UN Women at 15: Urges Bold Action to Reverse Setbacks in Gender Equality

As UN Women marks its 15th anniversary, the organization is reflecting on both significant gains and serious setbacks in the fight for gender equality. Despite transformative progress over the past decade and a half—thanks to global advocacy, community organizing, and international policy commitments—the momentum behind women’s rights is now under threat.

With more than 4 billion women and girls worldwide counting on the global community to deliver on the promises of equality, dignity, and opportunity, UN Women is sounding the alarm that many hard-won rights are being rolled back, and urgent action is required to safeguard and accelerate change.

“This is a historic and precarious moment,” the agency said in a statement marking its 15th anniversary. “The progress achieved cannot be taken for granted. The time for bold leadership and unwavering commitment is now.”

The urgency of this call is grounded in sobering data from across the globe.

Rising Global Concerns and Reversals

A March 2025 survey revealed that public concern about the lack of progress on gender equality has surged by 60%. Meanwhile, reports from over 150 national governments submitted to UN Women show that:

• Nearly one in four countries is experiencing an active backlash against women’s rights.

• Gender-based violence is intensifying, with 85,000 women and girls killed intentionally in 2023—one every 10 minutes.

• The gender digital divide is expanding, with 277 million more men than women accessing the Internet in 2024.

• Over 600 million women and girls now live within 50 km of an active conflict zone, a number up more than 50% from a decade ago.

These developments, combined with widening economic inequality, deepening climate impacts, and diminishing political representation, threaten to reverse decades of advancement.

A Critical Year of Reflection

2025 is a landmark year for gender equality. It marks:

• 15 years of UN Women, the UN’s principal entity focused on empowering women and girls.

• 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most comprehensive global policy blueprint for women's rights.

• 25 years since UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which underscored the importance of women’s roles in peace and security.

These milestones are reminders of promises made—and, too often, unfulfilled.

15 Actions for 15 Years: UN Women’s Roadmap Forward

To address this critical juncture, UN Women has outlined 15 priority actions to protect and advance the rights of women and girls globally:

1. Confront the Backlash

With a quarter of countries experiencing regression in women's rights, renewed political will and protective laws are vital to hold the line.

2. End Conflicts and Protect Civilians

The number of women and girls near conflict zones is soaring. Governments must invest in peacebuilding, prevention, and diplomacy.

3. Put Women at the Peace Table

Between 2020 and 2023, eight in ten peace talks excluded women. Ensuring women’s full and meaningful participation in conflict resolution is proven to yield longer-lasting peace.

4. Eradicate Poverty

Today, 1 in 10 women and girls live in extreme poverty. Social protection policies—like cash transfers, paid leave, and pensions—are key to reversing this trend.

5. Tackle Food Insecurity

Despite producing one-third of the world’s food, women face disproportionately high levels of hunger and malnutrition. Legal reforms and wage equality in agriculture are urgent.

6. End Violence Against Women

The systemic violence killing more than 230 women daily must be addressed through stronger laws, better data, and support for survivors and rights groups.

7. Support Women’s Economic Access

Women spend 2.5 times more hours than men on unpaid care work. Investing in care systems could create up to 300 million new jobs by 2035.

8. Close the Gender Pay Gap

Women still earn 20% less than men for work of equal value. Equal pay legislation, pay transparency, and equitable parental leave are essential remedies.

9. Fight Climate Injustice

Climate shocks could force 158 million more women into poverty by 2050. Yet only 28% of environment ministers are women. Women's leadership must be central in climate action.

10. Ensure Women in Leadership

Women hold just 25% of parliamentary seats worldwide, and 103 countries have never had a woman head of state. Quotas, anti-violence policies, and norm-shifting campaigns are needed.

11. Dismantle Legal Discrimination

In over half of countries, laws still limit women’s ability to work or access assets. Legal reform must be prioritized to establish gender parity under the law.

12. Bridge the Digital Divide

The gender digital gap is costing low- and middle-income countries $500 billion in lost GDP. Women’s access to technology, education, and online safety must be fast-tracked.

13. Educate Every Girl

More than 119 million girls remain out of school. Governments must reduce costs, provide cash incentives, and ensure safe, inclusive classrooms for all.

14. End Maternal Mortality

Nearly 800 women die daily from preventable pregnancy-related causes, many in fragile states. More investment in reproductive health services and health systems is crucial.

15. Increase Gender Financing

Only 4% of official aid supports gender equality as its primary goal. Funding must be dramatically scaled up across public and private sectors to ensure no woman or girl is left behind.

Reaffirming the Global Commitment

As UN Women reflects on its 15-year journey, it remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for transformative policies, amplify grassroots voices, and partner with governments, civil society, and the private sector to make gender equality a lived reality.

“There is no sustainable development without gender equality,” the agency reaffirmed. “This is not just a women’s issue. It is a matter of human rights, justice, and the future of our world.”

With renewed commitment and bold leadership, UN Women calls on the international community to recommit to Agenda 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Beijing Platform — and to act decisively, before today’s reversals become tomorrow’s norm.