International Women’s Day 2017
Events | News | Messages | Featured articles | Take five | From where I stand | A snapshot of other UN agencies’ works | Infographics | Photo Essay | Join the Conversation
The 2017 theme for International Women’s Day, 8 March, focuses on “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030”.
The world of work is changing, with significant implications for women. On one hand, technological advances and globalization bring unprecedented opportunities for those who can access them. On the other hand, there is growing informality of labour, income inequality and humanitarian crises. See the flyer and RSVP for the official UN commemoration of the International Women's Day»
Against this backdrop, only 50 per cent of working age women are represented in the labour force globally, compared to 76 per cent of men. What’s more, an overwhelming majority of women are in the informal economy, subsidizing care and domestic work, and concentrated in lower-paid, lower-skill occupations with little or no social protection. Achieving gender equality in the world of work is imperative for sustainable development.
The United Nations observance on 8 March will call upon all actors to Step It Up for Gender Equality towards a Planet 50-50 by 2030 by ensuring that the world of work works for all women.
The upcoming sixty-first session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61), from 13 – 24 March, at UN Headquarters will deliberate on “Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work.” Read more»
Events
- Ring the Bell for Gender Equality 2017 - Key Messaging Guidance for Partners
- Ring the Bell for Gender Equality 2017 - SDG Posters
- Marking of International Women’s Day, March 8th (6-9 March 2017) Programme
- International Women's Day 2017 Programme
- UN Women Albania Programme of Activities – 8 March 2017
- “Woman in Focus” - UN Women celebrates International Women’s Day in Georgia
- Women’s Rights Nights, 4-9 March 2017, in Skopje for the 8th time!
News
- International Women's Day 2017 in Europe and Central Asia
- Press Release: International Women’s Day spotlights impact of changing world of work
- Media Advisory: International Women’s Day, 8 March (2 March 2017)
- Op-ed by Lakshmi Puri: "Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030"
Messages
The Secretary-General, Written message on International Women’s Day
New York, 8 March 2017
"Women’s rights are human rights. But in these troubled times, as our world becomes more unpredictable and chaotic, the rights of women and girls are being reduced, restricted and reversed..." Read the full message
Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030
Message by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on International Women's Day 2017
“In roles where women are already over-represented but poorly paid, and with little or no social protection, we must make those industries work better for women...” Read the full message
Universal access to sexual and reproductive health—the key to gender equality
Statement of UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2017
"Gender equality is also vital to sustainable development, peace and security. It’s not just a women’s issue. It’s an issue for all of humanity..." Read the full message
Related link: International Women's Day messages from the UN system
Featured Articles
"Women in the police force were expected to demonstrate their capacity much more than men in order to be successful...”more
“We were too young, but we started up our business out of necessity. First we left the baked goods with our acquaintances..." more
Taraclia village put up with an unhealthy landfill – until Pelaghia Traci got her neighbours to act...more
We need policies and practices that enable women to participate in the labour market on equal terms with men...more
"My job with Podruga is to make sure that the girls stay clean, that they are safe..." more
Take five
"When we empower women, the entire society benefits, grows and thrives...” more
“Most of our leadership positions are occupied by women and we will continue supporting them..." more
From where I stand
“Fed up with the harassment, I appealed to the media”. Today she aims to set up support structures for returning migrants. more
“When you empower a woman economically, she can exercise her rights better, within her family, her community and in the world..." more
A snapshot of other UN agencies’ works
UNFPA
We must always remember that fathers are irreplaceable and no one else can be a stand-in father on our behalf.” more
UNFPA
“Engineers at work in Turkmenistan, where the gap between ‘female’ and ‘male’ professions is slowly diminishing..." more
Infographics
What does the data say?
Globalization, digital innovations, and rapid advances in communication technologies pitted against climate change, economic inequality, and humanitarian crises, among other factors, continue to transform the world in which we work — posing both challenges as well as opportunities in realizing women’s economic potential for a better tomorrow. Below, explore just some facts on where women stand today in the changing world of work. To explore some facts on where women stand today in the changing world of work, see the full infographic»
Think you know your facts on women and the economy? Take our quiz to find out!
Join the conversation
This International #WomensDay, we ask for equal opportunities and women’s rights at work. Are you with us?
- Main hashtags: #WomensDay; #Planet5050 – check out the emoji on Twitter when tweeting #WomensDay!
- Main Twitter accounts: UN Women Europe & CIS
- Main Facebook accounts: UN Women Europe and Central Asia
- Other accounts: Instagram, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest and unwomen on Snapchat.
- Share content from our social media package with images, videos and sample promotional messages in English, Spanish and French. Is available here.
- Spread the word and Tweet
#WomensDay Tweets
International Women’s Day 2017