The global progress made toward gender equality is fragile and facing serious threats, according to UN Women’s latest report. While gender parity has improved over the years, the 2024 report shows that one in four countries have experienced setbacks in women’s rights.
Belén Sanz, the regional director of UN Women Europe and Central Asia, noted that while women’s rights have made impressive strides, especially in education, health, and political representation, these gains are at risk of being undone. “The discrimination is deepening, legal protections are weakening, and funding for gender equality is shrinking,” Sanz warned.
Key Achievements Under Threat
The UN Women report, Women’s Rights in Review: 30 Years After Beijing, highlights that girls now have equal access to education, maternal mortality has dropped significantly, and women’s representation in parliaments has more than doubled. Despite these advancements, the report stressed that progress can be quickly reversed without continued effort.
“We must remain vigilant,” said Sanz, urging Europe to strengthen its commitment to gender equality to avoid any potential setbacks.
Countries Facing Rollback
The report pointed to countries such as Georgia, where the government recently removed the gender quota for women in parliament, signaling a rollback of women’s political rights. This raises concerns about the broader global backlash against gender equality.
In the European Union, approximately 50 million women are still subjected to sexual and physical violence, and progress in addressing gender-based violence has been slow. Between 2014 and 2024, the percentage of women affected by violence remained almost unchanged, at 30.7%.
Employment and Unpaid Care Gaps Persist
Women in Europe still face a substantial gender gap in the labor market, with only 44% of women employed compared to 69% of men. Additionally, women are burdened with a disproportionate amount of unpaid care work. Women in Europe and Central Asia spend 3.4 times more hours on unpaid work than men, continuing the gender disparity in domestic responsibilities.
Urgent Action Needed to Protect Progress
The report also highlighted that recent global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, and rising living costs, have exacerbated challenges for women and girls. These events have underscored the importance of preserving gender equality gains and addressing the barriers women face worldwide.
Investing in Women’s Rights
The suspension of US foreign aid has also affected UN Women’s ability to support vital programs, especially in conflict zones such as Ukraine. These funding cuts have impacted women’s peacebuilding efforts and reduced resources for survivors of violence.
Sanz emphasized the importance of continuing investment in gender equality, stating that empowering women brings high returns for both them and society. “Investing in women and girls is not an expense; it’s an investment with significant societal benefits,” she said.
Conclusion: A Call for Unified Global Action
Sanz concluded by stressing the urgent need for global cooperation in advancing and protecting women’s rights. “We cannot afford another setback,” she said. “Women and girls cannot wait, and we must take action now to ensure their progress continues.”