HomeWorldWomen's rights under attack and 'we must fight back', says UN chief

Women's rights under attack and 'we must fight back', says UN chief

At a United Nations event on the eve of International Women's Day on Saturday, Guterres said centuries of discrimination against women were being exacerbated by new threats.

March 08, 2025 / 06:59 IST
Antonio Guterres

Antonio Guterres

Women's rights are under attack and "we must fight back," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday, warning that the world cannot stand by as progress is reversed.

At a United Nations event on the eve of International Women's Day on Saturday, Guterres said centuries of discrimination against women were being exacerbated by new threats.

"Digital tools, while brimming with promise, are also often silencing women's voices, amplifying bias, and fuelling harassment," he said on Friday. "Women's bodies have become political battlegrounds."

"And online violence is escalating into real-life violence. Instead of mainstreaming equal rights, we are witnessing the mainstreaming of chauvinism and misogyny," Guterres said.

He urged the world to fight back, stressing that gender equality was not just about fairness.

"It is about power – who gets a seat at the table, and who is locked out," Guterres said. "It is about dismantling systems that allow inequalities to fester. And it is about ensuring a better world for all."

Reuters
first published: Mar 8, 2025 06:59 am

Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347