UN Women Executive Director Highlights Progress and Challenges in Achieving Gender Equality

UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous delivered a speech at the opening of the second regular session of the UN Women Executive Board, highlighting progress made towards gender equality and the challenges that remain. Despite gains in laws advancing gender equality and women's participation in peace processes, the organization continues to face geopolitical tension, fiscal pressure, and humanitarian crises that disproportionately affect women and girls. Bahous emphasized the importance of supporting women's organizations and feminist movements in shaping laws and policies, and called for increased investment in digital governance to ensure that technology delivers for women and girls. She also highlighted the need for reform within the UN system to strengthen gender capacity and resourcing.