The global struggle for the rights of women and girls is not just a moral imperative; it is a strategic necessity for a sustainable future for everyone. While gender equality is interwoven with every aspect of development, the world remains at a critical crossroads. Without a dramatic shift in commitment, we risk a “backtrack” scenario that could leave billions of women living in countries with poor equality scores. However, by following the “fast track” set by the world’s most progressive nations, we can achieve global gender equality as soon as 2049—nearly 60 years sooner than our current trajectory suggests.
Introduction
The Gender Equality 2049 report, produced by Equal Measures 2030 in collaboration with the Alliance for Feminist Movements, reveals that progress toward gender equality is currently too slow and fragile to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Nearly three-quarters of all SDG targets rely directly on the advancement of gender equality, yet at our current pace, the world will not reach this milestone until the year 2108.
This report highlights a stark divide between two possible futures:
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The Fast Track: If all countries accelerate progress at the rate of the 15 fastest-improving nations, the global Gender Index score could reach a “fair” level by 2030, putting gender equality within reach by 2049.
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The Backtrack: Conversely, one in three countries is currently making no progress or moving in the wrong direction. A global shift toward this “backtrack” scenario would lead to a dangerous reversal of rights, leaving 85% of the world’s girls and women in countries with “poor” or “very poor” equality scores.
A central finding of this research is the indispensable role of feminist movements. From mobilizing against femicide in Argentina to securing political quotas in Nepal, strong feminist advocacy is the most consistent driver of meaningful policy change. By examining case studies across five diverse nations—Argentina, Canada, Malawi, Nepal, and Uruguay—this report demonstrates that when feminist organizations are funded, listened to, and given space to lead, the “fast track” to 2049 becomes a reality.