From 2 to 31 March 2026, UNU is hosting "Unstereotype," a special exhibition commemorating International Women's Day. The exhibition is organized by the UN Women Japan Office, and co-hosted by UNU and the Unstereotype Alliance Japan National Chapter.
International Women's Day is celebrated each year on 8 March to bring awareness to issues impacting women all over the world, honour women’s contributions, and bring people together to reflect on gender equality. Aligned with these goals, this special exhibition, "Unstereotype", invites visitors to critically examine stereotypes embedded in advertising, the media, and everyday life.
Stereotypes often exist so naturally in our daily lives that we fail to notice them — yet they can quietly limit the choices available to others. This exhibition offers an opportunity to pause and reflect on our assumptions behind the words, actions and expressions we encounter every day. The exhibition aims to foster dialogue towards a society where diverse identities are respected, and to inspire each visitor to carry home a new perspective.
"Achieving a gender-equal society requires not only reforming laws and institutions, but also recognizing the unconscious biases inside us", said Ms. Naoe Yakiya, Representative of the UN Women Japan Office. "Advertising and artistic expression, in their desire to reach wide audiences and leave quick, lasting impressions, can sometimes reinforce stereotypes, yet they also hold tremendous power to break stereotypes and present new values. We hope this exhibition will serve as a catalyst for media professionals, businesses and organizations, young people, and all visitors to reflect on the responsibility and potential of expression, and to take action towards a society where everyone can live as their authentic selves."
Venue
The exhibition is located on the second floor of the United Nations University Headquarters in Tokyo. Admission is free and open to all. Pre-registration is not required.
Opening hours
Weekdays during 2–31 March 2026, 10:00–17:00.
The exhibition will be closed during 4 - 6 March
The exhibition may be partially inaccessible on 17 March* due to events being held in adjacent spaces.
*Dates are subject to change. Please check this webpage for the latest information.
The exhibition may become temporarily unavailable without prior notice. Please check this webpage for the latest updates.
About the Exhibition
This exhibition is held as part of the global initiative "Unstereotype Alliance" — a UN Women-led coalition founded in 2017 and dedicated to eliminating harmful stereotypes from society.
The exhibition will feature 20 works created and contributed by UN Women partners, including member companies of the Unstereotype Alliance. The key visual artwork has been created and contributed by Shiseido Co., Ltd., a member of the Alliance, and will be unveiled at the Opening Ceremony on 2 March.
For production credits, please visit the UN Women Japan Office website.
About International Women's Day
International Women's Day (IWD), observed annually on 8 March, was designated by the United Nations in 1975. It is a day to celebrate the achievements women have made in advancing peace and social progress, while renewing commitments to further empowerment and a better future. The IWD theme for 2026 is "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls." — a call to concrete action for women and girls everywhere.
To learn more, visit: https://go.unu.edu/JUm6i
