I was a young woman, fresh out of university, just stepping into my career, when I attended the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. I remember the overwhelming sense of awe – thousands of women from around the world gathered with a shared mission. I felt like Alice in Wonderland, stepping into a world far bigger than I had imagined.
The scale of the conference was staggering, with simultaneous workshops, discussions, and strategy meetings happening in every corner. I was eager to absorb it all, to understand the struggles and triumphs of women from different backgrounds. The energy was electric, the conversations urgent, and the collective determination palpable. I left the conference feeling energised and hopeful for the future. But as I reflect on that time today, I ask myself: how much has really changed?
Over the last 30 years, there have been undeniable advances in gender equality. Women have secured more leadership positions, access to education has improved, and policies supporting women’s rights have been introduced in many parts of the world. In urban centres and within the organised workforce, the progress is evident.
Yet, at a societal level, some attitudes remain frozen in time. In many places, the same battles we fought decades ago still rage on. Women continue to face barriers to economic independence, workplace discrimination, and systemic biases.
While there are pockets of progress, the deeper, structural changes needed for true equality still elude us. It is disheartening to see that while opportunities have expanded, the fundamental expectations placed on women - both by society and themselves - continue to be burdensome and limiting.
One of the greatest oversights in the gender equality movement is the near invisibility of older women. Their voices, experiences, and rights remain on the fringes of mainstream discussions. In many cultures, ageing is equated with diminishing relevance, and older women, in particular, are often disregarded.
Their contributions – whether as caregivers, community leaders, or bearers of historical knowledge – are undervalued. The lack of representation of older women in decision-making spaces exacerbates this issue. If we truly believe in gender equality, we must acknowledge that it is not just about young women and girls; it must be a commitment that extends across the entire life course.
While the world has changed in many ways since 1995, new challenges have emerged, making the fight for gender equality even more complex. The rise of digital platforms has given women a space to voice their experiences, but it has also exposed them to new forms of harassment and abuse. Economic crises, political instability, and climate change disproportionately affect women, particularly those from marginalised communities.
At the same time, the persistent struggles – violence against women, the gender pay gap, limited reproductive rights – continue to exist, just in different forms. Societal structures have not evolved fast enough to support women in a truly meaningful way. The progress we celebrate is not yet holistic or sustainable.
Despite these challenges, I choose to remain hopeful. My perspective on gender equality has evolved, deepened, and become more intersectional over the years. I see progress happening in different pockets – movements led by young feminists, intergenerational collaborations, and a growing awareness of the complexities of gender issues.
The road ahead is long, and the journey has been filled with both exhilarating breakthroughs and sobering setbacks. But what keeps me motivated is the belief that every step forward, no matter how small, is meaningful. If there is one thought I would like to leave behind, it is this: we must remain relentless. The fight for equality is not a sprint but a marathon. And as we push forward, we must ensure that no woman – young or old – is left behind.
Pratima Mathews is a trauma-informed, integrative counsellor with a passion to connect with people and harness their inner resources. Building on her 25 years of experience as a communications professional in multicultural contexts, she is on a continual journey of engaging with clients to enable positive change.
Outside of her private practice, Pratima works with a charity providing counselling to women impacted by domestic violence and abuse. In the past, she has worked in multidisciplinary teams in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Jordan and the UK.
