As International Women’s Day approaches, the United Nations has warned in a report that the rights of women and girls worldwide are facing unprecedented challenges.
UN Women’s latest report “Women’s Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing”, published ahead of the UN 50th International Women’s Day on 8 March, said that in 2024 nearly a quarter of governments worldwide reported a backlash on women’s rights.
Despite important progress, 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, according to the report.
In the past decade, the world registered a disturbing 50 percent increase in the number of women and girls living in conflict, and women’s rights defenders confront daily harassment, personal attacks and even death.
Recent global crises—like COVID-19, the climate emergency, soaring food and fuel prices—are only increasing the urgency to respond.
The report emphasizes that the world still needs urgent action to protect and expand women’s rights.
“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,” said António Guterres, UN Secretary-General.
“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,” affirmed UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.
According to Bahous, “UN Women is committed to ensuring that ALL Women and Girls, everywhere, can fully enjoy their rights and freedoms.”
