Aligned with 2020 theme, “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”, the Report issues call to action to achieve gender equality and justice for this generation, 25 years after the Beijing Platform for Action.

Spotlight on rural women and girls during the Commission on the Status of Women, focus on critical issues such as ensuring adequate living standards, food and nutrition security, access to land, technology, education, health, and ending all forms of violence and harmful practices

The 60th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women concluded today with UN Member States committing to the gender-responsive implementation of Agenda 2030. A set of agreed conclusions called for enhancing the basis for rapid progress, including stronger laws, policies and institutions, better data and scaled-up financing.

At a star-studded event today in New York City, high-powered speakers took the stage to put out a clarion call: a firm expiry date of 2030 for gender inequality, with real equality being nothing short of 50-50. The packed Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality event was a UN Women-hosted celebration for the 20th anniversary of the historic Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Speakers called for bolder actions from governments and louder mobilization from citizens to move forward the agenda on women’s rights and gender equality, saying progress in the last 20 years has been too slow.

Many countries including the Caribbean have created institutions that address gender inequality. Many have passed laws against gender-based discrimination. Many have made domestic violence a crime. There has been some progress in the last 20 years – but it has been slow and uneven. Today, not one single country has achieved gender equality as outlined in the BPfA.