In Senegal, UN Women is supporting municipalities in integrating women’s unpaid care needs and solutions in their Local Development Plans. UN Women developed a methodology for identifying and analysing community care needs and for developing and financing solutions to those needs. This Guidance Note documents the methodology and can be a technical resource for municipalities and local stakeholders willing to integrate care provisions into their local development plans.

This new strategic plan takes effect amid the global COVID-19 pandemic and accelerating climate crisis, which has disproportionately impacted women and girls and exacerbated all aspects of gender inequalities. It is clear that bold actions and increased financing are needed to rebuild better and equal, with the needs of women and girls at the heart of all we do, leaving no one behind.

UN Women is the UN agency mandated to promote gender equality and empowerment of women. In the East and Southern Africa Region, the organization has a presence in 13 Countries (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Multi/Country Offices South Africa, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe). In countries where there is no presence, UN Women collaborates with the resident coordinator's office to advance gender equality.

Investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive growth.

The study covers Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda. It finds that NEET rates in ESA are above 40 percent for youth in the 20-24 years age bracket, that young women in the region are disproportionally affected by NEET status regardless of their age group, and that this status is more likely to become a permanent state for young women than for young men.

The current drought response in Ethiopia is being scaled up across sectors, including food security, nutrition assistance, provision of safe water and sanitation, and livelihood protection. In addition, other urgent humanitarian assistance to drought- stricken areas such as agriculture and livestock support for pastoralist communities are also being increased. Nonetheless, the needs of women and girls may not be met due to a number of compounding factors such as the breakdown of key services which are critical to the health, protection, and recovery of women and girls; weakened informal and formal protection and accountability mechanisms; disrupted livelihoods, increased displacement, power imbalances, and limited access to resources.

This guide is designed to increase the understanding of the legal obligations of countries in the West and Central Africa (WCA) region to achieve gender equality in decision-making. It focuses on strengthening efforts to improve the legal framework in the region to ensure that laws are clearly drafted, implementable and effective. Special focus is devoted to the processes by which laws supporting political participation of women are developed, negotiated, drafted, passed and implemented. It aims to strengthen law-making processes that build and secure the legal rights of women who want to run for elections and who are ready to take over leadership positions in their parliaments and governments. Legal instruments are presented that can be used to advance the political participation of women.The comparative experiences presented in this guide address both examples of good practices and laws that have failed because their regulations are imprecise, unclear lack effective sanctions

The publication aims to provide information that helps prepare the youth for an inclusive, environment sensitive, and resilient approach to productive livelihoods.

The publication aims to serve as an advocacy report on gender issues and contributing to efforts in strengthening regional norms and policies on women and youth’s economic empowerment.

The review indicated that Ethiopia has not only ratified many of the conventions and treaties related to refugees and asylum seekers, but also formalized these laws into its Constitution and in the national Refugee Proclamation. However, a closer analysis of the health sector focusing on sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (SRMNCAH) services to women and girls in the humanitarian settings, the laws, policies, strategies, guidelines, programs, and plans of the sector indicated a clear gap.

It is a reality that our region carries the highest prevalence of child marriage and female genital mutilation in the world, impacting millions of our girls. These harmful traditional practices have devastating impact including loss of life, risk of disease such as fistula, loss of education and life opportunities, trauma and other psycho-social impacts resulting in deepening poverty and perpetuating a cycle of abuse. This calls on us as traditional and religious leaders to urgently assume our role as protectors of our children. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the prevalence of genderbased violence in our countries and communities.

The provision of universal childcare is critical to achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and to reduce gender inequalities in the labour market. Lack of quality and affordable childcare services is a major obstacle for women to participate in the labour market in Côte d’Ivoire. This brief summarizes findings of a study to quantify investment needs for universal childcare provision in Senegal, as well as employment and fiscal gains associated with such expansion...

The provision of universal childcare is critical to achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and to reduce gender inequalities in the labour market. Lack of quality and affordable childcare services is a major obstacle for women to participate in the labour market in Nigeria. This brief summarizes findings of a study to quantify investment needs for universal childcare provision in Nigeria, as well as employment and fiscal gains associated with such expansion of services. The...

The provision of universal childcare is critical to achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and to reduce gender inequalities in the labour market. Lack of quality and affordable childcare services is a major obstacle for women to participate in the labour market in Senegal. This brief summarizes findings of a study to quantify investment needs for universal childcare provision in Senegal, as well as employment and fiscal gains associated with such expansion of services. The...

This advocacy brief accompanies country notes presenting the results of studies conducted by UN Women on the fiscal and employment benefits of investing in universal free childcare in Nigeria, Senegal, and Cote D’Ivoire. This brief is meant to provide UN Women country offices with ideas of how to leverage the country notes for policy dialogue and reform at the country level. View/Download : EN

The brief highlights the purpose of exchange visits, the best practices identified participants, and the key messages of the forum for Civil Society.The main aim of the visits was to get exposure to and gain a better understanding of, countries’ experiences on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and agribusiness practices so as to synergize with national-level lessons for action.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) an opportunity for growth and prosperity in Africa. However, because of pre-existing inequalities in African economies, the agreement’s benefits will not be distributed equally along gender lines. As the AfCFTA Secretariat is starting to draft a Women in Trade Protocol, it is important that women across the continent participate actively in the process to voice their views, interests, and needs. This advocacy brief highlights 9 important...

This brief presents emerging evidence on the role the private sector can play in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria by highlighting the key measures companies can take to move beyond traditional corporate social responsibility to combine profits with gender progress. Realizing the growing need for gender equality is also germane to the survival and development of girls and the building of healthy communities, a healthy society, and a healthy nation. The economic...

This series, updated quarterly, illustrates the human impact of UN Women’s work across the world, highlighting the partnerships that make this work possible. These stories share how we and our many partners are striding forward to realize a better world for women and girls

The ongoing crisis in Nigeria's North East region, compounded by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has left internally displaced persons even more vulnerable. 54% of the internal displaed population is female. The Rapid Gender Assessment undertaken by UN Women in collaboration with CARE International and Oxfam examines the gender-related impact of COVID-19 on women, men, girls and boys to inform the intervention response for the North-East.