For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment
This is the theme of this year's United Nations 50th International Women's Day on March 8, which should and must draw attention to the fact that the rights of women and girls around the world are under unprecedented threat. This ranges from higher levels of discrimination and weaker legal protection to less funding for programs and institutions that support and protect women. UN Women's latest report, "Women's Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing", published in the run-up to International Women's Day, shows that by 2024, almost a quarter of governments worldwide will report a deterioration in women's rights.
Facts on gender equality
Violence against women
- Worldwide, a woman is deliberately killed by her partner or close relative every 10 minutes (UN Women)
- One in three women experience violence, usually at the hands of a close relative (UN Women)
Political participation
- The global representation of women in parliament stagnated at 27% in 2024. Hardly any parliament adequately reflects the proportion of women in the population. To date, there has never been a female head of government or state in a total of 113 countries.
This 'mega election year' has brought to light a stark truth: women's political leadership remains the exception, not the norm," said UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous. "Despite progress, harmful norms, violence and insufficient political will continue to undermine women's empowerment. We must act decisively to make gender-equal leadership a reality."
- Men continue to dominate political power worldwide, and only 87 countries have ever been led by a woman. The participation of women in elections as voters, candidates and office holders strengthens democracy worldwide.
Unequal pay for equal work
- According to Statista, the gender pay gap in 2024 was 0.83. This means that women were paid 0.83 dollars, while men earned one dollar. In Austria, the pay gap is 12.18% - this corresponds to around 44 calendar days on which women are mathematically unpaid. According to the Federal Statistical Office, women in Germany earned an average of 16% less than men in 2024. There were major differences between the east (5%) and the west (17%). The pay gap then continues with lower pensions for women.
- The World Economic Forum calculated that at the current rate of wage adjustment, it will take another 134 years before the gap is closed
- According to calculations by the World Bank, women have the same legal rights as men in all eight indicators measured in only 14 out of 190 economies
Women and climate change
- Women, especially those living in rural areas and/or belonging to indigenous or black communities, are disproportionately affected by climate change. The UN estimates that 80% of people displaced by climate change are women and girls (Equal Measures 2030).
Poverty and women
- Women are more frequently affected by poverty and have a lower share of global income, at 35% compared to 31% in 1990. This figure would have to be 50% in the case of equality. The reasons for the "feminization" of poverty are manifold. On the one hand, it is due to the financial dependence of many women, as well as fewer educational opportunities for girls, the assumption of the majority of so-called unpaid care work, a lack of social and pension insurance
Women in companies
- 34% of managerial positions in medium-sized companies worldwide are currently held by women, which corresponds to an increase of only 0.5 percentage points (pp) compared to the previous year.
- 4.1% of SMEs worldwide have no women in management positions, compared to 6.7% in the previous year. This development illustrates how important it is to take measures for more equality in management positions.
The latest analysis by the information service provider CRIF once again confirms that diversity in management positions has a positive impact on the financial stability and creditworthiness of companies. Companies with a balanced gender distribution show a better economic performance on average and are more successful in the long term. At the same time, it is clear that particularly capital-intensive companies continue to be dominated by men.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMrlW-NtRsg&t=54s
Source: The Gender Snapshot 2024
Beijing+30 Action Agenda
Significant efforts are still needed to achieve gender equality and bring us closer to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The new Beijing+30 Action Agenda was created for this reason - to achieve the gender equality goals.
A digital revolution for all women and girls:
Equal access to technology is needed to empower women and girls to be leaders in AI and digital innovation, and to guarantee their online safety and privacy.
Freedom from poverty:
Investing in comprehensive social protection, universal healthcare, education and robust care services is necessary for women and girls to thrive and can create millions of green and decent jobs.
No violence:
Countries must adopt and implement laws to end violence against women and girls in all its forms, with well-resourced plans that include support for community-based organizations on the front lines of response and prevention.
Full and equal decision-making authority:
Temporary special measures such as gender quotas have proven to be effective in rapidly increasing the participation of women.
Peace and security:
Full funding of national plans for women, peace and security and gender-responsive humanitarian aid is essential. Frontline women's organizations, so often the first to respond to crises, must receive dedicated, sustained funding to build lasting peace.
Climate justice:
We must prioritize the rights of women and girls in adapting to climate change, put their leadership and knowledge at the center and ensure that they benefit from new green jobs.
The #MoveForward movement is fighting for equality for women. You can find all the information HERE.
