Civil society representatives from over 78 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across 48 member states convened in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 21–22, 2024, to push for stronger commitments to promote gender equality at the Beijing+30 Regional Review Meeting. The event, organized every five years and hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO), marks a critical step towards the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA).

Ms. Ulla Saar is a legal and policy expert with over a decade of experience, currently serving as the Deputy Secretary of Labour at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications in Estonia. Backed by an extensive academic background, including master’s degrees in law, gender studies, and theology, Ms. Saar is committed to creating and implementing policies that improve labour conditions and promote social welfare. On 21-22 October 2024, Ms. Ulla Saar was a key speaker at the Beijing+30 Regional Review Meeting, where she participated in the panel on closing the gender gap.

Investing in family-friendly policies is good for individuals, businesses and economies. Policies that support a flexible work environment with paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, childcare and child grants can help to reduce parenting stress and promote the well-being of parents. Recognizing this, the “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence” programme views the private sector as an essential partner in advancing gender equality and empowering women. The programme targets selected companies among non-state actors in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to promote family-friendly policies, including the creation of parent-friendly gender-sensitive workplaces.

Ms. Roya Garayeva is the President of the Women's Committee of the Pan European Regional Council of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). In this interview, she delves deeper into the role trade unions play in closing gender pay gaps ensuring decent wages and conditions for women in the care sector.

Ambassador Katri Viinikka has been serving as the Ambassador for Gender Equality at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland since September 1, 2018. In this interview, the ambassador reflects on effective practices for closing the gender gap, how can we accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, and Finland’s multistakeholder approach to advancing gender equality.

Mr. Nabil Gangi, Deputy Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), was a key speaker at the Beijing+30 Regional Review Meeting, titled “Reviewing 30 Years of Beijing Commitments to Accelerate Gender Equality in the UNECE Region,” held on 21-22 October 2024. ). In this interview, Mr. Gangi discusses practical measures that governments, the private sector, and international organizations should prioritize to address gender inequalities in agri-food systems. He also highlights the critical role of gender-responsive agricultural policies and access to land in bridging this gender gap.

Ms. Beate Andrees has been serving as the International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia since June 2020, leading regional efforts to promote decent work, labor rights, and social justice. In this interview, she reflects on the key outcomes of the meeting and shares ILO's vision for accelerating progress towards women's economic empowerment in the UNECE region.

In Türkiye, nearly four in ten women with disabilities report experiencing violence, and half face challenges in accessing healthcare services, 69% of women face difficulties accessing public buildings and spaces. A new report by the Association of Women with Disabilities (ENG-KAD), conducted in collaboration with UN Women and with the financial support of the European Union, highlights these realities.

Magdalena Chadinoska Kuzmanoski is a social justice activist and a social mentor who works over five years with women survivors of violence on economic empowerment and their reintegration into the labour market. In this interview, Magdalena sheds light on the transformative impact of personalized support strategies for survivors of violence, through Marija’s journey, how she rebuilt her life.

As part of the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025, UN Women Türkiye initiated its first Beijing+30: Speed Dialogue Meeting with the participation of women activists from different generations. Beijing+30: Speed Dialogue Meetings aim to foster intergenerational connections among women activists, provide a space for mutual learning, and enhance collective efforts towards achieving gender equality.

More than 40 women entrepreneurs participated in the “Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO 2024” satellite event, held for the second consecutive year in Tirana, Albania, on November 18-19, 2024.

Are you passionate about supporting women in business and technology? Do you have the skills and knowledge to guide them on their entrepreneurial journey? If so, then we want you for UN Women's Regional Women's Entrepreneurship EXPO!

In this interview, Ulsi Manja, Minister of Justice of Albania, highlights the government's commitment to advancing gender equality through the justice system. He discusses the importance of gender-responsive budgeting, ongoing efforts to address the needs of women and girls, and key interventions such as free legal aid, humane conditions in penal institutions, and measures to combat gender-based violence.

Sigríður Björk Guðjónsdóttir is the National Commissioner of the Police in Iceland, the first woman to hold the position. Throughout her career, Sigríður has been a strong advocate for gender equality in policing, actively working to create a culture of inclusivity and mentorship that empowers future generations of female leaders within Iceland’s law enforcement community.

Iris Björg Kristjansdóttir is the Head of the International and Border Management Division at the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police. As a passionate advocate for women's leadership in law enforcement, she is committed to implementing initiatives that promote gender diversity, ensure equal opportunities, and empower female officers to take on leadership roles within their communities.

Leyla Hasanova, a 24-year-old climate champion from Azerbaijan, is reshaping young people’s engagement in global climate policy through her role as the COP29 Presidency Youth Climate Champion and Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organization (NAMYO). As a young leading advocate for climate action and the Presidency Youth Climate Champion appointed for COP29, she, together with her team, organized a series of events dedicated to the inclusion and meaningful participation of children and youth during COP29 - an annual international climate conference held by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – hosted by Azerbaijan in Baku, during 11-22 November 2024.

Dr. Nicole Ameline has dedicated her career to promoting women’s rights and gender equality. She currently serves as a member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), where she previously held the Chair position. Her career spans decades of public service, including roles as a Minister in the French government and Ambassador-at-Large to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). In addition to her current roles, Dr. Ameline chairs the International Institute of Human Rights and Peace and serves as an Honorary Member of the French Parliament. She continues to bring her expertise to key international dialogues and initiatives.

Ms. Diane Elson is an Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Essex, England, and a Visiting Professor at the WiSE Centre for Economic Justice at Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland. She served as Chair of the UK Women’s Budget Group from 2010 to 2016 and continues to be an active member of its Policy Advisory Group. A prolific author on gender equality, human rights, and economic justice Professor Elson spoke on October 21-22, 2024, at the Beijing+30 Regional Review Meeting, titled “Reviewing 30 Years of Beijing Commitments to Accelerate Gender Equality in the UNECE Region.

Hiljmijeta Apuk is a vocal activist from Kosovo for the rights of people with disabilities. In 2013 she received the prestigious United Nations Award for Human Rights Achievement, placing her among the greatest human rights defenders. On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Hilmijeta shares her journey, challenges, and aspirations for a more inclusive and equitable world.

HIV continues to take a heavy toll on women and girls. Every week, 4,000 young women and girls around the world are newly infected with HIV – 3,100 of them in sub-Saharan Africa. Violence against women and girls, which increases the risk of HIV for women by 50 per cent, remains pervasive, with no country within reach of eradicating it. Restrictions on young women’s bodily and economic autonomy further exacerbates their risk of infection.