What issues matter most to women and girls around the world? After years of crises that have exacerbated poverty and disrupted education, the United Nations wanted to understand exactly how women all over the globe feel about the future and what they’d like to see for the next generation. So, in 2024, the UN launched the We the Women campaign, which includes an ambitious survey of 25,000 women in 185 countries and a report on women's priorities worldwide.

GZERO’s Tony Maciulis spoke with Annemarie Hou, Executive Director of the UN Office for Partnerships, which conducted the campaign, to learn more about the survey, and why there are reasons for hope in the face of so many challenges. An overwhelming 85% of women identify themselves as advocates for women’s rights and believe women’s representation will improve in the next decade. Despite issues like climate, conflict, peace and justice still being top concerns, women are still optimistic.

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TOKYO, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 8: Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), places a red paper rose on the name of an elected candidate at the LDP headquarters on general election day on February 08, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. Voters across the country headed to polls today as Japan's Lower House election was held.
Photo by Kim Kyung-Hoon - Pool/Getty Images

When Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called snap elections last month, it was a big gamble. Holding a winter election just four months into her tenure with no real policy record to run on?