Women from all walks of life and around the world united to amplify their voices in the documentary We the Women. Premiering at the SDG Lounge, this short film delivers a powerful and emotional portrayal of today’s collective challenges, inspiring audiences to take action for a more just and equitable world.
Opening the event, Annemarie Hou, Executive Director of the United Nations Office of Partnerships, highlighted the We the Women campaign at the heart of the documentary. She described it as a call to action to elevate women’s voices and drive meaningful change. “This screening couldn’t be more timely,” she said, stressing the importance of seizing this moment to advance women’s priorities and create a fairer world for all.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed emphasized the film’s role in shedding light on women’s transformative impact. “This film highlights the transformative impact women continue to have in addressing some of the world’s most pressing problems, which often go unseen,” she said. “Bringing visibility to this on a global scale is incredibly important.”
Delivering remarks via video message, Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, underscored the importance of inclusivity. “Only with the inclusion of women and girls is it possible to move societies forward,” she said, emphasizing that more equitable societies empower women and are ultimately more successful.
Women at the Heart of Global Transformations
We the Women—produced by Culture House in collaboration with the UN Office for Partnerships—puts a human face on the findings of the We the Women global survey. The documentary showcases women’s meaningful participation in intergenerational dialogues held across various countries.
At the premiere, a panel of women from diverse backgrounds and sectors reflected on the importance of the film and the role of women’s voices in driving change. Carri Twigg, Co-Founder of Culture House Media, shared the inspiration behind the documentary: “If you can lift your eyes off that screen and look around, you will find women at the forefront of every significant moment and movement happening around the world. That fills me with hope.”
The filmmakers conducted interviews with women worldwide on topics such as leadership, quality education, peace and justice, economic security, and more. These conversations spotlight the critical role women play in creating a better future.
Data, Representation, and Equality
Laurie Adams, CEO of Women for Women International, emphasized the need for data to demonstrate the benefits of prioritizing gender equality. “We [women] don’t choose war, we choose peace. We don’t choose division, we choose unity,” she said. “This film and its research provide a practical example of why having women at the table is better for all of us.”
Echoing this sentiment, astronaut and Deep Space Initiative CEO Sara Sabry highlighted the importance of empowering young girls. “Strong girls make strong women, and it’s critical to show girls that they belong in all spaces, including STEM,” she said. Sabry also noted the key role parents play in shaping children’s aspirations: “Through their parents, children see what is possible and what isn’t.”
Professional tennis player and WFP Goodwill Ambassador Ons Jabeur stressed the need to meet basic needs to empower the next generation. “These kids dream of becoming athletes, actors, astronauts. The least we can do is give them a proper meal to help them achieve those dreams,” she said. “I hope we can make this mission everybody’s mission.”
Advancing the SDGs with Women at the Forefront
The We the Women campaign calls for change, representation, and the elevation of women’s demands as key drivers of progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Together, we can harness this moment to elevate women’s priorities and work towards a more just and equitable world for everyone,” said Annemarie Hou, Executive Director of the UN Office for Partnerships. Launched in September 2023 by Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and Minister Svenja Schulze during the SDG Summit, the We the Women campaign demonstrates that advancing the SDGs is only possible when women are actively involved.
To find out more about the We the Women campaign, visit our website.
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