COPENHAGEN, 7 March 2025 – Ahead of tomorrow’s International Women’s Day, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on Gender Issues, the Hon. Dr. Hedy Fry (Canada), highlighted the progress made in advancing women’s rights globally, as well as the ongoing efforts needed to ensure their full participation in all aspects of society.
The year 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Special Representative Fry noted, pointing out that this landmark international agreement proclaimed that women’s rights are human rights and called on governments to eliminate discrimination against women by removing obstacles to gender equality and the empowerment of women. The upcoming review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action will aim to assess current and emerging challenges that affect achievement of gender equality, she stressed.
Despite advancements that have been made towards gender equality in the past 30 years, progress has been too slow, inconsistent and uneven. Special Representative Fry stated: “There has been regression in women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights and in support and protection for civil society organizations focused on gender equality. Indeed, the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will severely damage progress on women’s rights globally.”
At the current rate of progress, the UN reports that it would take approximately 280 years to close gaps in legal protections for women and eliminate discriminatory laws. “While can be proud of what we have accomplished, we must continue to fight against division and continue to move forward to claim our equal rights,” said the Special Representative.
In the legislative context, the international community remains a long way from true gender equality. Women continue to be significantly underrepresented in politics. According to the latest data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, in the OSCE region, the average percentage of women in national parliaments is approximately 31 per cent.
“On International Women’s Day, I encourage my fellow OSCE PA parliamentarians to amplify the voices of women and girls, and to share the stories of those who continue to face challenges,” Special Representative Fry said. “As democracy and human rights are increasingly challenged in the OSCE region and around the world, there is an urgent need for renewed focus on gender equality.”
For more on the work of the Special Representative on Gender Issues, please click here.
