Vine Quick Reads: 20 January 2026 - UN updates

Vine Quick Reads: 20 January 2026 - United Nations updates

Welcome to our Quick Reads format. Each week we share selected news bites relevant to family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa. This edition of the Quick Reads rounds up a number of updates from UN entities that might be of interest to the sector.

Call for inputs on the impact of mental health challenges on the enjoyment of human rights by young people

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is calling for inputs on the impact of mental health challenges on the enjoyment of human rights by young people. The subsequent report will explore legal and policy frameworks, main barriers and challenges, and promising practices and solutions relating to young people, their mental health, and full enjoyment of their human rights. Questions to inform submissions can be found at the link above. Submissions are due 20 February 2026.

Call for input to the report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on violence against older women

The Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls is calling for inputs on the forms and manifestations of violence experienced by older women and girls because of their age, including where that status intersects with other grounds. Submissions will inform recommendations for States and other stakeholders on how to combat violence against older women and what legal, policy, and institutional measures are consistent with international human rights law obligations. Questions to inform submissions can be found at the link above. Submissions are due 10 April 2026.

Guidance note on addressing care in times of conflict and crisis

UN Women have released a guidance note, Addressing care in times of conflict and crisis (2025), to advance a gender-transformative approach to care in crises and conflicts. It aims to fill a knowledge gap on women’s participation in humanitarian coordination, peace, and security decision-making due to intensifying care demands, which in turn undermines recovery and prospects for peace. It includes key principles, guiding questions, key actions, and case studies for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers.

Policy brief on narratives and perceptions of migrant women

UN Women along with Oxfam have released a new policy brief, Migrant women: Narratives and perceptions (2025) as part of the Making Migration Safe for Women Programme. It examines narratives around migrant women rooted in sexist, racist, and paternalistic stereotypes and analyses common patterns that underpin public perceptions and the impact of these. It also offers practical recommendations for governments, the media, and civil society to challenge these stereotypes and promote gender-responsive, human rights–based storytelling.

New evidence brief on the escalation of online violence against women in the public sphere

UN Women have released a new evidence brief, Tipping point: The chilling escalation of online violence against women in the public sphere (2025), which draws on a global survey of women in 119 countries. It highlights how online attacks are now spilling offline, affecting women’s safety, well-being, and ability to participate freely in public debate. It also explores how new technologies, including artificial intelligence, are making abusive content easier to create and harder to control, further heightening risks for women in public life.

First comprehensive analysis of the Global Database on Violence against Women and Girls released (VAWG)

UN Women have published a report, Ending violence against women and girls: Global commitments, local actions (2025), which presents that first comprehensive analysis of the Global Database on Violence against Women and Girls, which documents more than 7,500 national measures to address VAWG, as self-reported by 193 States. The database is an official tracker to assess countries’ progress towards ending violence against women and girls within the Sustainable Development Goals framework and to identify where acceleration is needed in the last five years of Agenda 2030.

Third international compendium of practices on safe cities and safe public spaces for women and girls released

UN Women have released Safe cities and safe public spaces for women and girls: Global initiative – third international compendium of practices (2025). This practically illustrates how cities participating in the global initiative are working to implement actions that promote women’s and girls’ rights to use public spaces free from sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence. It showcases positive outcomes, collaborative partnerships, and innovative actions on women’s safety in public spaces in different settings, including urban, rural, and online.

New toolkit for gender equality in the sports ecosystem released

UN Women, along with the International Olympic Committee, have released Toolkit for a sports ecosystem with a gender perspective (2025). This is a practical resource to support sports organisations to integrate gender equality between men and women across all levels of sports. The toolkit is structured around six core principles for action:

• Strengthening women’s leadership and representation in sports governance
• Preventing and responding to violence against women and girls in sports
• Reducing the investment gap and promoting equal economic opportunities
• Ensuring equal opportunities for girls in sports from early ages
• Advancing diverse, unbiased, and equitable representation in sports media
• Monitoring and publicly reporting progress on a regular basis.

New report: Pacific Gender Outlook 2025

UN Women have published the Pacific Gender Outlook 2025: Achieving the SDGs for all and leaving no woman or girl behind (2025). This report was produced by UN Women in partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC) and Pacific countries and territories. The report examines progress across the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) from a gender perspective and, where possible, sheds light on the population groups that are lagging behind for each of the goals. The report shares findings on gender equality, poverty, education, and intimate-partner violence.