Mayaa SH Shares Highlights On 21st Century Road Ahead to Gender Equality: Beijing 30. She joined and attended the event organised by the Institute of Global Politics Women’s Initiative at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs for a convening to mark the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, where 189 nations adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—the most comprehensive agenda for gender equality in history—and recognized that women’s rights are human rights. One in four countries report backlash on women’s rights in 2024.
The event on March 12th 2025 highlighted the transformative impact of the Beijing Conference, featuring young activists at the forefront of the women’s movement, and offered lessons from world leaders on how to move forward in a time of regression on gender equality. During the convening, Christiane Amanpour moderated a conversation on addressing global backlash against gender equality and fulfilling the promise of the Beijing Conference, featuring Ruchira Gupta, Michelle Bachelet, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Susana Malcorra, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and many more in panel discussions.
In 2025, the world celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark document for gender equality, with Columbia University’s Institute of Global Politics Women’s Initiative also actively involved in Beijing+30 discussions and events. The 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, celebrated in 2025, serves as a critical juncture to assess the progress made in gender equality and the challenges that persist. This milestone highlights both the achievements since the declaration and the new obstacles that have emerged in the 21st century.
Mayaa SH is a prominent figure in India’s contemporary literature and a relentless advocate for women’s rights. A celebrated poetess, essayist, and social thinker, Mayaa SH’s work resonates deeply with her experiences as an Indian woman navigating a patriarchal society. Her bold writings and active campaigns for gender equality have earned her multiple state and national awards, as well as global recognition as a world records holder. She calls on everyone to stand up for Rights, Empowerment and Equality for ALL Women and Girls.
Mayaa SH highlights on the global backlash against gender equality movements, where conservative and authoritarian forces seek to dismantle hard-won gains in reproductive rights and civic freedoms. This backlash is often accompanied by significant funding directed toward anti-gender equality initiatives. Despite progress made since 1995, new challenges have emerged that threaten women’s rights and full participation in society. These include:
Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence:
The rise of digital platforms has led to increased instances of harassment and violence against women online.
Climate Change:
Women disproportionately bear the brunt of climate change impacts, which exacerbate existing inequalities.
Democratic Backsliding:
Many countries are experiencing a rollback on democratic norms and human rights protections, affecting women’s rights.
Historical Context of the Beijing Declaration:
In 1995, at the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing, representatives from 189 nations adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This document is recognized as one of the most comprehensive agendas for gender equality ever established, asserting that “women’s rights are human rights.” The platform outlines twelve critical areas of concern, including economic empowerment, political participation, education, health care access, and violence against women.
Progress Achieved Since 1995 :
Over the past three decades, significant strides have been made towards achieving gender equality globally:
Legal Protections:
There has been a dramatic increase in legal frameworks protecting women’s rights. For instance, laws against gender-based violence have surged from just 12 countries in 1995 to over 1,583 legislative measures across 193 countries today.
Political Participation:
Women’s representation in national parliaments has more than doubled from approximately 11% in 1995 to around 27% by early 20253. This increase reflects broader societal recognition of women’s roles in governance.
Economic Empowerment:
Many countries have implemented legislation banning gender discrimination in employment. Additionally, there has been a global push towards recognizing unpaid care work and providing support services to alleviate this burden on women.
Peacebuilding Initiatives:
The number of National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security has increased significantly—from just 19 plans in 2010 to over 112 today—empowering women to take active roles in conflict resolution and peace processes.
Current Challenges Facing Gender Equality:
Despite these advancements, numerous challenges remain that threaten to undermine progress:
Backlash Against Gender Equality:
In recent years, there has been a noticeable backlash against women’s rights globally. Authoritarian regimes and conservative movements are increasingly targeting hard-won gains related to reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ protections.
Impact of Global Crises:
Events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated existing inequalities. Economic downturns disproportionately affect women due to their higher representation in informal labor markets and caregiving roles. Furthermore, rising conflicts have led to increased violence against women; over 736 million women experience physical violence at some point in their lives.
Technological Challenges:
The rise of technology-facilitated gender-based violence poses new threats to women’s safety and autonomy online. As digital spaces become increasingly integral to daily life, ensuring safe access for women is paramount.
Intersectionality Issues:
Women facing multiple forms of discrimination—such as those based on race, disability, or sexual orientation—experience compounded barriers that hinder their full participation in society.
Moving Forward:
Strategies for Change –
To address these challenges effectively while building on past successes:
Strengthening Legal Frameworks:
Continued advocacy for robust legal protections against all forms of violence is essential. Governments must not only enact laws but also ensure their effective implementation.
Promoting Political Representation:
Efforts must be intensified to achieve gender parity in political spaces through mechanisms such as quotas and targeted training programs for female leaders.
Investing in Women’s Organizations:
Increased funding for grassroots feminist organizations is crucial as they play a vital role in advocating for women’s rights and holding governments accountable.
Harnessing Technology Responsibly:
Developing policies that protect women from online harassment while promoting digital literacy can empower women to navigate technology safely.
Fostering Global Solidarity:
International cooperation among nations is necessary to share best practices and resources aimed at overcoming barriers faced by marginalized groups within societies.
Conclusion:
The Beijing+30 initiative represents both a celebration of progress made toward gender equality since its inception and a call to action against emerging threats that jeopardize these gains. By reaffirming commitments made during the original conference while adapting strategies to contemporary challenges, stakeholders can work collectively toward a more equitable future for all women and girls worldwide. In a pivotal year for women and girls, that is also a year of pushback and crises like no other, let us push women’s rights forward to create a world where all women and girls enjoy equal rights and equal opportunities. We can be the first generation that can live in an equal world.
“Progress towards women’s rights and gender equality is often met with resistance and pushback. Misogyny is on the rise, which correlates with an increase in violence and discrimination against women and girls. This backlash can be seen as a reaction to the advancements made in women’s rights over the years, particularly since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was established.”
