The journey toward gender equality has been long and filled with both progress and setbacks. Thirty years ago, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action marked a significant moment in history when 189 governments adopted a comprehensive framework for women’s rights. This agreement covered essential areas such as education, health, political participation, and the elimination of gender-based violence. Since its adoption, the world has witnessed significant progress in advancing gender equality. For instance, there are now over 1,500 legislative measures across 193 countries addressing issues like domestic violence, and women’s participation in peace and security has significantly increased. However, despite these gains, gender equality remains difficult to define in many parts of the world, and progress has slowed in recent years.

The global situation for women and girls has become increasingly alarming. In 2024, 612 million women and girls lived in conflict-affected areas, representing a 50% increase in just ten years. Insecurity, rising authoritarianism, and diminishing trust in democratic systems have compounded the barriers women face. International organisations like UN Women have continued to champion women’s rights and gender equality through campaigns such as “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” Yet, despite these ongoing efforts, there is a prevalent question: Why has progress been so limited, and what can be done to overcome the challenges ahead?

One of the most significant obstacles to gender equality is the inconsistent implementation of laws designed to protect women. While legislative progress has been notable, with many countries enacting laws against domestic violence, sexual harassment, and workplace discrimination, the enforcement of these laws remains weak. In numerous cases, deeply entrenched patriarchal norms, weak legal systems, and lack of political will undermine legal protections. Survivors of gender-based violence often encounter substantial barriers to accessing justice, including social stigma, financial constraints, and inadequate legal aid services. This undermines the very purpose of these legal frameworks and perpetuates the cycle of violence and inequality.

Moreover, political commitments to gender equality often fall short in practice. For example, while there has been an increase in women’s political representation, this has not translated into meaningful systemic change. In many cases, women in leadership positions remain constrained by societal expectations and are unable to enact policies that challenge patriarchal structures.

Furthermore, anti-gender movements have become a powerful force working against gender equality. These movements seek to reverse hard-won rights and entrench patriarchal power structures by promoting regressive policies that limit access to education, healthcare, and reproductive rights. Comprehensive sexuality education is one of the key battlegrounds, with many countries capitulating to the influence of conservative factions to restrict or entirely prohibit it.

In addition to the challenges posed by political resistance, women and girls face severe vulnerabilities due to the global climate crisis. The climate crisis has exacerbated existing gender inequalities, with girls in marginalised communities suffering disproportionately. According to the United Nations, over one billion children are at extreme risk from climate-related disasters. Women and girls are more likely to be displaced by environmental disasters, face increased risks of violence, and have less access to basic services such as education and healthcare in times of crisis. Yet, gender-specific responses to climate change remain largely absent from international policies, leaving many of the most vulnerable people without adequate support.

Despite these challenges, there is still hope for improving gender equality. The global community must take urgent and comprehensive action to ensure that gender equality becomes a reality for all. To achieve this, the international response must focus on strengthening legal frameworks, protecting the rights of women and girls, and addressing the unique challenges posed by the intersection of gender inequality and other global crises such as climate change.

The first step in accelerating gender equality is to ensure that existing laws are not just passed but also effectively implemented. Governments must prioritise enforcement mechanisms and hold violators accountable. This means increasing funding for shelters, legal aid services, and counselling for survivors of gender-based violence. It also means creating specialised gender units within law enforcement agencies to handle cases of domestic violence, sexual harassment, and online abuse. These measures will help ensure that the legal protections for women and girls are not merely symbolic but lead to tangible change.

Another crucial aspect of advancing gender equality is ensuring that women and girls are recognised as leaders and agents of change. Far too often, young women and adolescent girls are excluded from decision-making processes, despite their potential to drive transformative change. To unlock their potential, we must provide young women with access to leadership training, political mentorship, and financial support for their initiatives. We must also ensure that young feminist activists are protected from harassment, both online and offline. Creating safe spaces for young women to participate in political and civic life will enable them to challenge the status quo and advocate for the rights of women and girls more effectively.

Finally, the global community must recognise the intersection between gender equality and climate justice. Women and girls in marginalised communities are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, yet they are often excluded from decision-making processes on climate change policies. It is crucial that we develop gender-responsive climate policies that prioritise the needs of women and girls, particularly those who are vulnerable to displacement, violence, and exploitation. This means ensuring that women are at the forefront of climate action and that climate policies address the specific challenges faced by girls in crisis situations.

As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, we must not only celebrate the progress that has been made but also acknowledge the work that still remains. The world stands at a crossroads, and without urgent and sustained action, the rights of women and girls could continue to erode. The next decade will be crucial in determining whether we can close the gender gap and create a world where women and girls can fully realise their potential.