to build a better tomorrow, UNESCO will continue to empower girls and women like these, in line with our Global Priority Gender Equality.
This means safeguarding their right to education, for example through the Global Education Coalition, which now has 200 partners working in over 110 countries to address learning disruptions caused by COVID-19. It also means ensuring the voices of women are heard, for instance by training female journalists in East Africa to report on the pandemic. And it means fighting gender-based violence, as we did by launching the film Listen to Her with Indian producer and actor Nandita Das.
Today, I call upon all UNESCO Member States to empower women and girls, so they can lead the way in building a more sustainable world. Together, we can ensure that, whether women whisper, speak or shout, their voices are heard.
Audrey Azoulay
UNFPA Executive Director's message 2022
Women and girls pay a heavy price during conflicts and emergencies.
More than 1.7 million people, mostly women and children, have now fled from their homes in Ukraine to neighbouring countries. For them, displacement will bring increased vulnerability to violence, sexual abuse and exploitation. Moreover, many of these women are pregnant and may need medical care or help with complicated pregnancies. A lack of access to healthcare in these situations puts their lives at risk.
Conflicts, climate shocks and the continuing COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated gender inequalities. Today a record number of people around the world are displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance and access to essential services, and it is women and girls who are paying the heaviest price.
While the conflict in Yemen has slipped from global attention, seven years of fighting has decimated the health system, leaving an estimated 5 million women and girls without access to lifesaving sexual and reproductive health services. Today, one woman dies during childbirth every two hours in the country from causes that are almost entirely preventable.
For millions of women and girls who have lived in the shadow of conflict in eastern Ukraine for the last eight years, gender-based violence, already a daily reality, is likely to get worse. For some young women and girls in Syria, violence and abuse are all they have ever known.
Simply put, women and girls living in emergencies around the world are robbed of the ability to take charge of their bodies, lives and futures. Their suffering is immense - it is unjustified and needless.
The remarkable global progress that has been made over the past two decades in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights is in jeopardy in conflict and fragile settings around the world. We saw just how quickly hard-won gains made for women and girls unravelled in the face of the crisis in Afghanistan. In Tigray in northern Ethiopia and Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, women and girls continue to bear the heavy cost of conflict and its aftermath.
In the Philippines, and in Haiti, Tonga and other small island developing states, the impacts of the climate crisis and intensifying natural disasters put pressure on women’s livelihoods and their ability to access food, water and other basic necessities, leaving them more vulnerable to discrimination, exploitation and abuse.
On this International Women’s Day, I call upon the international community to ensure that women’s and girls’ health, rights and dignity are safeguarded, and critical infrastructure, protected, in every conflict and crisis-affected country. Sexual and reproductive health services must not be an afterthought in emergencies. For the woman about to give birth or the adolescent girl subjected to sexual abuse, these services are as vital as food, water and shelter, and can mean the difference between life and death.
We must listen to women's voices and invest in their leadership and resilience. Women bring communities together; women lead efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change; and women can drive reconciliation and ensure long-lasting peace.
Every day of every conflict or crisis is a day that moves us further away from creating the better, more sustainable, and more equal future we want. Women and girls around the world need and deserve peace.
Dr Natalia Kanem
UNDP Administrator's message 2022
The world wants an end to the tremendous human suffering in Ukraine, with millions of Ukrainians displaced by the conflict. The situation jeopardizes the safety of all Ukrainians and, as with other conflicts in other parts of the world, puts women and girls in particular at increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence, especially those who are refugees or otherwise displaced from their homes. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has joined the UN-system wide response to support those affected by the conflict, both inside Ukraine and in the neighbouring countries receiving refugees. In Ukraine, as with many other crisis and conflict contexts, from Afghanistan and the Sahel to Myanmar and Yemen -- increasing the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in peacemaking, conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts is crucial to find lasting solutions.
This approach also holds true when it comes to tackling climate change and environmental degradation; and boosting disaster risk reduction -- the theme of this year’s Commission on the Status of Women. Women play a crucial role in the climate and environmental sectors, and they are often leading frontline natural resource management strategies. This makes them well-placed to identify and implement effective and sustainable solutions. Yet environmental degradation and increased competition over scarce resources are exacerbating the risk of gender-based violence while women environmental human rights defenders, including indigenous women, often face threats and violence. UNDP and the University of Pittsburgh’s Global Report on Gender Equality in Public Administration shows that even though women are disproportionately impacted by the climate and environmental crises, they are still hitting a glass ceiling that stops them from advancing to the highest levels of leadership in environmental protection and climate action. Women’s participation in ministries of environmental protection averages 33% globally, for instance, and parity in decision-making on these critical issues is exceptionally rare.
Yet change is possible. UNDP’s Climate Promise is currently assisting 120 countries to enhance their climate pledges, known as National Determined Contributions (NDCs). These NDCs are important vehicles for advancing not only sustainable development but also gender equality. Globally, over 110,000 people have engaged in NDC stakeholder consultations and women are leading the process in many cases. 96% of second-generation NDCs supported under the Climate Promise include references to gender compared to 48% of first-generation NDCs. Or look to the Feminist Action for Climate Justice Action Coalition, co-led by UNDP and a consortium of partners. It aims to accelerate progress on climate justice and gender equality over the next five years. We need to build on such efforts to advance more ambitious gender-responsive environmental and climate agendas. In particular, they must take the unique needs and perspectives of women into account and actively promote women’s participation and leadership. They must also make climate and environmental finance work for women. Driving forward this change can have a ripple effect. Research shows, for instance, that countries with a high representation of women in parliament are more likely to ratify the international environment treaties that the world now needs.
Guided by the Global Goals, our new Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and our upcoming Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025, UNDP will continue its steadfast efforts to realise #GenerationEquality. UNDP itself is changing and has now achieved a 50-50 balance in our workforce. We know that a sustainable, green, and equal future for all is simply not possible without gender equality. Informed by data and analytics provided by resources such as the COVID-19 Global Gender Response Tracker, countries must now put women and girls -- and their needs -- at the centre of the growing green recovery. That includes new policy measures that address women’s economic and social security including unpaid care work, the labour market, violence against women, and the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on women and girls. This much is clear: creating a more equal world today will set the conditions for a more sustainable tomorrow.
Achim Steiner
Statement by First Lady Jill Biden on International Women’s Day
From soft lullabies to battle cries for justice, women nurse and nurture, teach and build, lead and dream our world forward each and every day.
Women have never been silent, but women have been silenced. That’s because our voices are powerful. When we raise them, we can tear down injustice, topple tyrants and demagogues and shatter the shields of oppression.
This International Women’s Day, we honor women throughout the world who courageously use their voice, no matter the cost.
To our sisters from Ukraine who are fighting to keep their country free and their families alive: We stand with you in solidarity.
To our sisters in Russia who are protesting and speaking out against the invasion at great personal risk: We see your courage.
To women warriors around the world, those fighting for justice and working for change: Thank you for building a better future for all of us.
Statement by President Joe Biden on International Women’s Day
On International Women’s Day, we recognize the achievements of women and girls in the United States and across the globe, celebrate the progress we’ve made, and recommit ourselves to the work that remains to deliver the full measure of equity, dignity, and opportunity due to all women and girls.
Every person deserves the chance to live up to their full God-given potential, without regard for gender or other factors. Ensuring that every woman and girl has that chance isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s also a strategic imperative that advances the prosperity, stability, and security of our nation and the world. Yet too often, in too many places, women and girls face obstacles that limit their possibilities and undermine their participation in economic, political, and social life. These barriers have been exposed and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionately affected women’s labor force participation, elevated the burden on both paid and unpaid caregivers, and increased the incidence of gender-based violence.
Improving the status of women and girls strengthens economies, democracies, and societies across the board. That’s why I made gender equity a cornerstone of my Administration by creating the White House Gender Policy Council shortly after taking office a year ago. It’s why we issued the first-ever National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality — an ambitious agenda to support women and families through both domestic and foreign policy. It’s why we’ve invested in child care and supported women’s economic opportunity through the American Rescue Plan; fought to reauthorize and strengthen the Violence Against Women Act; addressed the scourge of sexual assault in the military through sweeping military justice reforms; signed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act into law; launched a whole-of-government effort to protect reproductive rights; advanced women’s participation in conflict prevention and resolution, stability and security; and created a Gender Equity and Equality Action Fund to promote the economic security of women around the world. And it’s why I’m proud that my FY 2023 Budget will request $2.6 billion for foreign assistance programs that promote gender equality worldwide, more than doubling the amount requested for gender programs last year.
On this day and every day, let us recognize that all of us have a better future when women and girls can reach their full potential — and together, let’s renew our efforts to advance dignity, equality, and limitless possibilities for all.
John May, CEO, John Deere
Women are critical to John Deere’s success. They lead our factories and teams, design new solutions, manufacture our machines, manage dealerships, and serve on our board of directors. At every point in our great organization, all these women are visionaries, innovators, entrepreneurs, mentors, and advocates who drive new ways of thinking and doing. They forge meaningful change in service of our customers and those who work to feed the world and build a more sustainable future.
Our company’s actions affect more than 75,000 employees globally as well as a broad set of stakeholders who rely on us. And we know that more must be done to create opportunities for and improve the lives of women within our spheres of influence and beyond.
While it's vital to recognize the achievements of women, these celebrations cannot serve as proof that we’ve reached our goal. Instead, they should serve as an inspiring reminder of how much further we must go to reach gender equality and how much more we will accomplish when we do.
John Deere is proud to offer its support to International Women’s Day, and we are committed to #BreakTheBias so life can leap forward.
Jill Kouri, Chief Marketing Officer, HCL Technologies
HCL Technologies is proud to stand together with the International Women’s Day organization (IWD) to challenge stereotypes, fight biases and call out inequality.
Together, we’re celebrating International Women’s Month, honoring female achievements, and pushing for progress today and every day.
It’s well known that women were disproportionately affected by the pandemic – choosing (or feeling forced to choose) departures from full-time employment to focus on family care, self-care, or the desire to parlay their skills into something completely different. In turn, many technology organizations are working to rebuild their workforces to make up for those departures. As the pandemic recedes, organizations like HCL Technologies are strengthening their goals to advance gender diversity in technology, while continuing to #BreakTheBias.
Each of us bears the responsibility to pave the way and to show the world how leading with compassion and empathy can help us achieve sustainable results. It means accepting and welcoming all views and opinions from people of all backgrounds and demographics – and making it a point to surround ourselves with diverse people with diverse views and opinions. I am a champion in driving for gender equity, which means truly bridging gaps for women in the workplace – and embracing inclusion in the process.
HCL Technologies is making good progress. Through sustained programs and initiatives, we’ve moved the needle on gender diversity – with an almost 28% female population. We’ve also had a significant increase of senior women in leadership positions. The tone is set from the very top, and our HCL Technologies Board of Directors is one of the most diverse boards in the industry, with 31% female representation. We are invested in empowering more women to join the workforce with new initiatives around women’s path to reentry, reengagement in the workforce, and launching new career pathways. Our flexible work and well-being programs proactively help our colleagues balance caregiving and wellness needs with work responsibilities. We are also partnering with various social organizations to encourage women of all ages to take up careers in technology and upskill them for continuous career progression. Our Chairperson of the Board, Roshni Nadar and our Global CEO and Managing Director, C Vijayakumar, are key drivers for significant year-on-year increases in the ratio.
A more diverse workforce is a better workforce. While our people expect it, our clients demand it. And of course, prospective candidates want to work for a company that embraces diversity and inclusion. I’m proud to work for HCL Technologies – and excited to be part of the drive for continuous change to increase our gender diversity at this dynamic organization.
Aiman Ezzat, CEO, Capgemini
As a global leader in digital transformation, with 325,000 employees in over 50 countries it is our strong conviction that a diverse workforce and inclusive culture, free from biases, are fundamental to creativity, innovation and the value we create as a business.
We recognize that to #BreakTheBias in the workplace, a change in mindset and behaviors is necessary and this is an ongoing journey requiring concrete actions. At Capgemini, we have multiple initiatives in place to strengthen our inclusive culture including Unconscious Bias training that our VPs have completed, and that is now embedded in our development programs available to all our employees.
But more than that, as a business leader, I know how important it is for the younger generations to have role models. Capgemini set ambitious ESG objectives including reaching 40% of women in our teams and 30% in executive leadership positions by 2025. It is only through increased women representation across the Group and its management that we can create a generation of role models from the ground up.
At Capgemini, we are making sure women are fairly represented at all levels and given equal opportunities of growing and participating in corporate life and decision-making processes. Our efforts focus on recruitment and promotion, mentoring, and supporting them at key moments in their professional and personal lives.
Bloomberg recognized this as it listed Capgemini in its Gender Equality Index.
Women are key to shaping the future of the digital economy, whether in technology, business, or client-facing roles.
At Capgemini, we will continue to promote careers in STEM so girls and women can be inspired to seize these opportunities and play the parts they deserve in shaping the future we want.
Together, let’s #BreakTheBias.
