This year marks 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, a milestone in the history of women’s rights that saw 189 countries commit to ensuring equal opportunities for women and girls worldwide.
Three decades later, the progress is undeniable: gender equality is more tangible and visible, with women occupying spaces in areas that were once off-limits to them. However, these achievements have not come on their own, but are the result of the tireless fight of the feminist movement, the resistance, and the perseverance of millions of women who have raised their voices in search of justice and equity.
The challenges that persist
Despite the progress made, inequality still exists in various spheres. Women continue to face higher rates of poverty, lower wages, gender-based violence, and barriers to accessing leadership positions and decision-making roles.
In sectors like science and technology, the numbers reflect a concerning reality: only 1 in 3 researchers in the world is a woman, highlighting the ongoing difficulties in achieving equitable access to education and professional development.
A collective commitment to closing the gender gap
Now more than ever, it is time to consolidate the rights that have been achieved and continue the fight for a society where gender equality is not just an objective, but an unshakable reality. In a globally polarized context, it is crucial to rekindle the spirit of unity that inspired the Beijing Declaration and reaffirm the commitment to building a more just, equal, and peaceful world.
This is not a challenge only for women. It is a shared responsibility for all of society. Equality is not a battle of one against another, but a common goal that can only be achieved by working together, women and men, hand in hand, for a more equitable society with greater opportunities for all.
Because the present and future we dream of begins with each of us. Equality is not just a right, it is the path to a better world.
Article published on: 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration: A Path of Progress and Pending Challenges
Spanish post in 30 Años de la Declaración de Beijing: Un Camino de Avances y Retos Pendientes
