Fifteen Years, Fifteen Facts: Challenges and solutions for gender equality

As UN Women marks its 15th anniversary this year, the world has seen important progress in gender equality that has changed the lives of women and girls across the globe. While this is cause for celebration, the push for equality is losing ground.

A survey from March 2025 shows a 60 per cent increase in concern about the lack of progress on gender equality. UN Women data from more than 150 government reports confirm why: nearly one in four countries is seeing a backlash against women’s rights. Gender-based violence is rising. The gender digital divide is widening. And over 600 million women and girls now live near conflict zones.