Exactly thirty years ago, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action set forth a bold vision: a world where gender equality was not just an aspiration but an undeniable reality. As we mark International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment, we celebrate the strides made while acknowledging the urgent work that remains. 

Rights, equality, and empowerment are not just principles—they must be lived realities for every woman and girl, everywhere. Across the world, policies have unlocked opportunities for women and girls, yet too many still face barriers that leave these opportunities only partially accessible. Wage disparities, workplace discrimination, underrepresentation in leadership, and the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work persist, holding women back from realizing their potential. Progress requires sustained, systematic effort to dismantle these barriers in every aspect of life, from the household, to schools, to government, business and civil society.

We are encouraged by the great strides we have observed. One of the most impactful ways we have seen tangible change is through accountability mechanisms that ensure workplaces uphold gender equality. At United Nations Development (UNDP) Rwanda, we have embedded this principle into our corporate systems and culture, not only by advocating for gender equality but by holding ourselves accountable to the same standards. We are proud to be gold certified under the Gender Equality Seal Certification (GES) Programme, a recognition that we are actively creating an equitable and inclusive workplace. The GES Certification Programme is a global initiative that links workplace gender equality with development outcomes. Institutions and companies that are awarded the Certification foster a work environment where pay gaps are addressed, female leadership is championed, and policies prevent workplace harassment and discrimination.

But the impact of such initiatives is magnified when scaled collectively. That is why, in 2018, in partnership with the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO), UN Women Rwanda, and the Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF), UNDP Rwanda introduced the Gender Equality Seal Certification Programmein Rwanda to encourage more organizations to take concrete, measurable steps toward gender equality. Seven years later, the impact is evident. Thirty-nine institutions and seven SMEs have achieved certification with improved corporate results, demonstrating that gender-responsive policies not only drive fairness but also productivity and innovation. It is even more promising that the certification has been institutionalized by the Rwanda Standards Board, signaling a long-term commitment to gender equality in Rwanda’s workforce and key sectors. The first of its kind in Africa, Rwanda’s national gender standard was developed and gazetted in 2023.

These efforts are part of a broader movement demonstrating that achieving gender equality requires leadership that values diverse voices, businesses that prioritize fair opportunities, and societies that challenge outdated norms. Rwanda’s leadership in gender equality, from its parliamentary representationto its workplace reforms, shows what is possible when policies translate into action.

Rwanda now stands proudly as a nation where women and girls' rights, confidence, and empowerment are deeply woven into society’s fabric. In education, girls are excelling in once male-dominated fields like science and technology, with talented young women making groundbreaking contributions. Their achievements reflect how far we have come—and inspire us to go further.

Yet, the journey is far from over. For me, this mission is deeply personal. I grew up in a home where equality was not a privilege, it was a given. My father believed in his daughters as much as his sons, instilling in me the confidence to lead, to aspire, and to break barriers without hesitation. But I know this is not yet the reality for all women and girls. Too many still face the burden of proving their worth in spaces where their contributions should already be recognized.

That must change! Gender equality is not an annual conversation; it is a daily practice. It must be embedded in our economies, institutions, and communities so that the next generation of women do not have to fight for a seat at the table but instead design the table itself.

As we reflect on 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, we must move beyond promises to action. Every workplace transformed, every barrier dismantled, and every opportunity created brings us closer to a world where women and girls can fully exercise their rights, achieve equality, and claim their empowerment. By creating equal and more balanced societies, we open up more opportunities for all people, including boys and men, to live fuller, healthier, and prosperous lives.  

The time for incremental change is over. The time for collective, scalable and transformative action is now. Let us accelerate progress, hold ourselves accountable, and build a future where gender equality is truly for all. Together, we can create a world where every woman and girl can thrive—unhindered, unstoppable, and unapologetically empowered.

Uburinganire si amahitamo, ni uburenganzira! 

Fatmata Lovetta Sesay is UNDP's Resident Representative in Rwanda. She is passionate about women’s economic empowerment, and designing sustainable policies that ensure inclusive development.