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2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA), a pivotal moment for advancing women’s rights. Governments worldwide pledged to eradicate discriminatory laws and achieve gender equality, yet progress remains uneven and seriously behind.

Today, the global women’s movement, including organizations like WIN (Women’s Intercultural Network), continues to hold governments accountable and we never going back!

WIN: Bringing Beijing Home

WIN played a leading role in implementing the “Bringing Beijing Home” initiative by establishing the California Women’s Agenda, a powerful network connecting women and girls across the state. WIN’s efforts extended beyond borders through “Circles” that foster connections with women in Japan, Uganda, Afghanistan, and Iranian communities in California.

WIN also spearheaded the Cities for CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) campaign, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024 through various events. This campaign inspired cities to adopt CEDAW ordinances, reinforcing the importance of local action for global gender equality.

Challenges in Achieving Gender Equality

Despite some progress since 1995, the world still struggles to meet BPfA commitments. According to the World Bank’s 2024 report, no economy has achieved full legal equality, with women having only 64% of the same rights as men. This persistent inequality, exacerbated by sexist laws and stereotypes, has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, perpetuating economic and domestic violence against women.

UN Women’s “Gender Snapshot 2024” report highlights that addressing gender gaps could yield significant economic benefits:

• Closing education gaps could boost the global economy by $10 trillion.

• Bridging the digital divide could save over $500 billion.

• Investing in the care economy could create nearly 300 million jobs.

The Role of Feminist Movements

Inclusive and diverse feminist movements are critical to driving legal reforms and achieving equality. For instance, Africa’s SOAWR network has championed the ratification of the Maputo Protocol, advancing women’s political and reproductive rights while combating harmful practices like female genital mutilation. Similarly, the ERA Coalition in the U.S. continues its efforts to incorporate gender equality into the Constitution.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has prioritized repealing discriminatory laws in the UN’s Call to Action for Human Rights, while the Generation Equality Action Coalitions push for transformative reforms.

Six Key Actions for Equality

UN Women outlined six priorities to accelerate progress on BPfA commitments:

1. Increase women’s representation in decision-making.

2. Fund national plans to end violence against women.

3. Focus on women’s inclusion in green jobs and transitions.

4. Close the digital gender gap.

5. Expand public care services to empower women economically.

6. Ensure accountability for women in peace and security initiatives.

A Roadmap for the Future

As the global community prepares to commemorate the BPfA’s 30th anniversary and the 10-year milestone of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the upcoming review at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in March 2025 will be pivotal. By addressing gaps and accelerating progress, governments and civil society can collectively fulfill the promise of a gender-equal world where all women and girls thrive.