International Women’s Day is commemorated on March 8. It is the ideal opportunity to call for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls around the world. This is the only way to achieve an equal and better world for all people.
Progress in the area of women’s and girls’ rights
With regard to the defense for the rights of women and girls, the following progress is evident:
- For 89% of governments, ending violence against women has now become a priority. 193 countries have legal measures in place to address it.
- Available data show that fewer cases of violence against women occur in countries with laws against domestic violence.
- Parity in education has been achieved in most parts of the world. If we can bridge the gender gap in accessing and shaping science and technology, we will eliminate the remaining bottlenecks to equal opportunity and create technologies that better serve people and the planet.
- 112 countries have a national plan to engage women in peace and security processes, a significant increase from only 19 countries in 2010.
Six actions to defend the rights of women and girls
Gender inequality is the greatest challenge of our time. And gender equality is the greatest opportunity.
All individuals, institutions and governments must work together to defend equal rights and opportunities. Our common future depends on the equal rights and empowerment of all women and girls.
On this day, UN Women proposes to consider six actions that can make a real difference.
- A digital revolution. By closing the gender digital divide, $500 billion could be saved over the next five years. Technology must be a driver of equality, not exclusion. Equal access to technology and leadership for all women and girls in this area must be ensured.
- End poverty. Nearly one in ten women live in extreme poverty. Public services and social protection expand women’s economic opportunities and security. A portion of national budgets must be invested in strengthening social protection and public services to combat poverty and give women an equal opportunity to thrive.
- Zero tolerance for violence. One in three women experience violence in their lifetime. While numerous laws exist globally, they are often poorly implemented and there is a lack of investment in prevention strategies. National laws and policies must be adopted, implemented and funded to make it clear that violence against women will never go unpunished.
- Full and equal decision-making power. Throughout the world, decisions affecting women’s lives continue to be made overwhelmingly by men. Laws and policies, as well as temporary special measures, must be implemented to increase the number of women in decision-making positions in companies and public and private institutions.
- Peace and security. More than 600 million women and girls live near armed conflict, while conflict-related sexual violence is on the rise. National plans must be adopted and funded to increase women’s meaningful participation in all aspects of peace and security.
- Climate justice. As climate change and biodiversity loss accelerate, women and girls – especially those living in rural and indigenous communities – suffer disproportionately from its devastating effects; but they are also the first to provide solutions. Women’s and girls’ rights and leadership in climate action need to be prioritized by increasing investment and improving their access to environmentally friendly jobs, for example in areas such as care, sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.
