Beijing Platform

Hand holding flowers (© AP Images)

Violence against women and girls harms everyone

Violence against women and girls is a serious problem worldwide, but it is preventable through effective laws that protect them.
Henna-dyed hands (© AP Images)

Women’s rights are human rights

International agreements have helped protect women's human rights, but in many countries women and girls are still denied basic freedoms.

How far will her success ripple out to others?

Education is a key path to women's empowerment. When girls and women are able to go to school and learn, their families and societies benefit.
Women and children standing on a dirt road in a village (USAID/ADRA)

Healthy women make their communities stronger

The ability of women to get good health care for themselves and their children strengthens families and society.

20 women’s rights activists whose voices should be heard. Instead they...

Empower women, don't imprison them. 20 cases of women political prisoners are being highlighted in the days before a summit on women's rights.

Governments can help women achieve equality

Government institutions and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are important for women to earn equal rights and opportunities worldwide.

Women can make government better

Women contribute significantly to civil society, yet around the world their representation in government is limited.

Investing in girls is smart

Girls' human rights are abused and they are deprived of education in many countries around the world, yet educating girls is key to strong economies.

Women journalists keep the news coming

The Beijing Platform for Action, developed at a 1995 United Nations conference, set an agenda for women’s empowerment and identified 12 critical areas of...