Equality for a More Peaceful World

Far too much of women's potential remains untapped worldwide – with consequences for the economy, food security and peace. Studies show that equal participation could promote sustainable growth, reduce hunger and make it easier to resolve conflicts. With a new agenda for action, the UN is giving new impetus to the issue.

The latest UN progress report on equality and gender justice draws attention to a disturbing fact: Women and girls in conflict zones are increasingly becoming victims of sexual violence. In 2024 alone, more than 4,600 of them suffered abuse, which was used as a weapon of war and political oppression. While women and girls accounted for 92% of the victims, men and boys, people with different sexual orientations and gender identities are also affected. In addition to physical violence, there is stigmatization and questionable reactions from those around them. These drive survivors and children of rape during wars into social and economic isolation, often leading to renewed cycles of trauma and violence. International humanitarian law does exist, but it is increasingly being disregarded by the warring parties and violated by influential governments.

Other findings may be less immediately distressing, but are nonetheless problematic. The UN report shows once again that women worldwide perform two and a half times more unpaid household and care work than men – with consequences lasting into old age, when their pensions are often insufficient to enable them to lead a self-determined and dignified life. Meanwhile, decision-making power remains in the hands of men in all areas of life and all over the world. Only around a quarter of seats in national parliaments are held by women. Yet inclusive representation in politics, public service and the judiciary is important for fair, effective and trustworthy governance.

Food insecurity and long-term health consequences

Women own less than 20% of the land worldwide. In many low-income countries, the proportion is even lower, often below 10%. This is particularly true of agricultural land, which is central to livelihoods and nutrition. Of the 690 million people worldwide who suffer from hunger, 60% are women and girls. If women in agriculture and food production received more recognition, financial independence and access to agricultural equipment, productivity could be significantly increased, providing millions more people with sufficient food.

Due to anemia (i.e., nutritional anemia), millions of women of childbearing age suffer from fatigue, lethargy or shortness of breath. These symptoms impair well-being and productivity, affecting their families and entire societies. They also impair the development of babies. Anemia is responsible for low birth weight in 40 percent of all cases worldwide, irreparably impairing children's growth and learning abilities. In addition to these health problems, the economic consequences are devastating: In South Asia alone, anemia costs an estimated $32.5 billion each year. Yet the disease is preventable and treatable through iron- and vitamin-rich diets, adequate sanitation and better maternal health care. Poor health also leads to a lack of education, which in turn undermines long-term social and economic productivity and resilience.

Diverse opportunities through greater gender equality

The UN report shows in a striking and alarming way how women continue to be disadvantaged, underserved, exploited and abused. The health and psychological consequences are devastating. The political and economic implications are also unacceptable. The international community is wasting an incredible amount of untapped potential, as the report and research show:

• Companies run by women are more likely to develop products and services that contribute to the common good in the long term, both socially and environmentally. Mixed teams are more innovative, more crisis-proof and generally more profitable. Nevertheless, women are still less trusted. When looking for investors, men are awarded the contract in 70 percent of bids, even when the presentations are identical. And only 2% of the venture capital invested in start-ups in 2022 went to companies founded by women. What's more, only just under one-third of all management positions are held by women, and the trend is downward. The economic loss is huge: If women were able to participate in gainful employment on an equal footing with men, the global economy would grow by up to a quarter.
• If women owned more productive land, as they should, they would be able to make more independent decisions about sustainable investments, effective farming methods and climate-friendly practices. This would enable them to reduce malnutrition worldwide, which affects significantly more women and girls. According to the World Bank, strengthening women's land and property rights is a key driver of inclusive, country-led and sustainable agricultural transformation. The FAO states that closing the gender gap in agricultural and food systems would increase global gross domestic product by nearly US$1 trillion and reduce the number of people suffering from food insecurity by 45 million.
• Women also bring an advantage to dispute resolution: Studies show that policies designed by women are more social and inclusive. For example, when women are involved in peace agreements, these agreements have been shown to last longer. And yet, women's participation in mediation and negotiation processes is less than 25%, if they are represented at all. This makes it all the more important to implement Resolution 1325 of the United Nations Security Council, which was adopted 25 years ago – namely, that women must be given a central role in conflict resolution, peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction. National action plans on women, peace and security offer some hope for progress. By June 2025, 113 countries had adopted such plans, compared to only 32 in 2011.

Driving force for sustainable change

Within the framework of the UN, governments adopted the Beijing Platform for Action in 1995. To this day, it is considered the most comprehensive global “roadmap” for women's rights. The platform identifies the critical areas of action in which countries worldwide should achieve equality. The 2030 Agenda from 2015 was built on this foundation: Without equality (SDG 5) and the elimination of poverty (SDG 1), little progress can be made on the UN's other sustainability goals.

Thirty years after the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action, the UN’s “Gender Snapshot 2025” paints a sobering picture: The world is still a long way from achieving true gender equality. Although progress has been made, it is too slow, often insufficiently entrenched in the respective societies, and there are still major regional differences. It is to be hoped that the ongoing Beijing +30 process will provide new momentum and bring tangible progress in reducing violence against women, promoting equal decision-making rights and digital participation, strengthening women's organizations, and advancing peace and climate justice. Because one thing is clear: Women around the world bear the brunt of poverty, violence and climate disasters. At the same time, however, they are also the driving force behind sustainable change.