Unequal Paths to Gender Equality: Thirty Years After the Beijing Declaration

Despite significant progress in women’s empowerment since the Beijing Declaration, persistent gender stereotypes, discriminatory norms and entrenched power imbalances continue to impede progress towards gender equality, according to a senior UN official.

Speaking at the UN Ministerial Conference ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, UN Deputy Secretary-General Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana warned that while there were achievements to celebrate, not all news was good. The framework laid out in 1995 has inspired policies and reforms around the world, but progress remains inconsistent and fragile in some areas.

Alisjahbana highlighted the successes and challenges encountered over the years. He highlighted developments such as increasing girls’ school attendance and decreasing maternal mortality rates in Asia Pacific. But she voiced concerns about issues such as the ongoing gender pay gap and intimate partner violence. As the world recovers from the impact of the pandemic, she noted the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women and emphasized the continued need to address gender equality globally.

(With input from institutions.)