Africa-Press – Mauritius. A new UN report shows that one in four countries reported a backlash on women’s rights last year. The report, ‘Women’s Rights in Review 30 years after Beijing’, shows women and girls are facing unprecedented growing threats worldwide.
It shows there are higher levels of discrimination, weaker legal protections and less funding for programmes and institutions that support and protect women.
Every 10 minutes, a girl is killed by a partner or a member of her own family, adds the report. “In conflict and crisis-affected countries, progress on gender equality has regressed or moved forward at marginal rates.
Health services to fulfil fundamental rights have increasingly come under deliberate attack,” part of the report says. “Widespread violence, specifically directed against women and girls includes surging rates of conflict-related sexual violence.
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The report adds that digital technology and artificial intelligence spread harmful stereotypes, while the digital gender gap limits women’s opportunities.
In the past decade, the world registered a disturbing 50 per cent increase in the number of women and girls living in conflict. Women’s rights defenders also confront daily harassment, personal attacks and even death.
Recent global crises—like Covid-19, climate emergency, soaring food and fuel prices—are only increasing the urgency to respond. UN Secretary General António Guterres says everyone would thrive if women and girls were given equal opportunities.
“Yet, globally, women’s human rights are under attack. Instead of mainstreaming equal rights, we’re seeing the mainstreaming of misogyny,” Guterres says.
“Together, we must stand firm in making human rights, equality and empowerment a reality for all women and girls, for everyone, everywhere.
” UN Women executive director Sima Bahous says the organisation is committed to ensuring all women and girls can fully enjoy their rights and freedoms.
“Complex challenges stand in the way of gender equality and women’s empowerment, but we remain steadfast, pushing forward with ambition and resolve.
Women and girls are demanding change—and they deserve nothing less. ” In 1995, 189 governments unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
It became the most comprehensive and visionary agenda ever for gender equality and the human rights of all women and girls, holding the key to more peaceful, prosperous and inclusive societies for everyone.
This year marks 30 years of progress since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, deemed the most visionary roadmap on women’s rights. The report is on feedback provided by 159 governments to the UN Secretary General.
It shows that parity has been achieved in girls’ education and maternal mortality has dropped by a third. Women’s representation in parliaments more than doubled, and countries continue to remove discriminatory laws, with 1,531 legal reforms between 1995 and 2024 in 189 countries and territories. It demonstrates that when women’s rights are fully upheld in their countries, families, communities and economies flourish.
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