United Nations Police Officer Wafaa builds trust and enduring partnerships in Bentiu
BENTIU – Despite the searing heat, rising floodwaters, and insecurity that plagues residents in Bentiu, United Nations Police Officer, Wafaa Assri Sameeh Al-Goussous, remains serene. Whether on patrol, mentoring national police officers, or engaging with communities, her calm approach helps strengthen trust between law enforcement and civilians. With 13 years of experience as a police officer in Jordan, Wafaa’s career has spanned a wide range of…
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL - MESSAGE ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
This year’s International Women’s Day focuses on rights, action and justice for all women and girls.
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On International Women’s Day, UN urges Somali authorities to remove legal barriers causing gender gaps
The theme for this year’s observance of International Women’s Day is ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.
United Nations Police Officer Wafaa builds trust and enduring partnerships in Bentiu
BENTIU – Despite the searing heat, rising floodwaters, and insecurity that plagues residents in Bentiu, United Nations Police Officer, Wafaa Assri Sameeh Al-Goussous, remains serene. Whether on patrol, mentoring national police officers, or engaging with communities, her calm approach helps strengthen trust between law enforcement and civilians. With 13 years of experience as a police officer in Jordan, Wafaa’s career has spanned a wide range of…
Message from the Secretary-General on International Women’s Day
This year’s International Women’s Day focuses on rights, action and justice for all women and girls. Worldwide, women hold just 64 per cent of the legal rights enjoyed by men. Legal discrimination can shape every aspect of a woman’s life. She may be prevented from owning property, seeking a divorce, or taking a job without her husband’s permission. In more than 40 countries, marital rape is not recognized as a crime. Other laws restrict women’s…
International Women’s Day: Eight Actions for A More Equal World
Over nearly a decade leading the United Nations, I have seen our world repeatedly tested – by climate shocks, deepening poverty, violent conflict and shrinking civic space. But I have also watched many solutions take root, and they shared one common denominator: women. As the world marks International Women’s Day, it is time to recognize that gender inequality is the greatest human rights challenge of our time – and advancing equality is one of…
From refugee to role model: Elizabeth’s inspirational journey of resilience
UNITY – In her 38 years, Elizabeth Nyayan Gatwech Pur has lived many lives. First as a refugee, fleeing the war in South Sudan. Then as a teen mother. Next was a job as a humanitarian. And today as a Protection, Transition and Reintegration Officer serving with the United Nations peacekeeping mission. Elizabeth exemplifies the resilience and leadership that women and girls across South Sudan aspire to. Born in Akobo County, Elizabeth’s childhood…
Women in Afghanistan nearly four times less likely than men to have access to Formal Justice Mechanisms, UN findings
KABUL – Women in Afghanistan are nearly four times less likely than men to have access to formal justice mechanisms, according to new findings released by the United Nations in Afghanistan on International Women’s Day, highlighting a widening justice gap that is leaving many women without safe avenues to assert their rights, seek protection or challenge abuse. The findings underscore how many Afghan women have been left without safe or effective…
Statement by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen on International Women’s Day, 2026
On International Women’s Day, we recognize the determination, leadership, and vision of Yemeni women who contribute to shaping their country’s future despite the immense challenges they are facing amid years of conflict. This year’s theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls” reminds us that gender equality presupposes that women’s rights are protected, their voices heard, and their contributions reflected in decisions. Across Yemen…
Special Coordinator
Press Releases and Statements
Statement of UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert
Last week, Lebanon was in relatively good shape. Its armed forces were supporting the steady advancement of state authority. Preparations for legislative elections were in full swing. Long-awaited reform was underway. A World Bank loan was poised to kick-start reconstruction. And, warming relations between Lebanon and Syria were opening new areas for bilateral cooperation. Of course, things were not perfect. Far from it. Persistent air strikes…
As a Naval Officer, Commodore Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye learned first-hand the value of teamwork and the importance of listening to her colleagues and seeking to promote the welfare of all her shipmates. The Commodore, the…
NEW YORK - The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, today briefed the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan. Read the Security Council briefing by SRSG Lyons Read the Secretary…
Under the Malakal sun, one can easily become dehydrated. Indian peacekeepers made the life of this particular donkey a lot better. Ines Surwumwe/UNMISS On Saturday mornings, one particular place in Upper Nile State’s capital…
UPPER NILE - On Saturday mornings, one particular place in Upper Nile State’s capital Malakal draws a motley crew . Sheep, goats, hens, horses, donkeys, dogs, bovine beauties and, usually, their owners, all flock here in what…
2 March 2022 - The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, met yesterday with Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mr. Grundberg briefed the President on his latest efforts and next…
For twenty years, Radio Okapi has been informing women and men in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Created on February 25, 2002, the Radio for Peace gradually became a success story. Its creation coincided with the…
On Friday 18 February, when the MONUSCO delegation arrived at the Beni Children's Custodial Institution (EGE) at around 10am, the children in custody there were a little overexcited, because it was sports day. All of them…
The United Nations - African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) handed over Financial Management and Human Resources residual liquidation activities to Regional Service Center in Entebbe (RSCE) on Monday 28th February. On 22…
By António Guterres As the world moves ahead to mark International Women’s Day, the clock on women’s rights is moving backwards. All of us are paying the price. The cascading crises of recent years have highlighted how women…
UNPOL officers serving with UNMISS, in partnership with administrators from Western Equatoria's prisons system, held a two-day workshop for prison officials on upholding human rights of inmates as well as gender sensitivity…
About 100 stakeholders attended a cattle migration conference in Cueibet County organized by UNMISS to address intercommunal conflicts in the area. Photos: James Mawien Manyuol/UNMISS LAKES STATE- What to do when the…
The land of more than two hectares, located on a hillside in the village of Kangbayi, in the commune of Beu, is entirely enclosed by a stone wall erected by MONUSCO. Photo MONUSCO/Sy Koumbo On Friday 18 February, when the…