On March 8, 2025, the world prepares to commemorate International Womens Day, themed Accelerate Action. This years celebration resonates with urgency, emphasizing the need to fast-track efforts toward gender equality, recognizing the stark realities women face globally. While history has marked significant strides, the impediments remain formidable, demanding reinvigorated resolve.
The 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is particularly significant this year, as it reminds us of the enduring agenda for womens rights and gender equality. Unfortunately, as the declaration's ideals are examined, it becomes clear many promises remain unfulfilled for millions of women worldwide.
Recent events highlight how various organizations are stepping up their game. The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) is showcasing commendable efforts toward gender equality, boasting a gender equality index of 3.5 out of 5. This rating emerges from the National Observatory for Gender Equality within Higher Education Institutions. Despite this progress, UNAM acknowledges areas requiring enhancement, particularly within gender studies and data collection.
Various health campaigns are also scheduled across Latin America, aimed at providing free medical services to women as part of the womens day festivities. Municipalities in Lima and other provinces of Peru will host initiatives on March 7 and 8, offering healthcare services at no cost and promoting a culture of health awareness among women.
The UNAM involvement shows tangible results with over 150 courses integrated with gender perspectives across educational levels, highlighting their commitment to inclusivity and systemic change. Women still face disparities, as evident from wage statistics where they earn on average 30% less than their male counterparts for the same work, underscoring the persistent gender pay gap.
Despite these advances, the struggle continues to combat ingrained stereotypes and societal biases. Activists like Elvia Carrillo Puerto historically paved the way for feminist movements. Puerto, revered as one of the leading figures within the feminist suffragist movement of Mexico, started her career fighting for land rights and advocating for women's suffrage. Born in Yucatán, she founded the first womens organization of peasant women, and advocated for equal rights to property and education.
Elvia Carrillo's legacy is particularly relevant today. Carrillo, who began her political activism at 13 after marrying, faced numerous challenges, including the assassination of her brother Felipe, the Governor of Yucatán, which temporarily halted her political career. Yet, her persistence paid off; she became one of the first women elected as deputy to the congress of Yucatán and campaigned passionately for women's voting rights. Her life mirrors the intersection of struggle and victory within feminism—a reminder of the long battle still facing gender equality.
Current sentiments reflect continuing struggles. A recent Ipsos survey conducted across 30 countries indicates progress is tempered with polarized views on gender equality. While many participants expressed hope for future improvements, particularly among younger generations, stark divides remain, particularly around whether initiatives for gender rights have gone too far. Young men are increasingly questioning some feminist efforts, indicating growing generational tension.
High school, university, and postgraduate programs at UNAM incorporate gender studies as formal subjects, promoting awareness among students. Yet, the voices within education highlight unresolved discrepancies. The university's director underlined: “While we have enhanced the respect for womens rights on paper, application and cultural acceptance lag severely.” This sentiment echoes across various sectors where the activism of women’s rights advocates continues to strive for respect, equality, and freedom from violence.
A call to action is emphasized by NGOs and various organizations committed to accelerating social changes needed to promote equality. Dianova International stresses the urgency: “The time for action is now,” advocating against the rising tide of extremism and conservatism which impedes progress. The UN's commitments to gender equality through sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5, remain compelling frameworks through which organizations can rally support and community engagement.
An alarming reality persists: nearly 10% of women and girls live in extreme poverty globally. Alongside this, 736 million women have endured violence at some point, displaying how entrenched gender violence is within societal structures. This indicates the work is far from complete, and new technologies are giving rise to modern forms of violence.
Participatory actions will play pivotal roles this 8th of March, with community engagement through workshops, health fairs, and educational talks across universities and public administrations. Campaigns are set to educate women on their rights and health issues whilst also encouraging their active participation. Schools and universities alike are reporting increased involvement, proving grassroots movements retain significant power.
The upcoming events not only commemorate but also educate, making clear the urgency of equitable treatment of all genders. The world decisively stands at the crossroads of potential significant change, but each entity charged with the mantle of promoting equality and women's rights must act resolutely, lest we drift backwards instead of making the strides we sorely need.
Embodying the spirit of Elvia Carrillo and her fellow activists, this International Womens Day aims to reignite passions, uplift voices historically drowned out, and secure unity toward systemic reform—reaffirming the mantra: equality is not merely aspirational, it must be the reality for future generations.