The 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) runs from Tuesday, 13 September to Friday, 23 September 2022, with the high level debate opening on Tuesday, 20 September. This year’s theme, “A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges”, acknowledges the shared roots of crises such as COVID-19, climate change and conflict—and the need for solutions that build global sustainability and resilience.
Like all crises, COVID-19, climate change and conflict have unique and disproportionate impacts on women and girls. From harsher economic fallout to heightened risk of violence, women and girls are suffering in specific ways that require targeted solutions—a need that too often remains unmet. These crises are unfolding against the backdrop of a global backlash on women’s rights, compounding forces that threaten to undo already insufficient progress. UN Women’s recently launched Gender Snapshot underlines the dangerously slow advancement on Sustainable Development Goal 5—the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls—and highlights the critical need for accelerated action around the world.
Through high-level events and intergovernmental conversations, UN Women is working to ensure that the needs, viewpoints and voices of women and girls are prioritized in the process of building solutions, and to remind the global community that there can be no real progress without gender equality.
Watch this space for news and updates on gender equality at UNGA 77. Event information will be updated on an ongoing basis.
In focus: 77th Session of the UN General Assembly
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The Meeting of the UNGA Platform of Women Leaders
20 September, 1:30-3:00 pm EDT
This year’s theme for the UNGA Platform of Women Leaders is “Transformative Solutions by Women Leaders to Today’s Interlinked Challenges”. Women Heads of State and Government will be invited to share experiences executing decisive and inclusive leadership and policies, with recommendations for building solutions to interrelated and complex crises that respond to society’s needs. The event is hosted by the Offices of the President of the General Assembly for the 77th and 76th sessions and UN Women.
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HeForShe Summit
21 September, 10:00 am -12:00 pm EDT
The 2022 HeForShe Summit will convene Prime Ministers and Presidents, global CEOs, civil society, thought leaders and celebrities in a critical dialogue focused on male action and allyship to advance gender equality. During the Summit, new members will be officially welcomed into the HeForShe Alliance and will announce their parity commitments. The Summit will showcase UN Women’s substantive work in the field of social norms including the engagement of men and boys, emphasizing regional initiatives and advocacy efforts. It will also highlight the impact of successful practices and share additional actions for engaging with the private sector to advance gender equality.
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Trafficking of women and girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation: Responding to prevention and protection challenges in the context of the Ukraine conflict
23 September, 12:15 – 2:00 pm EDT
Within the context of the Ukraine conflict, this event will address a critical issue: the trafficking of women and girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation. It will raise awareness around the current prevention and protection challenges, with the aim of garnering political will to support coordinated efforts to address them. The discussion will highlight the role of demand and technology in facilitating sexual exploitation. This event is organized by the Office of the SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict and OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator on combatting Trafficking in Human Beings.
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Generation Equality Accountability Moment
23 September, 1:15 – 3:00 pm EDT
The Generation Equality Accountability Moment highlights the progress made towards the Generation Equality agenda. The event will be an important moment to reflect on one year of accountability and progress on the Generation Equality journey and to announce key developments, such as the membership of the Multi-Stakeholder Leadership Group.
