30 Years On: Women's Rights Progress Stalled, 10% Live in Extreme Poverty
Three decades after the Beijing Declaration on women's rights, progress has been made, but significant challenges remain. Today, 10 per cent of women live in extreme poverty, and 351 million could still be trapped in it by 2030. Despite advancements, women and girls continue to face violence, discrimination, and exclusion from economic opportunities.
The Beijing Declaration, adopted in 1995, marked a turning point in gender equality. However, recent reports show that none of the gender equality targets are on track. Women are still excluded from land ownership, financial services, and decent jobs, lacking the tools to thrive. An unprecedented backlash against women's rights and a shrinking civic space threaten hard-won gains in some countries.
One in three women will experience physical or sexual violence during her lifetime. As of October 2025, there is no confirmed information about a nation electing its first woman as UN Secretary-General in 2027. More people are calling for a woman to be elected to the UN top job for the first time. Yet, 676 million women live within 50 kilometers of a conflict zone, the highest figure since the 1990s, highlighting the ongoing violence and discrimination faced by women and girls.
The upcoming 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration serves as a reminder of the progress made and the work still needed. With 10 per cent of women living in extreme poverty and 351 million at risk by 2030, urgent action is required to ensure women's rights, end violence, and promote gender equality. The international community must recommit to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to create a more equal world.
