Attending the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 was a moment unlike any other in my life. It was a place of firsts – my first time witnessing such a vast and diverse gathering of women from across the globe, my first time hearing people speak with such raw emotion and unshakable courage about their own struggles, and my first time truly understanding the power of collective activism.
I remember feeling restless in the days leading up to the conference. I was worried that the experiences of women from the Horn of Africa would be overlooked, and I was determined to make sure that didn’t happen. But from the moment I arrived, it was clear that every voice mattered. Despite the near-constant rain, Beijing buzzed with energy – warm, welcoming, and brimming with hope. Even as we discussed some of the most painful realities women faced, there was an incredible energy. The cultural performances, the songs, the pride with which people presented their communities – it was all an act of defiance, a declaration that our struggles did not define us, and that change was possible.
Looking back, Beijing was a ‘safe space’ before I even had the words to describe it. It was a place where I could situate my own fight for justice within a much bigger movement. I had so many moments of realisation – learning to name the injustices I had always felt but never articulated, recognising the connections between my experience and that of women in completely different contexts. The friendships, the solidarity, the sheer energy of it all – it was transformative.
In the 30 years since Beijing, the world has changed in ways we could never have imagined back then. Our ideas of what is possible have expanded. There was a time when simply speaking about issues like domestic violence, reproductive rights, or political representation felt dangerous. Today, those conversations are happening in parliaments, in courtrooms, on international platforms. Girls and young women are seeing futures beyond early marriage and traditional roles. Laws have changed, policies have been reformed, and in some places, progress has been undeniable.
But we have not achieved what we set out to. The biggest gap remains in accountability and implementation. Governments have signed agreements - from CEDAW to Beijing, from UNSCR 1325 to Maputo - but signing a commitment and delivering on it are two very different things. Without political will, without resources, and without an unwavering demand from civil society, these promises remain just that - promises.
Today, I feel an even greater urgency than I did in 1995. The progress we have fought for is not just incomplete – it is at risk. We are witnessing a backlash, a deep resentment towards the gains women have made. The road ahead is difficult, but if Beijing taught us anything, it is that activism works. Change happens when we organise, when we stand together, when we refuse to be silenced.
This is the time for bold action. We need grassroots activism more than ever. We need strong partnerships and unwavering solidarity. We need women to express their political aspirations in every way they can – through music, through art, through advocacy. We need to challenge not only patriarchy but all forms of inequality – between rural and urban, young and old, across race, class, and religion.
Ever since Beijing, women have been at the forefront of the fight against discrimination. That cannot stop now. We must continue without fear, with determination, and with the belief that change is always possible.
Hibaaq Osman is a Somali activist, political strategist, and women’s rights and human rights defender. Since 2005 her work has been focused on Karama, a growing movement to end violence against women, and deliver sustainable, inclusive peace and democracy in Africa and the Arab world. Through Karama, Hibaaq has made it her mission to elevate the voices of grassroots women activists, raising their profiles and developing their skills as peacemakers and leaders.
Karama’s guiding principle is ensuring that policies affecting women in the region are not simply responsive to the needs of women on the ground but are also designed and led by women and real representatives of the community. Under her motto that ‘democracy without women is hypocrisy’, Hibaaq has promoted women’s leadership in humanitarian response, conflict prevention and resolution, governance and diplomacy.
