East and Southern Africa Reinforce Push for Gender Equality Ahead of Beijing+30

Policymakers and gender experts from East and Southern Africa are calling for stronger legal reforms and the full implementation of gender equality initiatives as the region prepares to mark 30 years since the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

The call came during a policy dialogue following the release of a new report, Gender Equality Response Systems in East and Southern Africa: 30 years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which draws on submissions from 23 countries. The review highlights progress made since 1995 while pointing to persistent challenges.

Since 2024, countries in the sub-region have pledged 41 commitments to advance gender equality. These include expanding opportunities for adolescent girls, reforming laws and policies, boosting financing, and improving gender data.

“The key is to make commitments that are visible, measurable, and responsive to the needs of all women and girls,” said Anna Mutavati, UN Women’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. She emphasized that success will depend on “strong laws, adequate funding, institutional capacity, robust data, inclusive partnerships, youth focus, and accountability.”

Adopted in 1995, the Beijing Declaration remains the most comprehensive global framework on women’s rights, covering 12 critical areas such as poverty, health, education, political participation, and the environment.

Progress Since Beijing

The region has made notable advances. Twenty countries have passed laws or policies addressing gender-based violence, while ten amended penal codes or introduced sexual offences laws. Fourteen countries adopted policies allowing girls to remain in or return to school after pregnancy, and a similar number have developed or are drafting women, peace, and security action plans.

Representation in politics has improved, with Southern Africa leading the continent at 32 percent of women in lower houses of parliament. Rwanda remains the global leader with 61 percent female parliamentary representation. Maternal mortality has nearly halved since 1990, and more women now access financial services, with one in three countries adopting financial inclusion strategies. Most nations have outlawed child marriage, setting the minimum marriage age at 18 or above, while also advancing action against female genital mutilation (FGM).

Remaining Challenges

Despite these gains, women still face significant barriers. Poverty, gender-based violence, exclusion from peacebuilding, and underrepresentation in climate governance remain major obstacles.

“This link between poverty and gender inequality drives a vicious circle,” said Keiso Matashane-Marite of the UN Economic Commission for Africa. “If unchecked, it further impoverishes women’s families and communities and widens the gap between women and men.”

Experts also point to weak enforcement of quotas, political violence against women, and patriarchal norms as barriers to leadership. Data gaps further hinder gender-responsive policymaking and budgeting.

The Road Ahead

As the Beijing+30 anniversary approaches, experts stress that progress will require not just new commitments, but stronger accountability and investment. Without urgent action, advocates warn, millions of women and girls risk being left behind.