With the World Economic Forum's 2017 Global Gender Gap Report findings telling us that gender parity is over 200 years away - there has never been a more important time to keep motivated and #PressforProgress. And with global activism for women's equality fueled by movements like #MeToo, #TimesUp, and more - there is a strong global momentum striving for gender parity.
The March 8 date was chosen, as IWD, to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.
Worldwide (as of 2013):
Up to 50% of sexual assaults were committed against girls under the age of 16.
Globally, 603 million women lived in countries where domestic violence is not yet considered a crime.
Up to 70% of women in the world reported having experienced physical and/or sexual violence at some point in their lifetime.
Over 60 million girls worldwide were child brides, married before the age of 18…
In the face of such unacceptable figures, the international community is strongly committed to change the plight of women. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) requires that countries party to the Convention take all appropriate steps to end violence.
UNHS is proud to support #PressforProgress, and supports women's movements globally. We believe women are at the heart of progress of international sustainable development progress, and are committed to promoting women's and girl's health, education, and economic opportunity.