One in Four Countries Experience Backlash Against Women’s Rights in 2024

Women's Rights Under Threat: UN Report Highlights Growing Backlash

A new report from UN Women, titled Women’s Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing, has revealed concerning trends in gender equality worldwide. Released ahead of the UN’s 50th International Women’s Day on March 8, 2025, the report highlights that nearly a quarter of governments worldwide reported a backlash against women's rights in 2024.

Despite decades of advocacy, progress on gender equality is being hindered by economic instability, climate change, rising conflicts, and political resistance.

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A Generation at Risk

Although 87 countries have had female leaders at some point in history, true gender parity remains elusive.

A particularly alarming statistic from the report states that every 10 minutes, a woman or girl is killed by a family member or intimate partner.

The digital landscape is also amplifying gender disparities. Artificial intelligence and certain social media platforms are reinforcing harmful stereotypes, while women and girls continue to be underrepresented in technology and digital-related careers.

Additionally, in the past decade, the number of women and girls directly exposed to conflict has risen by 50%. Women’s rights activists continue to face harassment, personal attacks, and even assassination attempts.

The report emphasizes that pressing issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, rising food and fuel costs, and the erosion of democratic institutions are not just slowing progress—they are actively reversing hard-won gains.

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‘We Must Stand Firm’

“When women and girls thrive, the entire world benefits,” stated UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his message for International Women’s Day. However, instead of advancing equal rights, “we are witnessing the mainstreaming of misogyny.”

Guterres urged global solidarity: “We must stand firm in ensuring human rights, equality, and empowerment for all women and girls, everywhere.”

UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous reinforced this message: “Complex challenges hinder gender equality and women’s empowerment, but we remain steadfast.”

She added, “Women and girls are demanding change—and they deserve nothing less.”

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Beijing+30: Progress and Challenges

As the world approaches the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration in 2025, UN Women’s report acknowledges significant progress in advancing women’s rights.

Since 1995:
✅ 1,531 legal reforms have been introduced to support gender equality.
✅ Maternal mortality has dropped by a third.
✅ Women’s representation in parliaments has more than doubled.

However, challenges remain in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The newly launched Beijing+30 Action Agenda outlines key areas that require urgent action, including:
– Ensuring equal access to technology and enhancing online safety for women and girls.
– Investing in social protection, universal healthcare, and education to strengthen women’s economic independence.
– Providing dedicated funding for women-led organizations to promote lasting peace.
– Prioritizing women’s leadership in environmental policies and expanding equal access to green jobs.
– Enforcing stronger legislation against gender-based violence, including well-funded support systems for grassroots organizations working on prevention and response.

The Beijing+30 anniversary—along with the upcoming 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69)—offers a crucial opportunity to integrate these priorities into national policies, regional strategies, and global commitments.

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From Commitment to Action

As gender equality faces an unprecedented global challenge, UN Women is calling on governments, businesses, and civil society to strengthen their commitments and resist the backlash against women's rights.

In this pivotal year, “UN Women remains dedicated to ensuring that all women and girls, everywhere, can fully exercise their rights and freedoms.”

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