A Pan-African Feminist macroeconomic analysis of the Beijing platform and declaration for action
Years on, the demand and advocacy for gender equality have gained remarkable momentum. From calls to end gender-based violence, to the push for women’s access to education and healthcare, the progress made is evident, with more achievements yet to come. With a registered increase in the number of women and girls assuming leadership positions at all levels, to those soaring in entrepreneurship, backed by those joining the growing campaign for gender equality, the victories are tremendous, and are a cause for celebration.
A major milestone in the advancement of gender equality and push for the realisation of women’s rights across the globe was at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, during which the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) was adopted. Crowned as the blue print for women’s empowerment, the BPfA directs attention to 12 critical areas of concern namely (1) women and poverty; (2) education and training of women; (3) women and health; (4) violence against women; (5) women and armed conflict; (6) women and the
economy; (7) women in positions of power and decision-making; (8) institutional mechanisms; (9) human rights of women; (10) women and media; (11) women and the environment and lastly (12) the girl child.
The year 2025 marks 30 years since the adoption of the BPfA. As the international community gears towards the Beijing +30 review, we are reminded that gender equality is not only a goal, but a means for achieving all other goals on the global agenda. Now, more than ever, urgent and sustained action is needed to transform the structures, institutions and norms – economic, political and social – that are holding back progress on gender equality.
