News – Page 2 – Women's Network for Change

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, […]

September 15, 2024

Women’s Right to Education in Afghanistan: The Impact of Fundamentalism

Since the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan in 2021, the right of women and girls to access education has been systematically stripped away, marking a stark regression from the progress achieved in the previous two decades. This repression is a direct result of the fundamentalist ideology embraced by the Taliban, which severely limits women’s rights. The implications of these restrictions are not only devastating for Afghan women, but also for the country’s broader social and economic development. Before the Taliban’s return […]

August 23, 2024

Über Mut by Rita Süssmuth – A Powerful Manifesto for Courage and Democracy

In her final and most compelling work, Über Mut, Rita Süssmuth—esteemed former CDU politician, leading figure in German politics, and Honorary President of the WNC—delivers a passionate call to action. At 87, Süssmuth draws upon her extensive experience to address the pressing challenges of our time, urging citizens to embrace optimism and civic courage in the face of global crises and societal fears. A Legacy of Courage and Engagement Über Mut is more than just a memoir; it is Süssmuth’s […]

April 13, 2024

Challenges Facing Girls in Sports

As we draw closer to the much-anticipated Olympic Games, excitement permeates the air, palpable with every passing day. With the world’s gaze turning towards the host city and athletes gearing up for the pinnacle of their sporting careers, anticipation reaches fever pitch. In this article, we delve into the upcoming Olympic Games, examining the host city, the preparations underway, and the buzz surrounding this global spectacle of athletic prowess and unity., This article sheds light on the challenges facing girls […]