Women's Rights at a Crossroads: Urgent Action Needed to Achieve Gender Equality

More than 351 million women and girls are at risk of living in extreme poverty by 2030 if current trends persist. This alarming statistic is a stark reminder of the world's retreat from gender equality, with none of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets on track to be met. The 2025 SDG Gender Snapshot report, launched by UN Women and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, highlights the devastating impact of conflict, poverty, and violence on women and girls. However, the report also showcases the transformative power of prioritizing gender equality, citing significant progress in reducing maternal mortality and increasing girls' access to education.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 351 million women and girls are at risk of living in extreme poverty by 2030 if current trends persist.
• The world is retreating from gender equality, with none of the 2030 SDGs targets on track to be met.
• Conflict has magnified the crisis, with 676 million women and girls living within reach of deadly conflict in 2024.
• Violence against women and girls remains a pervasive threat, with over one in eight women experiencing physical or sexual violence.
• Prioritizing gender equality has led to significant progress, including a 40% drop in maternal mortality and increased girls' access to education.
• Closing the gender digital divide could benefit 343.5 million women and girls by 2050, lifting 30 million out of poverty and adding $1.5 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
• An unprecedented backlash on women's rights, shrinking civic space, and growing defunding of gender equality initiatives threaten hard-won gains.
• Accelerated action and interventions focused on care, education, and the green economy could reduce the number of women and girls in extreme poverty by 110 million by 2050.