Malawi, a nation previously grappling with high HIV prevalence and entrenched gender inequalities, is rewriting its narrative through transformative interventions spearheaded by UN Women. Gender inequalities and harmful societal norms fuel Malawi's HIV epidemic, disproportionately affecting women and girls. With approximately 991,600 people living with HIV (2024 Spectrum/Naomi estimates), the epidemic intersects with gender-based violence (GBV), creating a complex web of vulnerabilities. Recognizing this, UN Women launched the Gender and HIV HeForShe project in 2019 to address these challenges through a holistic, gender-sensitive lens.

The United Nations in Kenya, in collaboration with the Government of Kenya and various partners, launched the USD 28.5 million Joint Programme on Migration, Mobility, and Regional Integration. The Joint Programme is a strategic collaboration between the United Nations and the Government of Kenya. Running from December 2024 to June 2026, the programme aims to support Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on capacity building, policy advocacy and community participation to enhance social cohesion and regional integration.

As the world faces the challenges of conflict, climate change, and social inequality, the East and Southern Africa region is boldly moving towards a more peaceful and inclusive future. The Regional Symposium on Fostering Peace and Inclusivity held in Nairobi from 2nd to 3rd October 2024, united leaders, policymakers, and change-makers in conversation about the significance of women's involvement in peace processes and to set a new direction for the region.

The journey to localizing the Generation Equality in Tanzania is making significant progress through the collective efforts of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, and the private sector. By the end of September 2024, this collaboration has resulted in over 250 pledges to advance gender equality initiatives.

On 25th November 2024, Kenya marked its national launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in Makueni County. In attendance were government officials, development partners, UN Agency representatives, civil society organizations, and other dignitaries.

UN Women Kenya and UNESCO held a National Young Male Dialogue Forum on December 9 2024 to intensify efforts towards the intentional engagement of men as frontline champions in preventing femicide and violence against women and girls.

In collaboration with the Government of Kenya, UN Women Kenya launched a gender-responsive procurement initiative: the Strategic Partnership Framework (UAE - SPF) Project, to accelerate gender equality and women's economic empowerment. The United Arab Emirates has provided $15 million in funding for the Project.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains one of the most pressing challenges facing women and girls in Zimbabwe. Yet, amidst this struggle, Generation Equality commitment makers, like the Institute of Women Social Workers (IWSW) in Zimbabwe, are working tirelessly to break the cycle of violence, empower survivors, and challenge systemic inequalities that affect women and girls across the country.

During the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Generation Equality is celebrating commitment makers that are driving action to end gender-based violence. Kenya’s story of cultural transformation takes center stage, showing how the country is tackling one of its most deep-rooted challenges: female genital mutilation (FGM). At the heart of this movement are Kenya’s councils of elders, respected community leaders whose voices hold immense influence and whose commitment to ending FGM is transforming the lives of women and girls across the country.

New York, 17 December, 2024 – As the crisis in Sudan continues to deepen, UN Women has just published a new Gender Alert on the impact of the conflict on women and girls. More than 11 million people have been displaced as of October 2024, with more than half (54 per cent) being women and girls. 

On 6 December 2024, the Shupavu Art Exhibit highlighting the transformative role of 'artivism' in ending violence against women and girls. Featuring 12 artists from across Tanzania, the exhibit showcased compelling works conveying resilience, empowerment, and the urgent need for collective action.

In the bustling city of Baidoa, southwest Somalia, a remarkable leader is making waves in the fight for women’s rights and empowerment. Fatuma Ali Iman, the Chairperson of the Somali Girls Rights Development Organization (SGRDO), has emerged as a powerful voice for women in her community. Her journey has been shaped by her active participation in the African Women Leadership Network (AWLN), where she has attended two pivotal workshops organized in collaboration with UN Women.

UN Women supported a three-day capacity building and networking workshop for the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Somalia Chapter Steering Committee from 10_12 September 2024 in Mogadishu. The workshop was held as part of the Women, Peace, and Protection Joint Programme (WPP JP), implemented by UN Women, UNDP and UNSOM. The AWLN Somalia Chapter Steering Committee is comprised of two representatives from each of the federal member states, Banadir region and Somaliland, with a total of 14 committee members and a Chairperson.

The Federal Government of Somalia’s Upper House and UN Women Somalia inaugurated the newly established Resource Centre for the Upper House Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (UH WPC) on 24 November 2024 at the Senate Building in Mogadishu, Somalia. This initiative was led by the UH WPC chairperson, Senator Saredo Mohamed Hassan, and will provide an accessible, safe and user-friendly space for the Caucus members, with the support of the Upper House leadership. Through its Women, Peace and Protection Joint Programme (WPP JP), which is funded by the Peace Building Fund (PBF) and the Somalia Joint Fund (SJF), UN Women Somalia furnished and equipped the WPC Resource Centre with necessary equipment.

The United Nations System in Tanzania, under the coordination of UN Women, convened a high-level dialogue in Dar es Salaam titled "Realizing the Promise of 2030: Accelerating Action to End Gender-Based Violence." The event brought together government officials, UN representatives, development partners, civil society, and youth to reaffirm commitments from the Beijing Declaration and Agenda 2030 and to accelerate efforts to eliminate gender-based violence (GBV).

UN Women South Sudan, in collaboration with key partners, launched impactful activities for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, emphasizing solidarity, policy action, and community engagement to eliminate violence against women and girls in South Sudan.

Despite considerable improvements in both the availability and use of data on violence against women and girls (VAWG) in recent years and the availability of data on intimate partner violence (IPV) for at least 161 countries, there are still gaps.

Abuk Deng, a 26-year-old mother and GBV survivor in Aweil West County, transforms from silence to advocacy through education and empowerment provided by HASS and UN Women, breaking cycles of traditional restrictions and inspiring change.

Perpetua Nziramasanga, a survivor of three abusive marriages, acknowledges the Spotlight Initiative programme for saving her fourth marriage. The programme, led by UN Women Zimbabwe and Caritas, educated men and women on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), gender equality, and women's empowerment. After participating in training, Perpetua and her family transformed their relationship, living peacefully for the first time.

UN Women Ethiopia is tackling the challenges posed by VAWG by strengthening, expanding, and standardizing essential services for survivors, including supporting the establishment of shelters, one-stop centers, and hotlines in various regions of Ethiopia, in alignment with the United Nations Global Essential Services Package.