UN Women Regional Director for the Americas and the Caribbean, Maria -Noel Vaeza, participated on January 18 and 19, 2023, in the IV Ibero-American Conference of Ministers of Gender in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The event was organized by the Ministry of Women's Affairs of the Dominican Republic, in charge of the Pro Tempore Secretariat of the Ibero-American Conference that the country holds until March 2023, under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB).

The Government of Chile, represented by the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security and the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UN Women on Wednesday, November 2nd, aiming at advancing the mainstreaming of gender equality in public security policies and police institutions in the country.

Verónica González Bonet has a degree in computer science and journalism, a diploma in gender journalism and in criminalistics and criminology, and a specialization in Public Policies for Equality in Latin America. She was a columnist for ten years and produced special reports on gender, disability and human rights for the Argentinean Public Television News. She was a speaker at the Social Forum on Disability and Human Rights in Geneva (2016).

Paid care work is one of the few employment options for many rural, indigenous, Afro-descendant, migrant, and refugee women who face multiple forms of discrimination in our societies, not only because they are women but also because of the lack of opportunities and various forms of racism and discrimination. This type of employment tends to be precarious or informal and is characterized by a lack of labor rights and low wages, which reinforces situations of poverty and exclusion.

Fernanda Rotondo is an Argentinian feminist, LGBTIQ+ and human rights activist, and writer and photographer. She is also the Gender and Human Rights Coordinator for the organization ANDHES (Lawyers in Human Rights and Social Studies in the Argentinean Northeast). In the face of inconsistent national policies and protections, Fernanda is fighting to advance the human rights of Argentinians across the country and to ensure a violence free future for all.

Care is essential for all people in their daily lives. Depending on factors such as age, health condition, physical condition, or circumstances, people demand a different level of care and are more or less able to provide it to others. Thus, a person requires care to become autonomous during childhood, then probably in adulthood, he/she will have to take care of the new generations, and perhaps in old age, he/she will require care again.

Opening statement by Ms. Sima Bahous, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director, on ‘Embracing the principle of co-responsibility in care and domestic work’ at the High-level Panel in the context of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly

Inequalities between men, women, and diversities have historical roots of a structural nature, linked to the sexual division of labor; and of a social and institutional nature, related to the norms, biases, and stereotypes that define what is considered proper, appropriate or expected in terms of people's behavior according to the sex assigned at birth.

Indigenous women's organizations recognize the progress made regarding respect and guarantees for the fulfillment of the human rights of indigenous women. However, they also call for greater protection, which is still insufficient today. General Recommendation No. 39 will guide the States Parties to CEDAW in implementing concrete measures to eliminate historical discrimination and the violation of the rights of indigenous women, considering their individual and collective rights.

On World Humanitarian Day, as humanitarian needs globally have reached an all-time high, we salute and honour humanitarians’ life-saving work. They save and protect lives and ensure access to essential resources including food, shelter and health services in the toughest locations for the 305.9 million people in need of humanitarian assistance worldwide.

Omar Quichimbo has a master's degree in International Cooperation and Development. He has worked in social projects related to the defense of children's rights and citizen training, as well as access to information technologies for young people. He is currently part of the Caminando project as a technical assistant in humanitarian aid in Sucumbíos and Esmeraldas.

Hugo Morán is an engineer in International Business and holds a master's degree in Public Policy and Administration. He has worked for several years in the areas of sustainability and social innovation. He is the UN Women humanitarian focal point on the southern border for the project "Promoting gender equality and empowerment for women in displacement and refugee situations in Ecuador".

Estefanía Corella is an international lawyer, a specialist in gender justice with experience in legal accompaniment work on issues of violence against women and humanitarian assistance projects in emergency contexts. She is currently part of the Caminando project.

Ecuadorian anthropologist and feminist, Elizabeth Araúz, has dedicated her career to issues of gender, violence, humanitarian assistance, health, environment and interculturality. Since 2019 she has been the coordinator of the implementation of the Caminando project.

In Ecuador, in response to the migration and human mobility crisis, mechanisms and actions for reception, protection and humanitarian assistance have been implemented, especially aimed at women and girls who cross the border and who are at specific risks, such as being victims of gender-based violence, sexual violence, forced prostitution, human trafficking or sexual exploitation.

In the year that has passed since the Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan, we have seen daily and continuous deterioration in the situation of Afghan women and girls. This has spanned every aspect of their human rights, from living standards to social and political status. It has been a year of increasing disrespect for their right to live free and equal lives, denying them opportunity to livelihoods, access to health care and education, and escape from situations of violence.

On August 14, 2021, an earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale struck Haiti's southern peninsula. According to the latest report published by the Haiti Civil Protection, the earthquake caused 2,248 deaths, more than 12,763 injured, 329 houses damaged, 53,815 homes destroyed, the affected population is 690,000 people, and more than 650,000 people are in need. The most affected regions were Grande-Anse, Nippes, and, particularly, Les Cayes.

Ageism is an issue of inequality, discrimination, and injustice. Without tackling it, we will not achieve gender equality by 2030. Ageism impacts everyone—young and old. Prejudices surrounding age are widespread and unchallenged—in our attitudes, beliefs, policies, and societies—and create a formidable barrier to young women’s full participation in their communities. Negative stereotypes can exacerbate harmful norms and stigmas that prevent young women’s full participation in their communities across the world. It is essential that we shift these destructive narratives and encourage and facilitate the leadership and full engagement of young women in decision-making, so that the shape of the future is informed by their views and knowledge.

Ana Sáenz is a young feminist Guatemalan student of Political Science with studies in gender and feminism. She is committed to defending the rights of women and students to a quality higher education free of violence. She is the former Secretary of Gender of the Association of University Students "Oliverio Castañeda de León" (2017-2019). She is currently a member of the Inter-University Network Safe and Educated (RISE) and national gender activist of Guatemala for UN Women.

In August and September, UN Women makes good practices in the Latin American and Caribbean region visible through Intergenerational Peacebuilding Month and highlights the fundamental role of activists who lead peacebuilding and social cohesion, bringing together the voices of young women and historical activists.