In a statement, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka calls on governments to recognize both the enormity of the contribution women make and the precarity of so many in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The contribution of women and girls, particularly those living with HIV, is indispensable in the HIV response at the community level. Women and girls provide critical care for family and community members living with HIV, and help ensure they start and stay on treatment.

One hundred years ago, when the world first commemorated International Women’s Day, gender equality and women’s empowerment were largely radical ideas.

We are saddened at the loss of lives and destruction caused by the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti Tuesday afternoon near the capital city Port-au-Prince. The full extent of casualties is still unknown at this time, but unfortunately it will likely be high