UN Releases Report on Women’s Rights

March 7, 2025

A United Nations report revealed that nearly a quarter of governments reported a backlash against gender equality. This report, released by UN Women, coincided with International Women’s Day on 8 March. It brought into light the urgent need to protect and advance women’s rights amid increasing threats.

The State of Women’s Rights

The report, titled “Women’s Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing,” indicates that many women and girls are facing heightened discrimination. Legal protections have weakened, and resources for gender-focused programmes are dwindling. The last three decades have seen progress since the 1995 Beijing Declaration. However, misogyny is becoming mainstream rather than equal rights.

Legal Reforms and Rights

Since 1995, 1,531 legal reforms have been enacted to support gender equality. Yet, women still hold only 64 per cent of the legal rights men enjoy. While 88 per cent of countries have laws against gender-based violence, enforcement remains inconsistent. Financial support for services addressing this violence is inadequate. Women earn, on average, 20 per cent less than men.

Economic Inequality

Economic inequality is issue. Approximately 772 million women work in the informal economy without social protection. The digital gender gap further limits their economic opportunities. Artificial intelligence and online platforms often perpetuate harmful stereotypes, failing to protect women’s rights online.

Violence Against Women

Violence against women and girls is a global emergency. One in three women experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. Technology-facilitated violence, such as online harassment, adds to this crisis. Although 90 per cent of countries have laws against gender-based violence, only 79 per cent have comprehensive national action plans to tackle the issue.

Political Representation

Women’s political participation has improved but remains insufficient. Currently, women occupy 27 per cent of parliamentary seats globally, an increase from 11 per cent in 1995. However, the majority of seats are still held by men. Temporary special measures, like gender quotas, have proven effective in promoting gender parity in political representation.

The Beijing+30 Action Agenda

The Beijing+30 Action Agenda was launched to address these challenges. It focuses on six areas – bridging the digital gender divide, freedom from poverty, zero tolerance for violence, equal decision-making power, women’s roles in peace and security, and climate justice.

Financial Investment for Gender Equality

Achieving gender equality requires political will and financial investment. An estimated $360 billion per year is necessary to meet global gender equality targets by 2030. Collaboration among governments, civil society, and the private sector is crucial to close accountability and financing gaps.

« Previous Post Next Post »