Learning that advances rights, justice, and action for all women and girls

Photo Credits: UN7261125, UN Photo Logan Abassi  

International Women’s Day 2026

This year’s International Women’s Day theme — “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls” — is a reminder of the collective responsibility we all share in dismantling the structural barriers that continue to limit women’s and girls’ rights. These barriers may take the form of discriminatory laws, insufficient protections, or persistent social norms that restrict opportunities and undermine dignity. 

As a mother of a ten-year-old daughter and a ten-year-old son, this theme resonates deeply with me. Rights outline what my children - all children - should be able to expect from the world. Justice determines whether those rights are genuinely upheld. And action is what transforms principles into lived realities. Ensuring rights, promoting justice, and taking action is not the task of a single group; it belongs to institutions, leaders, communities, and each of us, regardless of our sex or gender. 

This is where learning becomes a powerful enabler of change. It shapes how we understand rights, how we interpret justice, and how we translate commitments into decisions that impact people’s lives. Learning can challenge bias, shift leadership cultures, and foster more inclusive systems - all essential elements for progress on gender equality. 

How we contribute 

At UNSSC, learning is our entry point to supporting gender equality and women’s empowerment across the UN system. Learning – and unlearning – is a quiet but essential force behind many of the UN’s efforts. 

We support UN colleagues worldwide through online, in-person, and blended learning formats, from foundational courses to advanced training-of-trainers programmes. Our work spans the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, the integration of GEWE principles into UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks, and emerging challenges such as addressing gender bias in the era of generative AI. These learning experiences strengthen staff capacity to integrate gender perspectives into their work, ultimately contributing to more equitable outcomes for Member States. 

We also design leadership journeys that speak directly to the realities faced by women across the UN system. These programmes combine learning, coaching, and reflective practice to help women navigate complex professional landscapes with confidence and agency. They amplify the role women leaders are playing in challenging settings, fostering leadership that translates into better systems and stronger equality outcomes. 

Our commitments 

Our own institutional commitments matter as much as the learning we provide. UNSSC continues to strengthen gender mainstreaming, improve accountability, and foster a workplace aligned with global gender equality standards. The rollout of our Gender Equality Marker allows us to assess and track how every programmatic activity contributes to gender equality. It has become an important internal compass, helping ensure that our intentions translate into measurable progress. 

Fostering transformative change 

Ultimately, learning is not only about what people know — it is about what they are able and empowered to do. By building capability across the UN system and partners, we help ensure that rights are recognized, justice is strengthened, and action is taken for women and girls everywhere. 

On this International Women’s Day, we reflect on how far we have come, how far we still must go, and the role each of us plays along the way. UNSSC’s contribution is just one piece of a much larger effort — but it is one we are committed to advancing every day. 

Explore our programmes on gender equality and women’s empowerment: 
https://www.unssc.org/explore-by-theme/gender-equality-and-womens-empowerment