Women globally continue to face significant legal barriers, enjoying only about 64 per cent of the rights available to men, the United Nations has said.
The warning was issued by UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, in a statement on Tuesday to mark International Women’s Day and Women’s Month. He highlighted that discriminatory laws and systemic barriers continue to prevent many women from accessing justice, owning property, working freely, or seeking a divorce.
Guterres described gender inequality as one of the greatest human rights challenges of our time, stressing that advancing equality is essential for sustainable development, peace, and social progress. He also noted that women remain under-represented in political and economic decision-making structures globally.
The UN chief called for greater investment in women and girls, including education, maternal health, and family support systems, which generate significant economic and social returns. He also urged stronger inclusion of women in peace negotiations, action against gender-based violence, elimination of bias in emerging technologies, and central roles for women in climate action.
Guterres emphasized that closing the gender gap is not only a matter of fairness but also of power, warning that rising authoritarianism is deepening inequalities and rolling back protections from fair work practices to reproductive rights.
He concluded that gender equality strengthens societies, noting that when power is shared, freedom and opportunity expand for all.
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