International Conference: Beijing+30: Delivering for all women and girls

Since the 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, the world has seen important progress in gender equality that has changed the lives of women and girls across the globe. While this is cause for celebration, the pushback is growing stronger.

Therefore, UN Women National Committee Germany, the Embassy of Canada to Germany, and the Federal Foundation for Gender Equality have joined forces to work out what is needed to do to deliver on the promises made for all women and girls.

Together with national and international experts and 130 participants, we reviewed the progress since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BDaPfA), did a deep-dive on selected critical areas of concern, e.g. institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women, violence against women, and women and armed conflict, and discussed possible solutions for closing the remaining – and new – gaps.

Evelyne Coulombe (Chargée d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of Canada to Germany) reported that Canada accounts for 21% of women ambassadors globally and 53% of Canadian ambassadors are female- for example the embassy in Berlin is led by a woman. Canada recently launched the  “Women Diplomats’ Network Deutschland” together with Japan and the United Kingdom. She also stressed that Canada is proud of its longstanding relationship with UN Women.

Lisi Maier (Co-Director, Federal Foundation for Gender Equality) emphazised that the BDaPfA was a revolutionary achievement. Yet 30 years later, it remains unfinished, but it is still our shared compass and work-program. The Federal Foundation for Gender Equality was established in 2021 as a public law foundation – as one of those institutional mechanisms envisioned in the PfA. When we design tools and measures around diverse realities – intersectionally, inclusively, and close to people’s lives -promises translate into results. When we share knowledge, we accelerate change.

Dr. Angela Langenkamp (President, UN Women National Committee Germany) quoted UN Women’s report: nearly one in four countries is seeing a backlash against women’s rights and gender equality. We live in a time when the very foundations of our shared values and governance systems are under attack and gender-based violence is on the rise. UN Women’s Gender Snapshot 2025 sounds the alarm that if current trends continue, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5, will remain an unfulfilled promise for generations to come. We need to reach out to men and boys in the fight for equal rights and opportunities, e.g. through the UN Women movement HeForShe. We need more companies to sign and implement the Women’s Empowerment Principles. High-level decision-makers and leaders at all levels must take bold steps to eliminate the deeply ingrained structural barriers in our laws, cultures, traditions, beliefs, role models, and rules that threaten gender justice yet govern our lives. Gender equality is not a given. It requires dedication and joint action.

Her Excellency Karin Prien (Federal Minister for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth) stressed that the BdaPfA was a historic milestone, a multilateral achievement that carried the spirit of optimism, courage, and determination to try something new. We are currently facing a difficult situation – wars, conflicts, the impact of climate change and violence against women. The path towards real gender equality is blocked in many places. But there has been significant progress: With Germany‘s Violence Assistance Act a legal right to protection and counselling for all women affected by domestic and gender-based violence (GBV) is enshrined in law. Germany is implementing the Istanbul Convention through the Protection against Violence Strategy containing around 120 actions, whilst also working on prevention. There are two remaining priorities: Firstly, decisive action against all forms of GBV. Secondly, promoting women’s economic equality while they still shoulder the majority of unpaid care work. She mentioned international equal pay initiatives – at the UN, the Equal Pay International Coalition, in the G7 and G20, and the EU Directive on Pay Transparency. She argued that we need to build bridges internationally. And we need to actively involve men and boys: Gender equality can only be achieved if it is seen as a process involving all of society. Men need to assume responsibility for making this happen in their everyday life, within families, in companies and in politics.

As UN Women marks its 15th anniversary in 2025, Vesna Jaric (Private Sector Partnerships and Special Initiatives Advisor, UN Women) highlighted some of the progress that has been made: More than 1.500 laws have been adopted across 185 countries since the BDaPfA. 88% of nations have laws or services addressing violence against women and girls. The percentage of women in parliaments increased from 11% in 1995 to 27% today. Maternal mortality is 40% lower. But: 676 million women and girls live near conflict zones. 1 in 3 women experiences physical/sexualized violence. 351 million women and girls live in extreme poverty. 64 million more women than men experience food insecurity. No target is on track and there is a backlash against diversity, particularly amongst young men.
Equality is achieved by investments, implementation, and action. Investments should be seen as tangible benefits to societies and families – studies prove that when women thrive, communities thrive. Equal decision-making power generates actionable steps to build on the Platform for Action. Peace lasts longer and resilience is stronger when women are involved. The next years will define whether gender equality will advance or stagnate – it is the greatest unfinished business of our time and we have a responsibility to deliver. For this purpose, UN Women developed the Beijing+30 Action Agenda. And more than 10 years ago, the HeForShe movement.

Moderator Jesse George interviewed Dr. Regina Frey (Head of the Department for Gender Impact Assessment, Federal Foundation for Gender Equality) and Dr. Arn Sauer, (Co-Director, Federal Foundation for Gender Equality) about institutional mechanisms for gender equality. Ranging from cross-sectoral strategies to concrete tools such as Gender Impact Assessments or so-called equality checks, they are essential for embedding gender equality into all areas of policy and governance. Dr. Sauer mentioned that a new EIGE report showed that European commitment to gender equality and gender equality mechanisms is on the rise. But the mandates remain weak and governmental funding presents challenges. Canada is a frontrunner with its Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+), which sets standards for integrating gender equality across the government: from audits with gender impact assessment to it being rooted in budgetary programs. Gaps remain in the implementation as well as the conceptualization of gender. Dr. Frey talked about the gaps of the implementation in Germany. She stressed how important it is to sharpen the legal framework and implement a gender impact assessment. She asked for better cooperation across ministries and for Members of Parliament to ask for the gender impact assessment and analyses of laws.

During the coffee break, participants used the opportunity to network, to take part in a picture opportunity and to gather more information at the information stands (7th Instagram story), e.g. about Orange the World or the report “At a breaking point: The impact of foreign aid cuts on women’s organizations in humanitarian crises worldwide“.

After the break, we had a panel discussion on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as one of the many aspects of WPS. This year, we commemorate 25 years since Security Council Resolution 1325. One of the two speakers was under Chatham House Rule, so there will be no summary of their remarks but only links to information provided by UN Women. The panel was later opened into a fishbowl discussion.

Information by UN Women on the current situation in Afghanistan can be found in the Gender Alert August 2025, the Gender Alert June 2025, and the Gender Index 2024.

Mai Ali Shatta (Founder, Bana Group for Peace and Development) reported that GBV is used as a weapon of war in Sudan and prohibited to even be talked about. Survival is the most important aspect at the moment. It is important to secure and amplify the voices of the people on the ground, as well as to fund their work flexibly. She called for solidarity with other parts of the world as well. And emphasized that European feminism is not a “one-size-fits-all model” that can be transferred to other countries without adjustments.

During the fishbowl discussion, experts from the audience joined the speakers on stage. Amongst other issues, they talked about economic aspects, and the need to work with local experts to effectively allocate, promote and secure funds and collaborations for and with local women-led and women‘s rights organisations and movements. They also mentioned how important it is to meaningfully involve girls, youth and adolescents in multinational activities – providing them with safe spaces where they can make their voices heard and highlight the issues they face. It is crucial to facilitate funding, whilst ensuring security for the girls.

In her closing remarks, Erin König (Counsellor and Head of Public Affairs, Embassy of Canada to Germany) explained that October marks Women‘s History Month in Canada and that the spirit of Beijing lives on as a work in progress. Canada will continue to champion the rights of women and girls everywhere with purpose and policy.

Dr. Ursula Schäfer-Preuss (Vice President, UN Women National Committee Germany) summarized that the WPS-agenda is building bridges, and that we have to continue to raise our voices, to amplify other voices, and to respectfully work together. Unwavering commitment is needed to deliver on the promises made.

To round off the conference, Pianist Caitlan Rinaldy beautifully played two pieces by female composers: Cecile Chaminade (Études de concert: „Automne“, op. 35 Nr. 2) and Clara Schumann (Scherzo Nr. 2 c-Moll).

Afterwards we had a reception: to celebrate the trailblazers who developed the BdaPfA as well as its achievements, to recharge, to network, and to strategize – to counter the antifeminist backlash together.

We would like to thank our partners and all speakers as well as the audience for engaging with the topics and contributing their expertise.

Thanks also to LUYA Kidscorner for providing childcare and Aleksandra Schreiber and Mari Vass for documenting the event so skillfully. You can find all photos on Flickr (credit: Mari Vass/UN Women Germany) and some insights into the conference in our B+30 Instagram highlight.