United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for urgent global action to fulfill the commitments of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, as the world marks the 30th anniversary of the landmark gender equality framework. Speaking at the opening of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) on Monday, Guterres warned that progress on women's rights faces significant threats, from systemic violence to emerging challenges posed by artificial intelligence and digital platforms.
A Turning Point for Women's Rights
Guterres emphasized that while the Beijing Declaration, adopted at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women, set a visionary agenda, 'women's rights are under siege.' He highlighted alarming statistics: 30% of women globally experience violence, while wage gaps and underrepresentation in political and technological leadership persist. 'Equality for women is not just a moral imperative—it’s the bedrock of sustainable development,' he stated.
CSW Session Addresses Systemic Barriers
The 69th CSW session, running until March 21 in New York, brings together representatives from 45 member states and civil society groups to evaluate progress and challenges. UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang cautioned that without accelerated efforts, eliminating poverty for women could take 137 years, and ending child marriage 68 years. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, warned of 'rising misogyny' compounded by global crises.
Pathways to Progress
Leaders outlined actionable steps, including closing the digital gender divide, boosting investments in education, and ensuring women's full participation in peacebuilding and policymaking. Guterres urged governments to 'stand firm' in implementing the Beijing Declaration’s principles, while Bahous stressed the need for stronger legal frameworks to combat violence.
The CSW session aims to align gender equality efforts with the UN’s 2030 Agenda, offering a critical platform to address setbacks and reignite momentum. As Yang noted: 'We are at a defining moment. Gender equality in our lifetime is possible—if we act now.'
