The article emphasizes the importance of gender equality as a fundamental component of democracy, citing the historical commitment made at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing 30 years ago. It states that when women's rights are restricted or violence against them is tolerated, it undermines the very essence of citizenship itself. On the eve of International Women's Day, the piece invokes the powerful claim from the Beijing platform that 'human rights are women's rights.'

It notes a troubling trend over the past three decades, where 42% of the global population resides in autocratic regimes that systematically erode women's rights. This alarming statistic indicates a regression in the progress achieved since the Beijing conference, which marked a pivotal moment in the global commitment to gender equality. The article argues that the rise of far-right agendas globally contributes to this deterioration, posing a direct challenge to the advancements made in women's rights.

The piece calls for renewed vigilance and action to uphold the principles of democracy, stressing the need for a collective response to defend gender rights as a measure of democratic health. By revisiting the commitments made in Beijing, it advocates for a reinvigorated global dialogue on gender equality in the face of growing authoritarianism that threatens to rollback decades of progress.