A Call to Action: UN Mobilizes to Accelerate Gender Equality Amid Rising Backlash

Introduction: A Renewed Commitment to Gender Equality

In a pivotal moment for global gender equality, the United Nations’ 193 member states came together to reaffirm their commitment to accelerating progress toward equal rights for women and girls. This commitment was solidified through a political declaration adopted during the annual meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the UN’s premier body dedicated to advancing gender equality. The declaration serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for collective action, as the world grapples with a growing backlash against women’s rights. It also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the landmark Beijing Women’s Conference, where nations unanimously adopted a comprehensive roadmap to achieve gender equality. Three decades later, the world acknowledges that while progress has been made, no country has yet achieved true gender equality, and the journey ahead remains fraught with challenges.

The Resurgence of Anti-Women’s Rights Sentiment: A Growing Concern

Despite decades of efforts to promote gender equality, the world is witnessing a troubling rise in anti-women’s rights sentiment. A recent report by UN Women revealed that nearly a quarter of governments worldwide reported a backlash against women’s rights in 2024. Sarah Hendriks, the agency’s policy and program director, expressed concerns that this number may be underreported, reflecting an increasingly hostile environment for women and girls. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored the severity of the situation, stating that women’s rights are “under siege” and that hard-won gains are being reversed. He pointed to attacks on reproductive rights, the dismantling of gender equality initiatives, and the persistence of violence and discrimination as key indicators of this regression.

The Beijing Platform at 30: A Milestone with Unfinished Business

The political declaration adopted by the UN member states coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Women’s Conference, a watershed moment in the global struggle for gender equality. In 1995, 189 countries called for bold action across 12 key areas, including the eradication of poverty, combating gender-based violence, advancing women’s health and rights, and ensuring women’s participation in leadership roles. The Beijing Platform for Action also made history by explicitly recognizing women’s right to make decisions about their own sexuality and reproductive health, free from coercion, discrimination, and violence. While the platform has been a foundational document for advancing gender equality, its promises remain unfulfilled for millions of women and girls worldwide. The UN acknowledges that progress has been slow and uneven, with significant gaps and obstacles still to overcome.

The UN’s Blueprint for Accelerating Gender Equality

In response to these challenges, the UN member states have pledged to take “concrete actions” across multiple fronts to accelerate progress toward gender equality. The declaration outlines a series of measures aimed at addressing the systemic barriers that women and girls face. These include promoting women’s access to credit and entrepreneurship, reducing the burden of unpaid care work by expanding social care systems, and fostering equal sharing of household responsibilities between men and women. The declaration also calls for closing the gender digital divide, ensuring access to quality education for girls, and implementing national plans to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. These actions are not only moral imperatives but also essential steps for achieving sustainable development and fostering inclusive growth.

The Role of Men and Boys as Allies in the Fight for Gender Equality

The political declaration recognizes the critical role that men and boys must play as “strategic partners and allies” in achieving gender equality. This acknowledgment reflects a growing understanding that gender equality is not just a women’s issue but a societal one that requires the active participation of all individuals. By involving men and boys in efforts to challenge patriarchal norms and promote gender justice, the UN hopes to create a more equitable society where everyone can thrive. This inclusive approach is reflected in the makeup of the Commission on the Status of Women’s meetings, where young women are increasingly being given a platform to share their perspectives and experiences.

Harnessing Technology to Empower Women and Girls

The declaration also highlights the importance of leveraging technology to empower women and girls. While technology has the potential to be a powerful tool for advancing gender equality, it also presents new challenges. The UN has warned that emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, are being misused to perpetuate violence and abuse. For instance, the proliferation of deepfake technology has led to a surge in non-consensual pornographic images, with women being disproportionately affected. To address these challenges, the UN is calling for concerted efforts to ensure that women and girls have equal access to technology and can benefit from its transformative potential.

A Call to Stand Up for Women’s Rights

In his address to the Commission, Secretary-General Guterres urged governments and individuals around the world to “stand up and speak out” for women’s rights. He emphasized that the promises of the Beijing Platform must be turned into action, and that real progress requires inclusive governance, sustained investments, and unwavering political will. The declaration adopted by the UN member states reflects this urgency, calling for concrete actions to address the systemic inequalities that women and girls face. As the UN looks to the future, there is a growing recognition that achieving gender equality will require bold leadership, innovative solutions, and a commitment to justice and human rights.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

The political declaration adopted by the UN member states is a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility to achieve gender equality. While progress has been made since the Beijing Women’s Conference, the persistence of systemic inequalities and the rise of anti-women’s rights sentiment underscore the need for renewed commitment and action. By fostering inclusive governance, leveraging technology for good, and engaging men and boys as allies, the global community can create a world where women and girls have the opportunities and resources they need to thrive. The UN’s call to action is a beacon of hope for a more equitable future, and it is up to all of us to ensure that the promises made are fulfilled.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the UN’s latest efforts to accelerate gender equality, highlighting the challenges, opportunities, and calls to action that shape the global conversation on women’s rights. It underscores the importance of collective action and the need for sustained commitment to ensure that the promises of equality and justice are realized for all.