Gender Equality, Iran & Other Topics - Daily Press Briefing (9 March 2026)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) Middle East/Iran Lebanon Sudan Occupied Palestinian Territory South Sudan Abyei Security Council Financial Contribution COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN The Commission on the Status of Women is holding its seventieth session here at UN Headquarters in New York, focusing on rights, justice and action for all women and girls. Earlier today, the Secretary-General delivered remarks at the opening of the session. He stressed that gender equality is, and always has been, a question of power. “No step forward for women’s rights has ever been given. Every step has been won.” Mr. Guterres highlighted progress within the UN, noting that women now make up half of all UN workforce across professional and higher categories, with parity in senior leadership reached two years ahead of schedule. “We did it not by lowering standards, but by widening the search for talent,” he said. He also warned that globally, the picture remains deeply concerning. As conflicts rage in the Middle East and elsewhere, women and children are bearing the brunt of the violence and the displacement. He added that the number of women and girls living within 50 kilometres of deadly conflict is at its highest level in decades, while conflict-related sexual violence has surged by 87 per cent in just two years. And just to flag that there will be several side events this week, including one today at 4:45 p.m. in Conference Room 2, where the Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict will launch a Global Network on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence prosecutions. MIDDLE EAST/IRAN Turning to the situation in the Middle East, we continue to raise the alarm over the humanitarian impact of escalating violence across parts of the Middle East, which is driving rising civilian casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure and growing displacement of people. We are particularly concerned by the number of reports of recent strikes on oil facilities, which could have serious environmental consequences across the region, with immediate possible impacts on safe water and air that people need to breathe and on food. This comes on top of strikes on water desalination plants reported in several countries. And I can tell you that our colleagues at the World Health Organization are particularly following the health impacts of all of these. The Middle East was already facing immense humanitarian needs prior to this latest escalation. We reiterate again that all possible precautions must be taken to protect civilians from the impact of hostilities and to avoid damage to health facilities, schools, water systems and other essential infrastructure. SUDAN In Sudan, the UN is very alarmed by the series of drone strikes we have seen in recent days across several states in Sudan. In West Kordofan State, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that strikes in the localities of Abu Zabad and Wad Banda on Saturday reportedly hit a market, possibly killing more than 20 people and injuring many others. In neighbouring North Kordofan, more than 20 people were reportedly killed in the village of Umm Kereidim on Friday. The International Organization for Migration said that in the village, more than 200 people had to flee their homes. Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that yesterday in East Darfur State, a strike on a fuel market in the city of Ad Duyain reportedly killed seven civilians, including a pregnant woman and a child. We reiterate, yet again, that the parties must adhere to international law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure, including markets, homes and schools, must never be targeted. Rapid, safe, unhindered humanitarian aid must be allowed at all times. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-03-09