On 1 October, the General Assembly will hold a high-level meeting to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing + 25). The socio-economic benefits of gender equality and women’s empowerment are enormous. Yet inequality remains deeply entrenched in societies everywhere. Women often lack access to decent work, equal pay, quality education and adequate health care. They suffer from violence and discrimination and are often under-represented in political and economic decision-making processes. That must change. Improving women’s lives makes our societies more inclusive and productive, which helps everyone.
