Nearly a quarter of governments across the world reported a backlash on women's rights in 2024, according to a UN report published on Thursday, March 6. Women's and girls' rights are facing unprecedented growing threats worldwide, from higher levels of discrimination to weaker legal protections, and less funding for programs and institutions that support and protect women, said the report released by UN Women, ahead of International Women's Day on March 8. The report, titled Women's Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing, found that in the past decade, the world registered a disturbing 50 percent increase in the number of women and girls living in conflict. Recent global crises -- like COVID-19, the climate emergency, soaring food and fuel prices -- are only increasing the urgency to respond, it said. Despite substantial progress made in some fields since the 1995 World Conference on Women, such as girls education, maternal mortality, and women's representation in parliaments, the report said that significant efforts are still required to achieve gender equality and bring us closer to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Data shows only 87 countries have ever been led by a woman, and a woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by a partner or member of her own family. Digital technology and artificial intelligence spread harmful stereotypes, while the digital gender gap limits women's opportunities. Featuring the new Beijing+30 Action Agenda, the report outlined six points on its action plan to address gender inequality: a digital revolution for all women and girls, freedom from poverty, zero violence against women and girls, full and equal decision-making power, peace and security, as well as climate justice. 2025 marks 30 years of progress since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most visionary roadmap on women's rights from the 1995 World Conference on Women. Complex challenges stand in the way of gender equality and women's empowerment, but we remain steadfast, pushing forward with ambition and resolve. Women and girls are demanding change -- and they deserve nothing less, said UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.
