UN Women at the High-Level Political Forum 2025: powering global progress for all women and girls

On Thursday, 24 July, UN Women and the President of the General Assembly will convene a multistakeholder hearing marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, with the participation of the President of the General Assembly, the UN Secretary General and UN Women's Executive Director.

Executive leadership at the forefront

UN Women's senior leaders will speak at several high-level events, with Executive Director Sima Bahous set to address the official session on SDG 5 and interlinkages with other SDGs - Gender equality, reinforcing the central message that there can be no progress on the 2030 Agenda without gender equality. As SDG 5 undergoes a full review at this year's HLPF, UN Women is leading calls for urgent investment and political action to close the $420 billion annual financing gap for gender equality in developing countries. From economic policy and law reform to digital transformation and climate action, UN Women is highlighting how SDG 5 is not just a standalone goal, but a key driver of progress across all other SDGs. These engagements offer clear media moments, sharp soundbites, and strong visuals that show how global leaders are responding to rising pressure for impactful, well-funded change.

Media opportunity: Interviews with UN Women's senior officials can be arranged upon request to [ Click to reveal ]

Launching a global alliance for women facing work and descent-based discrimination

On Thursday, 17th July, UN Women will launch a new policy brief spotlighting the rights and leadership of women from communities long excluded due to caste, race, or traditional occupation-such as Dalit women in South Asia, Quilombola in Brazil, Haratine in Mauritania, Burakumin in Japan, and Roma across Europe. These women face deep-rooted discrimination tied to the work they've historically been forced into. For the first time, grassroots leaders from these communities are building a global alliance to push for recognition and protection under international law.

Media opportunity: Interviews can be arranged with UN Women's Racial Justice Specialist and grassroots leaders attending HLPF from India, Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe. Journalists covering racial justice, social exclusion, or underreported feminist movements will find this a strong entry point for in-depth coverage and interviews. An embargoed copy of the policy brief can be requested in advance by emailing [ Click to reveal ]

Grassroots women taking the mic

Across a series of side events, grassroots women leaders will share firsthand accounts of their work in land rights, food systems, and climate action. These voices bring immediacy and authenticity to stories about feminist economic solutions and community-led resilience.

Media opportunity: Press attending these events can capture compelling personal narratives and arrange interviews with women leaders who are driving change in their own contexts.

Donor-driven action to end violence against women

UN Women will be joined by partners at side events focused on cross-sectoral action to end violence against women and girls. At an event on Tuesday, 22 July, UN Women will launch a new report series as part of the Beijing+30 review process. The series is designed to support Member States in turning commitments into concrete action, with targeted insights on prevention, data, national action plans, response systems, and the vital role of women's rights organizations.

Media opportunity: Interviews and comments from UN Women officials and event partners can be arranged upon request to [ Click to reveal ]

Sport as a catalyst for gender equality and social impact

A special HLPF side event will spotlight how strategic partnerships in sport are delivering measurable social impact for girls and young women, linking directly to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The event will feature voices from global sports, government, philanthropy, and youth development.

Media opportunity: For pre-arranged interviews and embargoed materials, contact the UN Media Team. As an additional resource, check out UN Women's latest explainer: How to keep girls playing sport, with expert tips from Eda Erdem and Marta Vieira da Silva.

This year marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action, the most ambitious global agenda for advancing women's rights. At HLPF 2025, gender equality is not only under review, it's at the heart of the world's path forward.

With global momentum building around practical solutions and bold reforms, this is a pivotal moment to report on how countries, movements, and institutions are working to deliver on long-standing promises.

For journalists, it's a chance to capture where the push for gender equality stands and where it must go next.