Women of the world want and deserve an equal future free from stigma, stereotypes and violence; a future that’s sustainable, peaceful, with equal rights and opportunities for all. To get us there, the world needs women at every table where decisions are being made.

This year, the theme for International Women’s Day (8 March), “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world,” celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the gaps that remain.

“As the past year highlighted the gender inequities around us, together we must continue challenging the status quo. To the sons, brothers and husbands, we count on you to adhere to the “HEforSHE” principles, and walk the journey with us to level the playing field, and effectively build the road to recovery.” - First Lady Jeannette Kagame

"Happy #IWD2021 to the everyday woman, who is intentional in how she builds herself up and her community, day after day. We see you and appreciate you." - Sandrine Umutoni, Director General, Imbuto Foundation

UN Secretary-General's message for International Women's Day 2021

In his statement for International Women's Day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the need to work together with vision and determination to make equality happen.

Statement by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women Executive Director, on International Women’s Day 2021

In her statement for International Women's Day (8 March), UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said: "We need women’s representation that reflects all women and girls in all their diversity and abilities, and across all cultural, social, economic and political situations. This is the only way we will get real societal change that incorporates women in decision-making as equals and benefits us all."

Women’s full and effective participation and leadership in of all areas of life drives progress for everyone. Yet, women are still underrepresented in public life and decision-making, as revealed in the UN Secretary-General’s recent report. Women are Heads of State or Government in 22 countries, and only 24.9 per cent of national parliamentarians are women. At the current rate of progress, gender equality among Heads of Government will take another 130 years.

Women are also at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19, as front-line and health sector workers, as scientists, doctors and caregivers, yet they get paid 11 per cent less globally than their male counterparts. An analysis of COVID-19 task teams from 87 countries found only 3.5 per cent of them had gender parity.

When women lead, we see positive results. Some of the most efficient and exemplary responses to the COVID-19 pandemic were led by women. And women, especially young women, are at the forefront of diverse and inclusive movements online and on the streets for social justice, climate change and equality in all parts of the world. Yet, women under 30 are less than 1 per cent of parliamentarians worldwide.

Rwanda makes the following commitments to increase the economic participation of women: Achieve gender parity in financial inclusion by 2030. Rwanda also commits to achieve gender parity in waged non-farm employment. Currently, women account for just over a quarter of all off-farm jobs, and their transition from agriculture is slower than that of men. Rwanda commits to bridge the digital divide between men and women, and to attain parity in ICT usage by the year 2020. Currently, only 35 per cent of women own mobile phones compared to 49 per cent of men.

Generation Equality Rising

Every day, through our actions, and in the way we lead, talk, question and act, we challenge norms, transform habits, change laws, take action and inspire others to create a world without gender-based discrimination. We are Generation Equality rising.

The Generation Equality Forum, a milestone for gender equality investment and actions, kicks off in Mexico City from 29 – 31 March, and culminates in Paris in June 2021. It will draw leaders, visionaries, and activists from around the world, via a safe virtual platform, to push for transformative and lasting change for generations to come.