“30 Years, 1 Journey: For All Women and Girls in Europe and Central Asia”

When: 8 May 2025; 12:00 – 17:00 

Where: Helsinki Central Station and Finlandia Hall, Helsinki, Finland

What’s happening: A regional commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing+30) – a landmark moment in global activism for gender equality

Who: UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, in partnership with UN Women National Committee in Finland

Why it matters: In 1995, women from around the world and delegates from 189 countries mobilized to attend the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. It marked a turning point for the global agenda on gender equality, resulting in the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

Today, 30 years later, the Beijing Declaration remains a landmark global policy document for gender equality. Today, on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, we want to commemorate and honor the activists, visionaries, and changemakers who have worked tirelessly to advance gender equality – many of whom embarked on train journeys from multiple cities, including Helsinki, to Beijing. That journey became a powerful symbol of movement for women’s rights, solidarity, and momentum, sparking decades of advocacy, progress, and collective action.

Thirty years on, UN Women returns to Helsinki to host one of the central events in the region commemorating the anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This event will reflect on the legacy of 1995 while spotlighting our joint #JourneyForEquality.

How: The event will begin at 12:00 at Helsinki Central Station with the symbolic inauguration of the anniversary exhibition #JourneyForEquality – “30 Years, 1 Journey: For All Women and Girls in Europe and Central Asia”.

At 13:30, the event will continue at Finlandia Hall, bringing together a vibrant and diverse group of participants — including original Beijing train travelers, policymakers, activists, content creators, and influencers — who are shaping today’s conversations around gender equality across Europe, the Western Balkans, Türkiye and Central Asia. Speakers will explore the current state of women’s rights in the region and around the world, highlighting persistent challenges, bold innovations, and visions for the future. Opening remarks will be delivered by Belen Sanz Luque, UN Women Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia; and Jaana Hirsikangas, Executive Director of UN Women Finland.

Among other speakers, you will hear from Tarja Halonen, Former President of Finland and participant in the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing; Aitbek Amangeldi, an activist and influencer from Kazakhstan, who became a women’s rights activist after the tragic loss of his sister; Khrystyna Kit, a legal expert supporting women survivors of sexual violence in Ukraine; Venero Melua, a feminist stand-up comedian from Georgia challenging norms in a male-dominated field; Adina Nivukoski, a young advocate championing for girls’ right to quality education and one of the youngest-ever columnists at Finland’s public media; and many others amazing speakers who are sparking change in their communities for a better and more equitable world.

Join us to hear directly from these inspirational voices!

More than a commemoration, this event will be a dynamic platform to connect past and present, tradition and innovation, activism and influence. It will reaffirm our joint commitment and collective action to gender equality and women’s rights.

Join us in making history in our #JourneyForEquality!

For interview opportunities, please contact: 

• Salome Benidze, Head of Communications, UN Women Europe for Central Asia, based in Istanbul, Türkiye (salome.benidze@unwomen.org)
• Emma Winiecki, Head of Communications, UN Women Finland, based in Helsinki, Finland (emma.winiecki@unwomen.fi, +358 40 778 6767)