From 27 March – 05 April 2024, 75 girls from Rwanda embarked on a two-week intensive and practical coding, robotics, and innovation bootcamp. Held at the GIZ Digital Transformation Center, the girls were selected from each district across the entire country, recognized by the Ministry of Education as some of the highest achievers in secondary education.

In the Arusha region of Northeast Tanzania, a group of women with disabilities is spearheading efforts to ensure their voices are heard in local decision-making. For nearly a year, Paulina Sarwath has chaired the Igo group in the Karatu ward, supported by UN Women. This collective of women with disabilities crafts and sells traditional artifacts and meets regularly to devise strategies for growing their businesses and enhancing the representation of women with disabilities in local leadership so that their needs and priorities are taken into account.

On 28 March 2024, UN Women Rwanda in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, convened over 40 stakeholders from government, development agencies, civil society, media and private sector at Ubumwe Grande hotel to move towards the implementation and realization of Generation Equality Forum commitments. The comprehensive second bi-annual reflection roundtable captured and deliberated the progress made by partners directly contributing to Rwanda’s GEF commitments, specifically by showcasing progress on their targets through interactive focus groups and together established timelines, targets, resources, and assigned clear responsibilities to accelerate implementation by 2026.

A year since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan, UN Women is deeply concerned about the ongoing violence. It is having a devastating impact on the people of Sudan, particularly women and girls. The conflict has reversed the gains made toward democracy and stability, leaving the country in more insecurity and facing a humanitarian crisis.

Sudan’s current conflict, which marks its one year point this week, is having a devastating impact on the people of Sudan, particularly women and girls. The conflict has reversed the gains made toward democracy and stability, leaving the country in suffering and insecurity, while facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. UN Women calls on the international community to ensure that the conflict in Sudan does not become a neglected crisis.

On 15 April 2023, war broke out in Sudan in between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In the year that followed, some 8.2 million people have fled their homes, and an estimated 24.8 million are projected to need humanitarian assistance in 2024.  As the conflict reaches its one-year mark, women and children are bearing the brunt of the crisis, with 19 million school-age children out of the classroom and more than 100 reports of sexual violence.

“During the last 20 years, Sudanese women have been trained in negotiations and mediations. Not because this was a favourable subject for them—but because we’ve had so many crises”, said Shaza Bala Elmahdi, the Sudan Country Director for the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE).  Women and women’s organizations were involved in negotiations during the wars with South Sudan and in Darfur, and during the country’s subsequent upheaval.

After war broke out in Sudan in mid-April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), 18-year-old Amna Salih* sheltered in her home to avoid the dangers of the conflict.  One day, there was a knock at the door.

It has been one year of the Sudan crisis and the impact of the war on women and girls in the affected areas is alarming. UN Women East and Southern Africa will be commemorating the day by emphasizing on the need to increase resources, call on international bodies to advocate for peace and highlight the progress that has been made so far through efforts by feminists, activists and implementing partners supporting women and girls during this crisis. 

The strength of Sudanese women has endured, even before the war started on April 15th 2023. Despite facing tough times and challenges over many years, they stayed strong, facing difficulties with courage and determination, kept their families and communities strong, advocating for peace every step of the way.

UN Women in Zimbabwe hosted members of the diplomatic corps and their spouses, Representatives of Government and the United Nations including the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator’s Office to an International Women’s Day Reception and Panel Discussion focusing on Investing in Women and Accelerating progress. The event, held in Harare served as a multi-stakeholder platform for key partners to reflect, cross-share insights and make a joint clarion call for increased investments towards Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Zimbabwe.

Investing in gender data is a viable strategy to accelerate progress for all. As the curtain falls on celebrations to mark International Women’s Day 2024 (IWD2024), this is the resounding message from media experts, public finance officials, statisticians, and development experts in African and Arab States.

Cervical cancer claims more lives among women in Tanzania than any other illness. Each year, approximately 10,241 women between the ages of 15 and 44 are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 6,525 lose their lives as a consequence of delayed diagnosis. Studies suggest that women living with HIV are up to six times more likely to develop this cancer than those without the virus. UN Women Tanzania works with partners and local networks of women living with HIV on a project to promote awareness and advocate for cervical cancer prevention, screening and treatment among low-income women and those living with HIV.

Maria Isdory is a 29-year-old entrepreneur from Tabora region in western Tanzania. Through the partnership between UN Women and the Tanzania Women’s Chamber of Commerce (TWCC) to promote women entrepreneurs in cross-border trade, she is one of many who have seen a significant increase in income. Maria has not only gained the skills and confidence to run her business but also to empower others.

In the heart of Mundari, Western Equatoria, South Sudan, International Women's Day 2024 unfolded not just as a day of celebration but as a beacon of empowerment and resilience. Under the theme "Invest in Women, Accelerated Progress," and a national theme “ Accelerate Gender Equality through inclusion and access to productive resources for women and girls” UN Women South Sudan, in collaboration with Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, UNICEF, FAO, UNFPA, WFP and UNEP orchestrated an eventful day that celebrated the spirit of resilience and empowerment that women embody but also laid the groundwork for meaningful inclusion, participation, positive change and empowerment in the lives of South Sudanese women.

Vihiga County took a significant step towards gender equality and peace by launching the UNSCR 1325 Action Plan in December 2023, at the Majengo Law Courts. The Action Plan aims to enhance the inclusion of women in peace and security structures within the county, emphasizing the crucial role women play in decision-making processes for societal progress.

Vivian Cherono, is a dedicated 19-year-old student from Kericho County, Kenya, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce at Kabarak University. She was part of the 2nd coding camp under the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) and is leveraging on the skills she gained from the camp to empower women and girls in her community .Her passion for making a positive impact led her to volunteer for Barrier Breakers, a community-based organization focused on supporting teenage mothers facing stigma and societal challenges. Through Barrier Breakers, Cherono and her team have provided mentorship and support to a cohort of 40 teenage mothers, guiding them towards a brighter future.

As the global champion for women and girls, UN Women participated in these events led by Anna Mutavati, UN Women Kenya Country Representative. These activities provided opportunities for diverse stakeholder engagement and dialogue to create a better future for all. The commemoration also served as a moment of reflection on efforts and progress made towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on Gender Equality within the context of economic empowerment.

Asumpta Aputu, a 33-year-old South Sudanese refugee in Bidibidi camp of northwestern Uganda, never had an opportunity for formal education at an early age.

Yuma John, a 30-year-old South Sudanese refugee, has transformed into a dedicated Community Activist in Bidibidi refugee resettlement in Yumbe district, Northwestern Uganda.