GLOBAL GENDER EQUALITY AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS: PROGRESS, CHALLENGES, AND PROSPECTS
Abstract
This paper examines the progress and persistent challenges of gender equality and women’s rights in the twenty-first century. Despite significant global initiatives such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), women worldwide continue to face systemic barriers in education, employment, political participation, and personal autonomy. Using descriptive and analytical research methods, the study evaluates the state of gender equality across regions and identifies the cultural, economic, and political structures that sustain inequality. The findings reveal that while education and labor participation among women have improved globally, gender-based violence, wage gaps, and leadership disparities remain critical issues. The paper concludes that transformative progress requires legal reform, inclusive education, and cross-sector collaboration to dismantle gender stereotypes and institutional discrimination.