HeForShe IMPACT Report 2026 Launch

“The report demonstrates how the different parts of the HeForShe movement reinforce one another. Champions advance institutional change, National Chapters translate global commitments into locally grounded action, and universities engage the next generation of leaders. Practical resources such as the Barbershop Toolkit 2.0 also equip part­ners to respond to emerging challenges, including online misogyny and technology-facilitated violence against women and girls.” 

- Sima Bahous, Under Secretary General & Executive Director, UN Women

New York, 22 September 2026 — At a time when progress on gender equality remains fragile and hard-won gains face growing pressure, the HeForShe community is demonstrating what is possible when leaders choose to act. The HeForShe 2026 Impact Report, launched today, captures a year of collective action across sectors and regions, showing how HeForShe Champions, National Chapters and partners are translating commitments into concrete results for women and girls.

The global picture makes this action more urgent. UN Women’s 2026 Gender Snapshot underscores that gender equality is fundamental to progress across the entire 2030 Agenda. Not a single SDG 5 indicator is currently on track to be met by 2030, while progress towards gender equality is being undermined by political retreat, weakened institutions and insufficient investment. At the current pace, it will take 171 years to achieve gender equality. The report makes clear that where women have greater access to power and decision-making, progress can extend across areas from poverty and education to peace and climate action.

Against this backdrop, HeForShe Champions are accelerating action. Through policy reform, workplace transformation, community investment, advocacy and allyship, the HeForShe community is helping advance women’s leadership, economic empowerment, violence prevention and more inclusive institutions.

We call on leaders across all sectors to stand firm in their commitment to gender equality, and we call on men and boys everywhere to become agents of change and accountable allies for women’s rights. Inspired by the determination of women and girls worldwide and motivated by a shared vision of equality, empowerment, and rights for all, we remain committed to using our voices, influence, and actions to help drive progress in the years ahead. The time to act—and to lead—is now.

- HeForShe Alliance Joint Statement

These results demonstrate the power of bringing institutions and communities together around a shared commitment to gender equality.

Opening new spaces for women and girls
The report comes at a time when spaces for women and girls are increasingly being challenged. HeForShe is responding by opening new spaces for leadership, dialogue and action. With six established HeForShe National Chapters, the movement is connecting global ambition with local leadership, enabling communities to shape and advance gender equality in their own contexts.

National Chapters are bringing HeForShe closer to communities through advocacy, partnerships, campaigns and public engagement, demonstrating that gender equality is both a global priority and a locally driven movement.

Engaging men and boys in the work of change
A central part of HeForShe’s approach is its focus on engaging men and boys as accountable allies for gender equality. This work is particularly urgent as online misogyny and the influence of the manosphere contribute to harmful gender stereotypes and increasingly polarised conversations about gender. HeForShe Champions are helping challenge these norms by promoting equitable models of masculinity, allyship and accountability.

Across the Alliance, Champions are also strengthening violence prevention, survivor support and accountability, recognising that ending violence against women and girls requires not only responding to harm, but changing the norms and behaviours that enable it.

Read the HeForShe 2026 Impact Report to discover the people, partnerships and programmes turning commitments into action for gender equality: HeForShe 2026 IMPACT Report