In 1995, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted by 181 countries at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China. This historic agreement laid the groundwork for advancing women’s rights and gender equality worldwide, se tting out a comprehensive blueprint in 12 critical areas, including women’s health, education, economic participation, and political rights. As the world marks the 30th anniversary of this commitment, the global situation of women remains a complex and multifaceted issue. While there has been notable progress in some areas, significant challenges persist.
Political Representation: A Long Road Ahead
Women’s participation in political leadership remains limited. As of January 2024, only 26 countries are led by women, and 113 nations have never had a female head of state or government. Women hold just 23% of ministerial positions globally, and in 141 countries, they make up less than a third of cabinet ministers. Alarmingly, seven countries have no women in their cabinets at all, as mentioned by UN Women in their 2024 report on global gender leadership trends.
Economic Disparities and Workforce Participation
Economic inequality continues to hinder women’s progress. Globally, women earn approximately 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. They also spend an average of 2.4 more hours per day on unpaid care work, limiting their opportunities for paid employment. Only 63% of women aged 25 to 54 participate in the labor force, compared to 92% of men. Moreover, women account for just 42% of the global workforce and 31.7% of senior leadership positions, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap Report and World Bank.
Social Protection Gaps
Social protection systems often fail to address women’s specific needs. A staggering two billion women and girls lack access to any form of social protection, including maternity benefits, unemployment insurance, and pensions. In sub-Saharan Africa, 94% of women give birth without access to maternity benefits, exacerbating economic vulnerabilities and health risks, according to a 2024 report by UN Women.
Violence Against Women: A Persistent Crisis
Violence against women remains a global crisis. One in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence, often at the hands of an intimate partner. Conflict-related sexual violence has increased by 50% over the past decade, with 95% of victims being children or young women. In 2023, 612 million women lived within 50 kilometers of an armed conflict, marking a 54% increase since 2010, according to the UN Women Global Gender Snapshot.
Digital Divide and Online Harassment
The digital realm presents both opportunities and challenges for women. While technology can empower, it also exposes women to new forms of harassment. In 12 countries across Europe and Central Asia, 53% of women have experienced online gender-based violence. Additionally, the digital gender gap limits women’s access to information, education, and economic opportunities, as reported by UN Women in their 2024 findings.
Backlash Against Women’s Rights
Worryingly, 25% of countries reported a rollback of women’s rights in 2024. Factors contributing to this regression include weakened democratic institutions, the rise of authoritarianism, and the spread of misogynistic ideologies. These developments threaten to undermine decades of progress in gender equality, as noted by UN Women in their March 2024 report.
Economic Implications of Gender Inequality
The economic cost of gender inequality is substantial. The global failure to invest in women’s education results in an annual loss of $10 trillion. Low- and middle-income countries stand to lose $500 billion over the next five years if they do not close the gender gap in internet usage. Enhancing support for female farmers could add $1 trillion to global GDP, according to a report by The Guardian.
Pathways to Progress
Despite these challenges, there are avenues for advancement. Countries like Mongolia have extended maternity leave benefits to informal workers, including herders and the self-employed. Mexico and Tunisia have taken steps to include domestic workers in social security systems. Senegal’s National Health Insurance scheme has adapted its services to cater to rural women, as highlighted in the UN Women report on policy progress.
The journey toward gender equality is ongoing and fraught with obstacles. While progress has been made, significant disparities persist in political representation, economic participation, social protection, and safety. Addressing these issues requires concerted efforts from governments, civil society, and international organizations to implement policies that empower women and promote equality.
About Author
Sahar El Zarzour is an advisory board member at The Momentum Point, a global consultancy focused on empowering businesses and professionals. A Lebanese journalist and consultant, Sahar has extensive experience in political media, journalism, editing, and presenting. She is deeply committed to using media as a tool to create positive social change.