On March 8, 2025, the International Association for Community Development (IACD) endorses the United Nations call to action, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” for a feminist future where all women and girls, especially future generations, have equal rights and opportunities. This International Women’s Day, the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, IACD affirms its solidarity with all women globally. In 2025 there are wars in many parts of the world, which impact differentially on women and girls, who are raped and oppressed during and after them. We stand with women and girls everywhere who are suffering the consequences of war and call for their full involvement and participation, as detailed in the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, in all related efforts towards negotiated settlements for peace and security, and demanding protection from gender-based violence in conflict.

We acknowledge the many systemic barriers women face, including historical injustices, economic disparities, and the erosion of civil society space. Global challenges like climate change, rising racism, and conflicts exacerbate these inequalities.

The Beijing Declaration remains the most comprehensive blueprint for achieving gender equality, addressing critical areas like economic participation, political inclusion, peace, environmental sustainability, and eliminating violence against women. Thirty years later, the struggle for women's rights, gender equality, and equitable power structures persists.

As community development practitioners, IACD champions participatory democracy, sustainable development, human rights, and social justice, guided by the International Standards for Community Development Practice. Our work emphasises collective analysis, action, and outcomes, prioritising marginalised and minority communities and addressing systemic issues like racism and misogyny. We use community development values and human rights frameworks, to work collectively for meaningful change that benefits everyone.

IACD Calls on ourselves and all Community Development Practitioners to:

• Facilitate Community-Led Initiatives: Support and work in solidarity with women's organisations and initiatives that address gender-based violence, economic inequality, and limited access to resources.

• Challenge Systemic Discrimination: Engage in community dialogues and actions that challenge gender stereotypes, discrimination, and bias, including addressing racism and other forms of oppression.

• Utilise Human Rights Frameworks: Incorporate human rights-based approaches into community development practice, ensuring women's rights are protected and promoted.

• Strengthen Community Analysis: Facilitate community analysis that highlights the systematic causes of women's oppression.

• Promote Participatory Decision-Making: Ensure women's active participation in community planning and decision-making processes, particularly in areas affecting their lives.

• Advocate for Equitable Resource Allocation: Work with local governments and organisations to advocate for budgets that prioritise social protection, public services, and health care services for women.

• Strengthen Community Empowerment and Resilience: Support initiatives that build women's resilience in the face of climate change, conflict, and other crises, emphasising green economy and sustainable practices.

• Bridge the Digital Gender Divide: Facilitate access to digital literacy and technology for women and girls, ensuring their inclusion in the digital economy.

Thirty years after Beijing and in this climate of wars globally, hope, commitment, and resilience are essential. We remain inspired by the courage and determination of women worldwide, and remain committed to working in solidarity, to promote the voice and agency of all women, everywhere.