United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on the world to accelerate progress on gender equality and fulfill the promise of the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action as it marks its 30th anniversary.
Speaking at the opening of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)</strong), Guterres emphasized that despite advancements, women's rights are "under siege" three decades after the groundbreaking agreement was adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing.
“Now is the time for those of us who care about equality for women and girls to stand up and to speak out,” Guterres said. “Now is the time for the world to accelerate progress and deliver on the promise of Beijing.”
The UN chief highlighted persistent issues such as violence, discrimination, and economic inequality. He noted that the gender pay gap remains at 20 percent globally, and almost one in three women have experienced violence. Guterres also warned that new technologies, including artificial intelligence, are creating platforms for abuse and normalizing misogyny online.
He urged all countries to honor their commitments by investing in education, tackling violence against women and girls, supporting women’s organizations, encouraging women’s leadership in technology, and ensuring their full participation in society.
The 69th session of the CSW, held from March 10 to 21 at the UN headquarters in New York, brings together representatives from around the world to review the implementation of the Beijing Declaration. The session focuses on assessing challenges and accelerating progress toward gender equality and the empowerment of women, contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Philemon Yang, President of the UN General Assembly, cautioned that “inaction and outdated policies are threatening backsliding on hard-won gains on women’s rights.” He noted that at the current pace, it could take 137 years to lift all women out of poverty and 68 years to end child marriage.
“We are at a defining moment,” Yang said. “I believe it is possible to achieve gender equality in our lifetime if we seize this opportunity.”
Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, echoed these sentiments, warning that misogyny is on the rise and that women are disproportionately affected by crises and conflicts worldwide. She called for actions like closing the digital divide, investing in ending poverty, and strengthening laws to break the cycle of violence against women and girls.
The CSW is the foremost global assembly dedicated to promoting and safeguarding the rights of women and girls. It brings together civil society members, government officials, policymakers, and experts to evaluate progress, discuss critical issues, and build consensus on initiatives to enhance the well-being of women and girls globally.
