UN Report Highlights Backlash Against Women’s Rights

In 2024, a United Nations report revealed alarming setbacks in women’s rights globally. Nearly a quarter of governments reported a backlash against gender equality. This trend marks reversal of the progress made since the 1995 Beijing Declaration. The report, released by UN Women, emphasises the urgency to safeguard women’s rights amid rising threats.

Key Findings of the Report

The report indicates that many women and girls are facing increased discrimination. Legal protections are weakening. Funding for gender-focused programmes is decreasing. Misogyny is becoming mainstream in various societies. The report marks that the number of women and girls in conflict zones has surged by 50% over the last decade. Gender-based violence remains a critical issue, with a woman or girl killed every ten minutes by a partner or family member.

Legal and Economic Rights

Despite 1,531 legal reforms since 1995 aimed at promoting gender equality, women still enjoy only 64% of the legal rights that men do. Although 88% of countries have laws against gender-based violence, enforcement is inconsistent. Financial support for essential services remains inadequate. Women earn, on average, 20% less than men. Approximately 772 million women work in the informal economy, lacking social protections.

The Digital Gender Gap

The digital gender gap restricts economic opportunities for women. Artificial intelligence and online platforms often perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Emerging forms of violence, such as online harassment, complicate the situation. While 90% of countries have laws against gender-based violence, only 79% have comprehensive national action plans to tackle the issue.

Political Representation

Women’s participation in politics has improved but is still far from equal. Women now occupy 27% of parliamentary seats globally, an increase from 11% in 1995. However, men still hold nearly three-quarters of these seats. The report puts stress on the effectiveness of temporary special measures, such as gender quotas, in accelerating progress towards gender parity in political representation.

Beijing+30 Action Agenda

The Beijing+30 Action Agenda addresses six key areas – bridging the digital gender divide, eliminating poverty, enforcing zero tolerance for violence against women, enhancing women’s decision-making power, supporting women’s roles in peace and security, and ensuring climate justice. This agenda aims to prioritise women’s voices in environmental policies and the green economy.

Financial Investments Needed

Achieving gender equality requires financial investment. An estimated $360 billion annually is needed to meet global targets by 2030. Collaboration among governments, civil society, and the private sector is essential to close accountability and financing gaps. The upcoming Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) will be very important in integrating the Beijing+30 Action Agenda into policies.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Point out the impact of the digital gender divide on women’s economic opportunities in contemporary society.
2. Critically analyse the effectiveness of gender quotas in political representation. Provide suitable examples.
3. What are the main challenges faced by women in conflict zones? Estimate the implications of these challenges on global peace.
4. What is the significance of the Beijing+30 Action Agenda? How does it aim to address gender-based violence?

Answer Hints:

1. Point out the impact of the digital gender divide on women’s economic opportunities in contemporary society.

1. The digital gender divide limits women’s access to technology and online resources, hindering their economic participation.
2. Women face barriers in acquiring digital skills, which are increasingly crucial for employment in the modern economy.
3. Artificial intelligence often perpetuates harmful stereotypes, affecting women’s representation in tech fields.
4. Online harassment and digital violence further discourage women from engaging in digital spaces.
5. Access to e-commerce and online entrepreneurship is often skewed against women due to the digital divide.

2. Critically analyse the effectiveness of gender quotas in political representation. Provide suitable examples.

1. Gender quotas have been shown to increase women’s representation in legislative bodies , as seen in countries like Rwanda (61% female representation).
2. Quotas can lead to a more diverse political discourse and better policy outcomes for women’s issues.
3. However, quotas alone may not address underlying biases and can lead to tokenism if not accompanied by cultural change.
4. Countries like Norway have implemented quotas effectively, resulting in sustained increases in women’s political participation.
5. Challenges remain, such as backlash against women candidates and the need for broader societal support for gender equality.

3. What are the main challenges faced by women in conflict zones? Estimate the implications of these challenges on global peace.

1. Women in conflict zones face increased sexual violence, exploitation, and loss of basic rights.
2. Access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities is severely limited, exacerbating their vulnerability.
3. The surge in women and girls living in conflict zones (50% increase) indicates a growing humanitarian crisis.
4. These challenges hinder women’s participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution processes.
5. Addressing women’s issues in conflict zones is essential for achieving sustainable peace and stability globally.

4. What is the significance of the Beijing+30 Action Agenda? How does it aim to address gender-based violence?

1. The Beijing+30 Action Agenda serves as a roadmap to advance gender equality and address unfinished business from the 1995 Beijing Declaration.
2. It focuses on critical areas including women’s decision-making, economic empowerment, and violence prevention.
3. The agenda emphasizes zero tolerance for violence against women, advocating for stronger laws and better enforcement.
4. It aims to mobilize resources and political will to support women’s rights organizations and frontline services.
5. By integrating gender perspectives into all policies, the agenda seeks to create a comprehensive approach to combat gender-based violence.