A UN Women report warns that the rights of women and girls in many regions of the world are stagnating or regressing . The reasons: armed conflicts, budget cuts in international aid, and a conservative backlash against progress toward equality. The Guardian

Although concrete improvements had been made in maternal health, education, and the reduction of domestic violence in recent decades, these gains are now threatened by humanitarian crises, budget cuts, and regressive policies. Many countries are stretching their resources to the limit to maintain basic services.

The report notes that some 676 million women and girls live near conflict zones, making them particularly vulnerable to displacement and loss of access to healthcare and education. Furthermore, climate change is projected to push even more women into extreme poverty if swift action is not taken.

The digital divide is cited as another critical factor: without internet access or devices, many women are excluded from support networks, online education, job opportunities, and civic participation. This perpetuates structural inequalities.

UN Women calls for a renewed global commitment: not just laws, but gender-sensitive policies that address the climate crisis, peace, international financing, and the protection of hard-won rights. Because equality today is built on the decisions we make today.