Actress and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Anne Hathaway delivered a powerful address at the United Nations headquarters in New York during International Women’s Day 2026.
Anne Hathaway created one of the most meaningful moments of International Women’s Day 2026 by delivering the keynote speech at the official commemoration organised by UN Women at the United Nations headquarters in New York. In her address, the actress reflected on the progress achieved in the fight for gender equality, while also acknowledging the deep inequalities that continue to persist around the world.
As a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, Hathaway began her speech by recognising that the current global context is complex and filled with contradictions. The actress noted that it can be difficult to reconcile the hope for equality celebrated each year with the reality still faced by millions of women and girls across the globe.
During her remarks, Hathaway emphasised that International Women’s Day should not only be a moment of celebration, but also an opportunity to remember the challenges that remain, particularly those related to gender-based violence. She highlighted the courage of women such as Malala Yousafzai, Virginia Giuffre and Gisèle Pelicot, noting that their bravery in demanding justice has helped drive real change in society.
Despite the difficult nature of many of these stories, Hathaway defended the importance of recognising the progress that has been made. For the actress, acknowledging achievements does not mean ignoring injustice, but rather reaffirming a collective commitment to building a fairer world.
In her speech, she also underscored the crucial role of feminist movements in social transformation. According to Hathaway, evidence shows that organised movements defending women’s rights have been among the most consistent forces behind policies combating gender violence and promoting women’s economic autonomy.
Hathaway also insisted on the importance of listening to and amplifying voices that have historically been silenced. In her view, genuine social change occurs when societies commit to confronting both physical and digital violence, while creating spaces where women can participate fully.
The actress concluded her speech with a message of collective determination, stating that celebrating International Women’s Day does not mean accepting injustice, but demonstrating the will to overcome it.
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