Ahead of International Women’s Day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on the international community to take decisive action to ensure rights, equality, and empowerment for women and girls worldwide.
“When women and girls can rise, we all thrive,” Guterres stated, emphasizing that despite progress, misogyny is becoming mainstream instead of equal rights.
Reflecting on three decades since the landmark 1995 United Nations Conference in Beijing, Guterres urged governments and institutions to prioritize gender equality, stating that equal societies are “more prosperous and peaceful—foundations of sustainable development.”
Call for Action
Guterres outlined key areas where action is needed:
✅ Financial Investments – Unlocking funding to support gender equality initiatives.
✅ Economic Equality – Ensuring decent work, closing the gender pay gap, and addressing care work challenges.
✅ Legislation & Safety – Strengthening laws to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
✅ Leadership & Decision-Making – Securing women’s full participation, particularly in peacebuilding efforts.
✅ STEM Opportunities – Removing barriers for women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
He highlighted the UN Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact as essential frameworks for achieving these goals.
Theme for 2025: “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
This year’s theme underscores the need for a feminist future where no one is left behind, with a focus on empowering youth—especially young women and adolescent girls—as “catalysts for lasting change.”
The UN’s message is clear: real progress requires sustained commitment and bold action. The time to act is now.