A Historic Setback: Women’s Rights Under Attack Globally
Thirty years ago, world leaders came together to adopt a groundbreaking blueprint for gender equality at the 1995 Beijing women’s conference. This landmark declaration outlined bold steps to combat poverty, gender-based violence, and to elevate women to leadership roles in business, government, and peacemaking. However, a new United Nations report reveals a disturbing reality: women’s and girls’ rights are increasingly under attack, and gender discrimination remains deeply entrenched in societies and economies worldwide. The report, released by UN Women ahead of International Women’s Day, highlights that nearly one-quarter of governments reported a backlash against women’s rights last year. This trend, while not new, has gained speed and scale, particularly in patriarchal societies where traditional norms dominate.
Backlash Against Gender Equality: A Global Phenomenon
The backlash against gender equality is not confined to any single region but is a global phenomenon. Thirty-five countries reported a pushback on gender equality, including nations as diverse as Spain, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Lebanon, and Australia. UN Women’s policy and program director, Sarah Hendriks, emphasized that the number of countries reporting such backslides is likely underreported, reflecting an increasingly hostile environment for women and girls. This regression is particularly evident in countries with deeply patriarchal societies, where efforts to advance women’s rights are met with resistance and, at times, violence. The report underscores that the fight for gender equality is far from over and, in many cases, is being actively undermined.
Progress and Persistent Challenges: A Mixed Picture
Despite some progress in areas such as girls’ education and access to family planning, the report paints a stark picture of the ongoing struggles faced by women and girls. Shockingly, a woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by a partner or family member, and cases of conflict-related sexual violence have surged by 50% since 2022. While 88% of countries have passed laws to combat violence against women and established support services for victims, gaps in implementation and enforcement remain significant. Women and girls continue to lag behind in accessing modern family planning, with maternal mortality ratios showing little improvement since 2015. Additionally, 10% of women and girls live in extreme poverty, further exacerbating their vulnerabilities.
Democratic Erosion and the Rise of Anti-Equality Movements
The weakening of democratic institutions has been linked to the resurgence of anti-gender equality movements. UN Women warns that “anti-rights actors” are actively working to undermine hard-won gains in women’s rights, seeking to block or reverse legal and policy advancements. This backlash has been particularly evident in countries where democratic norms are eroding, creating an environment in which women’s rights are increasingly vulnerable. The report notes that nearly 25% of countries reported that this backlash has hindered the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, a watershed document adopted in 1995. This regression threatens to roll back decades of progress and further entrench gender inequalities.
A Call to Action: UN Women’s Roadmap for Equality
In response to these challenges, UN Women has unveiled a roadmap to accelerate progress toward achieving gender equality by 2030. The plan calls for three key areas of focus: a digital revolution ensuring equal access to technology for women and girls, investments in social protections such as universal healthcare and quality education, and a commitment to ending violence against women and girls entirely. The roadmap also emphasizes the importance of equal decision-making power for women and the need for gender-responsive humanitarian aid in conflict zones. UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous has reiterated the urgency of this mission, calling on governments, civil society, and individuals to stand firm in their commitment to human rights and equality for all women and girls.
Conclusion: The Fight for Gender Equality Continues
The UN report serves as a stark reminder that the fight for gender equality is far from over. Despite some gains, the persistent and growing threats to women’s rights demand immediate and collective action. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, “Globally, women’s human rights are under attack,” and the world must stand firm in its commitment to equality and empowerment. The roadmap outlined by UN Women offers a clear path forward, but its success will depend on the willingness of governments, institutions, and individuals to confront the deeply ingrained biases and systemic barriers that continue to hold women and girls back. The time to act is now, for the sake of millions of women and girls whose rights and dignity depend on it.
