The United Nations has unveiled a bold new agenda aimed at advancing women’s rights and achieving gender equality worldwide. The plan was announced on Wednesday, March 12, during the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN headquarters in New York. In a video message, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed described the initiative as a “call to action” for 2025, emphasizing the urgent need to address the significant challenges women and girls continue to face, including violence, conflict, and systemic inequality.

Mohammed stressed that with only five years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this moment represents a critical turning point for global efforts to ensure gender equality. She called on participants at the session to transform UN commitments into tangible, lasting impacts. The new agenda places a strong emphasis on empowering adolescent girls and young women, increasing financing for gender equality initiatives, and improving the collection and analysis of gender-disaggregated data to inform policy decisions.

The plan builds on the foundation laid by the landmark 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which set a global standard for advancing women’s rights. Mohammed highlighted key areas of focus, including bridging the digital gender divide and ensuring women’s representation in decision-making processes. She underscored the importance of a “digital revolution” to close the gap in access to technology and digital tools, which are increasingly critical for education, employment, and civic participation.

Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, echoed Mohammed’s sentiments, acknowledging that while progress has been made in some areas, women and girls still do not enjoy the same rights and opportunities as men. Bahous called for renewed commitment and action to address persistent inequalities and ensure that women’s voices are heard and valued in all spheres of life.

The UN’s new agenda comes at a pivotal time, as global challenges such as climate change, economic instability, and geopolitical conflicts disproportionately affect women and girls. By prioritizing gender equality and women’s empowerment, the UN aims to create a more inclusive and equitable world, where women can fully participate in and benefit from social, economic, and political opportunities. The success of this plan will depend on the collective efforts of governments, civil society, and the private sector to translate these commitments into meaningful change.