Women’s Rights Advocates Warn UN to Confront Backlash Against Progress

Female activists raised their voices at the United Nations on International Women’s Day, warning of a global rollback on hard-won rights. Sima Bahous, executive director of U.N. Women, emphasized that while gender equality faces increasing obstacles, the movement’s determination remains unshakable.

Bahous urged women to push back against the backlash, stressing that equality should be embraced, not feared. “An equal world is a better world,” she declared.

Women worldwide continue to face challenges to their reproductive rights, personal safety, education, equal pay, and political participation. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the landmark Beijing women’s conference, which recognized women’s rights as human rights and set an action plan for progress.

Despite advancements, including increased school enrollment for girls and more women in leadership roles, gender-based violence, discrimination, and economic inequality persist. “We cannot stand by as progress is reversed,” warned U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Guterres noted that at the current rate, eradicating extreme poverty for women and girls will take 130 years. He underscored that the fight for gender equality is about power—who gets a seat at the table and who is excluded.

Jaha Dukureh, U.N. goodwill ambassador for Africa and an FGM survivor, shared her personal story of forced marriage at 15. Through her organization, Safe Hands for Girls, she advocates for ending female genital mutilation and supporting survivors.

Dukureh stressed that economic independence is key to women’s freedom. “A woman who can provide for herself can make choices. A girl with an education can build her own future,” she said.

On Monday, the U.N. will host the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), a 10-day annual gathering focused on gender equality. Sarah Hendriks, director of policy for U.N. Women, warned that anti-women’s rights actors are increasingly well-funded and strategic.

Hendriks acknowledged that progress remains slow, fragile, and uneven, urging accelerated efforts to meet sustainable development goals, particularly gender equality. She hopes 2025 will be remembered as the year activists held their ground and refused to step back.

The CSW is set to adopt a political declaration on its first day. However, negotiations have been ongoing for weeks, and its final strength—especially concerning reproductive rights—remains uncertain.