The road to gender equality: achievements and challenges

With its roots in early 20th century women’s activism and subsequent take-up by the United Nations, International Women’s Day is a moment for putting the spotlight on women’s achievements and taking stock of progress towards gender equality.

From this perspective, 2015 is a pivotal year. At a global level, it marks the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the deadline for the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, which set ambitious targets for advancing women’s rights.

As well as reviewing these initiatives, the EU is currently assessing its own ongoing efforts to promote gender equality, one of its founding values, looking towards a new Strategy for equality between women and men beyond 2015.

Written by Rosamund Shreeves.

Website: International Women's Day http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

UK: Parliament: House of Commons: Library: International Women's Day 2015: Background and statistics - Commons Library Standard Note, 04.03.15 http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN02936/international-womens-day-2015-background-and-statistics

EurActiv, 05.03.15: Gender determines health problems in the workplace http://www.euractiv.com/sections/womens-day-special/gender-determines-health-problems-workplace-312637

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