New UN global innovation forum to 'creatively disrupt' status quo for women

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) launched the Global Innovation Coalition for Change with partners from the private sector, the academia and non-governmental organisations to encourage innovation and technology work better for young women and girls around the world.

"Innovation and technology provide unprecedented opportunities to reach those who are the most likely to be left out of the benefits of progress. They can break women out of isolation and create a market for their innovative ideas and products," said Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the Executive Director of UN Women, in a news release announcing the launch.

"Through the Global Innovation Coalition for Change and similar partnerships we can bring together the best of academic brain power and research, industry practical know-how, and civil society's drive and reach to creatively disrupt the status quo," she added.

According to UN Women, the partnership will focus on building market awareness of the potential for innovations that meet the needs of women through research and advocacy and will also identify the key industry-specific barriers that obstruct women's and girls' advancement in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship.

It will also work collaboratively to identify key actions that can help overcome these barriers through actions including sharing of good practices, developing capacity and investing in specific innovations through targeted support.

Additionally, underscoring the importance of partnership with the private sector to advance gender equality and women's empowerment through innovation and technology UN Women noted that the Global Innovation Coalition for Change is an important step to bring about transformative change in the lives of women and girls.