This year, as we join the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in partnership with the International Publishers Association and with the support of the European Union, we bring voices from across Europe and Central Asia, writers, illustrators, and publishers who are redefining narratives and placing women and girls at the center of their stories. At the same time, we invite men and boys as allies, as advocates, and as part of the change, to question gender stereotypes, embrace more equal roles, and contribute to more just and inclusive societies.
Our inspiration this year draws from Little Women, a timeless celebration of girls’ ambition, resilience, and self-determination. As Louisa May Alcott so beautifully wrote: “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”
This idea lies at the heart of our mission. Because this is exactly what we strive for at UN Women: to ensure that every woman and every girl has the chance to learn how to navigate her own path to face challenges with confidence, to make her own choices, and to shape her own future.
Together, with our partners, and through platforms like the Bologna Book Fair, we aim to strengthen this movement: supporting creators, engaging audiences, and advancing a shared commitment to a more equal world for all women and girls.
The stories we tell today will shape the future we live tomorrow. Let’s ensure the future lives of girls is equal and full of possibilities, where every girl can hold the pen, and every voice can be heard.
