International Women's Day 8 March

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A World in Progress, Women’s Rights in 2025

Analytics - منذ 5 أيام

A World in Progress: Women’s Rights in 2025

South Eye | Report - Exclusive

Each year, March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a time to reflect on both the victories and the setbacks in the global fight for gender equality. In 2025, women and girls are closer than ever to having equal voices and choices, yet the world continues to fail too many—especially those who are marginalized, facing crisis, or living under oppressive regimes. While some nations are making significant strides in advancing women's rights, others remain battlegrounds where hard-won gains are under siege.

Gender equality is not just a moral imperative; it is a fundamental driver of progress for societies, economies, and the global community at large. Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, reminds us that “by unleashing the potential of half of humanity, gender equality leads to safer and more prosperous societies for everyone.” But to unlock this potential, governments, institutions, and communities must commit to long-term investments in policies that protect and empower women.

The past year has seen landmark legal victories that set a precedent for progress. In Poland, there are reforms in sexual violence laws, bringing the country in line with international human rights standards. In Mexico, another breakthrough came in the country’s largest state, reinforcing a trend of increasing reproductive autonomy for women. Meanwhile, Chile has introduced new legislation aimed at curbing gender-based violence, signaling a shift in legal accountability for perpetrators.

These advancements highlight the power of legal reform in shaping a more just world for women. However, legal victories alone are not enough—they must be paired with implementation, enforcement, and a cultural shift that ensures women’s rights are respected beyond paper.

While some nations push forward, others continue to unravel under the weight of conflict and instability. In the Democratic Republic of Congo and Haiti, women and girls endure unspeakable acts of sexual violence, often with little to no access to support services or justice. Humanitarian organizations report that sexual violence is being weaponized as a tool of war, further deepening the vulnerabilities of those already suffering from displacement and poverty.

In Afghanistan, the situation for women remains dire under Taliban rule. Once active members of the workforce and education system, Afghan women are now being erased from public life. The Taliban’s draconian policies have banned girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade, restricted women from working, and even dictated their ability to move freely in society. These measures represent not just an attack on women’s rights but an attempt to fundamentally restructure Afghan society by erasing half its population from participation.

The international response has been vocal, but diplomatic efforts have largely failed to reverse the Taliban’s policies. Many Afghan women’s rights activists who once worked to build a more equal society have either fled the country or been forced into silence under the threat of persecution. The world watches, but action remains painfully inadequate.

Even in nations that champion gender equality, progress remains uneven. In the United States, women’s reproductive rights are under unprecedented attack. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, abortion access has been severely restricted in large swaths of the country, forcing women to travel across state lines for basic healthcare or resort to unsafe alternatives. The debate over reproductive rights has become a political battleground, with conservative legislatures pushing for more restrictions while advocacy groups fight to restore lost protections.

Beyond reproductive rights, women in the U.S. are also facing challenges in economic equity, representation in leadership, and workplace protections. The gender pay gap persists despite years of awareness campaigns and policy proposals. Women of color, in particular, continue to be disproportionately affected by economic inequality, with fewer opportunities for advancement in professional sectors.

South Asia tells a story of both remarkable progress and persistent stagnation. Over the last two decades, women in the region have achieved higher levels of education, maternal mortality rates have declined, and access to mobile technology has improved dramatically. Yet, when it comes to economic empowerment, the numbers remain disappointingly low.

The labor force participation rate for women in South Asia is one of the lowest in the world—only 31 percent compared to 77 percent for men. Despite being better educated than previous generations, South Asian women today are no more likely to be employed than they were in the early 2000s. The economic structures of the region continue to sideline women, confining them to low-paying sectors such as family-run agriculture and informal home-based businesses.

Cultural norms play a significant role in this economic disparity. Many South Asian women face restrictions from their families or communities that discourage them from pursuing careers, especially in male-dominated industries. Additionally, workplace discrimination, lack of childcare support, and inadequate labor protections make it difficult for women to enter and remain in the workforce. Without systemic change, the economic potential of half the population will remain untapped, limiting the region’s overall growth and prosperity.

The case for investing in women's rights is backed by decades of research and real-world examples. Countries that prioritize gender equality see lower rates of poverty, stronger economies, and healthier societies. When women have access to education, reproductive healthcare, and economic opportunities, they invest back into their families and communities, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

Despite this, global funding for women’s rights initiatives remains insufficient. Many governments and international organizations pledge support but fail to allocate the necessary resources to enact real change. Grassroots movements and local organizations often carry the burden of advocacy, yet they struggle with limited funding and political barriers.

Achieving true gender equality requires more than annual acknowledgments and symbolic gestures. Governments must implement and enforce policies that protect women’s rights, corporations must commit to closing the gender pay gap, and communities must challenge cultural norms that limit women's potential..