Today, March 8, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), a day dedicated to honoring the achievements of women while recognizing the ongoing struggles for gender equality.

While the United Nations marks the 2025 celebration with the theme “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment, the IWD 2025 organization emphasizes the urgency of advancing gender equality with the theme “Accelerate Action.” This theme encourages the recognition and implementation of effective strategies to promote “women’s progress in various sectors, including education, employment, and leadership.”

A significant focus of the UN Women advocacy this is “empowering the next generation – youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls - as drivers of lasting change.”
This year is particularly significant as it marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark global commitment to advancing women’s rights. Since its adoption in 1995, the document has led to substantial progress, including legal protections against domestic violence, increased political participation for women, and greater access to education and economic opportunities.

Before 1995, only 12 countries had legal sanctions against domestic violence; today, 193 countries have laws addressing gender-based violence. This is a testament to the power of advocacy and policy reform, according to UN Women.

However, gender inequality remains. Women still face wage gaps, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and high rates of violence and discrimination. According to UN Women, one in three women worldwide experiences gender-based violence, underscoring the urgent need for stronger enforcement of existing laws and the adoption of new measures to protect women and girls.

Violence against women remains one of the most persistent barriers to gender equality. Recently, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reminded the public to report cases of violence against women and children, recognizing that community involvement is key to eliminating abuse. In 2024 alone, the agency served over 1,000 victim-survivors of domestic violence, providing them with legal aid, counseling, and financial assistance. However, much more needs to be done to prevent violence and support survivors in their healing and empowerment.

The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) continues to advocate for stronger protections under the Magna Carta of Women, a law ensuring women’s access to security, livelihood, education, and protection against discrimination and abuse.

Economic empowerment plays a vital role in achieving gender equality. Women still perform twice as much unpaid care work as men, limiting opportunities to pursue education. Investing in social protection and care services could create 300 million jobs globally by 2035, lifting millions of women out of poverty and fostering economic growth.

Globally, women’s participation in politics and business leadership is increasing, but progress remains slow. Only 32 percent  of countries have policies promoting equal pay and safe working conditions for women, data from the UN Women said. Temporary special measures, such as gender quotas and leadership training programs, can help accelerate women’s representation in decision-making roles.

In the Philippines, IWD is celebrated alongside National Women’s Month, when various events and initiatives are organized to honor women’s contributions and address issues affecting them.

The campaign for gender equality cannot rest solely on governments and policymakers; it requires collaboration across all sectors. Individuals can contribute by challenging gender stereotypes, advocating for policy changes, supporting women-led businesses, and raising awareness about issues affecting women and girls. The UN encourages people worldwide to join the movement.