UN Women UK

There’s barely been a week this year where violence against woman and girls hasn’t been in the headlines. From famous faces abusing their power, to shocking incidents that have shaken up the entire UK. It just hasn’t stopped. In fact, it won’t stop. Unless we all do something about it. 70,600 rapes were registered in the year to June 2022, a 20% increase from the year ending March 2020. Other sexual offences rose by 21%. Source: ONS We’re taking action against violence this autumn. But we need you to join us. Make sure you’re on our mailing list to take action when our campaign goes live. https://lnkd.in/eH7CePsM

When you join us at the UN Women UK Awards, not only are you supporting our mission but you’re becoming an advocate for gender equality. You’re saying yes to a gender equal future. And helping us skip the 300-year wait for gender equality. Will we be seeing you there? https://lnkd.in/efVSVmum

In need of some good news today? Meet Hawa Yokie, a UN Women Generation Equity Youth Task Force member from Sierra Leone. Hawa Yokie was always curious about how things worked… Although her family wanted her to study law, she was interested in science and technology. She sneaked into the computer lab in school and taught herself computer skills. “I've always wanted to see how I can create change and make an impact in my community” Soon after completing high school, during one of her visits to a village near Kenema, she discovered that most of the girls had dropped out of school and were pregnant or had already given birth. One of the challenges that the girls highlighted to Yokie was the lack of electricity to study. So what did she do? She started researching and teaching herself about renewal energy. With the help of a mentor, she learned about solar energy and created a new technology – SolWind – which combined solar and wind energy to generate electricity for the community. “We were able to power 50 houses there,” shared Yokie. Sometimes, just one person can change the lives countless others. Photo credit: UN Women/Catianne Tijerina

17th October is one of the biggest dates in our calendar this year. It’s the night we’ll unveil our 2024 UN Women UK Awards recipients. Such a prestigious moment deserves the very best judges to help bring it to life. That’s why we’re so honoured to have six incredible judges joining us to find this year’s Gender Equality Champions. They’ll be going through your nominations, making some very tough decisions and finding this year’s winners. A big thank you to: Alia Al-Senussi: Cultural Strategist, Academic and Arts Patron Simon Alexander Ong: Author of Energize, International Keynote Speaker and Leadership Coach Shereen Jasmin Phillips: Creative Director of Taking Part Creative Engagement Department at the Young Vic Salma Shah: Founder at communications and policy consultancy Kraken Strategy and trustee at Trusthouse Isa Soares: CNN international correspondent and anchor, Host of Isa Soares Tonight Andrea Thompson: Editor in Chief, Marie Claire UK There’s still time to get your entries in! Nominations close tomorrow. https://lnkd.in/eCxsKCkR

Ticket sales are now open for our 2024 UN Women UK Awards. Attending our Awards isn't just about celebrating the achievements of this year’s Gender Equality Champions… It’s about building networks with likeminded individuals and organisations. It’s about sharing inspiring stories. And it’s about learning the most effective ways that we can work together to carve a future of equality and safety for all. Helping your entire organisation bring gender equality to life. You and your team are invited to do all of this as part of a welcoming, celebratory and inclusive evening, whilst also raising money for our essential Women’s Equality Fund. You won’t want to miss this. Get your tickets today! https://lnkd.in/efVSVmum

UN Women is deeply concerned about the recent enactment of a morality law by the de facto authorities in Afghanistan, which imposes extensive restrictions on personal behaviour, effectively erasing women from public life and granting broad enforcement powers to the morality police. Read the full statement: https://lnkd.in/ebagq_Pr

Time is running out. We know you’ve had that tab open for weeks, waiting for the right time to apply. This is your sign that NOW is the time. Get your application in to be our new DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR or VOLUNTEER GRAPHIC DESIGNER by Friday 30th August, Click the link below for information and to send off your application https://lnkd.in/d5xEebzA

It’s World Humanitarian Day! Today and every day, we honour the brave humanitarians worldwide who sacrifice their lives to aid those in need. When we celebrate the gender equality activists helping women and girls in the UK at our annual UN Women UK Awards, we are also crucially raising funds for our Women’s Emergency Fund, that goes towards supporting humanitarian workers in crises zones across the world. Attacks are increasingly destroying the places where aid workers deliver services, such as hospitals, schools, playgrounds, and women’s centres, your contributions can help. You can donate to our Women's Equality Fund through the link below: https://lnkd.in/dbvrhisv #ActForHumanity #WHD2024

An honour and a responsibility to be appointed as Chair of this brilliant and important organisation - my commitment is to lead with my values : honesty, kindness and hard work. I believe that by working together we really can make a difference for ALL women and girls to have safety, choice and a voice. What could be more important than that. #genderequity #equality #allwomen #intersectionalfeminism #feminist #UNwomen #unwomenuk

So pleased to share the news that Michele (Mitch) Oliver is joining our incredible team at UN Women UK. We have an ambitious and exciting few years ahead and I know with Mitch leading alongside our brilliant trustees, staff team and community we will be making real lasting change for women and girls!