Empowering Women: Celebrating International Women's Day with Key Insights from CCDR Algarve

International Women's Day 2025

“For ALL women and girls: rights, equality, and empowerment” - this is the theme set by the United Nations for International Women's Day 2025.

CCDR Algarve's Commitment

The CCDR Algarve employs 262 public service workers, consisting of 99 men and 163 women, with a leadership team of 19 men and 18 women. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

UN Report on Women's Rights

The latest UN report, titled “Women’s Rights in Review: 30 Years After Beijing”, highlights the progress made in gender equality policies since 1995, based on data from 159 governments. It emphasizes that when women’s rights are fully upheld, families, communities, and economies thrive.

Gender Statistics in Portugal

In Portugal, women represent the majority of the population and excel in education: out of every 10 people with higher education, approximately 6 are women. They outperform men in completing degrees, master's, and doctoral programs, although men dominate in technical professional courses. Despite these advancements, significant efforts are still needed to achieve gender equality and meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

New Action Agenda

The UN report introduces the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, which aims to tackle outstanding challenges by focusing on:

• Equal access to technology and empowering women in AI and digital innovation.
• Investments in comprehensive social protection, universal healthcare, and robust education and care services.
• Eradicating all forms of violence against women and girls through well-funded community support programs.
• Ensuring equal decision-making power.
• Fully financing national plans on women, peace, and security while ensuring gender-sensitive humanitarian aid.
• Prioritizing women's rights in climate change adaptation and ensuring they benefit from green jobs.

Challenges Remain

Despite progress in recent decades in the EU, gender-based violence and stereotypes persist. According to the 2024 Statistical Bulletin on Gender Equality in Portugal, domestic violence predominantly affects women, with 7 out of 10 victims being female. Employment rates show that men generally have a higher employment rate (6.1%), whereas women experience a higher unemployment rate (6.9%). In 2024, men still hold the majority in significant power and decision-making roles.

The UN report reveals that almost a quarter of governments worldwide reported setbacks in women's rights in 2024, with Secretary-General António Guterres urging collective action to uphold human rights and equality for all women and girls globally.