International Women’s Day 2025: Decades of progress, yet patriarchy persists

Yet, even as we honor their achievements, we cannot ignore the shadow cast by today’s political and social climate, where patriarchy persists and appears to be growing, stifling progress and undermining the strides made toward equity. This moment demands reflection, resolve, and renewed action to dismantle the barriers to women’s rights and  gender justice for all. 

We stand in solidarity amid funding cuts and push-back against rights

As a global network dedicated to engaging men and boys in the pursuit of gender justice, MenEngage Alliance reaffirms our collective solidarity with movements for women’s rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and social justice for all. We refuse to accept a world in which men’s violence against women, including trans women, and other forms of gender-based violence, is an everyday occurance—one that is accepted as inevitable. We continue to be alarmed by the escalating backlash against women’s and LGBTQIA+ rights and the funding cuts affecting gender justice efforts around the world. 

The need to connect with men and boys on gender justice

The need to connect with men and boys in positive ways on gender equality has come into ever-sharper focus in recent years. The lure of men, particularly of younger generations, into narratives rooted in male victimhood, anti-feminism and misogyny, has been well-reported by the media, and continues to be unpacked through research.

In a relatively short period of time, narratives driving these trends have shifted from the confines of the ‘manosphere’ into the mainstream. We urge men to actively challenge this trend, which seeks to reinforce masculine dominance as a natural order—in politics, within households, and in social narratives.

We call on boys and men to stand as allies and agents of change alongside women, girls and people of diverse gender identities, in challenging a world based on a narrow, hierarchical view of gender.

Feminism is not a threat to men, but a pathway

At MenEngage Alliance, we believe that men and boys must act as agents of change to end violence and discrimination against women, girls and people of all genders. Men and boys are part of the solution, not just as bystanders, but key stakeholders in transforming these systems of harm and exploitation; a transformation that benefits them as well. By modeling masculinities rooted in care, respect, equality, and shared power, men and boys can challenge the structures that sustain inequality and economic hardship. 

Crucially, this is not just about individual change. It is about transforming the systems that uphold patriarchal norms of power over others. Institutions, policies, and cultures must shift to center feminist values, dismantling the dominance and privilege embedded in patriarchal structures.

This International Women’s Day, let us walk the talk in our commitment to intersectional feminist approaches that center the voices of women, girls, and gender-diverse people. Let us challenge restrictive gender norms, amplify feminist narratives, and work toward systemic change. Whether at home, in the workplace, in public spaces, or in political forums, each of us has a role to play in creating a more equitable world.