Meanwhile, it could take hundreds of years to fully close the gap in rights and protections between women and men. That’s a warning from the United Nations. According to the UN, progress toward gender equality is slowing dramatically.
The latest findings show that women worldwide have just 64 percent of the legal rights that men do.
This is what the new analysis released by the United Nations finds. That, despite decades of advocacy and policy reforms, women across the world continue to face significant legal disadvantages.
From employment protections to property ownership and family law, the report shows women hold less than two-thirds of the rights granted to men under national legal systems.
Researchers say the slow pace of reform means achieving full legal equality could take generations — potentially centuries — if governments do not accelerate changes.
The findings echo concerns raised by UN Women, which says discriminatory laws continue to affect millions of women in areas such as workplace protections, pay equity, and safeguards against violence.
While some countries have expanded protections in recent years — including reforms around parental leave and workplace discrimination — experts say progress is uneven and often fragile.
In many parts of the world, laws still limit women’s rights to work in certain industries, inherit property, or receive equal pay.
Advocates warn that without stronger political commitment and enforcement, the gap in rights could persist for generations.
The United Nations is calling on governments to accelerate legal reforms and strengthen enforcement of gender-equality laws, saying closing the gap is not only a human rights issue, but also essential for global economic growth and stability.
Here in Nigeria, the findings reflect challenges that are still visible across politics, the economy, and social life.
Women remain significantly under-represented in political leadership, and activists continue to push for stronger affirmative-action policies to increase women’s participation in governance.
Issues such as gender-based violence, child marriage, and unequal economic opportunities also persist in parts of the country, despite legal reforms and advocacy campaigns.
However, Nigeria has seen some progress — including growing public awareness, stronger civil society movements, and increasing calls for gender equality in public institutions.
Experts say the challenge now is not just passing laws, but enforcing them and changing social attitudes.
For now, the message from the world body is clear: progress is happening — but far too slowly.
(Editor: Roluke Ogundele)
