Anne Hathaway urges sustained action on gender inequality at UN Women International Women’s Day event

Anne Hathaway, UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, told attendees at an International Women’s Day event that celebrations must not replace accountability and action.

“It’s hard to bear the knowledge that the distance between the promise of equality and the experience of it are yet still so far apart for so many,” Hathaway said, speaking on behalf of UN Women and opening her remarks with thanks to the event hosts.

Hathaway named survivors and advocates to illustrate the stakes, saying their bravery in demanding justice has driven change: “These women and girls had the bravery to demand justice when horrific violence was forced on them.” The transcript lists names including Jazelle Pelico and a reference to Malala; reporting corrects that reference to Malala Yousafzai where the transcript was abbreviated.

She framed celebration as an act of defiance rather than complacency, urging the audience to honor those who refuse silence and to keep pressing for safety, economic empowerment and equal opportunity. Hathaway said autonomous feminist movements remain a key driver of government action to address violence against women.

Hathaway highlighted both progress and grief: she said movement-led gains can be slow and incomplete, but that persistent advocacy strengthens accountability across political contexts. She called for commitment to ending gender-based violence in both the physical and digital worlds and for listening to and uplifting unheard voices.

She closed with an appeal for urgency: “Don’t make us wait,” followed by a greeting to attendees: “Happy International Women’s Day.”