On June 18th, 15 international news outlets highlight the challenges and solutions to reach gender equality and build stronger societies 

Ahead of the Generation Equality Forum convened by UN Women in Paris from 30 June to 2 July, 15 international leading media outlets are joining forces to shed light on some of the most impactful grassroot and policy initiatives around the globe that are pushing gender equality forward, in a unique editorial programme: Towards Equality.

Fom June 18th, and for the following two weeks leading up to the GEF, these 15 partnering media will share and publish articles to shed light on the creative initiatives and policies pushed forward by women, men, institutions, companies and nations across the globe to address existing gender gaps at the local and global level, and thus advance not only women’s rights but society at large.

This unique and forward-looking alliance, spearheaded by Sparknews, includes: Asahi Shimbun in Japan, Il Corriere della Sera in Italy, The Daily Nation in Kenya, El Diario in Argentina, El Diario in Spain, Folha de S.Paulo in Brazil, Hasht E Subh in Afghanistan, L’Économiste in Morocco, L’Orient Le Jour in Lebanon, Madame Figaro in France, The Mail & Guardian in South Africa, The Independent in the UK, La Tribune de Genève and SRF in Switzerland, and Arte in France and Germany. 

Example of solutions-oriented content that will be published on June 18th:

• “Solar ambassadors” for the energy transition, by L’Économiste [Morocco]. 

In Morocco, a training program in management and marketing of solar ovens and cookers is helping women in rural areas to create their own cooperatives. The aim is to contribute to inclusive and climate-resilient development in the regions and to promote gender equality.

• Breastfeeding at work, a commitment to equality, by La Tribune de Genève [Switzerland]. The advantages of breastfeeding for the infant have led the WHO, since 2001, to recommend the practice for “two years or beyond”, including six months of exclusive breastfeeding. In Switzerland, maternity leave is 14 weeks (16 in Geneva), which doesn’t easily allow women to follow these recommendations. But that could change.

• Making women’s voices heard in the media, by The Mail & Guardian [South Africa]. The South African non-profit ‘Quote this Woman’ aims to close the gender representation gap in the media, by providing media professionals with a database of women experts willing to be interviewed and hoping to be heard.

• ‘Life-saving’ free train travel for domestic abuse victims in the UK, by The Independent [United-Kingdom]. A pioneering railway scheme in the UK is helping domestic violence victims escape their abusers by providing them free travel to reach a refuge. A lifeline for many who wouldn’t have been able to flee otherwise.

• Turning museums into feminist spaces, by El Diario [Spain]. Traditionally, museums are spaces of cultural expression governed by a masculine standview. But in Spain, some museums and non-profits are taking concrete steps hoping to make women artists’ work more visible and to rethink the cultural world’s influence on gender equality. 

Together we can build back better !

The devastating ramifications of the Covid-19 health crisis in the political, economic, and social spheres have highlighted the many interlinkages that exist between key societal issues, and revealed the necessity for all of us to work hand-in-hand, using the diversity of our knowledge and resources as an asset, to (re-)construct a fairer, more equal society going forward. 

Towards Equality embodies this ambition. Beyond the publication, a whole movement has rallied in support of the campaign, including the Melinda Gates Foundation, UN Women, Women in Global Health, various other large organisations such as Promundo, Barefoot College, CARE, Shelter Movers, and art-based organisations like The Inside Out Project, Priya’s Shakti and Christie’s Auction House. 

Photos & videos: 

 Several communication tools are available for the news coverage of Towards Equality: 

• A beautiful 4 mins video teaser by Anastasia Mikova, the filmmaker behind the documentary ‘woman’ 

• Visuals on specific themes with quotes and visuals from experts and key ambassadors 

• Visuals with key data related to gender equality 

 Who is Sparknews ?

Sparknews is a social enterprise dedicated to amplifying positive change by partnering with international news media, businesses, non-profits, artists, academics and researchers. By fostering dialogue and collaboration between these different stakeholders, Sparknews aims to create and inspire action towards a socio-ecological transition.