6 March 2026 23:41 UTC · UN Secretary-General · UN SG Press Release · Source · Email X Link

UN Secretary-General says change the world for women

Key points

Women and girls are changing the world
Investing in women and girls is one of the surest ways to make the world a better place

TL;DR

UN Secretary-General says women’s rights are human rights and that investing in women and girls helps make the world better.
Multiple UN officials and goodwill ambassadors note women’s contributions across peace, technology, climate, government, jobs, education, sports, politics, healthcare, science and media, and say investing in women benefits everyone.

Original text

Secretary-General Statements and Messages Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message for International Women’s Day, observed on 8 March: António Guterres, UN Secretary-General: Women’s rights are human rights. And investing in women and girls is one of the surest ways to make the world a better place. Michelle Yeoh, UN Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador: When women are involved in negotiating peace, agreements last longer. Muniba Mazari, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Advocate: Women in tech make digital tools more inclusive. Dia Mirza, UN SDG Advocate and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador: Women in Government are more likely to pass climate friendly policies. Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy-Secretary-General: When women have access to decent jobs and fairer workplaces, our economies grow. Muzoon Almellehan, UN Children’s Programme (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador: And educating girls can unlock the brain power we need to tackle every challenge on Earth. Angélique Kidjo, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador: Girls can do anything, and they deserve the chance. Sima Bahous, UN-Women Executive Director: We need rights, equality and empowerment for all women and girls. Michelle Yeoh, UNDP Goodwill Ambassador: And we need women everywhere to be free from violence and fear. Marta Vieira da Silva, UN-Women Goodwill Ambassador: In sports. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs: In politics. Maj. Nesrine Somai, UN Peacekeeper: In peace and peacemaking. Frida Amani, UNEP Advocate: In healthcare. Angélique Kidjo, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador: In science. Dia Mirza, UN SDG Advocate and UNEP Goodwill Ambassador: And in the stories we tell on screen. Frida Amani, UNEP Advocate: Just look at the young women leading the climate movement across the globe. Angélique Kidjo, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador: Women and girls are claiming their power. Marta Vieira da Silva, UN-Women Goodwill Ambassador: When we invest in women, in girls, life gets better for men and boys too. Kaliya, UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Honorary Ambassador, Kazakhstan: Life gets better for people with disabilities. Muzoon Almellehan, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador: For care workers. Dia Mirza, UN SDG Advocate and UNEP Goodwill Ambassador: For the planet. Frida Amani, UNEP Advocate: For children. Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy-Secretary-General: For parents. Angélique Kidjo, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador: For justice. Kaliya, UNFPA Honorary Ambassador, Kazakhstan: For me. Victoria Fernandez, UN staff member: For me. Michelle Yeoh, UNDP Goodwill Ambassador: For me. Angélique Kidjo, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador: For me. Sima Bahous, UN-Women Executive Director: And for me too. ALL: For me. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General: Women and girls are changing the world. It’s time to change the world for women and girls.

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