30 years after Beijing Declaration: Should women celebrate?

Thirty years after the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995—a landmark global blueprint for advancing women's rights—Africa stands at a pivotal moment. The continent has made notable progress in elevating women into leadership roles across politics, media, business, culture, and civil society, yet the overarching goal of fullgender equality remains, in the UN's words, "unfinished business." Across East, Southern, West, and Central Africa, governments, civil society groups, and regional bodies have spent the past three decades reforming laws, strengthening gender institutions, and creating new platforms for women to participate in public life. For instance, 20 countries in East and Southern Africa have adopted or updated legislation addressing gender-based violence, while several others have expanded laws supporting women in political decision‑making and economic participation. But this progress is uneven. Despite major gains, women remain underrepresented in key leadership roles, face high levels of gender‑based violence, and continue to encounter structural barriers rooted in economic inequality, entrenched patriarchy, and limited access to finance, digital technologies, and political networks. High‑level gender assessments across Africa repeatedly highlight these persistent gaps, calling for renewed, coordinated action.