Source: UN Women - Africa |

Two years of relentless conflict in Sudan have triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis for 6 million displaced women and girls

The number of people at risk of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, has tripled to over 12 million since the beginning of the war

Sudanese women and girls are bearing the brunt of a crisis that is entering its third year on April 15. Facing acute food insecurity, alarming rates of gender-based violence, and limited access to healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities, they comprise most of the 12 million displaced people inside and outside the country. In less than two…

Source: UN Women - Africa |

How women political leaders are beating the odds in Eastern & Southern Africa

Women politicians urgently need increased visibility and institutional support to promote their participation in politics

Progress in women’s representation in politics globally has been slow. Women’s representation in parliaments in Africa increased by one point from 2021 to 2024, shifting the total from 25% to 26%. “At this rate, it will take Africa until the year 2100 to achieve gender parity in its parliaments. But…

Source: UN Women - Africa |

South Africa - Men as allies: Youth dialogue tackles patriarchal masculinities for gender equality

The dialogue, supported by the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, was convened to compile youth recommendations for the upcoming Women Empowerment Ministerial Working Group (W20) meeting

On 27 March 2025, UN Women South Africa Multi-Country Office, in partnership with the Tshwane University of Technology, and the Departments of Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities, hosted a dialogue on ‘Transforming Patriarchal Masculinities for a Gender-Equal World’ for 150 young people. The dialogue, which took place in Pretoria,…

Source: UN Women - Africa |

Young leaders’ voices amplified at a Youth & G20 capacity-building workshop in South Africa

A panel discussion on gender advocacy enabled participants to identify key gender issues and develop advocacy strategies and actions for promoting gender equality

In 2025, South Africa holds the G20 presidency, with world leaders scheduled to convene later in the year to discuss priorities under the theme: 'Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.' On 27-28 February 2025, UN Women South Africa Multi-Country Office and the South African Institute of International Affairs youth division (Youth@SAIIA) organized the…

Source: UN Women - Africa |

From Training to Action: Gender in Humanitarian Action in Somalia

The training targeted new members of the Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA) GiHA working group from civil society organizations, women-led organizations in Banadir region

UN Women Somalia, Save the Children International and the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) facilitated a four-days training on Integrating Gender Perspectives in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Humanitarian Action in November 2024 in Mogadishu. The training targeted new members of the Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA) GiHA working group…

Source: UN Women - Africa |

For All Women and Girls: Aneth Isaya on Advancing Equality and Disability Inclusion in Tanzania

Isaya advocates for a holistic approach to addressing challenges faced by women with disabilities, emphasizing education, awareness, and stronger legal protections

#ForAllWomenAndGirls is a rallying call for action on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Aneth Gerena Isaya, a leading advocate for the economic empowerment of women with disabilities in Tanzania, talks about the critical need for disability inclusion and how she is driving efforts to make…

Source: UN Women - Africa |

Giving Voice to Data: How Community Radio in Zanzibar is Using Gender-based Violence (GBV) Data to Drive Change

The data is helping communities and stakeholders ensure that prevention and response efforts are evidence-based, targeted and effective

Every morning, after completing her household chores, Fatma Haji Silima tunes in to Tumbatu FM, her favorite community radio station in Zanzibar. For years, she has dedicated an hour from 9 a.m. to listening to Mwamko kwa Jamii (Community Awakening)—a program that highlights key community issues and engages listeners in live discussions. For…

Source: UN Women - Africa |

Bridging the Digital Gender Gap: Digital Literacy Skills Open Doors for Young Women in Tanzania

During its first phase (2018–2021), the initiative empowered more than 600 participants from 32 African countries to pursue careers and innovations in ICT

As a child growing up in Morogoro, Tanzania, Annagrace Malamsha was always drawn to the sciences. While many young girls in her primary school seemed to steer away from science subjects, she found them fascinating, driven by a deep curiosity to understand how things work. It was there that she…

Source: UN Women - Africa |

Five years to zero: the Race to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) by 2030

Strengthening alliances and building movements to end FGM in Eastern and Southern Africa

Joint statement by UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women, Equality Now, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and The Eastern African Sub-Regional Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women (EASSI) on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM Fatuma was only ten when she overheard whispers about her “special day.” In…

Source: UN Women - Africa |

Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Awatif's Resilience and Innovation

Awatif embraced training on management, leadership, and practical skills delivered in partnership with Kassala University and Waad Organization for Development (WOD)

In Kassala State, Sudan, amidst the challenges of economic uncertainty, Awatif* found a path to stability and empowerment through a UN Women-supported entrepreneurship program. She belonged to a restrictive community where women were not permitted to participate in outdoor activities, gather with men, or take on roles beyond household duties.…

To Top