2025: A pivotal year for gender equality

By Pete Vowles | Mar. 8, 2025

Gender equality is under threat — and 2025 could be a pivotal year in shaping its future.

OVER the past year, I have had the privilege of meeting women from across Zimbabwe who are driving impactful change.

From female de-miners working on clearing landmines, to entrepreneurs leading women-led businesses, to advocates championing women’s rights, I am continually inspired by the determination and resilience of these women.

Their work is not only transforming lives but is also helping Zimbabwe flourish in ways that benefit everyone.

However, despite these advances, gender equality is under threat — and 2025 could be a pivotal year in shaping its future.

2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, a global policy document that remains one of the most progressive frameworks for gender equality.

While this milestone is a reminder of the progress we’ve made, it is also a stark reminder of how far we still have to go.

Between 2019 and 2022, nearly 40% of countries saw stagnation or regression in gender equality.

We are witnessing a rollback on hard-won rights, with growing misogyny, gender-based disinformation, and online violence threatening the safety and rights of women and girls.

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Moreover, escalating global conflicts and crises continue to disproportionately affect women and girls, exacerbating inequalities and vulnerabilities.

Now, more than ever, we must stand together to protect and advance gender equality.

Gender equality is not just a women’s issue; it is a fundamental human rights issue that impacts us all.

It is central to building safer, more secure societies and to achieving global economic growth.

Evidence is clear: gender equality benefits everyone.

When women and girls are empowered, entire economies thrive.

In fact, estimates suggest that closing the gender gap globally could add an astounding US$7 trillion to the global economy whilst eliminating violence against women would stop global GDP losses of up to 4% per year.

In the United Kingdom, we have placed women and girls at the heart of both our domestic and international agenda, recognising that more needs to be done to advance gender equality both within the United Kingdom and globally.

We have a particular focus on women's economic empowerment, enabling women to exercise their rights to earn an income, control financial resources, and take part in economic decision-making.

In Zimbabwe, we have supported women-led businesses to access finance through a revolving fund, and we have worked to enhance export opportunities for women entrepreneurs through providing market information and making connections with potential buyers.

Additionally, our programme focused on tackling gender-based violence works to foster equitable gender relationships in households while women advance their income-generating activities.

These initiatives are a step in the right direction, but the truth is, much more needs to be done.

As we approach International Women’s Day 2025, we face an increasingly fraught landscape for gender equality, and we cannot afford to be complacent.

Together, we must advance tangible, positive action that leads to real progress toward a gender-equal future.

Let us use 2025 as a turning point — a time when the curve of progress turns decisively in the right direction.

A time when we secure the rights, the economic opportunities, and the futures of women and girls everywhere.