A sobering report from UN Women has sounded the alarm: gender equality is slowing down, and in some places, even reversing. According to their latest findings, nearly one in four countries reported a regression in women’s rights during 2024.
This backlash comes from multiple fronts. Political instability, democratic erosion, and rising conflicts have all contributed to a climate where progress on women’s rights is under threat. In many countries, legal protections are weakening and funding for women-focused programs is being cut. UN Women warns that these aren’t just temporary setbacks , they signal a more dangerous trend.
Alarmingly, the report notes that violence against women remains a stark reality. According to UN data, a woman or girl is killed every ten minutes by an intimate partner or family member. In conflict zones, gender-based violence continues to surge, making it harder than ever for women to access protection and support.
Digital spaces, too, are playing a role in this backlash. Technology is not neutral. Social media platforms and rising use of artificial intelligence are reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Meanwhile, access to technology for women remains uneven, and the digital gender divide is preventing many from fully participating in the online economy or civic life.
On the political front, progress is painfully slow. Globally, women hold just 27.2 percent of parliamentary seats, and in local governments, their presence is barely over a third. At this rate, true parity feels like a distant dream. A recent UN-DESA report warns that many of the United Nations’ gender-equality targets (especially under SDG 5) are not on track, and for some, there’s a real risk of slipping backwards.
UN Women’s message is clear: change is not inevitable. Without renewed political will and investment, gains made over decades can be eroded. They argue that gender equality is not just a “nice to have” , it is essential for peace, human rights, and sustainable development. If world leaders do not act decisively, many of the rights that women currently enjoy could be at risk.
