IUSY Statement on International Women’s Day 2025
On this International Women’s Day, IUSY stands in unwavering solidarity with women and girls around the world. Gender equality is not just a fundamental human right—it is essential for building fair, prosperous, and sustainable societies. Yet, despite progress in recent decades, we remain far from achieving true gender equality. Women’s rights are under attack, and now more than ever, we must organize, resist, and demand justice.
The Fight for Equal Pay and Full Participation in Society
Women continue to face systemic economic discrimination, earning 20-25% less than men globally, with the pay gap reaching up to 30% in some countries. At the current rate, it will take more than 130 years to close this gap. This is not just about wages—it is about the devaluation of women’s work, the lack of shared caregiving responsibilities, and barriers to leadership. Women remain underrepresented in decision-making positions across politics, business, and society. IUSY demands equal pay now, shared responsibility in caregiving, and policies that promote women’s leadership in all sectors.
Reproductive Rights Under Attack
A woman’s right to control her body should never be a political bargaining chip. Yet, in the United States, the overturning of Roe v. Wade has stripped millions of their reproductive rights, forcing many to carry pregnancies against their will. In Argentina, budget cuts under President Javier Milei have severely restricted access to abortion and contraceptives. These attacks on bodily autonomy must be resisted everywhere. IUSY stands firmly for reproductive freedom—abortion access, contraception, and maternal healthcare are non-negotiable.
Afghanistan: A War on Women
Under Taliban rule, Afghan women and girls face one of the most extreme gender apartheid systems in modern history—banned from education, work, and public life. The world cannot remain silent while an entire generation of women is erased. IUSY demands urgent international action to support Afghan women and hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes.
Violence Against Women: A Global Emergency
Gender-based violence continues to be a crisis worldwide. A recent UN report revealed a 50% increase in conflict-related sexual violence since 2022. In Latin America, femicides are at alarming levels. In Iran, women are risking their lives to fight for freedom. In Sudan, they lead protests despite brutal repression. In Turkey, feminist movements face criminalization. And online, digital spaces are increasingly unsafe for women and girls. Governments must act decisively—stronger laws, better enforcement, and cultural change are urgently needed.
Empowerment Through Education and Representation
To break the cycle of inequality, we must invest in education. Women and girls must have access to STEM careers, leadership training, and coeducation that promotes equality. Parity laws remain one of the most effective tools to correct the democratic deficit in leadership roles. We must also address the imbalance in unpaid care work—women still bear the majority of household and caregiving responsibilities. Equal parental leave and legal frameworks for work-life balance are critical to achieving true gender equality.
A Call to Action
IUSY demands:
- Equal Pay Now – Enforce equal pay laws and ensure women’s economic justice.
- Full Participation in Society – Equal access to leadership, education, and employment.
- Reproductive Freedom – The right to abortion and reproductive healthcare must be protected.
- An End to Gender-Based Violence – Stronger protections and enforcement to ensure women’s safety.
- Justice for Afghan Women – The international community must not ignore gender apartheid.
The Struggle Knows No Borders
Women across the world are on the frontlines of resistance—fighting against patriarchy, authoritarianism, and far-right movements that seek to erase decades of progress. Our struggles may take different forms, but they are deeply connected. The rise of right-wing populism thrives on the oppression of women, LGBTQ+ people, and marginalized communities. That is why our resistance must be international, loud, and unwavering.
