In Focus: Beijing at 20

In March, we celebrate International Women’s Day and Beijing+20 at the 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.  The Day and the Commission will highlight the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments 20 years ago that is still considered the most comprehensive blueprint on women’s rights. While there has been progress over the last two decades, the blueprint still remains only partially fulfilled.  In May 2014, UN Women launched a global campaign “Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture It”, to reignite the urgency behind the Beijing call and mobilize a new generation. In the lead up to the Commission, a record-breaking 164 countries have undertaken national reviews of the status of women, and rich contributions from civil society have also come in. The reports will be a centrepiece of the 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women where leaders will formulate concrete actions to step up their efforts, and accelerate gender equality and women’s empowerment worldwide. Here’s a look at how the world galvanized around the issue of gender equality and women’s rights in the lead-up to Beijing+20.

Back to top

In the words of...

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka – It’s Time to Step It Up for Gender Equality

Oped EVAW Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

In this op-ed for International Women’s Day, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka takes a look at the mixed progress since the 1995 Beijing Conference and asks for bold steps to accelerate change in the lives of women and girls. She underlines the urgent need to recommit to the promises made in 1995 by world leaders, and an end point to achieving gender equality. Calling for substantial change, she stresses the need to frontload actions for the next five years to achieve full equality before 2030.

Read her message »

Related links

Back to top

Gender Equality: Where are we today?

View infographic

This infographic highlights how far we have come and the many challenges ahead to achieving equality. View infographic »

Back to top

Beijing+20: A world mobilized

From celebrities championing women's rights to remarkable women and men who have made great strides for gender equality, this map showcases op-eds, profiles and blogs in celebration of Beijing+20. Click on the pins, zoom in and zoom out and move the map around to discover these voices.

Yellow map pinIn the Words of...
Champions
Women of Achievement
Orange map pinBlogs

The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.

Back to top

Featured VideoS

Empowering Women - Empowering Humanity: Picture It!

The Journey of Women's Rights: 1911-2015

Back to top

Related Links

CSW59 In Focus


International Women's Day 2015
International Women's Day 2015 Banner

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, celebrated globally on 8 March, is the clarion call of UN Women’s Beijing+20 campaign “Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!” More »