Gender equality has become one of the most pressing global issues, particularly as the world navigates increasingly complex political, social and economic challenges. At a time when women’s rights are facing a formidable backlash across various regions of the world, the importance of advocating for gender equality has never been more urgent.
March 8, 2025, marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing fight for women’s rights, with a series of events and discussions organized around the globe. A central feature of this year’s March 8 celebrations was the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), held at the UN Headquarters in New York, where thousands of diplomats, business leaders, and civil society delegates gathered to discuss and push for the progress of gender equality.
The CSW69 conference, which runs from March 10 to 21, is the world’s largest annual conference focused on women’s issues. Its primary goal is to promote women’s rights globally, document the lived experiences of women, and create global standards to push for gender equality and empowerment. This year’s conference marks a significant moment in the global conversation about women’s rights, especially as the session reviews outcomes from past key sessions and agreements, including the 23rd special session of the General Assembly and the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which was adopted in 1995. The Beijing Declaration has long been a foundational document for gender equality advocacy, emphasizing comprehensive strategies for advancing women’s rights in all aspects of life.
The theme of the CSW69, like every year, reflects the continued challenges and aspirations surrounding gender equality. The conference takes a careful look at the progress made and the substantial gaps still to be addressed. While the conference is held annually, its focus changes each year, ensuring that pressing issues affecting women’s rights are addressed in an ever-evolving global context. In many ways, CSW69 serves as a global mirror that reflects the current state of women’s rights, providing insights into both the progress that has been made and the hurdles that still remain.
As part of this global event, Loretta Jeff Combs, a representative of the Tlesqox First Nations in Canada, highlighted the importance of the Beijing Declaration, particularly its role in recognizing the rights of Indigenous women and girls. She explained that Indigenous women, often excluded from decision-making spaces that directly impact their futures, are particularly vulnerable to marginalization. This exclusion,
Combs called for change, stressing the importance of lifting Indigenous women to positions of leadership and decision-making. “When we uplift Indigenous women, we create a better future for all,” she told the delegates. Her passionate statement encapsulated the spirit of CSW69, underscoring the need for action and the vital role of Indigenous women in shaping a future of true equality and empowerment.
The importance of having women in decision-making roles and leadership positions was further emphasized by Sima Bahous, the head of UN Women, who pointed to the rising tide of misogyny across the world. Bahous noted that while progress has been made in advancing women’s rights, it has often been slow and insufficient to meet the pressing challenges that women and girls face globally. She called for urgent action to address these challenges, including closing the digital divide, investing in poverty eradication, and strengthening laws to break the cycle of violence against women and girls.
In particular, Bahous emphasized the necessity of including women in key decision-making and peacebuilding processes. She argued that women’s inclusion is not just a matter of equity but a fundamental necessity for the effective resolution of global conflicts and the creation of sustainable, peaceful societies. Bahous’ remarks resonate deeply with the central message of the CSW69: that advancing women’s rights and achieving gender equality is a task that requires collective commitment and sustained action from all sectors of society.
The words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres also resonated powerfully during the opening session. Guterres described the current moment as one in which the “poison of patriarchy” is becoming more evident, as women’s rights are increasingly “under siege.” He decried the growing strength of “misogyny” in global politics and society, pointing to the vitriol directed at women in public and political life, as well as the online abuse women face. “The masters of misogyny are gaining strength,” Guterres said, reflecting on the bitter reality many women face in the digital world. He also noted the dangerous political climate, in which some leaders appear all too willing to abandon the pursuit of gender equality.
Guterres’ call to action was unequivocal: “The antidote is action.” He emphasized the need for global initiatives such as the Pact for the Future, a key strategy prioritizing education, addressing violence against women and girls, supporting women’s organizations, and advancing women’s leadership in technology and politics. For Guterres, the fight for gender equality is a matter of principle, and his vision of the future is one in which women’s full participation in all aspects of society—politics, technology, education, and peacebuilding—becomes the norm.
The messages delivered at the CSW69 were not just about affirming the necessity of gender equality; they were a stark reminder of the steep challenges still faced by women across the globe. General Assembly President Philémon Yang acknowledged the progress made since the Beijing Declaration was adopted 30 years ago, pointing to the increasing number of elected women and girls in education.
Yet, he cautioned that systemic barriers continue to obstruct the path to true equality, urging the international community to be more resolute in overcoming these challenges. “Political urgency and resources needed are not sufficient given the challenges we face,” Yang said, warning that the current pace of progress would mean it would take another 137 years to lift all women out of poverty and 68 years to end child marriage.
Yang’s remarks served as a call for greater commitment to implementing the “promise of Beijing” and the global goals set in the Platform for Action. His message was clear: achieving gender equality in our lifetime is possible, but only if the international community seizes the opportunity to accelerate progress. “I believe it is possible to achieve gender equality in our lifetime if we seize this opportunity,” Yang concluded, offering a hopeful yet urgent message to delegates.
March 8, 2025, served as a day to reflect on the progress made and the work still to be done. Around the world, people celebrated International Women’s Day by holding events, rallies, and discussions focused on the importance of gender equality and the need to accelerate the pace of change. From the streets of New York to cities across the globe, the celebration was a reminder that women’s rights are human rights and that the fight for gender equality is a battle that must be fought continuously.
The discussions at CSW69 and the broader March 8 celebrations underscored the need for global solidarity in the fight for women’s rights. In a world where misogyny and gender-based violence continue to be pervasive, and where women remain underrepresented in leadership roles, the work of international organizations, governments, and civil society is more important than ever. At the same time, it is essential to recognize the voices of those who are often overlooked, including Indigenous women, and to support them in their efforts to challenge the structures of inequality that persist in their communities. The progress that has been made over the last 30 years since the Beijing Declaration is undeniable, but as the world looks ahead to the future, the call for action is louder than ever.
Ultimately, the goal remains clear: to create a world where every woman and girl can live free from discrimination, violence, and inequality, and where they can fully realize their potential. The spirit of March 8, 2025, and the messages of CSW69, offer a renewed sense of urgency, a call for action, and a vision of a world where gender equality is not just an aspiration, but a reality for all.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH 2025
