International Women’s Day: United Nations Warns Women’s Rights Under Attack
On International Women’s Day 2025, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that women’s rights are under attack worldwide. Speaking at the UN’s official commemoration of the day, Guterres highlighted the urgent challenges facing women and girls and called for immediate action to protect and advance their rights.
According to UN data, every 10 minutes, a woman is killed by her intimate partner or a family member. Additionally, 612 million women and girls live in conflict zones, facing extreme risks to their safety and well-being. Guterres stated that We cannot accept a world where women live in fear, and their security is treated as a privilege rather than an inalienable right.
Beyond threats of violence, economic inequality remains a major concern. Less than two-thirds of women globally participate in economic activities, and those who do earn significantly less than men. Guterres also underscored the alarming impact of digital technologies, which, while holding immense promise, are often weaponized against women.
He futher stated that Online platforms are increasingly used to silence women’s voices, reinforce biases, and fuel harassment. Women’s bodies have become political battlegrounds, and we are witnessing the dangerous normalization of misogyny and chauvinism.
The Secretary-General further highlighted the persistent issue of poverty, noting that at the current rate, it would take an estimated 130 years to eradicate extreme poverty for women. He called for urgent, bold action from governments worldwide, urging them to move beyond rhetoric and implement concrete measures to address gender inequality.
Established by the UN General Assembly in 1977, International Women’s Day serves as a global call to action for women’s rights and gender equality. As the world observes this day, Guterres emphasized the need for collective responsibility stating that We must listen to the voices of women and girls, defend their rights, and take decisive action. The time for change is now.
