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New York, March 2025 – In a landmark moment for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) has adopted a Political Declaration marking the thirtieth anniversary of the historic Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This adoption reinforces a global commitment to accelerating progress toward gender equality, particularly in the face of persistent and emerging challenges.
The Beijing +30 Political Declaration, adopted by ministers and government representatives from across the world, reaffirms the need for urgent, transformative action to address gender-based disparities in health, education, economic opportunities, and leadership. It underscores the continued relevance of the Beijing Platform for Action and its 12 critical areas of concern, while highlighting new and evolving issues such as the impacts of climate change, humanitarian crises, and the need for financing for gender-responsive policies.
A Political Declaration for Today’s World
The adoption of this declaration occurs in a global context of growing economic instability, diminishing aid, humanitarian crises, and persistent barriers to women’s rights. The declaration calls for renewed commitment to gender equality amid rising inequalities, increasing conflicts, and a rollback of hard-won women’s rights in some regions. The declaration reaffirms the centrality of women’s and girls’ rights to sustainable development and social progress.
Key commitments include:
-Strengthening safe, available, affordable, accessible, quality and inclusive healthcare services for women and girls.
-Ensuring adequate financing for gender equality through gender-responsive budgeting, increased investment in social protection, and innovative financing mechanisms.
-Addressing the gendered impacts of climate change, ensuring that women and girls are central to adaptation and mitigation strategies.
-Prioritizing women’s role in humanitarian response and peacebuilding, recognizing that conflicts and crises disproportionately affect women and girls.
-Eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, including online and offline violence, by investing in prevention, justice mechanisms, and survivor support.
Health a continued priority
Health remains a core priority in the CSW Political Declaration, building on the commitments made at Beijing +30. The declaration emphasizes the right of all women and girls to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, including universal health coverage, maternal and neonatal care and menstrual health.
However, a notable omission is the lack of reference to sexual and reproductive health and rights, a critical priority for improving the health of women and girls. Access to comprehensive SRHR services, including family planning, contraception, safe abortion, and maternal care, ensures that women and girls can make informed choices about their bodies and futures. SRHR is essential in reducing maternal mortality, preventing unintended pregnancies, and combating gender-based violence. Furthermore, ensuring SRHR supports economic growth by allowing women and girls to pursue education and employment opportunities without the barrier of preventable health issues. Without prioritizing SRHR, achieving true gender equality and sustainable development remains out of reach.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Implementation
Despite notable progress since 1995, no country has fully achieved gender equality, and progress remains uneven. Similarly progress on the health of women and girls has slowed in recent years and been uneven throughout. The CSW Political Declaration calls for greater accountability and mobilization of resources to ensure commitments translate into meaningful action. As we move forward, global leaders, civil society, and the private sector must work together to bridge gaps and accelerate the realization of women’s and girls’ rights.
The adoption of the Beijing +30 Political Declaration is a significant milestone, but its impact will depend on continued commitment, investment, and implementation. The world cannot afford to slow down—the health, rights, and future of women and girls depend on it.
As we move towards the Commission on Population and Development in April, we urge all PMNCH partners to play their role in advocating for the protection of the rights of women and girls, including their rights to sexual and reproductive health and rights.