India, July 21 -- On 2nd July 2010, the global community birthed a new UN agency,the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), whose establishment was made possible by the coming together of member states and the powerful global women's movement. As we mark fifteen years since UN Women's establishment this month, we must pay tribute to those who brought to life the vision of a dedicated UN entity for the empowerment of women and girls and we must recommit and continue to invest in realizing its mandate.

In many ways, the story of UN Women is the story of global solidarity. It is the result of decades of tireless advocacy by the global women's movement, the unwavering commitment of Member States, a...