UN WOMEN Seminar on Equity Focused and Gender Responsive Evaluation

Delhi – A seminar on ‘Equity Focused and Gender Responsive Evaluations’ was organized by UN Women India Multi Country Office to start the International Year of Evaluation. UN Women believes that such evaluations provide crucial evidence in advancing gender equality and women’s rights in the planning and implementation of existing and new schemes.

The seminar was held during ‘Evaluation Week’, 19-23 January 2015, co-organized by the National Institute for Labour, Economics Research and Development (NILERD) under the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) AAYOG, [1] and attended by NITI AAYOG officials, representatives from United Nations agencies, donor organizations, experts, academicians and civil society.

The inaugural session featured the handing over of the ‘Evaluation Torch’ – symbolising increasing awareness and knowledge of evaluation – by Marco Segone, Director of the Independent Evaluations Office, UN Women, Vice-Chair United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG), and Rao Inderjit Singh, Co-Chair, Eval Partners to the Minister of State for Planning. India was the first of 26 countries to receive the Torch, and the week was one of 26 country events culminating in an International Evaluation Conclave in Kathmandu, Nepal in November 2015.

Seminar on Equity Focused and Gender Responsive Evaluation. Photo: UN Women

Mr. Segone expressed his appreciation for India being the first country to accept the Torch, in his keynote address. Segone continued with a focus on evaluations in Sustainable Development, observing that the move towards the Sustainable Development Goals makes 2015 an important year for the global development community. “India’s new government provides the evaluation community a great opportunity for moving towards effective and efficient monitoring and evaluating.” he commented.  This is important in the context of having a concrete National Evaluation Policy. to inform national development policies, rather than donor-led evaluation systems. Segone also emphasized the importance of mainstreaming gender and social equity in evaluations, commenting “We are looking at an evaluation process which not only looks at eliminating structural bottlenecks but also contributes to the empowerment process. Evaluation can be an agent of change for the world we want.”

The UN Women seminar shared key lessons from evaluations of programmes – such as the Joint Review Mission of the Central Government’s nationwide education scheme, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan; Evidence Systematic Review of Evaluations Of Gender-Integrated Health Interventions In Low And Middle Income Countries; and World Food Programme’s ‘Food for Work’. The session focused on the methodological challenges to manage and conduct an equity-focused and gender-responsive evaluation and the strategies to address them. One of the challenges highlighted by Mr. Segone was the resistance that equity focused evaluations face. “There has to be an understanding that evaluations are a technical process operating within a political environment and thus, one should be able to deliver evaluations within the right context and within the right timeframe,” he observed.

During the week Mr. Segone and UN Women Representative Rebecca Tavares met Arvind Panagariya, newly appointed NITI AAAYOG Vice-Chairman, and Ms. Sindhushree Khullar, Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Khullar chaired the final Evaluation Week session, stressing the need to develop a National Policy Framework; build national capacities at the state level to contextualise the evaluation framework to suit their needs; and report on concrete outcomes at the Evaluation Conclave in November 2015.

For more information on the International Year of Evaluation, please visit http://mymande.org/evalyear/

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[1] The NITI AAYOG replaced the 65-year old Planning Commission through a Cabinet Resolution on January 7, approved by the Prime Minister on 1 January 2015. The Aayog will act as a think-tank and will recommend a National Agenda, including strategic and technical advice on elements of policy and economic matters.

– See more at: http://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2015/02/un-women-seminar-on-equity-focused-and-gender-responsive-evaluation#sthash.ymm9oScf.dpuf

Remarks at Launch of UN@70 with Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi and United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors

By the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon during his official visit to India

Good evening, everyone!

Namaste.

What a dynamic gathering.

As Secretary-General, I have been receiving a lot of attention, a lot of people [noticed] wherever I went but this evening seems to be an exception; I am the least-known, least important person sitting among these bright stars. They are shining a lot of lights. I have been completely overshadowed! That is why I came first [on the programme]: to show myself.

I am so impressed and humbled to be here with such notable celebrities, individuals who carry strong power and global reach in working together with the United Nations.

Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi has inspired me. I just met him briefly. This is my not first time; we met in New York before. Since he got the Nobel Peace Prize, this is the first time [we met].  I congratulated him. I really admired with deepest respect his lifelong fight and commitment to save a lot of children from human slavery. I hope that he will continue to work to bring hope and peace, to bring to all these people to a peaceful, happy childhood.

Sachin Tendulkar: I heard that he is God of cricket. Now he goes to bat for the United Nations. I hope he will hit hard and far.

Sharmila Tagore is a shining superstar helping countless children through her work for UNICEF. I just heard that she is a great grand niece of Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore is very well known and respected by so many Korean people and I am very glad that she is lending her fame to this very noble work.

Nandita Das is another incredible celebrity advocate for UNICEF making a real difference in the lives of children.

Make sure you leave some autographs before you leave!

I thank you all for your strong commitment, leadership and vision. I know how busy you are – you are wanted here and there – still you are lending your time and vision for global peace and harmony.

Tonight is all about to discuss and commit ourselves to make a better world and to discuss about the future we want; what kind of a future do you really want to inherit to your children and great grandchildren? This is our moral and political responsibility today.

We are coming together to launch the UN@70. You know that UN is celebrating its 70th anniversary. It was found in 1945; now this is 2015.

I thank all of my UN colleagues in India led by Ms. Grande, our Resident Coordinator. In fact, she is leaving to take another very important job responsibility in Iraq. Let’s give a big encouragement.

Now all these supporters, they came up with a wonderful slogan: this is, “yoUNg@70”.

It is a clever play on words. If you want to write y-o-u-n-g, you cannot write “young” without UN. So that is very clever wordplay but it is also a brilliant initiative to involve young people. The timing is perfect – today is National Youth Day in India. Congratulations for your commitment and wisdom.

India has more young people than any other country in the world. The number of young people under 25 – you are the biggest country in that regard.

I am delighted that the National Progressive Schools Conference will be involved in helping to explain the United Nations to young audiences – and to raise a new generation of global citizens. I also welcome the members of Model UN conferences, members of UN Associations in India for their strong support.

I applaud my UN family in India for basing the commemorations on partnerships – and for using the incredible amplifying power of social media to spread the word.

I have today three messages that I hope you will push out today on your own networks.

Now I am going to speak in sentences that will fit in tweets. I hope some of you will be tweeting.

First: Investing in women and children is the most powerful way to attain global progress.

Second: We have to fight for the equality of all members of our human family regardless of any difference, including sexual orientation.

Third: When we strengthen the UN-India partnership, this country and our world will advance.

I hope you are tweeting!

I give so much priority to women’s and children’s welfare because I have seen its value for all people.

We have major UN initiatives to drive progress: I have established launched Every Woman Every Child, Global Education First, UNiTE to End Violence against Women and our daily work around the world.

We are striving to provide women and girls with proper health services, including for sexual and reproductive health. We are pushing for equality in education. We are advocating for the human rights of women and girls. Our goal is to empower them to contribute to our common future.

India has made great progress – but it still has the highest number of deaths of children under the age of five, and about a quarter of all mothers who die in childbirth are laid to rest in India.

I commend the Government’s efforts to address these issues. I applaud Prime Minister Modi for committing to expanding vaccine coverage. I also welcome his initiative to put a toilet in every household and school by 2019. This is a matter of health and safety – especially for women and girls.

Dear friends,

We are all different from one another, but we all have the same human rights.

I am proud to stand for the equality of all people – including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

I staunchly oppose the criminalization of homosexuality.

I speak out because laws criminalizing consensual, adult same-sex relationships violate basic rights to privacy and to freedom from discrimination. Even if they are not enforced, these laws breed intolerance.

As you may know recently, last year, just a few months ago, I have made UN regulations change to allow the same entitlement to those staff who have different sexual orientations.

I am very grateful to the Bollywood celebrities who have joined the United Nations Free & Equal campaign, especially Celina Jaitly and Imran Khan. They have reached millions of people with a message of equality.

I have had a deep connection with India since I came here for my first diplomatic posting. My son was born in India during that. Maybe since we have such a strong family feeling about India it was only natural that my daughter found an Indian man as her husband. Today, this afternoon, as soon as I arrived in Delhi, I met my in-laws.

I even enrolled in Max Mueller Bhavan – maybe some of you know Max Mueller Bhavan  where they taught languages – to study some Hindi. That was so long ago, 42 or 43 years ago, I would sound old-fashioned if I try to speak it! But I used to say Main Hindi thoda thoda bolta hun. [“I speak a little bit of Hindi.”]

But let me try anyway.

Mera iss desh ke saath ek gehra bandhan hai. Main Bharat vaapas aae bohot khush hua. [“I have a deep connection with this country. I am very happy to be back in India.”]

I admit I have great personal affection for India. But I am speaking objectively – objectively – when I say that India is an important country for me but much more important for the United Nations. It is one of our big contributors to peacekeeping, Democracy Fund and many other initiatives.

I came here to strengthen our partnership because India’s collaboration with the United Nations is good for this country and for our world.

You are all showing a great sense of global citizenship. I thank you for your engagement. I am confident that we can use the UN@70 commemorations to strengthen the valuable UN-India bond.

Yesterday, I visited the Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram in Gujarat. I reflected on the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.

From the very birth of the idea of the United Nations, he supported it. Gandhi once said, “India would be morally bound to help the United Nations.”

Let us take up this call so that India and the United Nations, helping each other, can help our world together.

The Future we Want must be built by our hands. I have been saying that the future is in our hands so we need to have all of our hands together.

To mark the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, I declare what people across the planet already know: that a strong United Nations means a better world, a more harmonious peaceful world.

Sashakt Sanyukt Rashtra, Shresht Vishva. [“Strong UN, Better World.”]

Hamesha young rahe! [“Always stay young!”]

Dhanyavaad. Thank you

– See more at: http://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2015/1/secretary-general-s-remarks-at-launch-of-un-70#sthash.6ylDtCGk.dpuf

Presenting SachinTendulkar and Kailash Satyarthi – our newest HeForShe supporters!

New Delhi, 12 January: UN Women’s campaign calling on men to take a stand for gender equality received a boost earlier this month when UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon presented HeForShe badges to Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.

“I give so much priority to women’s and children’s welfare because I have seen its value for all people,” the Secretary-General said in his remarks during the event – the launch of ‘UN@70′, where he was joined by UN Goodwill Ambassadors and senior UN colleagues, including UN Women Deputy Executive Director and UN Assistant Secretary-General Lakshmi Puri.

UN@70 marks the 70th anniversary year of the United Nations and is being highlighted in India with the slogan ‘YoUNg@70!’

Investment in women and children was one of the key messages of the Secretary-General’s wide-ranging speech. It is “the most powerful way to attain global progress,” he emphasized.

“We are striving to provide women and girls with proper health services, including for sexual and reproductive health,” the Secretary-General added. “We are pushing for equality in education. We are advocating for the human rights of women and girls. Our goal is to empower them to contribute to our common future.”

Earlier that day, the Secretary-General delivered the Thirteenth Sapru House Lecture at the Indian Council of World Affairs in New Delhi, in which he laid special emphasis on the work of UN Women and the need to support it. “No country can advance as long as its women are held back,” he said.

“While in our world we use lot of different resources, technologies, the least-utilized resource in our human lives is women. More than half the world’s population are women. Then it is only natural that if we cannot give more, then at least they should be given equal treatment, equal status.”

“I need the Indian Government’s strong support for UN Women,” he added.

The Secretary-General’s Lecture is available at: http://bit.ly/1wlnQmA

Have you signed up as a HeForShe yet? Visit www.heforshe.org today!

– See more at: http://www.unwomensouthasia.org/2015/presenting-sachintendulkar-and-kailash-satyarthi-%e2%80%93-our-newest-heforshe-supporters/#sthash.iciRO1mw.dpuf

Scaling new horizons with daring dives

Date : 05 January 2015

Archana Sardana – Scaling new horizons with daring dives

Archana Sardana, a 40-year old adventure enthusiast is India’s first woman civilian BASE jumper, often jumping from a bridge of over 3,600 metres (12,000 feet). Raised in India, a country where’s women’s participation in sports remains uneven, Sardana did not grow up as an adventure sports enthusiast. A mother of two boys, she graduated with a diploma in interior design, and says she never took an interest in outdoor activities. But just 20 days after her wedding, on a whim, she and her husband braved a local marathon known for its steep peaks and competitive nature. That was the turning point. She decided right then she had to have more, and thus, a legend was born. She completed Adventure and Advanced Mountaineering courses from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling and Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, and hasn’t stopped chasing the thrill since.

She has done multiple deep sea scuba dives in every corner of the globe, and is the first woman master scuba diver trainer in India. She unfurled the Indian flag at a depth of 30-meters in the ocean, off the Andaman’s Neil Island, and set a new record in the process. A smart business woman, she also runs her own venture ‘Archana Sardana Scuba Diving Academy,’ training young women how to conquer their fears and feel the rush of adventure sport. Over time, Sardana has sought way ways to use her adventurous spirit to help others. An expert at jumping out of helicopters, she did her first jump in service of an organization called ‘Blind Free India.’

What do you think have been the most important factors that have helped in getting you where you are today?

Firstly, I owe it all to my support system, my amazing husband and my two beautiful children. Secondly, it has a lot to do with the mind set – the physical part is important, but it is just as important to be mentally strong. What drives you in the long run is your mindset and your drive.

What were some of the biggest obstacles you faced in reaching where you are today?

The biggest obstacle has been money. I even sold my house so I can follow my dreams. But we have managed fine until now. When I started, my children were in boarding school, and during that period, I travelled extensively. I had to find a balance. I worked more then. But now my kids are with me, they are pretty self-sufficient and they are extremely supportive of my work.

Tell us a bit about your childhood, your ambitions and who inspired or influenced you to be who you are today?

I was brought up in a family that had a small business, and was always pampered. My parents were always protective of me. Interestingly, I picked up adventure sports only after my marriage. But if I hadn’t taken that proactive initiative, nothing would have been possible. Whatever I start, I try to finish. My husband sees these capabilities in me. Somehow, something pushes me to jump.

Being a woman, has that affected your road to where you are today, and how?

Nobody wanted me to continue. [But], that did not stop me, and I am not planning to stop either. This is what keeps me going. I will continue to do this until the end of time.

What is your main message for the younger generation? What should they learn from your experience?

Whatever fears you have in your mind, do not let them conquer you. To all the parents out there, do not make your fears your children’s fears. Let them experience it for themselves. If parents do not interfere, they will be ready to explore themselves and the world around them. Parents must take that initiative.

What is your message for other women and girls who may be inspired by your journey and achievements?

Overcome your fears to really start living.

More on Beijing+20 Visit

• Beijing+20 in Asia Pacific

– See more at: http://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2015/1/scaling-new-horizons-with-daring-dives#sthash.vkx5HP4u.dpuf

Widows continue to face severe stigma and discrimination

New Delhi, December 3: – Widows and single women from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka met together with government representatives and international organizations in New Delhi to address current gaps in policies and programmes that prevent them from claiming their rights.

‘There are an estimated 245 million widows worldwide, 115 million of whom live in poverty and suffer from social stigmatization and economic deprivation largely because they have lost their husbands. However, UN Women strongly believes that we can harness the potential of widows as change agents!’ said Patricia Barandun, Deputy Representative of UN Women.

According to the UN Women study on ‘Empowering Widows: an Overview of Policies and Programmes in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka’, widows in Asia are still relegated to a status of the ‘unwanted insiders’. They often face a ‘triple burden’, in the form of stigma associated with widowhood, severe constraints on access to resources, and sexual vulnerability, which makes them one of the most marginalised and vulnerable communities in this region. This is a stark contrast to their male counterparts, who are not subject to similar socio-economic exclusion within households and society at large.

Mr. Dhana Bahadur Tamang, Secretary Ministry of Women, Children & Social Welfare, Nepal highlighted that ‘Widows are the most vulnerable group of women and they are discriminated in many ways in the South Asian society’

‘Women lack access to resources, they face discrimination when it comes to inheritance rights, the situation is even worse for single women and widows’ said Ms. Lalitha Kumaramangalam, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, India.

Ms. Chaggi Bai, a widow from Rajasthan said ‘I faced violence and discrimination as a widow but I continued to fight for my rights and the rights of widows in my community’

UN Women’s study also highlights that widows are not a homogeneous group. Their situation changes considerably, depending on age, social and cultural practices, their geographical location, educational levels and also on who their husbands were. The different schemes in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka do not reflect this diversity. In India for instance, only widows between 40 and 60 years of age can have access to pension under the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) introduced in 2009. In Sri Lanka, widows whose husbands were not part of the government system are excluded from the pension programme and although Nepal has an inclusive pension policy, challenges in implementation deprive many widows of their entitlements.

– See more at: http://www.unwomensouthasia.org/2014/widows-continue-to-face-severe-stigma-and-discrimination-2/#sthash.xZ26VGJP.dpuf

Sania Mirza announced as UN Women Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia.

Tennis superstar joins campaign to end violence against women and girls and aims to raise awareness on gender equality.

New Delhi — UN Women, the United Nations organization dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment, today announced the appointment of tennis superstar and youth icon, Sania Mirza, as its Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia. Sania is the first South Asian woman to be appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador in the organization’s history.

Sania is India’s most successful women’s tennis player and the first Indian to break into the World Tennis Association’s Top 50 rankings. She has won several Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Titles and other International Tournaments. For her achievements she has been awarded by the Government of India with the honours of Padma Shri and the Arjuna awards.

She has been a role model to many children, including girls, to break barriers and strive for their goals in life and career choices. She has used the spotlight on her professional success to highlight social issues that are of concern for many Indians, speaking out on issues such as the need to halt the practice of female foeticide and the decreasing sex ratio in India. She has repeatedly urged a changing of the mindset that discriminates against the girl child and expressed her strong desire to spread the message of gender equality.

“Sania Mirza has been a role model for girls in India and all over the world. We are pleased and honoured to have such a dynamic woman as our Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia,” stated Lakshmi Puri, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women. “She has been a youth icon and a beacon of light in sports, a field that is often harder for women and girls, due to an inherently uneven playing field. Not just her achievement in sports, but Sania’s strong voice has reverberated across the region on gender issues as well. Sports can make a great contribution to gender equality. We salute Sania’s achievement of putting India on the global tennis map and inspiring thousands of children, many of them girls, to take up sports as a career,” added Ms. Puri.

“It is an honour to serve UN Women as the Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia. It inspires me to work harder towards a level playing field for women. Gender equity in sports as well as using sports to advocate for gender equality in communities is essential. Equality depends on each and all of us. From the government that changes its laws, to the company that advances equal pay and equal opportunity, to the mother and father who teach their daughter and son that all human beings should be treated equally, to the athletes who demonstrate equality and excellence,” said Sania.

Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Sania has been a role model for girls and women of India, and her appointment as UN Goodwill Ambassador is a moment of pride for the country. As the custodians of the nation, the Government’s constant endeavour will be provide the right opportunities and environment so that other girls can emulate Sania’s success and bring glory to the country.”

Welcoming the appointment of Sania Mirza as UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, Lise Grande, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India said, “As one of India’s most successful women athletes, Sania Mirza is an inspiration to millions of young women across South Asia. Sania is an outstanding example of the excellence that women can achieve when they level the playing field.

Sania’s appointment coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Globally, one in three women and girls will experience physical or sexual violence at some point in her life. More often than not, violence against women is committed by an intimate partner. To raise awareness on the issue, the UN commemorates 25 November every year as the International Day to End Violence against Women. UN Women, the UN organization mandated to advance women’s empowerment and gender equality, is leading the global mobilization of partners from all walks of life, including governments and civil society.

Symbolizing a brighter future without violence, orange has been designated as the colour for the initiative.

This day also marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – an international campaign which takes place each year, and runs from 25 November, (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women), to 10 December (Human Rights Day). It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of violence against women and girls. This year the UNiTE campaign has put out a call to “Orange YOUR Neighborhood” which kicks off on 25 November, with people around the world displaying the colour to demonstrate support and symbolize hope for a future free from violence against women and girls.

UN Women’s other Goodwill Ambassadors include British actor Emma Watson, Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman, HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand, and Indian actor-filmmaker-singer Farhan Akhtar.

Bollywood Actor “Farhan Akhtar” announced as UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia

Actor calls on men and boys to join UN Women’s HeForShe initiative, and mobilize for gender equality

Mumbai — UN Women, the United Nations organization dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment, today announced the appointment of actor-filmmaker-singer Farhan Akhtar as its South Asia Goodwill Ambassador. Farhan is the first man to be chosen as a Goodwill Ambassador in the organization’s history.

An accomplished and well-respected actor-filmmaker-singer, Farhan Akhtar has not only made his presence felt in the Indian film industry with his versatility, but has represented the voice of numerous concerned men on the important issue of gender equality and violence against women and girls in India through his Men Against Rape and Discrimination (MARD) campaign.

Farhan will dedicate his efforts as UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia towards the empowerment of women and girls, and will serve as an advocate for UN Women’s newly launched HeForShe initiative in advocating for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

“We are pleased and honoured to have Farhan as our Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia, for we believe his work and values represent the core values of UN Women,” stated UN Women Executive Director and Under-Secretary-General Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. “Farhan started his own campaign, MARD — Men Against Rape and Discrimination — that aims to sensitize men and create awareness about the safety of women. That kind of engagement is essential. We need creative and committed men like Farhan to push the gender equality and women’s empowerment agenda. I am convinced that Farhan’s passion and conviction for the cause will galvanize a multiplier effect and reach the hearts and minds of men and boys in South Asia and beyond,” added Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka.

The MARD campaign has successfully encouraged many actors to join this campaign and spread awareness. Corporations like Google have also engaged with the initiative to empower women through Internet literacy.

“I am honoured to serve UN Women as the Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia,” said Mr. Akhtar. “This gives me and our MARD initiative an added impetus to work together towards a more gender equal India and world. I am a supporter of UN Women’s HeForShe campaign and the role men and boys can play in stopping crime against women and girls, and working towards gender equality. Through this new partnership I want to call on all men and boys to be a catalyst for change and, through our actions, create a value system to end gender disparity.”

Mr. Akhtar’s appointment coincides with the visit of UN Women’s top official to India. Earlier in the week she met with the President of India and senior ministers of the new government, and participated in the 2nd Global MenEngage Symposium, which brought together more than 400 NGOs working on gender justice in New Delhi. The visit to India comes as UN Women’s global initiative Beijing+20 “Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture It” is reigniting a global conversation on gender equality and women’s rights in the lead up to the 20th anniversary of the historic 1995 Beijing Conference, which produced what is considered the most comprehensive women’s rights agenda, the Beijing Platform for Action.
UN Women’s other Goodwill Ambassadors include British actor Emma Watson, Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman and HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand.

#HeForShe

HeForShe is a solidarity campaign for gender equality initiated by UN Women. It aims to engage men and boys as agents of change for the achievement of gender equality and women’s rights, by encouraging them to take action against inequalities faced by women and girls. Grounded in the idea that gender equality is an issue that affects all people — socially, economically and politically — it seeks to actively involve men and boys in a movement that was originally conceived as “a struggle for women by women”.

A special event was held to kick-start the HeForShe campaign on 20 September, 2014 at the Headquarters of the United Nations inNew York. It was hosted by UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson, whose speech — about her own path to feminism and her call to involve men and boys in promoting gender equality — was widely circulated via social media.

At that event, UN Women made a call to mobilize the first 100,000 men in the campaign, a goal successfully reached in just three days. United States President Barack Obama, actor Matt Damon, and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon are among some of the high-profile male champions featured on the site.

The HeForShe map — which uses a geo-locator to record global engagement in the campaign — was also activated.^[7] The map counts the number of men and boys around the world who have taken the HeForShe pledge, as UN Women works towards its goal of engaging 1 billion men and boys by July 2015.

The campaign website also includes implementation plans for UN agencies, individuals and civil society, as well as on university and college campuses, both through online and sustained engagement.