UNFPA Calls for Renewed Commitment to Women’s Rights, Empowerment on Int'l Women’s Day

In a powerful statement marking International Women’s Day, Ms. Laila Baker, UNFPA’s Regional Director for the Arab States, reaffirmed the urgent need to protect and advance the rights, dignity, and reproductive health of women and girls worldwide. 

Under the theme “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” she emphasized that achieving gender equality is essential for sustainable development and social justice. 

As global challenges intensify—including economic instability, political shifts, and humanitarian crises—Baker stressed the need to remain steadfast in addressing gender disparities. “Our commitment to ending the marginalization and exploitation of women and girls must remain unwavering,” she said.

She highlighted the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) as a foundation for prioritizing human rights, particularly reproductive rights, in efforts to address the social, economic, and political factors fueling inequality. UNFPA’s mission, she reiterated, is to ensure that all individuals, especially women and girls, can make informed choices about their reproductive lives and live with dignity, even in the most challenging circumstances.

In the Arab region, where conflicts and humanitarian crises disproportionately affect women and girls, the need for urgent action is greater than ever. Baker warned that failing to provide essential healthcare, protection from gender-based violence, and support for recovery efforts would only deepen their vulnerabilities and reinforce cycles of poverty and marginalization.

“Investing in women and girls is not just a moral responsibility—it is a strategic necessity,” she said, noting that such investments yield significant benefits for individuals, families, communities, and entire nations, fostering resilience and sustainable development.

As 2025 approaches, marking 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Baker urged a renewed commitment to its vision of gender equality and women’s empowerment. She acknowledged the declaration’s transformative impact on global discussions but warned that significant barriers—such as stigma, underfunded health systems, and restrictive policies—continue to slow progress, especially for marginalized women and girls.

Baker emphasized the need to prioritize universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, including maternal healthcare, as a fundamental step toward equality and empowerment. She also called for amplifying the voices of young women and girls, recognizing them as key agents of change who can shape policies and build more inclusive societies.

“This International Women’s Day, we urge governments, institutions, and partners to take decisive action: uphold reproductive rights as non-negotiable, invest in youth-friendly and inclusive services, and push back against any attempts to reverse progress,” she declared.

The statement concluded with a call for collective action to build a future where every woman and girl can live free from discrimination, violence, and inequality. “Together, we can create a world where all women and girls thrive,” Baker affirmed.