If you are a woman and want to work or operate on an equal footing with men, it is almost certain the laws in your country will hinder your right to do so.
Read news -
Blog: ‘Time’s up’ – Countries should reform laws that discriminate against women
Main page for this area of work
Despite the regulation of international laws and national efforts to prevent and deal with family violence, women in New Zealand remain at risk in their homes. This changed in April 2019 when the New Zealand parliament became the first in the Commonwealth to pass national legislation granting victims of domestic violence 10 days of paid leave.
Read news -
Blog: New Zealand is first in Commonwealth to grant paid domestic violence leave - other countries should follow suit
Today, people across the globe will pause to focus on one of the most persistent and vicious epidemics in our history: AIDS. Three letters that have caused unprecedented suffering and loss across generations and around our world.
Read press release -
World AIDS Day: Eliminating triple threat of HIV, gender-based violence and cervical cancer
Beyond the immediate human impact, violence against women and girls also costs billions of dollars a year, be it in lost work, damaged children, hospital fees or police time. The global cost of violence against women and girls was estimated at $1.5 trillion in 2016 – making everyone across the world at least $200 poorer that year.
Read news -
Blog: Ending violence against women and girls can add trillions to economy
Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, it was clear that the pandemic was not only a health crisis but also an economic threat. Little did we know that the impact of COVID-19 containment measures and economic pressures would be felt across communities with violence in the homes, particularly against women, rising at an alarming rate.
Read news -
Blog: COVID puts women in tourism-dependent economies at more risk of violence, but it can stop
Today, many women and girls are trapped in cycles of abuse, struggling to find an escape route. This is a tragedy, not just for them personally, but for the whole of society.
Read news -
Blog: We need ‘one-stop’ crisis centres to rescue women trapped in cycles of abuse
10 December 2020 to 10 December 2020
Event
The Commonwealth Secretariat is hosting a webinar on Covid-19 and girls’ access to education.
Violence against women and girls is a global epidemic, yet one of the least talked-about barriers to climate action.
Read news -
How climate finance can address violence against women and girls
A key indicator of progress towards the UN’s sustainable development goal five: Gender Equality measures the number of women in leadership. In the lead up to the 2030 deadline for this target, we must see those numbers surge in the political sphere.
Read news -
Blog: More women in leadership means more sustainable and inclusive development
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed on 25 November every year. It launches 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence until Human Rights Day on 10 December.
Read news -
Commonwealth Secretary-General: Take a stand for no more violence against women and girls
Health advocates, cancer survivors and celebrities have joined the Commonwealth’s campaign to eradicate cervical cancer in its 54 countries.
Read news -
Health advocates, survivors and celebrities join Commonwealth campaign against cervical cancer
25 November 2020 to 10 December 2020
Event
The Commonwealth and the NO MORE Foundation are launching a ‘16 Days of Actions’ blog series on 25 November to help end violence against women and girls.
The Commonwealth will lead a global movement this week aimed at urging countries to make an ambitious plan to eliminate the most preventable cancers.
Read press release -
Commonwealth leads global movement on cancer prevention
Isaac Folorunso Adewole, a former Nigerian Minister of Health and professor of gynaecology and obstetrics, writes about the Commonwealth working together to change the narrative on cervical cancer.
Read press release -
Commonwealth working together to change the narrative on cervical cancer
Event
The role older women play in supporting families and building communities cannot be over-emphasised.
Young people around the world are waking up to a growing list of new and harsh realities. Trapped in the shadow of a relentless pandemic, many are being robbed of the usual opportunities of youth and denied even the chance to socialise with friends and family.
Read news -
OPINION: Young people must play a role in political leadership and decision-making
A leading advocate and champion of the Commonwealth's work to end violence against women and girls has won a prestigious UN award.
Read news -
UN recognition for the Commonwealth child and women’s rights champion
Event
The Commonwealth Secretariat Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Unit in partnership with the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network (CYPAN), is pleased to announce an upcoming event, entitled The Power of Youth to Build Peace in the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth member countries have unanimously adopted a statement to promote human rights and tackle discrimination at all levels of sport - from community games to elite sporting events.
Read news -
Commonwealth countries adopt statement on promoting human rights through sport
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) held its fifty-seventh meeting by video conference on 19 October 2020.
Read news -
Statement on Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting
Officials from countries across the Commonwealth have joined doctors, pharmacists, researchers, test suppliers and World Health Organisation (WHO) experts to explore the best options for rapid COVID-19 testing.
Read news -
Commonwealth landmark dialogue supports member countries with rapid COVID testing strategies
2 November 2020 to 6 November 2020
Event
Youth workers today face tough and ever-increasing demands, supporting a population burdened with the multiplying and intensifying challenges of unemployment, pandemic, conflict and climate change.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has impressed upon member countries the importance of examining mental health legislation to see whether it is in line with the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.
Read news -
World Mental Health Day: Commonwealth Secretary-General urges countries to modernise mental health legislation
The Commonwealth Secretariat and NO MORE Foundation have today launched a new campaign designed to help tackle the immediate crisis of the rapid increase in domestic and sexual violence due to the impacts of COVID-19
Read news -
Commonwealth Secretariat and NO MORE Foundation launch campaign against domestic and sexual violence across 54 countries
Event
The Commonwealth Secretariat and the NO MORE Foundation will launch a new digital portal on 9 September to help the 54 member countries tackle domestic and sexual violence.