International Women’s Day at 115: A Moment of Reflection
Helen Clark and Rajat Khosla use International Women's Day to ask deeper questions about the structures and opportunities that shape our societies.
One hundred and fifteen years after the first International Women’s Day, the uncomfortable truth is this: progress for women and girls was never as secure as we believed – we stand at an important moment of reflection.
Over the past decades, remarkable progress has been made for women and girls. Maternal deaths have declined, girls’ access to education has expanded, and global commitments to gender equality have strengthened. Institutions have been built, international agreements signed, and powerful movements have emerged to advance the rights and wellbeing of women and girls everywhere.
Yet this progress reminds us of an important truth: gains for women’s rights must be continuously protected and strengthened. In today’s rapidly changing global landscape, we are seeing new political, economic, and social pressures that test the resilience of these achievements. Rights that many believed firmly established are being debated again, and policies affecting bodily autonomy and reproductive health are increasingly shaped by shifting political priorities.
These developments are not isolated events. They reflect broader shifts in global power dynamics and governance. Across many contexts, reproductive rights and gender equality have become central political questions, influenced by ideological debates and competing national priorities. At the same time, traditional allies of gender equality sometimes struggle to respond decisively, balancing diplomatic caution with the urgency of protecting hard-won gains.
However, this moment should not only be seen as a period of challenge. It is also a moment of opportunity to reaffirm the principles that underpin equitable societies and to strengthen the systems that safeguard women’s rights.
One of the most important lessons of the past decades is that progress for women and girls depends on accountability. When institutions are transparent and responsive, when justice systems protect all individuals equally, and when leadership reflects the diversity of society, equality advances more rapidly and more sustainably.
Yet power and influence shape realization of justice in ways that undermines very basics of accountability. Reports of abuse spanning decades, enabled by wealth, status, and influence, continue to emerge. Each scandal follows the same pattern: powerful men protected, institutions complicit, victims disbelieved, and accountability delayed until it becomes unavoidable. These incidents highlight the importance of strengthening institutions so that accountability does not depend on status, wealth, or influence. Justice must be consistent, visible, and credible if societies are to maintain trust and fairness.
Women and girls are also disproportionately affected by instability and crisis. In humanitarian settings, gender-based violence increases dramatically, and fragile health systems struggle to provide essential maternal and reproductive care. Today, 64 percent of maternal deaths occur in fragile or conflict-affected settings, while humanitarian crises continue to expose women and girls to heightened risks of violence and exploitation.
At the same time, reductions in development assistance threaten the systems that have supported progress over many years. Investments in health, education, and gender equality have built essential infrastructure that protects the wellbeing of women, children, and adolescents. Protecting these investments is not simply a moral imperative, it is a strategic one. Evidence consistently shows that societies that invest in women’s health and rights experience stronger economic growth, greater social stability, and more resilient institutions.
Efforts to improve efficiency within international systems, including the UN80 reform, are important, but reforms must preserve the visibility and strength of institutions dedicated to advancing gender equality. Organizations established to champion women’s rights exist because these issues require focused attention and political commitment. Ensuring their continued effectiveness is essential to maintaining global momentum toward equality.
International Women’s Day has long been a moment to celebrate resilience and progress. But it is also an opportunity to ask deeper questions about the structures that shape our societies. Progress does not occur automatically; it requires deliberate action, sustained investment, and courageous leadership.
Governments, institutions, and individuals all have a role to play. Political leaders must uphold commitments to gender equality and protect the policies that safeguard reproductive rights and bodily autonomy. Institutions must ensure that justice systems and governance structures deliver accountability and fairness. Civil society and communities must continue to advocate for transparency, inclusion, and respect for human rights.
Importantly, leadership itself must evolve. Women’s voices and expertise are essential in shaping global decisions. Representation matters not only for symbolic reasons but because inclusive leadership produces better policies and stronger institutions. As the international community prepares for future leadership transitions, including the appointment of the next Secretary-General, there is a powerful opportunity to advance this principle.
The solutions are not mysterious. They are well known and supported by evidence. Countries must meet long-standing commitments to development financing. Justice systems must be strengthened so that accountability applies equally to all. Governance structures must ensure that women participate fully in decision-making at every level.
At 115 years, International Women’s Day invites us to reflect not only on how far the world has come, but also on how to safeguard the progress achieved.
Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand
Rajat Khosla, Executive Director of Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
Photo by Dennis Magati
