Where are we now? Thirty years after Beijing Declaration

By Catherine Murombedzi
HEALTH CORRESPONDENT

The 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) will take place from March 10 to 21, 2025, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This marks 30 years since the Beijing Declaration. The 69th session will review progress, assess challenges, and identify achievements in implementing the Platform for Action. It will examine where we are now in achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment. It is expected to proffer strategies to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

30 YEARS ON

It’s 30 years since the much hyped Beijing Women’s Conference in 1995, and the ink has long since dried. What are the achievements?
What remains on the to-do list?

SHE & RIGHTS

In the fifth session of She & Rights, activists, the media and experts from various countries virtually gathered to highlight progress and challenges in realizing women’s rights.

Achieving equality is still a long way to go. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted by 189 countries in 1995 was a historic milestone in the struggle for gender equality. However, the evaluation at the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) to be held next week will inform on success and what needs to be strengthened.

ASIA-PACIFIC INSIGHTS

According to Angelie Shenoi, speaking during the webnair, an intersectional feminist and programme manager at the Asian Pacific Resource and Research Center for Women (ARROW), despite progress in areas like education and health, many structural barriers hinder gender equality.

“We live in a poly-crisis era with rising right-wing populism, gender-based violence, and economic pressure exacerbating gender inequality,” Angelie said.

The challenges in Asia Pacific and Africa are similar in many fronts.
Gender-based violence and reproductive rights remain significant concerns in many countries.

INSIGHTS INTO AFRICA

In Africa, 36 countries reported strengthening support services for victims of violence, but the incidences of violence remain high. Kenya, for example, struggles with high rates of femicide and inadequate implementation of laws protecting women.

In Asia Pacific, child marriages and female genital mutilation (FGM) persist. In Africa, these challenges persist in some countries. Many countries also face increasing technology-facilitated violence, which is not adequately regulated. Body shaming and cyberbulying is growing with women targeted.

WORKPLACE

Women continue to face economic discrimination in wages and job opportunities.
Some African countries like Rwanda have achieved 64% female representation in parliament, but female representation in executive positions remains low, as low as 7%.

In Asia Pacific, women face labour exploitation in the global capitalist system.
“The neoliberal economic model exploits women’s labour, particularly in the informal sector, with low wages and poor working conditions,” Angelie added.

KENYA INSIGHTS

Kavutha Mutua,a Kenyan Lawyer also founder and director of The Legal Caravan, spoke of progress made in various African countries regarding women’s health, violence against women, and human rights.
“There are notable achievements with 36 countries having established and strengthened survivor support services, such as shelters, helplines, and legal aid, to combat violence against women and girls. A total of 37 countries have expanded universal health coverage.

Although maternal mortality is still high, 35 countries have prioritized sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, and HIV care. Of these, 15 African have surpassed the 30% Africa parliamentary representation threshold, with Rwanda leading at 64%,” said Kabuta.

Kabuta continued to highlight that its still a long way to go to achieve the Maputo Protocol.
“However, challenges persist, particularly in implementing policies and laws. As you mentioned, Kenya still struggles with comprehensive sexuality education, and many countries face difficulties in accessing land rights and financial inclusion for women. To build on the progress made, it’s essential to focus on implementation and strengthening policy frameworks specific to the African region,”

The Maputo Protocol of 2003 guarantees women’s rights to equality, reproductive autonomy, and freedom from harmful practices like female genital mutilation.

As of June 2023, 44 of 55 African Union member states have ratified it, marking 20 years of progress in Africa’s gender equality landscape.

ZIMBABWE LANDMARK LAW

Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe, where child marriages were rife, minors are now protected from sexual predators. President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed The Bill into law in September. The enacted Criminal Laws Amendment (Protection of Children and Young Persons) Bill, 2024, raises the age of sexual consent from 16 to 18, aligning it with the Constitution’s definition of a young person.

This landmark legislation strengthens protections against sexual predators and early marriages. Previously, under age girls were left vulnerable. The new law introduces crucial provisions. It is now criminal to deliberately infect a child with a sexually transmitted disease. It offers a Romeo and Juliet Clause, exempting minors engaging in consensual sexual activities from prosecution, provided the age difference is not more than three years.

The law offers greater protection for victims of sexual exploitation. These changes demonstrate Zimbabwe’s commitment to safeguarding its children and young people.

UNDER REPRESENTATED

Women are underrepresented in politics. Zimbabwe’s census population as of April 20, 2022, approximately has 15,178,979 people. This represents a 16.2% increase from the 2012 census population of 13 million people, with an annual population growth rate of 1.5%.
According to the 2022 census, females make up approximately 52% of Zimbabwe’s population.

Zimbabwe’s women’s representation in politics is of great concern. Despite efforts, only 22 women were directly elected to the 210-seat National Assembly in 2023, making up only 11% of the total seats. This falls short of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) 30% threshold.

Historically, women’s representation has been lackluster, ranging from 8% in 1980 to 16% in 2005. Patriarchal society, violence, and intimidation, as well as limited access to resources, hinder women’s participation in politics.

To address this, quotas and affirmative action policies can increase women’s representation. Changing societal attitudes through education and awareness campaigns can also help. Supporting women candidates with resources can level the playing field.

Zimbabwe needs to prioritise women’s representation to achieve inclusive democracy. By addressing the challenges and implementing solutions, Zimbabwe can work towards a more equitable society.

Socialisation to patriarchy is a significant factor, leading to internalized misogyny, lack of solidarity, and prioritisation of male interests.
Limited access to education, economic dependence, and cultural norms also contribute to this issue. Addressing these underlying factors is crucial to promoting women’s empowerment and increasing their representation in politics. Women’s support for women candidates is essential to challenging patriarchal norms and achieving inclusive democracy.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Women in developing countries are more vulnerable to climate change impacts. In many rural areas, they face difficulties accessing resources and livelihoods, which are decreasing due to natural disasters. Digitalization also poses challenges, as women’s access to technology remains limited.

TO DO LIST

Panelists at the She & Rights session agreed that concrete actions are needed to accelerate gender equality.
It was recommended that Increase Governments be transparent and accountable.
Countries must seriously implement policies they have signed, including Beijing+30 and the Maputo Declaration.

The forum agreed on further collaboration between women’s organisations, civil society, and media as crucial to counter anti-women’s rights rhetoric.
Demand gender-responsive budgeting. Many countries allocate minimal budgets for gender equality programmes. Without sufficient investment, change won’t happen.

Engaging men as allies is important as gender education should start early, including engaging men in preventing gender-based violence.

EQUITABLE FUTURE

As the world marks 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, it’s essential to ensure that gender equality is not just a promise on paper but a reality for all women, without exception. She & Rights serves as a reminder that the struggle is long, but with collective action and genuine commitment, change can happen.
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