News – Women's Network for Change

April 30, 2026

WNC’s Participation in CSW 70: Engaging with Global Leaders and Advocating Women’s Rights

The seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 70) took place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 9 to 19 March 2026. Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world were invited to attend the session. The themes for CSW 70 were: At CSW 70, our NGO was honored to participate in critical events that addressed global challenges and opportunities for advancing gender equality. Among […]

April 10, 2026

Maryam Akbari Monfared Released After 17 Years

A Proud Milestone for WNC Advocacy The WNC proudly announces the release of Maryam Akbari Monfared, one of Iran’s longest-serving female political prisoners, on April 8, 2026. Her freedom marks a powerful moment of hope and perseverance and stands as a testament to years of tireless advocacy, including efforts led by our organization. After nearly 17 years of imprisonment without a single day of leave, Maryam Akbari Monfared has finally been reunited with her family. Her case has long symbolized […]

February 1, 2026

WNC Extends Deepest Condolences on the Passing of Prof. Rita Süssmuth

Trailblazing German Politician and Champion of Equality Germany is mourning the loss of Rita Süssmuth, one of the most influential and respected political figures in the history of the Federal Republic. The longtime CDU politician and former President of the German Bundestag has died at the age of 88, as confirmed by current Bundestag President Julia Klöckner. She described Süssmuth as “one of the most significant politicians of the Federal Republic of Germany,” whose impact will be felt for generations […]

December 28, 2025

COP30 in Brazil: modest climate progress, but a clearer step forward for women

Belém, Brazil When world leaders, diplomats and activists gathered in Belém, on the edge of the Amazon, expectations for COP30 were high. Hosting the UN climate summit in Brazil carried a powerful message: the climate crisis is inseparable from forests, land rights and the lives of people who live closest to environmental destruction. The final outcome, however, was mixed. While governments adopted a broad package of decisions covering adaptation, finance and cooperation, the conference stopped short of delivering the decisive […]

November 13, 2025

Women’s Network for Change Calls for Accountability Over Iran’s Escalating Human Rights Abuses at UN Human Rights Council

Geneva, Switzerland — September 2025.At the 60th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, the Women’s Network for Change (WNC) delivered a series of strong statements condemning the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ongoing human rights violations, including mass executions, persecution of women, and impunity for historic crimes. Between 16 and 23 September 2025, two WNC representatives — Ms. Amytis Marcus and Ms. Nida Amani — addressed the Council under different agenda items, urging urgent international […]

October 10, 2025

Jane Goodall: A Trailblazer Who Redefined Science and Inspired Generations of Women

When Jane Goodall entered the forests of Gombe, Tanzania, in 1960 with nothing but a notebook, binoculars, and boundless curiosity, she was doing something almost unimaginable for a woman of her time. Science especially the field of primatology was dominated by men, and few believed that a young woman without formal scientific training could contribute anything meaningful. Yet Goodall not only transformed our understanding of humanity’s closest relatives but also redefined what it meant to be a woman in science. […]

August 18, 2025

Challenges and Resilience Among Aboriginal Girls

Aboriginal girls across Australia and other regions carry the rich legacy of their cultures, languages, and communities. Yet, they face unique challenges that often remain invisible to the broader public. Understanding these experiences is essential to supporting their well-being, education, and future leadership. Many Aboriginal girls grow up in environments shaped by a history of colonization, dispossession, and systemic discrimination. These factors contribute to disparities in health, education, and social outcomes compared to non-Indigenous peers. For example: Despite these obstacles, […]

August 9, 2025

African Women: Courage, Quotas, and the Climb Toward Parity

Women in African Politics: Courage, Quotas, and the Climb Toward Parity

Across Africa, women are changing the face of politics—yet the journey toward equal representation remains steep. According to the 2024 Africa Barometer, women currently hold 26% of parliamentary seats across the continent, a modest increase of just 1% since 2021. At this rate, gender parity in African legislatures will not be achieved until the year 2100. This slow pace is not due to a lack of capable women leaders, but rather the persistence of deep structural and cultural barriers. From […]

March 12, 2025

WNC at the CSW69: Advocating for Gender Equality on the Global Stage

The 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) is currently taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, bringing together government representatives, civil society organizations, and activists from around the world to discuss pressing gender equality issues. This year, the priority theme focuses on “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.” The Commission on the […]

March 11, 2025

Letter to support Maryam Akbari Monfared

Campaign to Support Maryam Akbari Monfared – Write a Letter Today!

Let’s all support Maryam AKBARI MONFARED, a courageous opponent of the regime in Iran. Imprisoned in the dungeons of the mullahs and separated from her 3 children for more than 15 YEARS, for demanding accountability from the Iranian regime for the deaths of her brothers and sisters, who were murdered like 30,000 young people, women, and men by their torturers in the summer of 1988. She was supposed to be released on October 12, 2024. And yet, she remains imprisoned, […]