A new report by UN Women has revealed that nearly one-quarter of countries worldwide experienced a regression in women’s rights last year, with democratic backsliding, climate change, and emerging technologies contributing to the decline. The findings, released ahead of International Women’s Day, highlight a troubling global trend where gender discrimination remains deeply entrenched in societies and economies.
According to the report, “The weakening of democratic institutions has gone hand in hand with backlash on gender equality,” as anti-rights groups actively work to dismantle long-standing protections for women. The Beijing Platform for Action, a landmark agreement from the 1995 World Conference on Women, is increasingly difficult to implement due to opposition from conservative forces. Nearly 25% of surveyed countries reported that these setbacks are directly hindering progress.
Despite some advancements, such as the doubling of female representation in parliaments since 1995, men still hold about 75% of legislative positions. Additionally, while the number of women benefiting from social protections has increased by a third since 2010, two billion women and girls still live without adequate social security.
Escalating Violence and Economic Barriers
Gender-based violence remains a persistent crisis worldwide, with alarming statistics reflecting its scale. The report states that one in three women globally experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. Additionally, a woman or girl is killed by a partner or family member every 10 minutes. Conflict-related sexual violence has surged by 50% in the past decade, with women and young girls comprising 95% of victims.
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The geographical spread of violence has also expanded. In 2023, 612 million women lived within 50 kilometers of active conflict zones, marking a 54% rise since 2010. Digital spaces have become another battleground for gender-based violence, with at least 53% of women in 12 European and Central Asian countries reporting online abuse.
Beyond violence, economic inequality continues to stall progress. Gender employment gaps have remained unchanged for decades, with 63% of women aged 25-54 engaged in paid employment compared to 92% of men. Women continue to hold only 64% of the legal rights that men do, limiting their economic opportunities. Additionally, young women aged 15 to 24 face the greatest obstacles in accessing modern family planning services, while maternal mortality rates have barely improved since 2015.
Global Commitments Falling Short
While many nations have enacted laws against gender-based violence and workplace discrimination, enforcement remains inconsistent. The report notes that 88% of countries have established legal protections for women, yet discriminatory social norms and power imbalances continue to limit their effectiveness.
Despite some progress in girls’ education and family planning access, only 87 countries have ever had a female head of state. The presence of women in political leadership remains limited, reinforcing systemic barriers to change. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that instead of advancing equal rights, the world is witnessing “the mainstreaming of misogyny.” He urged global leaders to reaffirm their commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The report highlights that while 44% of nations are improving education and vocational training for women, only targeted investments in social protection and economic inclusion will close the gender gap. The persistence of extreme poverty among women, particularly in crisis-stricken regions, remains a pressing issue.
A Roadmap for the Future
UN Women has outlined a multi-part strategy to counter the setbacks and accelerate gender equality efforts by 2030. The proposed plan includes ensuring equitable access to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, advancing climate justice, increasing women’s participation in decision-making, and securing stronger legal protections against gender-based violence.
A key priority is addressing the gender digital divide. Ensuring that women and girls have equal access to technological advancements is essential for economic independence and political empowerment. Additionally, investments in universal healthcare, quality education, and social protections are critical to lifting women out of poverty.
As backlash against women’s rights continues, experts stress the importance of sustained international pressure to uphold legal protections and counter regressive policies. Without urgent action, the hard-fought gains of past decades risk being further eroded, pushing gender equality even further out of reach.