Girl goals: What has changed for girls? Adolescent girls’ rights over 30 years

The 1995 Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) was a landmark commitment to gender equality, with adolescent girls at the centre of its vision for a more just world. Thirty years later, progress is undeniable—yet challenges remain.

Since 1995, more girls are in school than ever before, with significant gains in primary and secondary education enrolment. Global child marriage rates have declined, and adolescent pregnancy has decreased in many regions due to expanded access to reproductive health services. Legal protections against gender-based violence have strengthened, and digital technology has provided girls with new platforms for advocacy and economic opportunities.

However, progress is uneven. Girls in conflict zones, marginalized communities, and those living in poverty still face significant barriers to education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. The climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated inequalities, increasing school dropout rates and vulnerability to gender-based violence. Moreover, while digital access has created opportunities, it has also introduced new threats, including online harassment and exploitation.

As we mark three decades since the BPfA, the path forward demands a renewed commitment to policies that dismantle structural barriers and promote adolescent girls’ leadership and ensures their voices are heard. Investments in multisectoral projects that address a range of outcomes and can be scaled up will be key. Achieving gender equality requires ensuring that every girl—regardless of background—has the tools, rights, and opportunities to thrive in the next 30 years and beyond.