2 July - Historic move to create new UN women's agency

In an historic resolution on 2 July, the UN General Assembly voted unanimously to create a new UN entity to accelerate progress towards meeting the needs of women and girls worldwide.

The entity, to be called "UN Women", will combine the mandates of existing UN bodies dealing with women's empowerment and gender equality UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed the decision as a major achievement, saying UN Women will "significantly boost UN efforts to promote gender equality", and an important step in the wider effort to streamline the work of the UN. >> Click here to read more

UN plays a vital role in gender equality, but so do we all

UNA-UK's Natalie Samarasinghe wrote a comment piece in the Guardian on the UN's progress in gender equality, an area where we all have moral responsibilities. Click here to read more

International Women's Day: UN calls for progress on all fronts

Each year around the world, International Women's Day is celebrated on 8 March. Hundreds of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women and highlight areas of concern.

Click here to read more for Ban Ki Moon's full message and UNA-UK activities to mark this day.

UNA-UK publications

ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND WOMEN: THE SEARCH FOR FIRE IN AFRICA

Guest writer Anushay Hossain, Executive Assistant at UNIFEM UK explores the relationship between gender inequality and environmental degredation, using the example of deforestation in Africa.

To read the article, click here and turn to page 26.