UN Women was founded in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly to accelerate progress on gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide.
Its creation was driven by the recognition that, despite decades of efforts, global progress on women’s rights remained fragmented. There were programs and policies worldwide but there wasn’t one global champion with the authority, resources and reach to drive real change. UN Women was born to fill that gap. To be the voice and the advocate.
Fifteen years on, there is much to be proud of. Women are commanding boardrooms, leading humanitarian responses, and shaping climate policy with vision and urgency. More women are holding seats in parliaments and local councils, influencing decisions that affect everyday lives. In sports, science, and the arts, women are breaking records and rewriting narratives. Communities around the world are embracing conversations about consent, equity, and inclusion that were once considered taboo. It’s not perfect, far from it, but we have come far. The journey has been rough and the challenges are still many, but the progress is undeniable.
But let’s not sugarcoat it: progress is stalling. In some places, it’s even reversing.
A global survey earlier this year found a 60 per cent rise in concern about the lack of progress on gender equality. Nearly one in four countries is experiencing a backlash against women’s rights. Gender-based violence is rising. The digital divide is growing. And over 600 million women and girls now live near conflict zones. Currently there is an estimated 55,000 pregnant women in Gaza without access to simple healthcare. This is not just a moment to reflect. It’s a moment to act.
This July, to mark its 15th anniversary, UN Women has launched a bold campaign: 15 Actions for Gender Equality. These are not lofty ideals. They are practical, urgent, and necessary. They are a roadmap for governments, institutions, and communities to follow if we are serious about building a more equal world.
This anniversary coincides with two other pivotal moments: the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. These frameworks were groundbreaking and laid the foundation for global gender equality efforts, but their promises remain unfulfilled for many. In fact, the World Economic Forum recently declared that it would take another 134 years to achieve full gender equality. That’s not just disappointing, it’s unacceptable.
In response, UN Women has launched a bold campaign outlining 15 actions to accelerate progress. These 15 actions aren’t just policy suggestions they’re a call to arms. A push to move faster, go further and do better. Here’s what they’re asking the world to commit to:
- Address the Backlash Against Women’s Rights
Renew political will to protect hard-won gains and ensure legal, political, and financial systems actively advance not hinder gender equality. - End Conflict
Increase investment in conflict prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding to protect the 600+ million women and girls living near conflict zones. - Promote Women in Peacemaking
Ensure women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes, where their involvement has been shown to sustain peace. - Close the Gender Digital Divide
Expand access to digital tools, education, and infrastructure to ensure women and girls are not left behind in the digital age. - End Gender-Based Violence
Strengthen laws, services, and prevention strategies to combat violence against women and girls in all its forms. - Support Women’s Economic Empowerment
Promote equal pay, access to credit, and entrepreneurship opportunities to help women achieve financial independence. - Ensure Equal Political Participation
Increase women’s representation in parliaments, cabinets, and local governments to ensure their voices shape policy. - Invest in Care Economies
Recognise and redistribute unpaid care work, and invest in childcare and eldercare infrastructure to support caregivers. - Advance Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
Guarantee access to comprehensive healthcare, including family planning and maternal services. - Protect Women in Climate Action
Include women in climate decision-making and support gender-responsive environmental policies. - Empower Girls Through Education
Ensure universal access to quality education for girls, especially in crisis-affected and underserved areas. - Support Women in Sport and Culture
Promote equal opportunities and visibility for women in sports, arts, and media. - Strengthen Feminist Movements
Fund grassroots organisations and protect activists from harassment and violence. - Ensure Gender-Responsive Budgeting
Align national budgets with gender equality goals to ensure accountability and impact. - Hold Institutions Accountable
Monitor progress, enforce commitments, and ensure transparency in gender equality efforts.
These actions are not just for policymakers. They are for all of us. Because gender equality isn’t a women’s issue it’s a whole of society issue. It affects our economies, our communities, our families, and our futures.
UN Women’s Executive Director, Sima Bahous, called this a “historic and precarious moment”. She’s right. We are standing at a crossroads. One path leads to deeper inequality, division, and despair. The other leads to justice, opportunity and dignity for everyone. Fifteen years ago, the world created UN Women to lead us down the second path. Today, it’s up to us to follow.