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A new United Nations report warns that women’s rights are increasingly under threat worldwide, with growing discrimination, weakened legal protections, and reduced funding for gender equality initiatives.
The report, Women’s Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing, was released ahead of the UN’s 50th International Women’s Day on March 8. It highlights that nearly a quarter of governments globally are expected to report a rollback in women’s rights by 2024.
Speaking at a press conference on March 6, Sarah Hendriks, Director of UN Women’s Policy, Program, and Intergovernmental Division, acknowledged the progress made but cautioned that gains remain fragile. “Women and girls experience more equality today than ever before, showing that change is possible. However, this progress has been too slow, inconsistent, and is not guaranteed,” she said.
The report also warns of a growing backlash against gender equality, fueled by well-funded anti-rights groups actively working to undermine hard-won gains. Hendriks illustrated the slow pace of change, noting that a girl born today may not see equal representation in government until she is nearly 40, and poverty— which disproportionately affects women— may not be eradicated until she is 137 years old.
Progress and Persistent Challenges
Papa Seck, Chief of UN Women’s Research and Data section, pointed to significant strides over the past 30 years, including:
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A doubling of women’s representation in parliaments.
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A one-third reduction in maternal mortality.
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Gender parity in upper secondary education.
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1,500 legal reforms across 189 countries to promote gender equality.
However, Seck emphasized that deep disparities remain. Despite the rise in female parliamentarians, men still hold three-quarters of legislative seats, shaping policies that often fail to address women’s experiences. Women in politics also face high levels of violence and harassment, exacerbated by digital abuse.
Other concerns include:
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Stalled maternal mortality progress since 2015, leaving millions of women at risk.
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60 million girls—particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia—still unable to complete their education.
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One in five girls globally still married as children.
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Minimal progress in labor force participation over the past two decades, worsened by COVID-19.
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A 50% rise in conflict-related sexual violence in 2022, with women and girls most affected.
Seck concluded that while legal reforms are essential, their implementation remains a significant challenge, and urgent action is needed to safeguard and accelerate progress toward gender equality.
