International Women’s Day 2025
On 8 March every year, we are reminded of the ongoing mission for gender equality, ensuring that women have equal rights, opportunities, full participation, and access to all aspects of civil and political resources.
In a world facing mounting global crises, intensifying gender-based violence, and discrimination, it is more urgent than ever for us, and everyone dedicated to this mission, to continue and address inequalities that stand as barriers to justice and peace.
Progress and setbacks in numbers
In 2023, 612 million women and girls were exposed to displacements and rights violations due to armed conflicts, underlining how crucial gender-sensitive peace and security policies are.[1] What is encouraging is that gender provisions in peace agreements were increased to 31% between 2012 and 2020. However, progress remains fragile, as only 26% of agreements in 2023 mentioned women, girls, or gender considerations.[1]
Zeroing in on the local level, grassroots women’s groups played a vital role in three-quarters of informal peacebuilding efforts, showcasing the power of community-led activism. This highlights the importance and indispensability of international and transnational support to each grassroots human rights defender, enabling individuals to sustain their efforts in the long run.
At the same time, threats against women leaders and journalists are rising. In conflict-affected regions, at least 41 women human rights defenders were killed in 2023, while press violations against women journalists surged by 56%, including 21 murders – the highest in five years.[1][4] Among the reported cases, there were hundreds of instances of physical assault, cases of legal harassment, incidents of threats and intimidation, and a total of 951 press violations in 2024.[4] It is imperative to ensure the security of women journalists and their work in advancing sustainable development and safeguarding media plurality.
General view of the opening session of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, 4 September 1995. UN Photo/Milton Grant.
This year, 2025, marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark commitment to gender equality adopted by 189 governments at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, in 1995. The declaration remains a key framework for women’s rights even today.
Art credits: Abecor, The Hague, 2024.
Feminism is intersectional, cutting across ethnicity, gender, class, religion, education, and financial status. It is a movement by and for all, recognizing that gender justice and equality cannot be achieved if anyone is left behind.
“No one of us can be free until everybody is free”.
Maya Angelou
Moving forward: Strengthening our efforts for equal societies
Admittedly, the statistics presented are just the tip of the iceberg, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges in pursuing gender equality. While there have been notable improvements in policies and peace efforts, setbacks remain. This calls for renewed commitment from all actors envisioning social justice and equity, as it is our collective action that defends the rights of women and girls worldwide. After all, women’s rights are human rights.
In times of uncertainty and backlash, hope is more than an aspiration; it is an action. Built through shared strength and determination, it fuels our journey for gender equality, ensuring hard-won rights are not eroded. We cannot afford regression; the movement must remain resilient, its advocates must be protected, and their work must be reinforced. Change happens when responsibility is shared within communities and across borders. From every corner of the world, we must stand together to create a future where women and girls live free from violence, fear, and discrimination.