Call for applications: Expanding the Beijing+25 Youth Task Force

The Beijing+25 Youth Task Force is announcing a call for applications to expand the composition of the Youth Task Force that will work in the Generation Equality Forum (GEF) process closely with UN Women, civil society organizations and other stakeholders from September 2020 to September 2021, to ensure the meaningful involvement of young people in the global processes of the 25th review and appraisal of the BPfA.

03 August 2020

The year 2020 is a confluence of anniversaries including the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Conference and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA), the five-year review of the Sustainable Development Goals, the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Security Council Resolution 1325, the 75th anniversary of the UN and the 10th anniversary of the creation of UN Women. As we take stock of progress made in advancing women’s rights and gender equality, all the actors involved in Generation Equality are committed to ensuring that young people are at the center of this process.

Following a call for applications in June 2019, UN Women announced the “Beijing+25 Youth Task Force”, comprising 30 young leaders from different youth-led and youth-serving organizations, with diverse areas of expertise and across all regions of the world. They represent young people in all their diversity and across intersectional complexities. The existing youth leaders have a track record of driving change in their communities and mobilizing young people for the empowerment of young women and girls all over the world. The Youth Task Force serves on the governance structure of the Generation Equality Forum with a seat on the Core Group. The Core Group is the decision making body of the Generation Equality Forum. The forums centerstage young people and believes in their power and ability to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The Youth Task Force has been supporting and guiding the global processes in consulting and engaging young people across the globe.

It is within this context that the Youth Task Force, convened by UN Women, is announcing a call for applications to expand the composition of the Youth Task Force that will work in the Generation Equality Forum (GEF) process closely with UN Women, civil society organizations and other stakeholders from September 2020 to September 2021, to ensure the meaningful involvement of young people in the global processes of the 25th review and appraisal of the BPfA.

To apply, please familiarize yourself with the Call for Applications, Terms of Reference, Criteria for Nomination and submit the Application Form by August 21st 2020 at 12:00 p.m. midday EST. Please note that the recommendation letter should be by your nominated organization.

The Beijing +25 Youth Task Force will organize 2 webinars during 7th to 18th August 2020, with the objective to reach more young people and motivate them to apply to be a part of the Youth Task Force while clarifying any questions/doubts regarding the application process and requirements. Please watch out for more information related to the webinars in the Beijing+25 Youth Task Force’s social media spaces: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

April 16, 2020

HeForShe launches #HeForSheAtHome campaign

Isaac Molalo, Vodacom Mum & Baby Customer Limpopo, South Africa

HeForShe launches #HeForSheAtHome campaign

As a consequence of the global COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people now find themselves indoors. Gender inequalities, particularly of women in the home, are becoming increasingly apparent when it comes to housework, cleaning and caring for children, the sick or the elderly.

In responding to the outbreak, women make up 70 per cent of workers in the health and social sector and do three times as much unpaid care work at home as men. Women are in the lead across the world as front-line responders, health care professionals, scientists, doctors and more. The #HeForSheAtHome campaign aims to highlight this unfair burden on women and encourage men to do their equal share.

In providing useful tools and tips, the #HeForSheAtHome campaign seeks to inspire men to help balance the burden in their households. Whether it’s learning to use that new vacuum cleaner or the game you play when washing the dishes, we want to hear your stories. In sharing these stories of positive male role models from all over the world, we hope to inspire many more to do their fair share.

April 4, 2020April 4, 2020

Generation Equality Forum Postponed Until 2021

ANNOUNCEMENT – 3 April 2020

Generation Equality Forum Postponed

As the situation surrounding COVID-19 evolves, the number of people around the world affected by this disease continues to increase. This global public health crisis has direct implications for the Generation Equality Forum and for gender equality and women’s human rights. We recognize that women are playing a disproportionate role in responding to this disease—as caregivers, frontline healthcare workers, community leaders and mobilisers, often at great risk to their health. We stand in solidarity with them.

In light of this crisis, the Generation Equality Forum will be postponed until the first half of 2021. The new dates will be announced in the coming months. In the months leading to the Generation Equality Forum, a series of virtual engagements will be organized in collaboration with partners to foster continued momentum, participation and commitment of all stakeholders.

We are convinced, especially now, that the objectives of the Forum remain stronger than ever. We express our continued collective commitment to bringing the world together, mobilizing all actors – especially young people – to chart an agenda of transformative action to achieve gender equality and to strengthen feminist and young people’s solidarity, movements, and leadership.

UPDATE: IWHC has also put out a press release.