The Beijing Declaration 30 years later – where do we stand?

The 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action set ambitious goals for equality, development, and peace for women worldwide. Endorsed by 189 countries, it reaffirmed that women’s rights are human rights and called for their full recognition and protection at every stage of life. Nearly 30 years later, the world must take stock of its progress and assess the challenges that remain.

Poverty and women

The Beijing Declaration recognized the feminization of poverty, noting that women are disproportionately affected by poverty compared to men, with 47.8 million more women facing moderate or severe food insecurity. Beyond income, structural barriers continue to reinforce gendered poverty. Many women lack control over their earnings, with one in ten not being consulted on how their income is spent. Household structure also influences poverty rates, as non-partnered, female-headed households are more likely to experience poverty than male-headed households. The declaration stated that eradicating poverty requires economic growth and social justice, along with women’s equal participation in economic and social progress.

Women and the economy 

Women’s economic participation is closely linked to their access to education. Currently, 119.3 million girls remain out of school, though this number has decreased by 5.4 million since 2015. Education not only enhances economic opportunities but also reduces poverty and the likelihood of domestic violence. However, women’s ability to engage in paid employment is also shaped by social norms, such as those that view unpaid care work and household labour as disproportionately a woman’s responsibility. Globally, 63.3% of women aged 25 to 54 participate in the labour force, compared to 91.9% of men in 2022. These figures have remained largely unchanged over two decades, and the gender pay gap persists, with women earning 20% less than men on average. In South Africa, women’s labour force participation has increased, yet the gender wage gap has widened. While many women work in high-skill industries, they are often concentrated in lower-paying positions rather than leadership roles.

Violence against women

Violence against women remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations globally, encompassing psychological, physical, and sexual harm in various settings, including domestic abuse and harmful traditional practices. The Beijing Declaration explicitly calls for the elimination of violence against women. Despite global recognition of the issue, many women remain vulnerable to intimate partner violence, particularly those with limited education and economic opportunities. While progress has been made, not all countries have enacted legal protections against domestic violence. In Northern Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East, 43%, 21%, and 50% of countries, respectively, still lack such legal protections. Evidence suggests that attitudes are shifting, with both men and women increasingly rejecting violence. Acceptance of violence against women remains higher in Africa and Asia, where physical and sexual violence rates are among the highest globally. Challenging these deeply ingrained beliefs is essential to reducing gender-based violence and advancing women's rights.

Globally, one in eight women have experienced violence by an intimate partner. Women and girls in societies with high levels of gender inequality remain at the greatest risk, particularly where violence against women is widely accepted as a societal norm. While gender-based violence is a global issue, some regions face particularly severe restrictions on women's rights, with legal and social barriers reinforcing cycles of violence. In Afghanistan, women’s rights have been severely restricted under Taliban rule. In 2024, the Taliban introduced laws prohibiting women from speaking in public and requiring them to cover their bodies and faces completely. However, violence against women extends beyond these public restrictions. 46.1% of Afghan women experienced intimate partner violence in the past year, and 50.8% have experienced it at some point in their lives. With no legal protections against domestic violence, women in abusive marriages remain particularly vulnerable.

South Africa has one of the highest femicide rates in the world, with nearly seven women killed each day. Between 2017 and 2021, intimate partner femicide increased, with 60% of women murdered in 2021 killed by an intimate partner, marking a 4.1 percentage point rise from 2017. Alarmingly, fewer than 20% of cases lead to conviction, highlighting a systemic failure of justice. In response, President Ramaphosa signed a bill in 2024 to establish the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, which aims to fund and implement policies to combat gender-based violence. Women’s economic participation is a key driver of social and economic progress, yet deeply rooted gender norms continue to limit their opportunities. Deconstructing these social norms is essential to fostering greater acceptance of women's contributions across all sectors and reinforcing the understanding that they are just as capable as men.

While some progress has been made, gender disparities in economic participation and violence against women are persistent challenges. Addressing these issues requires sustained policy efforts, education access, and legal protections to ensure that women have equal opportunities to thrive. The Beijing Declaration set a bold vision for gender equality—nearly 30 years later, the world must renew its commitment to making that vision a reality.

The views expressed in this piece are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute or the United Nations University, nor the programme/project donors.