https://www.unhcr.org/events/world-refugee-day-2025

Each year on 20 June, the world honors the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.

Global forced displacement is at an all-time high, with the number of forcibly displaced people doubling over the past decade. Today, the global figure exceeds 110 million people forced to flee from persecution, conflict, violence, and human rights violations. The Russian invasion of Ukraine caused the fastest and the largest forced displacement crisis since World War II — and other emergencies and climate-driven events pushed the figure over the dramatic milestone of 110 million by May of 2023. While war and conflict inflict suffering on everyone, women and girls are disproportionately affected: they are often targeted for sexual violence, as a "weapon of war."

Research shows that when women serve in cabinets and parliaments, they pass laws and policies that are better for ordinary people, the environment and social cohesion. Advancing measures to increase women’s participation in peace and political processes is vital to achieving women’s de facto equality in the context of entrenched discrimination.

When women are represented in legislative bodies, it enhances the effectiveness of governance and ensures that a wider range of perspectives and experiences are considered in decision-making processes. This inclusivity not only reflects the diversity of the population but also leads to better-informed policies that address the needs of all citizens.

Despite global commitments to gender equality, women remain significantly underrepresented in diplomacy and political leadership, with recent trends showing troubling regression. The Human Rights Council and UN Women both highlight systemic barriers which include discrimination, gender stereotypes, and political violence that continue to exclude women from high-level decision-making. Gender norms often confine women to “soft” portfolios, while critical ministries remain male-dominated, and the number of gender-balanced cabinets and equality-focused ministries is shrinking. This marginalization is compounded by increasing violence against women in politics, both online and offline, deterring participation and eroding hard-won progress. In response, bold action is needed

also see: https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-in-diplomacy-day