09 Jan 2026 - 08:34
The Kabul Tribune (KT) - A new report from UN Women and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) warns that the world is off track to achieve gender equality by 2030. If current trends continue, 351 million women and girls will still live in extreme poverty, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—especially Goal 5 on gender equality—will be missed.
The report, “Gender Snapshot 2025,” stresses that this outcome is not inevitable. It results from political neglect, stalled investments, and a retreat from equality, rather than unavoidable circumstances.
At the same time, the data show that change is possible. Investing in closing the digital gender divide could benefit 343.5 million women and girls, lift 30 million out of poverty, and generate $1.5 trillion in global GDP by 2030.
Drawing from over 100 data sources, the report tracks progress on gender equality across all 17 SDGs and identifies six priority areas for accelerated action, including digital inclusion and freedom from poverty.
Released as the world approaches five years before the 2030 deadline and 30 years since the Beijing Platform for Action, the report serves as both a warning and a roadmap. UN Women emphasizes that gender equality is not an ideology—it is essential for peace, development, and human rights.
