Women’s rights then and now: "Beijing 1995 changed our lives"

"Beijing changed our lives!” claims Moni Pizani Orsini. Her voice reflects conviction. She is referring to the Fourth World Conference on Women that took place in Beijing, China, in 1995. It was a milestone for women’s rights then, and fulfilling the commitments made by governments 30 years ago could usher in many more milestones today.

"We travelled across the country, encouraging people to participate," she recalls. Long before she worked with UN Women, Pizani Orsini, a native of Venezuela, together with many others, prepared for months leading up to the conference, strategizing and organizing other women. As a result, 35 women from civil society groups, including her, and 12 Venezuelan government representatives attended the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.

More than 17,000 participants were at the 1995 conference, including government delegates from 189 countries and civil society. In a parallel NGO Forum in Huairou, 73 kilometers from the main venue in Beijing, some 30,000 participants gathered to discuss and influence the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Many women’s rights activists went back and forth between the two spaces, and it wasn’t an easy journey.  

"There were torrential rains; we walked long distances and struggled for space," shares Pizani Orsini. But they were determined, and unified in their hope and activism. 

One of the most memorable moments for Pizani Orsini was a protest led by women’s rights activists. "We occupied the stairs of the conference venue," she reminisces. The debates were intense and passionate, women’s rights activists aspired for progress and wouldn’t take no for an answer, she added.

They demanded at least 30 percent female participation in elected positions, which became a rallying call for action to establish gender quotas for parity in politics and decision-making.

Three decades after the revolutionary plan for gender equality was agreed upon at the Beijing Conference, Pizani Orsini says its agenda is very much alive and urgent today, and "there is still a long way to go”.

A copy of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action still sits on top of her desk, and she refers to it often.

"Today, there are more women presidents, ministers, congress women, entrepreneurs, and academics than there were 30 years ago," Pizani Orsini says, reminding us of the progress made.

“Women in power and decision making” was one of the 12 critical areas addressed by the Beijing Platform for Action, and it has seen much traction in the Latin America and the Caribbean region since 1995. Mexico, where Pizani Orsini leads the UN Women office, has a woman president for the first time, in addition to a new Ministry of Women, a gender-equal federal cabinet, and equal legislative representation, both at the federal and state levels. As of today, 40 percent of Mexican states have women governors.

Pizani Orsini is looking forward to the Sixteenth Regional Conference on Women, taking place in Mexico City from 12 to 15 August this year. “It’s the first time in history that a Regional Conference on Women will be hosted by a female president,” she says.

"The Beijing Declaration remains our battle horse," she adds. The agenda is yet to be implemented fully, and the stakes are high for all women and girls, everywhere. If the commitments made by governments in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action were fulfilled, the world could end poverty and gender-based violence, boost sustainable economies, and have a better chance at protecting the environment.

For Pizani Orsini, the fight for gender equality belongs to all people, of all ages. "We cannot leave all the responsibility to young people; us, who are no longer so young, must continue fighting," she says.  

Having worked for gender equality and women’s rights for a lifetime, Pizani Orsini has a message for activists: "Lead by example. There is no better preaching than showing through our actions what we stand for.”

“And, give space to young women. Encourage them to get involved, share experiences with them, and trust their vision.”

In her leadership role, Pizani Orsini tries to create intergenerational dialogues so that activists can learn from one another and discover new ideas.

“Women's rights are fragile and always at risk,” she cautions. There is no better time than now to join the fight for a more equal future.