Bjorn Andersson

Bjorn Andersson is the Asia-Pacific Regional Director for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Bridging the digital divide empowers girls, if we get it right

When Vithika Yadav returned to India in 2008 after living in the United States, she saw that many young people—especially girls—didn’t have a space to openly talk about the difficult issues they faced. Gender-based violence, child marriage, and other harmful social practices remain commonplace, and are hardly ever discussed.

3y ago

Is Asia Pacific prepared to take care of its elderly?

Imagine it is the year 2050. In Asia Pacific, one in four people will be over the age of 60 years—three times the number of older people in 2010.

3y ago

The climate crisis is a humanitarian crisis, for women and girls in particular

As we mark the World Humanitarian Day today, we need to take urgent action to engage in climate adaptation, build climate resilience and prepare all the better for the escalating disasters, displacement and cycles of vulnerability that the climate crisis is creating—a crisis that is proving particularly devastating for the health and wellbeing of women and girls.

3y ago

As humanitarian crises escalate, so does child marriage

Mona’s village was located in the far west of Nepal when the devastating 2015 earthquake struck.

4y ago

Why gender equality is the key to healthy ageing

In a relatively short time, Covid-19 has devastated the lives of millions globally. For hundreds of millions more, the toll wrought by the pandemic could have lasting effects for decades.

4y ago

To address gender-based violence, we need creativity, collaboration and courage

One glaring truth the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has reinforced when it comes to gender-based violence is that it is a humanitarian, development and socioeconomic crisis—a persistent and daunting triple threat whose solutions must be grounded in gender equality and human rights.

4y ago
October 11, 2021
October 11, 2021

Bridging the digital divide empowers girls, if we get it right

When Vithika Yadav returned to India in 2008 after living in the United States, she saw that many young people—especially girls—didn’t have a space to openly talk about the difficult issues they faced. Gender-based violence, child marriage, and other harmful social practices remain commonplace, and are hardly ever discussed.

October 1, 2021
October 1, 2021

Is Asia Pacific prepared to take care of its elderly?

Imagine it is the year 2050. In Asia Pacific, one in four people will be over the age of 60 years—three times the number of older people in 2010.

August 19, 2021
August 19, 2021

The climate crisis is a humanitarian crisis, for women and girls in particular

As we mark the World Humanitarian Day today, we need to take urgent action to engage in climate adaptation, build climate resilience and prepare all the better for the escalating disasters, displacement and cycles of vulnerability that the climate crisis is creating—a crisis that is proving particularly devastating for the health and wellbeing of women and girls.

October 10, 2020
October 10, 2020

As humanitarian crises escalate, so does child marriage

Mona’s village was located in the far west of Nepal when the devastating 2015 earthquake struck.

October 1, 2020
October 1, 2020

Why gender equality is the key to healthy ageing

In a relatively short time, Covid-19 has devastated the lives of millions globally. For hundreds of millions more, the toll wrought by the pandemic could have lasting effects for decades.

August 20, 2020
August 20, 2020

To address gender-based violence, we need creativity, collaboration and courage

One glaring truth the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has reinforced when it comes to gender-based violence is that it is a humanitarian, development and socioeconomic crisis—a persistent and daunting triple threat whose solutions must be grounded in gender equality and human rights.