UN Foundation Launches Campaign to End Gender Discrimination, Ensure Girls & Women are #EqualEverywhere

Gender inequality remains enshrined in laws, policies, and norms around the world – denying girls and women the equality that is their birthright. It’s against this backdrop that the United Nations Foundation launched #EqualEverywhere today, a campaign to call attention to pervasive gender discrimination and the brave advocates striving to realize the promise of equality for all.

New this year, the campaign includes a snapshot of some of the world’s most sexist laws, policies, and norms. The UN Foundation rounded up the latest research from leading authorities in the field to illustrate the extent to which discrimination and misogyny are legalized, institutionalized, and normalized everywhere.

“Girls and women continue to be held back by discriminatory laws, policies, and norms in every country in the world,” said Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO of the UN Foundation. “For every advance celebrted we also need everyone, everywhere to join in calling out injustice and demanding change so that girls and women can be equal in every place and part of life.”

But wherever there is inequality there are also brave advocates who are striving to end discrimination and deliver on the promise of a gender equal world. #EqualEverywhere elevates their stories – from the corporate leaders making space for more women at the top, to the American teenager advocating for gender equality on Capitol Hill, to the young woman in Cameroon pusing for more inclusive environmental policies.

“Around the world, fierce and fearless champions are breaking barriers and fighting for equality” said Michelle Milford Morse, Vice President for Girls and Women Strategy at the UN Foundation. “But they can’t do it alone. We need everybody, acting in solidarity and pushing for change at every level – from community leaders to parliamentarians to CEOs and everyone in between.”

Gender equality is Goal 5 of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and it underpins the entire framework. Research shows that when girls and women have the same rights and opportunities as boys and men, all of society benefits. Gender equality is key to unlocking progress on some of the world’s toughest challenges – from poverty and hunger, to health and education, to the climate crisis and economic growth.

The 2022 edition of the UN Foundation’s award-winning #EqualEverywhere campaign is being launched in partnership with AmerisourceBergen, Crocs, H&M Foundation, Stanley Black & Decker, and Tom Ford Beauty. More information can be found at www.equaleverywhere.org.

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About the United Nations Foundation
The UN Foundation is an independent charitable organization created to work closely with the United Nations to address humanity’s greatest challenges, build initiatives across sectors to solve problems at scale, and drive global progress. Learn more at www.unfoundation.org