UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for urgent action to advance gender equality on Friday, warning that while progress has been made, women’s rights are still under threat around the world.
At a United Nations event on the eve of International Women’s Day, Guterres reflected on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, Guterres emphasized that while women have made remarkable strides—such as greater access to education and more representation in positions of power—these gains remain fragile, and many hurdles persist.
Guterres pointed out the ongoing violence and discrimination that women continue to endure, noting that “every ten minutes, a woman is killed by her partner or a family member.” He also highlighted the dire situation of millions of women affected by conflict, stating, “612 million women and girls live under the shadow of armed conflicts – where their rights are too often considered expendable.” Despite these sobering facts, Guterres reaffirmed that the world cannot afford to be complacent, adding, “We must never accept a world where women and girls live in fear, where their safety is a privilege rather than a non-negotiable right.”
Women sing and dance during the International Women’s Day celebration at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria, Friday, March. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
Economic inequality was another major point in the Secretary-General’s address. Despite the fact that more women are entering the workforce, Guterres stressed that “less than two-thirds of women worldwide participate in the labour market – and those who do earn far less than men.” He emphasized the urgency of closing this gap, noting that at the current rate, “eradicating extreme poverty for women and girls would take 130 years.” Guterres called for greater investments in education, training, and social protections, urging the global community to provide the necessary resources to empower women economically.
Guterres also addressed the dangers posed by the rise of digital platforms. While these tools hold immense potential, he warned that they are increasingly being used to silence women, amplify bias, and perpetuate online harassment. “Women’s bodies have become political battlegrounds,” he stated, “and online violence is escalating into real-life violence.” He underscored the need to combat this growing issue, calling for efforts to “close the gender digital divide” and ensure women can access the benefits of a rapidly evolving global economy.
At the same time, the Secretary-General praised the United Nations for its own strides toward gender parity, noting, “At the United Nations, we have achieved and maintained gender parity among senior leadership and Resident Coordinators at world level since 2020.” He emphasized that this was a testament to the possibility of systemic change when organizations take action, stating, “This proves once again that systemic change is possible – with concerted and determined action.” Guterres urged other governments, organizations, and businesses to follow the UN’s example in striving for gender equality.
A woman shouts slogans during a demonstration on International Women’s Day in Ahmedabad, India, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
In a call to action, Guterres introduced the UN’s Gender Equality Clarion Call, a bold initiative aimed at advancing women’s rights. He outlined four key priorities: “unified leadership” where all UN leaders champion women’s rights, “action against pushbacks” to confront and prevent setbacks to gender equality, “coordinated impact” to dismantle systemic inequalities across all sectors, and “protecting women human rights defenders,” who are often on the frontlines of activism. Guterres affirmed, “We must actively confront backlash, prevent rollbacks, and create spaces where women’s rights can thrive.”
The Secretary-General concluded by framing the fight for gender equality as a struggle for power—”who gets a seat at the table, and who is locked out.” He noted that women’s involvement in key processes such as peace negotiations and education leads to long-term benefits for societies. “When women participate in negotiations, peace lasts longer. When girls can go to school, entire generations lift out of poverty. When women enjoy equal job opportunities, economies grow stronger,” he said. Ultimately, Guterres emphasized that the full participation of women is not only a matter of fairness but a fundamental driver of global progress: “When women and girls rise, everyone thrives.”
As the world observes International Women’s Day, Guterres called on global leaders to unite and accelerate efforts to ensure that every woman and girl, everywhere, enjoys their full rights and contributes to a more just and equal world. He urged, “Let us realize the vision of the Beijing Declaration. Accelerate action. And march forward — for every woman, for every girl, for everyone, everywhere.”
