Rise, support of women in media anchors key global review
In 2025, the global community marks the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
The sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women is taking place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 10 to 21 March 2025
Representatives of Member States, UN entities and accredited NGOs from all regions of the world have been invited to attend, with the main focus the review and appraisal of the Declaration and the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly or Beijing +5, the five-year review held in the General Assembly in June 2000
The Beijing+30 review will include an assessment of current challenges that affect the implementation of the Platform for Action and its contribution towards the full realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Chapter J of the Declaration specifically looks at Women and the Media,
In January, I had the privilege of participating in a two-day expert consultation at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Alongside 20 women and men worldwide, we reviewed and reflected on Chapter J of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which addresses women in media.
Our task was to recommend how this foundational document on women’s rights should evolve in 2025 and remain relevant for the next five to 10 years.
While we celebrated the successes achieved since 1995, we also focused on the real-life challenges women journalists face, particularly those on the frontlines of violence, and discussed case studies of best practices.
One powerful example came from Iraq, where collaborative efforts with authorities and the judiciary have led to meaningful action against violence targeting women journalists.
The consultation brought together researchers, academics, activists, and practitioners, offering diverse expertise. A highlight was Margaret Gallagher’s presence. Gallagher was involved in the original drafting of the Declaration in Beijing in 1995.
I was honoured to speak on the keynote panel alongside colleagues from India, Palestine and the Philippines. During my remarks, I emphasised the following key points:
Celebrating progress
I highlighted the strides since Beijing, including increased awareness, robust advocacy, extensive research, and the implementation of various policies.
Today, more women are working in media, and we’ve seen growth in women’s leadership – though this progress has slowed in recent years.
Broadening the definition of ‘media’
I urged us to expand our understanding of ‘media’ beyond traditional legacy platforms. Women and girls are leveraging digital spaces, such as social media, to create impactful content and build communities.
For example, in Africa, women dominate the podcasting space. By looking beyond legacy media, we can better appreciate how women shape the media landscape innovatively.
Addressing gaps in gender equality advocacy
I noted that some sectors, like the gaming industry, lag significantly in gender equality and policy development. While countries like Canada, Japan, Sweden, and the UK are making strides, comprehensive national policies remain scarce.
Virtual spaces and gaming deserve greater attention when considering trust and audience engagement with media.
Making the business case for gender equality
I considered how we might frame gender equality in terms that resonate with media owners and leaders focused on profitability.
Projects like Project Oasis and initiatives in Vietnam, Mauritius, and South Africa demonstrate how gender-equal boards can positively impact revenue.
Countries like Norway have set a precedent by mandating that 40% of board members in companies of a certain size must be women.
Inclusive language
Finally, I stressed the need to update the Beijing Declaration’s wording and terminology to reflect intersectionality, inclusivity and technological advancements.
The scope of ‘media’ must be broadened, and the document must adopt a future-proof perspective that aligns with evolving realities
Artificial Intelligence
This was another critical topic of discussion. We emphasised the importance of empowering women in AI production and usage to address systemic bias and discrimination. The ad hoc adoption of AI in some newsrooms is concerning and demands urgent attention.
A heartfelt thanks to the exceptional UNESCO team for organising this vital consultation. It was an honour to contribute to shaping the future of gender equality in media.
- Akinbobola is a Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University, Co-founder of African Women in Media, a 2016 CNN Multichoice African Journalist Award Winner, one of 100 Most Influential African Women 2021, a podcast host, consultant and speaker
The year 2025 is a remarkable one for women’s rights’ as it marks 30 years since the Declaration and Platform for Action, in which the world jointly defined the critical areas of concern for women’s empowerment and gender equality.
It also marks 25 years since the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which was groundbreaking in recognising that no peace can be sustainable without the full participation of women in all spheres of conflict resolution and peace building.
But while we are celebrating the battles won, it is impossible to plan for the future without also recognising the severe backlash we’re facing across the world, with women’s rights, choices and opportunities being questioned and stolen away
In the process of reviewing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, UN Women concludes that 24 percent of countries surveyed say the backlash on gender equality has undermined the implementation of commitments that could unlock equality, rights and protection for all women and girls.
This is nothing but fear from the patriarchy – fear for losing its power, privileges and control.
Thirty years since the Beijing Declaration and 25 years since UNSCR 1325 it is absolutely clear – we need to accelerate action to reach gender equality. At the current pace, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum.
- Palm is Gender Advisor to International Medis Support
Three decades after the adoption of the Declaration and Platform for Action, progress on legal equality remains dangerously incomplete.
Despite global commitments, sex-discriminatory laws persist in every region, impeding women’s and girls’ rights in all areas of life, including marriage, employment, property ownership, and protection from gender-based violence.
Today, our ‘Words & Deeds: Holding Governments Accountable in the Beijing+30 Review Process’ report reveals where progress has stalled and where deliberate backsliding threatens hard-won gains.
While more than 59% of the sex-discriminatory laws highlighted in past ‘Words & Deeds’ reports have been amended or repealed, much of this progress has been slow, inconsistent, and, in some cases, reversed.
Governments must now take decisive action to fulfill their obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Platform for Action and the SDGs – especially if we are to have any hope of achieving the SDGs by the 2030 deadline.
The stakes are high. We know that gender equality is good for everyone and that more equal societies tend to be more prosperous and resilient, but
… the global rollback on women’s rights is intensifying, undermining democratic principles, entrenching economic disparities, and exacerbating gender-based violence
The time for incremental change has passed. Only structural, enforceable legal reforms will ensure all women and girls have full and equal protection under the law.
Key findings of the state of legal equality in 2025:
- Persistent sex discrimination in law: No country has full legal equality and 37 countries still provide women with less than half the legal rights of men
- Rising threats to gender equality
- Reproductive rights under attack: In the U.S., Poland, and other countries, abortion bans are restricting bodily autonomy
- Sexual violence laws imperiled: In Bolivia and Uruguay, bills are being proposed to weaken protections for women from violence using ‘anti-men’ rhetoric
- LGBTQ+ rights threatened: Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia and other countries are passing new discriminatory laws
- Rights to education, movement, and expression violated: In Afghanistan, Iran and other countries, harsher laws are being introduced further jeopardising women and girls’ participation and presence in public life
- Failure to implement international legal commitments: Despite signing on to CEDAW and the Platform for Action, many governments continue to legislate in contradiction to these frameworks. The SDGs on gender equality are at risk of failure, with legal reform being one of the most neglected targets.
Words alone will not achieve legal equality—governments must demonstrate political will and enact enforceable legal reforms by:
- repealing or amending all sex-discriminatory laws
- enforcinf constitutional protections for gender equality through legislation, judicial oversight and policy reform, and
- allocating resources for implementation as passing laws is not enough; funding and institutional capacity are required to ensure enforcement
International stakeholders must maintain pressure. UN treaty bodies must hold non-compliant States accountable, and CSW69 must be leveraged to drive action, not just dialogue.
Civil society and advocates mobilising for impact can:
- use this report to push for national-level legal reforms
- engage with media and policymakers to amplify the urgency of legal change, and
- monitor and expose legislative backsliding to prevent further erosion of rights
Legal equality is the foundation of democracy, economic progress and gender justice. CSW69 (March 2025) presents a critical opportunity to advocate with the Beijing+30 moment not one of commemoration, but of action.
Governments that fail to uphold legal equality must face heightened diplomatic pressure and public accountability.
- Equality Now works with partners around the world to push for legal equality and an end to sex- and gender-discriminatory laws. Its 2020 report, Words and Deeds: Holding Governments Accountable in the Beijing +25 Review Process, was followed by a series of update briefs in 2023 and 2024
- Listen to Equality Now‘s podcast to learn more about the Beijing Conference in 1995, and how it’s still relevant to the work toward full legal equality today
