On International Women's Day, Experts talk about Advances and Strategies for Promoting Gender Equality

Interviews with Shereen El Feki and Nikki van der Gaag

In honor of International Women's Day, we spoke to two authors and gender experts, Nikki van der Gaag and Shereen El Feki, about the progress made, the challenges faced, and the long-term strategies needed to promote gender equality and empowerment of the women. Shereen spoke to us about sexuality and gender in Arab countries , and Nikki about the importance of involving men in feminism .

Nikki is the author of Feminism and Men, and a noted feminist, writer, and communicator. Shereen is the author of Sex and the Citadel and an acclaimed commentator, writer and academic. Both are Senior Collaborators at Promundo.

On International Women's Day, what do they want everyone to know?

“Women and men need to be there for each other and celebrate the many positive changes that have been achieved – and at the same time be realistic about what still needs to be done,” said Nikki.

“We must better understand the lived realities of men and boys as individuals in order to move toward equality for women and girls, and to effect change,” said Shereen.

Read the full interviews with Nikki here and Shereen here .