Significant number of nations document regressions in women's rights in the year 2024

In a significant move towards gender equality, UN Women has published the report "Women's Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing." The report, released ahead of the UN 50 International Women's Day, serves as a roadmap for completing unfinished business in gender equality and women's empowerment.

The report focuses on women's rights and equal opportunities, with the ambitious goal of making the current generation the first to live in an equal world. The Action Agenda, outlined in the report, focuses on six main areas: a digital revolution for all women and girls, freedom from poverty, zero violence, full and equal decision-making power, peace and security, and climate justice.

António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, affirmed that women's human rights are under attack and that we must stand firm in making human rights, equality, and empowerment a reality for all women and girls. UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous echoed this sentiment, stating that the organization is committed to ensuring that all women and girls can fully enjoy their rights and freedoms.

The report shows that in 2024, a woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by a partner or member of her own family. This staggering statistic underscores the urgency of the Action Agenda. The report also highlights a 50% increase in the number of women and girls living in conflict in the past decade, demonstrating the need for action in the areas of peace and security and climate justice.

Between 1995 and 2024, a total of 191 countries participated in the 1531 legal reforms to promote women's rights. However, the report reveals that in 2024 nearly a quarter of governments worldwide reported a backlash on women's rights. This pushback, coupled with the crises faced in 2024, underscores the importance of the Action Agenda.

The Beijing+30 commemoration and the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) are opportunities to enshrine the Action Agenda into national policies, regional strategies, and global agreements. The report is relevant to global, policy, and finance topics related to cities, as well as digitalization.

However, the report does not mention any harassment, personal attacks, or death faced by women's rights defenders. This omission is concerning, given the daily challenges faced by these advocates. Putting young women and girls at the heart of our efforts is crucial for guaranteeing success in these six areas.

The report "Women's Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing" is a call to action for everyone. It underscores the need for continued effort and commitment to achieving gender equality and women's empowerment. The world must stand firm in its pursuit of an equal world for all women and girls.

Significant number of nations document regressions in women's rights in the year 2024