News Archives - International Alliance of Women https://womenalliance.org/category/news/ Equal Rights – Equal Responsibilities Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:28:10 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://womenalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/iaw-circular-36x36.png News Archives - International Alliance of Women https://womenalliance.org/category/news/ 32 32 Ebola in DR Congo: An Urgent Appeal https://womenalliance.org/ebola-in-dr-congo-an-urgent-appeal/ https://womenalliance.org/ebola-in-dr-congo-an-urgent-appeal/#respond Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:42:03 +0000 https://womenalliance.org/?p=23005 URGENT APPEAL: Supporting Women in the Ebola Crisis in Eastern DR Congo and Uganda Since 20 May 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded hundreds of cases of Ebola and dozens of deaths — as our Associate Organization SOFEDEC (Solidarité des femmes pour le développement, l’environnement et les droits de l’enfant au Congo) […]

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URGENT APPEAL: Supporting Women in the Ebola Crisis in Eastern DR Congo and Uganda

Since 20 May 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded hundreds of cases of Ebola and dozens of deaths — as our Associate Organization SOFEDEC (Solidarité des femmes pour le développement, l’environnement et les droits de l’enfant au Congo) reports from Goma. The WHO has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern — the 17th recorded Ebola epidemic in DRC since the virus was first identified in 1976. The outbreak has since spread to Uganda, where 19 confirmed cases and two deaths have been reported as of 5 June.

Women bear the greatest burden: as primary carers for the sick and those who traditionally tend to the dead, they face the highest risk of infection — and the harshest social consequences. Local women’s organisations in the Kirotshe health zone in North Kivu are under threat of having to suspend their activities entirely. Without urgent support, prevention messages will not reach displaced women, and service centres risk closing permanently.

SOFEDEC urgently needs the most basic protective supplies: gloves, masks, and disinfectants.

A rapidly deteriorating situation

The outbreak is spreading across North Kivu, Ituri province — the most affected region, with 359 confirmed cases across 17 health zones — and the city of Goma, in a region already devastated by armed conflict. As of 3 June, the DRC Ministry of Health reported a total of 381 confirmed cases and 64 confirmed deaths. The CDC has warned that without large-scale isolation measures, more than 20,000 cases could occur within the next three months alone — which would make this the worst Ebola outbreak on record, surpassing the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic. Experts note that the dismantling of USAID and cuts to CDC funding may have hampered the early detection and response.

The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, first identified in Uganda in 2007, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person; the incubation period ranges from two to 21 days. DRC has experienced more Ebola outbreaks than any other country in the world — a pattern linked to its recurring conflict, dense population, and severely under-resourced health infrastructure. Since 1994, outbreaks have been occurring with increasing frequency.

How to support SOFEDEC: Bank: Equity Banque Commerciale du Congo, Kinshasa, DR Congo IBAN: 0001 1150 6552 0004 2934 294 · Swift: BCDCCDKI Payable to: SOFEDEC, Coordinator Anuarite Siirewabo Muyuwa, Goma, DR Congo

→ [Download the full appeal as PDF]

SOFEDEC staff conduct community awareness in Goma, North Kivu — explaining basic hygiene measures to prevent the spread of Ebola. Photo: SOFEDEC, June 2026.

APPEL URGENT : Soutenir les femmes face à la crise Ebola en RDC et en Ouganda

Depuis le 20 mai 2026, la République démocratique du Congo a enregistré des centaines de cas d’Ebola et des dizaines de décès — comme le rapporte depuis Goma notre organisation associée SOFEDEC (Solidarité des femmes pour le développement, l’environnement et les droits de l’enfant au Congo). L’OMS a déclaré l’épidémie urgence de santé publique de portée internationale — le 17e épisode épidémique d’Ebola en RDC depuis l’identification du virus en 1976. Depuis lors, l’épidémie s’est étendue à l’Ouganda, où 19 cas confirmés et deux décès ont été signalés au 5 juin.

Les femmes supportent le fardeau le plus lourd : premières soignantes à domicile et gardiennes des rites funéraires, elles font face au risque d’infection le plus élevé — et aux conséquences sociales les plus lourdes. Les organisations féminines locales de la zone de santé de Kirotshe au Nord-Kivu sont sur le point de devoir suspendre leurs activités. Sans soutien urgent, les messages de prévention n’atteindront pas les femmes déplacées, et les centres de services risquent de fermer définitivement.

SOFEDEC a un besoin immédiat de matériel de protection élémentaire : gants, masques et désinfectants.

Une situation qui se détériore rapidement

L’épidémie se propage au Nord-Kivu, en province d’Ituri — la plus touchée, avec 359 cas confirmés dans 17 zones de santé — et jusqu’à Goma, dans une région déjà ravagée par les conflits armés. Au 3 juin, le ministère congolais de la Santé faisait état de 381 cas confirmés et 64 décès confirmés. Le CDC a averti que sans mesures d’isolement à grande échelle, plus de 20 000 cas pourraient survenir dans les trois prochains mois — ce qui ferait de cette épidémie la pire jamais enregistrée, dépassant celle d’Afrique de l’Ouest de 2014–2016. Des experts soulignent que le démantèlement de l’USAID et les coupes budgétaires du CDC ont pu entraver la détection précoce et la réponse initiale.

L’épidémie actuelle est causée par la souche Bundibugyo du virus Ebola, identifiée pour la première fois en Ouganda en 2007, pour laquelle il n’existe ni vaccin homologué ni traitement spécifique. Ebola se transmet par contact direct avec le sang ou les fluides corporels d’une personne infectée ; la période d’incubation est de deux à 21 jours. La RDC a connu plus d’épidémies d’Ebola que tout autre pays au monde — un phénomène lié aux conflits récurrents, à la densité de population et à des infrastructures de santé gravement sous-financées. Depuis 1994, les épidémies se produisent avec une fréquence croissante.

Comment soutenir SOFEDEC : Banque : Equity Banque Commerciale du Congo, Kinshasa, RD Congo IBAN : 0001 1150 6552 0004 2934 294 · Swift : BCDCCDKI Au nom de : SOFEDEC, Coordinatrice Anuarite Siirewabo Muyuwa, Goma, RD Congo

→ [Télécharger l’appel complet en PDF]

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]]> https://womenalliance.org/ebola-in-dr-congo-an-urgent-appeal/feed/ 0 15 Years of the Istanbul Convention https://womenalliance.org/istanbul-convention-15-years/ https://womenalliance.org/istanbul-convention-15-years/#respond Tue, 12 May 2026 12:22:09 +0000 https://womenalliance.org/?p=22973 15 Years of the Istanbul Convention: What Has Changed — and What Hasn’t 15 years ago today — May 11, 2011 — the Istanbul Convention opened for signature. Here’s what has happened since. And why it matters more than ever. The Istanbul Convention remains the first and only legally binding European treaty dedicated solely to […]

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15 Years of the Istanbul Convention: What Has Changed — and What Hasn't

15 years ago today — May 11, 2011 — the Istanbul Convention opened for signature.

Here’s what has happened since. And why it matters more than ever.

The Istanbul Convention remains the first and only legally binding European treaty dedicated solely to combating gender-based violence. Its framework spans everything from prevention to support services and access to justice.

The key milestones:

  • 2014: The Convention entered into force on 1 August 2014, following its 10th ratification. From that point, all ratifying governments became legally bound by its obligations.

  • 2020: Poland signalled its exit from the Convention, though no formal steps have followed.

  • 2021: Turkey — the very country that hosted the signing and was the first to ratify — became the first state to officially withdraw from the Convention. The Council of Europe described the move as a “devastating” setback for women’s protection.

  • 2023: The European Union acceded to the Convention in June 2023, bringing it into force for the EU on 1 October 2023.

  • 2025: Latvia’s attempt to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention was temporarily halted after President Rinkēvičs vetoed the parliamentary vote to leave the treaty. Following public protests and political divisions within the government, lawmakers postponed any final decision until after the 2026 elections, meaning Latvia remains a member of the Convention for now.

  • April 2026: The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a new resolution calling for renewed political will and adequate resources to counter growing attacks on the Convention — nearly 12 years after it entered into force.

Today, several EU member states — Lithuania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria — still refuse to ratify, often citing the Convention’s use of the term “gender” as ideologically loaded. The influence of anti-gender disinformation, frequently amplified by actors outside Europe, has played a significant role in fuelling this resistance.

The numbers are sobering: Around 2,871 women were killed in femicides in Europe in 2024 (minimum estimate across 35 countries), with wide underreporting and major differences between countries. Roughly one in five women in Europe experience intimate partner violence during their lifetime, though the real number is likely higher due to underreporting.

Civil society alliances warn that anti-feminism, right-wing populism, and cuts to social services are actively endangering protection for survivors of violence. Rising military budgets are undermining the Istanbul Convention by draining the essential funding needed to turn its legal protections into reality.

The bottom line:

15 years in, the Istanbul Convention has changed laws, shaped policies, and saved lives across Europe.

But it was never meant to be self-executing. The Assembly’s 2026 resolution is a clear signal: demonstrated positive impact on the ground is not enough — renewed political will and sustained resources are urgently needed.

The convention exists. The numbers demand more than existence.

Sanja Jeraj is Head of Delegation to the Council of Europe and Interest Group Representative to the European Parliament.

Sources

The Convention

Turkey’s withdrawal

EU accession

Latvia

PACE 2026 resolution

Statistics

Civil society and funding

Impact

map Istanbul Convention

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]]> https://womenalliance.org/istanbul-convention-15-years/feed/ 0 CSW70: A Key Vote to Defend Gender Equality https://womenalliance.org/csw70-a-key-vote-to-defend-gender-equality/ https://womenalliance.org/csw70-a-key-vote-to-defend-gender-equality/#respond Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:20:35 +0000 https://womenalliance.org/?p=22870 Members of the International Alliance of Women were actively engaged in discussions during CSW70. The following report by Sung Sohn provides insight into key developments and civil society advocacy during the session. The 70th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), held from March 9–19 at the United Nations in New York, focused on ensuring […]

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Members of the International Alliance of Women were actively engaged in discussions during CSW70. The following report by Sung Sohn provides insight into key developments and civil society advocacy during the session.

The 70th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), held from March 9–19 at the United Nations in New York, focused on ensuring access to justice for all women and girls. The session was marked by significant challenges—and a strong response from civil society to defend established rights.

The principal outcome of each CSW is the Agreed Conclusions (ACs). These documents provide a deep analysis of the priority theme and offer concrete recommendations for governments, intergovernmental bodies, and civil society stakeholders to implement at the international, national, and local levels.

I want to highlight the collective advocacy of civil society on the final day of CSW70 to push back against the rollback of critical rights in the Agreed Conclusions and uphold the international consensus on these critical rights.  

Opening Challenges: A Shift in Procedure 

For the first time in 70 years, the session began with a significant procedural shift as the body moved to replace the previous tradition of “consensus” with a recorded vote of members to adopt its ACs at the start of the gathering. The U.S. delegation introduced eight amendments seeking to replace inclusive terminology with a binary definition of gender and to change language related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), reproductive health rights, as well as the effects of climate change on women. However, the Commission rejected these proposals, adopting the initial text by a vote of 37 in favor, 1 against, and 6 abstentions. This opening established a clear mandate to protect inclusive legal standards despite a “well-orchestrated backlash” against equality.

Final Day: Civil Society Pushes Back

The session concluded with the procedural defeat of a final, last-minute U.S. proposal to narrow the definition of “gender” to “men and women.” Introduced without prior negotiation, the draft was blocked by a “no action motion” led by Belgium and the European Union, which passed with 23 votes and drew cheers from the room. It marked a victory for the CSW, showing widespread support for women’s rights by most countries.

On the ground at the UN

Leadership from the U.S. Women’s Caucus (USWC) and the EU/North American Caucus took direct action. I serve as the Feminist Foreign Policy Director for the USWC, and I was happy to hear the first-hand account of the events yesterday and to share this update. Pam Perraud (President, USWC), Mary Rose Kaczorowski (USA Representative, EU/NA Caucus), and others spent the week drafting an open letter to all CSW delegates regarding the integrity of the ACs. Early on the morning of the 19th, Pam Perraud and Mary Rose Kaczorowski distributed approximately 100 copies to delegates entering Conference Room 4, ensuring the voices of major NGOs were visible to the international community.

Damilalo Banjo reported the full account of this historic vote for PassBlue, “Washington Fails Once Again to Redefine ‘Gender’ at UN Gathering.” Banjo served as a panelist at the USWC’s virtual event, “Resisting Regression: Gender Justice in the Changing US and UN,” on March 18.

I have linked the EU & NA Caucus letter distributed to delegates on the 19th, as well as the USWC letter sent to Ambassador Mike Waltz, U.S. Representative to the UN, and Ambassador Dan Negrea, U.S. Representative to ECOSOC. These documents reflect our collective commitment to continuing progress toward universal justice for all women and girls.

 

Sung Sohn, M.Ed., is Co-Founder & Executive Director of Education for Social Justice Foundation as well as Feminist Foreign Policy Director of US Women’s Caucus.

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]]> https://womenalliance.org/csw70-a-key-vote-to-defend-gender-equality/feed/ 0 Reclaiming Leadership – the Women’s Jirga for Afghanistan https://womenalliance.org/reclaiming-leadership-the-womens-jirga-for-afghanistan/ https://womenalliance.org/reclaiming-leadership-the-womens-jirga-for-afghanistan/#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2026 08:03:51 +0000 https://womenalliance.org/?p=22746 Even under severe exclusion from public life, Afghan women continue to organize and lead. This reality framed the high-level event “What Leadership Do We Need for the Future?”, during which the Women’s Jirga for Afghanistan (WJA) was launched on March 8, 2026, on the margins of the Commission on the Status of Women in New […]

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Even under severe exclusion from public life, Afghan women continue to organize and lead. This reality framed the high-level event “What Leadership Do We Need for the Future?”, during which the Women’s Jirga for Afghanistan (WJA) was launched on March 8, 2026, on the margins of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York.

The initiative was presented as a women-led global process designed to place Afghan women’s lived realities, priorities, and policy demands at the center of international engagement on Afghanistan. Nearly five years after the Taliban’s takeover, speakers underscored that over one hundred edicts restrict women’s access to education, work, mobility, and public life. Recalling Afghanistan’s democratic past, Steering Committee member Fatima Gailani said: “I remember an Afghanistan where men and women received the right to vote on the same day. This is the Afghanistan we must reclaim.” The initiative underscores Afghan women not only as rights-holders, but as solution-builders shaping pathways for Afghanistan’s future.

CSW70 Sibylle von Heydebrand from Switzerland

From left to right: Swiss Ambassador Pascale Baeriswyl, Dr. Stéphanie Lachat, Co-Director of the Swiss Federal Office for Gender Equality, our Vice President Dr. Sibylle von Heydebrand and Swiss Federal Councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider at the inauguration event at the Morgan Library in New York

Drawing on Afghanistan’s traditional consultative mechanism, the jirga, the initiative reclaims a historically male-dominated forum and repositions it as a women-led platform for political agency and collective strategy. As peacebuilder and scholar Palwasha Kakar emphasized, “Sustainable solutions cannot be imposed from outside; they must come from Afghan women themselves.” The Women’s Jirga seeks to translate priorities into policy recommendations and accountability measures for governments, multilateral institutions, and donors.

Speakers also warned that shifting geopolitical priorities and overlapping crises risk pushing Afghan women’s rights further to the margins. Steering Committee member Nadima Sahar noted: “Today, Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls are banned from both secondary school and university.” Through regional consultations and a global convening later in 2026, the initiative aims to strengthen solidarity and articulate collective demands.

For international women’s organizations such as IAW, the Women’s Jirga illustrates how culturally grounded leadership can sustain women’s agency under repression. The launch made one point unmistakably clear: Afghan women are not only defending their rights — they are shaping the terms of future leadership.

The event was hosted by the Permanent Representatives of Albania, Cabo Verde, the Kyrgyz Republic, Switzerland, and Uruguay on behalf of the Circle of Women Ambassadors, in collaboration with the President of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Annalena Baerbock, and in the presence of Swiss Federal Councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, H.E. Ambassador Pascale Baeriswyl, and Dr. Stéphanie Lachat, Co-Director of the Swiss Federal Office for Gender Equality.

Dr. Sibylle von Heydebrand, Executive Vice President of IAW
Arlesheim, Switzerland

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]]> https://womenalliance.org/reclaiming-leadership-the-womens-jirga-for-afghanistan/feed/ 3 Civil Society at CSW70 Presses for Gender Justice https://womenalliance.org/civil-society-at-csw70-presses-for-gender-justice/ https://womenalliance.org/civil-society-at-csw70-presses-for-gender-justice/#comments Sun, 15 Feb 2026 08:15:13 +0000 https://womenalliance.org/?p=22667 As the United Nations convenes the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, governments and civil society are called to measure progress not by promises, but by outcomes. In its written statement, the International Alliance of Women aligns the session’s Priority Theme, Review Theme and Focus Area into a single demand: gender […]

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As the United Nations convenes the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, governments and civil society are called to measure progress not by promises, but by outcomes. In its written statement, the International Alliance of Women aligns the session’s Priority Theme, Review Theme and Focus Area into a single demand: gender equality must be enforceable, inclusive and lived across the life course.

Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls

The Priority Theme of CSW70 places access to justice at the heart of gender equality. The International Alliance of Women (IAW) documents how structural discrimination, under-resourced legal systems and social stigma continue to deny women and girls equal protection under the law. Survivors of gender-based violence face retaliation and procedural harm, while inadequate legal aid leaves justice out of reach for low-income, migrant and rural women. In family law, the application of international frameworks such as the Hague Convention too often disadvantages mothers and fails to uphold the best interests of the child. Restrictions on sexual and reproductive rights further undermine women’s autonomy and access to remedies.

Women’s Full and Effective Participation and Decision-Making in Public Life

Reflecting the Review Theme, the statement highlights women’s persistent underrepresentation in political leadership, peace processes and corporate decision-making. Media stereotypes, rigid electoral systems and institutional bias continue to constrain women’s participation, weakening democratic legitimacy. Participation, the Alliance argues, is not symbolic; it is essential for responsive, accountable governance.

Achieving Gender Equality and the Empowerment of All Older Women

CSW70’s Focus Area brings attention to older women, often absent from gender equality debates. Lifetime pay gaps result in inadequate pensions, digital exclusion limits access to justice and services, and ageism erases older women’s expertise from leadership. Gender equality must address these intersecting inequalities across the full life course.

Conclusion
The Commission on the Status of Women is not a ceremonial forum but a test of political will. At CSW70, the International Alliance of Women is present with a 20-member delegation and is convening and co-sponsoring multiple parallel events to ensure civil society perspectives shape outcomes. Justice, participation and empowerment are obligations — and the measure of whether global commitments are finally translated into practice.

By Dr. Sibylle von Heydebrand, our Executive Vice President 

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]]> https://womenalliance.org/civil-society-at-csw70-presses-for-gender-justice/feed/ 2 A Global Feminist Blueprint for the Next Three Years https://womenalliance.org/iaw-action-programme-2025-2028/ https://womenalliance.org/iaw-action-programme-2025-2028/#comments Sun, 01 Feb 2026 08:00:51 +0000 https://womenalliance.org/?p=22624 As wars intensify and democracies weaken, the International Alliance of Women (IAW) has adopted a new Action Programme with a clear message: today’s global crises cannot be solved without women’s rights at their center. Following our XL Congress in November 2025, we’ve launched a strategic framework designed to translate the principle of “Equal Rights – […]

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As wars intensify and democracies weaken, the International Alliance of Women (IAW) has adopted a new Action Programme with a clear message: today’s global crises cannot be solved without women’s rights at their center. Following our XL Congress in November 2025, we’ve launched a strategic framework designed to translate the principle of “Equal Rights – Equal Responsibilities” into measurable progress. This program reflects a world under pressure—one where gender equality is increasingly contested yet more urgently needed than ever.

A Programme Shaped by Crisis

The Action Programme 2025–2028 defines eight Strategic Goals to guide advocacy through the next three years. Rather than an abstract exercise, it serves as a dual-layered compass, pairing high-level goals with specific measures for policy intervention.

Rights, Peace, and Accountability

The programme prioritizes the full realization of women’s human rights, specifically the implementation of CEDAW and supporting “Cities for CEDAW” initiatives. Peace is treated as a defining test; the IAW reaffirms the human right to peace and pushes for a binding UN Convention and the total prohibition of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS). Central to this is the demand that women be equally represented in all peace and security processes. Violence is framed as a failure of law, with IAW calling for the enforcement of the Istanbul Convention and targeting emerging threats like cyberviolence and femicide.

Democracy, Climate, and the Economy

Democracy is presented as a gendered issue where underrepresentation weakens resilience against authoritarianism. The Alliance advocates for parity democracy through electoral quotas to ensure women lead in all political and economic sectors. Addressing global fault lines, we recognize climate change as a gendered crisis, prioritizing the needs of women food producers and refugees. Simultaneously, the economic vision seeks a shift toward a “caring economy” by recognizing unpaid care work and ensuring equal pay for work of equal value.

Rights in a Digital World

As life shifts online, the programme highlights digital equality and cyber safety as core issues. We demand that Artificial Intelligence be free of gender bias and tech platforms be held accountable for harassment. This extends to health autonomy, where the Alliance remains steadfast in advocating for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and groundbreaking research into gender medicine, such as menopause and endometriosis care.

A Clear Message

Together, these goals set a shared framework for action. In a fractured world, the International Alliance of Women makes a forceful case: gender equality is not a side issue but a condition for peace, democracy, and sustainable development.

By Simge Simsek, MLaw
Member of the Board of the International Alliance of Women and Representative to UN Geneva

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]]> https://womenalliance.org/iaw-action-programme-2025-2028/feed/ 1 A UN Treaty on Crimes Against Humanity Needs Women https://womenalliance.org/a-un-treaty-on-crimes-against-humanity-needs-women/ https://womenalliance.org/a-un-treaty-on-crimes-against-humanity-needs-women/#respond Sat, 31 Jan 2026 08:31:08 +0000 https://womenalliance.org/?p=22685 UN Deliberations on a Treaty for the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity United Nations Member States are engaged in a multi-year process of drafting and negotiating a new treaty on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity. The Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries on Prevention and Punishment of […]

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UN Deliberations on a Treaty for the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity

United Nations Member States are engaged in a multi-year process of drafting and negotiating a new treaty on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity.

The Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity met in session from January 19-30,  2026. 

IAW submitted a written statement and had the privilege of delivering an oral intervention during the proceedings on Tuesday January 20, 2026. IAW’s oral intervention may be viewed here (@ minute 51:58). The text of the oral statement is below:

Distinguished Dignitaries and Civil Society Organization Colleagues:

 International Alliance of Women supports your ambitious work to advance and strengthen a convention on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity.

Our Alliance works to secure every Member State’s ratification without reservations, and implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

This Convention links with the UN Security Council’s Women, Peace and Security Agenda and the UN Human Rights Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls. The Alliance joins the Working Group and distinguished bodies in their support for formal recognition of gender apartheid as a crime against humanity.

We challenge the position that Member States have the primary responsibility to prevent and punish crimes against humanity, because the fact is, that women are victims and survivors of systemic oppression and the principle that women and girls are at the center of the fight for justice.

We believe that a treaty on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity depends on a significant increase in women’s meaningful participation in negotiations.

Our Alliance will continue to engage and support women in local communities around the world. We ask you to stand in solidarity with us. Together we will raise awareness of the means to prevent and punish crimes against humanity and embolden women to claim their fundamental human rights.

IAW’s written statement, drafted under the guidance of president Alison Brown, may be accessed here.

 IAW remains actively engaged in the pursuit of a comprehensive victim and survivor centered treaty on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity through its involvement with a newly formed coalition of international NGOs.

IAW representatives at UNHQ, Jill Follows, Jessica Pierson, and Thalia Brown, wrote a detailed Resource Guide: Gender Perspective for the proposed UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity. 

Jill Follows, our Main Representative at UN New York

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]]> https://womenalliance.org/a-un-treaty-on-crimes-against-humanity-needs-women/feed/ 0 UN Dialogue on Civil Society and Reform https://womenalliance.org/un-dialogue-civil-society/ https://womenalliance.org/un-dialogue-civil-society/#respond Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:29:50 +0000 https://womenalliance.org/?p=22719 The Civil Society Unit in the UN Department of Global Communications organized a Town Hall style dialogue with H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly,  today: “Better Together: The role of civil society in strengthening the United Nations in fragmented times.” IAW submitted a written intervention in support […]

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The Civil Society Unit in the UN Department of Global Communications organized a Town Hall style dialogue with H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly,  today: “Better Together: The role of civil society in strengthening the United Nations in fragmented times.”

IAW submitted a written intervention in support of: elimination of the veto power in the UN Security Council; engagement of at least 50-50 women in UN global peace and security governance measures; upholding the Women, Peace and Security Agenda; UN Charter Reform that reflects consensus building and structural changes to safeguard civilians; and CSW revitalization initiatives that accord observer status for NGO’s during the negotiation of the agreed conclusions during the annual UN Commission on the Status of Women.

The full text of IAW’s written statement may be found here. 

IAW’s statement was a collaborative effort.  Thank you to the following members for their knowledgeable and thoughtful contributions: Alison Brown, Jill Follows, Soon-Young Yoon, Thalia Brown, Jessica Pierson.

Picture of Annalena Baerbock: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

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]]> https://womenalliance.org/un-dialogue-civil-society/feed/ 0 UN Women Opens Global Office at the UN Campus in Bonn https://womenalliance.org/un-women-opens-global-office-at-the-un-campus-in-bonn/ https://womenalliance.org/un-women-opens-global-office-at-the-un-campus-in-bonn/#comments Fri, 09 Jan 2026 02:44:42 +0000 https://womenalliance.org/?p=22514 A New Hub for Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Through Global Collaboration UN Women Opens Global Office in Bonn Since November 2025, Bonn—the German City of the United Nations—has hosted a new member of its UN family. In the presence of Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, […]

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A New Hub for Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Through Global Collaboration

UN Women Opens Global Office in Bonn

Since November 2025, Bonn—the German City of the United Nations—has hosted a new member of its UN family. In the presence of Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, the third UN Women global office (after New York and Nairobi) was officially opened at the Bonn UN Campus on November 21, 2025. The UN Campus, situated close to the River Rhine, provides an inspiring environment for international collaboration.

Advancing Gender Equality Globally

This global strategy allows for a more flexible agenda to advance women’s rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of all women and girls. Moreover, as UN Women is the lead UN entity on gender equality, collaboration with other UN agencies in Bonn offers strong potential. These include the Climate Secretariat (UNFCCC), the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the UN Volunteers Programme (UNV), the World Health Organization / European Environment and Health Hub (WHO), and the SDG Action Campaign. Such collaboration offers a strong opportunity to accelerate the empowerment agenda for women and girls.

UN Women’s Mission in Action

The press release states: “As the lead UN entity on gender equality, we shift laws, institutions, social behaviours, and services to close the gender gap and build an equal world for all women and girls. We keep the rights of women and girls at the centre of global progress—always, everywhere.”

Germany’s Support and Bonn’s UN Hub

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has supported UN Women since its founding in 2010. In addition, Germany is the organization’s second-largest donor. Furthermore, Bonn is home to more than 25 UN agencies, alongside federal authorities, ministries, and numerous scientific institutions and internationally active development organizations. Most of these institutions work on global sustainable development themes. Also based in Bonn is the UN Women German National Committee, whose president, Dr. Angela Langencamp, served as the master of ceremonies during the programme.

Welcoming UN Women to Bonn

Reem Alabali Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, as well as other state and UN representatives, cordially welcomed UN Women. Following a German tradition, the Mayor of Bonn presented bread and salt to Ms. Sima Bahous. She responded warmly: “We will make Bonn our home.” She also stayed for private photos and short conversations with participants including NGO representatives.

Local Partnerships and Peace Initiatives

Annegret Krueger and Heide Schütz, President and Honorary President of the Women’s Network for Peace and both IAW members, were invited to participate in the inauguration ceremony. They also attended the panel discussion on “Gender Equality in the Digital Age – Ending Digital Violence Against Women”. Later, they spoke with Ms. Sima Bahous and presented her with the English brochure of the project The Peace Trail Bonn. This is a joint project of the Women’s Network for Peace (Frauennetzwerk für Frieden e.V., IAW Associate) and the Network of the German Peace Movement (Netzwerk Friedenskooperative e.V.), both of whose national offices are located in Bonn.

This photo captures a moment during the inauguration of the UN Women Bonn Global Office. Setting: The image is taken on a stage, in front of a backdrop displaying the event title, logos for the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German Federal Foreign Office, and the date "Friday, 21 November 2025". A microphone stand is visible on the left. Individuals: Dr. Angela Langenkamp (left), Chairperson of UN Women Germany, is standing with her arm around her colleague. She is wearing a bright orange blazer over a black top, black trousers, a colourful striped scarf, and black ankle boots. Abigail Erikson (right), Head of the UN Women Office in Bonn, is speaking into a microphone. She is wearing a long, dark brown ruffled dress with button details and brown boots. The image provided displays a promotional banner for UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The banner uses the slogan and campaign title "For ALL Women and Girls". The banner features three distinct images of women and girls from various cultural backgrounds and professions, illustrating the organization's global focus on women's rights and empowerment in different areas of life, such as economic empowerment (the woman in the bus/truck), and community engagement. The "For ALL Women and Girls" campaign is a global initiative by UN Women that calls for action to accelerate progress on gender equality, focusing on rights, equality, and empowerment, particularly in areas like freedom from violence, economic security, and equal decision-making power. Reem Alabali Radovan, Germany's Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, speaking at the inauguration of the UN Women Bonn Global Office. Annegret Krüger (left), President of the Women's Network for Peace (Frauennetzwerk für Frieden e.V. - IAW Associate) and individual member of IAW, and Sima Bahous (right), Executive Director of UN Women, pose for a photograph at the inauguration reception. They are standing in front of a large screen displaying the logos of the German Federal Foreign Office, BMZ and UN Women, alongside the slogan 'FOR ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS'. Annegret Krueger (left), President of Women's Network for Peace (Frauennnetzwerk für Frieden e.V.), and Sima Bahous (right), UN Women Executive Director, talking in front of a large screen displaying logos for the German Federal Foreign Office, BMZ, and UN Women, along with the slogan "FOR ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS". Heide Schütz (left), Honorary President of the Women's Network for Peace (Frauennetzwerk für Frieden e.V. - IAW Associate) and individual member of IAW, and Sima Bahous (right), Executive Director of UN Women, pose for a photograph at the inauguration reception. They are standing in front of a large screen displaying the logos of the German Federal Foreign Office, BMZ and UN Women, alongside the slogan 'FOR ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS'. This is the Conference Room at the UN Campus in Bonn, which has floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the surrounding buildings and greenery. Rows of contemporary, empty chairs have been arranged for the inauguration of the UN Women Global Office Campus Bonn. Recessed and linear overhead lighting provides bright illumination. On the far left, an informational banner displaying the 'UN Women' logo is visible. The image displays an agenda for an event co-hosted by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Federal Foreign Office, and UN Women. The event focuses on gender equality and women's empowerment. 11:00h: Inauguration Segment and Ceremony 11:40h: UN Women Image Film 11:50h: Interactive Panel Dialogue 13:00h: Reception The image shows a modern conference room at the UN Campus in Bonn. The room is set up in a theater style with rows of wooden chairs. A stage is visible at the far end with a presentation screen and podium. The lighting is contemporary, with a mix of recessed and panel lights, and purple accent lighting on the back wall. Large windows along one side offer natural light and a view of the outdoors. The venue has been prepared for the inauguration of the UN Women Global Office. The image captures an event setup at the UN Campus in Bonn, Germany. The venue features a large, bright atrium with a glass roof and a distinctive, large, wooden art installation hanging from the ceiling, titled "Nest" by artist Tadashi Kawamata. Numerous cocktail tables draped in white cloths with lime green overlays are arranged in rows for the auguration of the UN Women Global Office in Bonn. A long table with a white tablecloth is set up in the center of the room. The image features the art installation "The Illuminator" by Wafae Ahalouch el Keriasti, a female artist from Morocco. The installation is located in the former German parliamentary building in Bonn, which now serves the UN Campus. The work is a large, illuminated orange sphere set against a backdrop of black-and-white stripes. The sphere represents the sun. The artist used the contrast of black and white stripes with the orange sphere to symbolize global warming.

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