Looking back at the 1995 conference, what struck me most was the sheer magnitude of women gathered from around the world. It was a moment of undeniable solidarity – a recognition that, no matter where we came from, our struggles as women were deeply connected. There was a powerful energy in the air, a sense that change was not just possible but inevitable. Yet, even in that moment of unity, I felt the weight of disappointment. I knew then, as I know now, that real change would not come easily.
As I reflect on the decades since, I see that my fears were justified. In Spain, violence against women remains as rampant as ever. Across Latin America, reproductive rights are still fiercely contested, with abortion still illegal in many countries. Around the world, statistics continue to paint a grim picture of women’s oppression, marginalisation, and exploitation. We still see global inequalities where women’s work is undervalued, underpaid, and often ignored altogether.
What has changed for women since 1995? Almost nothing. The same battles rage on: violence against women, unequal pay, barriers to leadership, economic inequality, and the relentless expectation that women must shoulder the burden of childcare without structural support. In fact, in many ways, these problems have worsened, exacerbated by economic crises, political conservatism, and growing resistance to feminist movements.
The fight for political power remains just as crucial as it was three decades ago. Women must take the reins of governance, crafting and implementing policies that drive meaningful reform - free from the influence of patriarchal political systems. Without true political agency, our demands remain mere echoes in halls of power where decisions are still made by men. Until women hold real power, not just symbolic representation, we will continue to struggle for basic rights.
Moreover, the situation of older women is particularly dire. They remain one of the most ignored and undervalued groups in society, often left without resources, support, or proper healthcare. The feminist movement, despite its many strides, has failed to adequately address the unique struggles of older women, leaving them to face discrimination in silence.
Perhaps one of the most frustrating realities of modern feminism is how fragmented it has become. What was once a unified political force has splintered into countless small organisations – many dedicated to cultural events and social support, but without real influence in government policy.
Worse still, younger feminists and older activists often stand in opposition rather than unity. Many younger activists, swept up in contemporary identity politics, dismiss the battles that defined feminism for centuries. The movement has been sidelined by ideological debates, losing sight of its fundamental purpose: to dismantle patriarchy and secure women’s rights.
The rise of the so-called “woke” culture has further complicated feminist discourse. Instead of working together towards a common goal, factions within feminism are locked in battles over language and identity, diverting attention from pressing political and social issues. Meanwhile, the corporate world has co-opted feminist rhetoric for marketing purposes, stripping it of its radical, transformative power.
Those who celebrate how far we have come must face a sobering truth: much of what has been presented as progress is a mere illusion. The 1995 conference, hailed as a milestone, was a façade of global commitment. From the start, religious and conservative governments outright refused to implement key reforms – many of which remain unrealised today.
The reality is that women’s rights are still seen as negotiable, rather than fundamental. We need only look at the worsening conditions for women in places like Afghanistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, where new laws have systematically stripped women of their autonomy. Even in so-called democratic nations, women’s rights are still secondary to male-dominated economic and political interests. The gender pay gap persists. Femicide rates remain staggering. In many places, we have moved backward, not forward.
How can I be optimistic when, decades after suffragists fought for voting rights, we see far-right female leaders like Giorgia Meloni in Italy and Isabel Díaz Ayuso in Spain rising to power? When the United States elected Donald Trump – a man who embodies misogyny at its worst? The system has not changed; it has only shifted in ways that make oppression more insidious.
If I could leave one message, it would be this: feminism must reclaim its political edge. It cannot remain an academic or social discussion – it must be a force that challenges the very foundations of power. Women must organise, legislate, and lead. We must reject the distractions that keep us from meaningful action.
The feminist movement has become too comfortable operating within the confines set by patriarchal systems. It has become diluted, stripped of its radical roots, and turned into a series of awareness campaigns rather than a fight for systemic change. The time for soft demands and symbolic victories is over.
Our fight was never just about policy papers and international agreements. It was, and still is, about power – who holds it, who wields it, and who dares to take it back. Women must demand not only equality in law but also true equity in practice. Only then will feminism once again become the revolutionary force it was meant to be.
Lidia Falcón O’Neill is the President of the Feminist Party of Spain and a pioneering activist, lawyer, writer, and journalist. She holds degrees in Law, Dramatic Arts, and Journalism, and earned a PhD in Philosophy cum laude. A tireless advocate for women’s rights, she founded Vindicación Feminista and Poder y Libertad, along with feminist clubs, publishing houses, and tribunals addressing crimes against women.
She played a key role in drafting Spain’s divorce, abortion, and domestic violence laws. With 44 published books, she remains a leading voice in feminist thought, participating in global forums from Brussels to Beijing. As a lifelong activist, she continues to challenge patriarchal structures and advocate for political feminism at national and global levels.
