New York: As the world marks International Women’s Day, UN Women has issued a stark warning about the growing threats to gender equality and women’s rights worldwide. A new report by the agency, “Women’s Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing,” has highlighted setbacks, including increased discrimination, weakening legal protections, and reduced funding for gender-focused programs. The findings come at a critical time, as 2025 marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark global commitment to advancing women’s rights.
The report, released on the occasion of the 50th International Women’s Day, shows that nearly a quarter of governments globally have reported a backlash against women’s rights. Despite some progress over the last three decades, systemic gender disparities remain. The number of women and girls living in conflict zones has increased by 50 percent over the past decade, and cases of gender-based violence continue to rise. The report also raises concerns over the impact of digital technology, warning that artificial intelligence and social media are reinforcing harmful stereotypes while the digital gender gap limits opportunities for women.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres underlined the urgency of the situation. “When women and girls can rise, we all thrive. Yet, globally, women’s human rights are under attack. Instead of mainstreaming equal rights, we’re seeing the mainstreaming of misogyny,” he said.
UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous echoed the concerns, stating that while challenges remain, determined action is needed to push forward. “Complex challenges stand in the way of gender equality and women’s empowerment, but we remain steadfast, pushing forward with ambition and resolve,” she said.
Beijing+30 report highlights gains and challenges
The report reflects on three decades of progress since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration in 1995. Significant achievements include near gender parity in education, a one-third drop in maternal mortality rates, and a twofold increase in women’s political representation. More than 1,500 legal reforms aimed at eliminating gender discrimination have been enacted across 189 countries and territories since 1995.
However, the report also highlights persistent gaps. Only 87 countries have ever had a female head of state or government, and violence against women remains widespread, with a woman or girl killed by a family member every 10 minutes. Economic disparities continue, with women still facing barriers in accessing financial resources and job opportunities.
To address these challenges, UN Women has unveiled the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, a strategic plan focusing on six key areas: expanding women’s access to digital technology, increasing investments in social protection and education, implementing stronger laws against gender-based violence, ensuring greater political participation, financing women-led peace and security initiatives, and prioritizing gender-responsive climate action.
Global push for policy commitments
The report’s findings and the proposed action agenda will be central to discussions at the upcoming Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), where global leaders and policymakers are expected to outline measures to accelerate gender equality. The Beijing+30 commemoration will also provide a platform to reinforce commitments made in 1995 and introduce new strategies to address emerging challenges.
With just five years left to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, UN Women has urged governments, civil society, and the private sector to take decisive action. “We can be the first generation to live in an equal world,” the report states, emphasizing the need for stronger political will and increased financial commitments to safeguard progress on women’s rights.
