By Foday Moriba Conteh

In commemorating International Women’s Day 2025, UN Women has called on everyone to stand up for the rights, empowerment and equality of all women and girls. According to reports, one in four countries experienced a backlash against women’s rights in 2024. Women’s and girls’ rights are facing unprecedented challenges globally, with increasing discrimination, weaker legal protections and reduced funding for gender-focused programs and institutions.

UN Women’s latest report, Women’s Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing, published ahead of the 50th International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024, reveals that nearly a quarter of Governments worldwide have reported a regression in women’s rights.

Despite notable progress over the years, the report highlights that only 87 countries have ever been led by a woman, and shockingly, a woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by a partner or a family member. The digital space has also proven to be a double-edged sword, with artificial intelligence and technology reinforcing harmful gender stereotypes while the digital gender gap limits women’s opportunities.

The past decade has also witnessed a disturbing 50% increase in the number of women and girls affected by conflicts, while women’s rights defenders continue to face harassment, personal attacks and even death. Global crises such as COVID-19, climate change and economic instability have further exacerbated gender inequalities, making immediate action more crucial than ever.

“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. Together, we must stand firm in making human rights, equality and empowerment a reality for all women and girls, for everyone, everywhere,” stated UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Echoing that call, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous reaffirmed the organization’s commitment: “UN Women is dedicated to ensuring that ALL Women and Girls, everywhere can fully enjoy their rights and freedoms. The challenges are complex, but our determination to push forward remains unwavering. Women and girls are demanding change and they deserve nothing less.”

As the world marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most comprehensive roadmap for advancing women’s rights, the UN report acknowledges significant strides. Since 1995:

- Gender parity has been achieved in girls’ education.


- Maternal mortality has declined by one-third.


- Women’s representation in parliaments has more than doubled.


- Over 1,531 legal reforms have been enacted in 189 countries to remove discriminatory laws.

However, those advances are not enough. The report emphasizes that achieving full gender equality and meeting the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development require intensified efforts.

The Beijing+30 Action Agenda outlines six key areas where urgent action is needed:

- Digital Inclusion – Ensuring women and girls have equal access to technology, leading in AI and digital innovation and guaranteeing online safety.


- Freedom from Poverty – Investing in social protection, universal healthcare, education and robust care services to create sustainable opportunities.


- Eliminating Violence Against Women and Girls – Strengthening legal frameworks, increasing funding and supporting grassroots organizations combating gender-based violence.


- Equal Decision-Making Power – Enforcing gender quotas and policies to accelerate women’s political and economic participation.


- Peace and Security – Fully financing gender-responsive humanitarian aid and empowering women-led organizations as key actors in conflict resolution and peace-building.


- Climate Justice – Prioritizing women’s leadership in climate adaptation and ensuring equal access to emerging green jobs and sustainable opportunities.

Additionally, the agenda stresses the importance of placing young women and girls at the heart of these efforts, ensuring that future generations inherit a more equal world.

With the upcoming Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) and the continued commemoration of Beijing+30, global leaders, policymakers, and activists have a critical opportunity to institutionalize these reforms at national, regional, and global levels.

In a year marked by unprecedented challenges and growing resistance to gender equality, UN Women urges all stakeholders including Governments, civil society and the private sector to push back against setbacks and advocate for a world where all women and girls enjoy full rights and equal opportunities.

As UN Women reaffirms, “We can be the first generation that lives in an equal world.”