Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, Minister for Social Security of Finland, also shared reflections on the rising pushback against gender equality:
30 Years, 1 Journey: Activists and trailblazers join a historic event in Helsinki to march forward for gender equality
Date:
Participants of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing at the UN Women Beijing+30 Anniversary Event in Helsinki, Finland. Photo: UN Women / Larieemeli Matias Kuusisto
Thirty years ago, in 1995, a historic journey began. Activists, changemakers, and delegates from 189 countries boarded trains from cities across Europe to Beijing, China, to attend the Fourth World Conference on Women. Their destination: a bold vision for women’s rights, equality, and empowerment worldwide.
The conference marked a turning point for the global agenda on gender equality, resulting in the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. 30 years later, the Beijing Declaration remains a groundbreaking roadmap that continues to guide international efforts on gender equality and women’s rights.
On 8 May 2025, three decades later, the legacy of that historic movement was honored in Helsinki – the departure point of one of those trains bound for Beijing – with the commemorative event, “30 Years, 1 Journey: For All Women and Girls in Europe and Central Asia.”
Hosted by the UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, in partnership with the UN Women National Committee in Finland, the event brought together over 15 influential speakers and 200 guests – activists, officials, ambassadors, and influencers from across Europe, Central Asia, and beyond.
The #JourneyForEquality Beijing+30 anniversary exhibition, opened on 8 May 2025 at Helsinki Central Station—the original "Peace Train" departure point to Beijing—and ran through 22 May 2025. 200.000 daily visitors could explore archival UN milestones, grassroots activism, landmark victories, bold declarations, and the unstoppable activism that have shaped women’s rights across Europe and Central Asia. Photo: UN Women / Larieemeli Matias Kuusisto
The #JourneyForEquality Beijing+30 anniversary exhibition, opened on 8 May 2025 at Helsinki Central Station—the original "Peace Train" departure point to Beijing—and ran through 22 May 2025. 200.000 daily visitors could explore archival UN milestones, grassroots activism, landmark victories, bold declarations, and the unstoppable activism that have shaped women’s rights across Europe and Central Asia. Photo: UN Women / Larieemeli Matias Kuusisto
The #JourneyForEquality Beijing+30 anniversary exhibition, opened on 8 May 2025 at Helsinki Central Station—the original "Peace Train" departure point to Beijing—and ran through 22 May 2025. 200.000 daily visitors could explore archival UN milestones, grassroots activism, landmark victories, bold declarations, and the unstoppable activism that have shaped women’s rights across Europe and Central Asia. Photo: UN Women / Larieemeli Matias Kuusisto
The #JourneyForEquality Beijing+30 anniversary exhibition, opened on 8 May 2025 at Helsinki Central Station—the original "Peace Train" departure point to Beijing—and ran through 22 May 2025. 200.000 daily visitors could explore archival UN milestones, grassroots activism, landmark victories, bold declarations, and the unstoppable activism that have shaped women’s rights across Europe and Central Asia. Photo: UN Women / Larieemeli Matias Kuusisto
The #JourneyForEquality Beijing+30 anniversary exhibition, opened on 8 May 2025 at Helsinki Central Station—the original "Peace Train" departure point to Beijing—and ran through 22 May 2025. 200.000 daily visitors could explore archival UN milestones, grassroots activism, landmark victories, bold declarations, and the unstoppable activism that have shaped women’s rights across Europe and Central Asia. Photo: UN Women / Larieemeli Matias Kuusisto
The event opened with the symbolic unveiling of the anniversary exhibition #JourneyForEquality – “30 Years, 1 Journey: For All Women and Girls in Europe and Central Asia,” at Helsinki Train Station, the departure point of the Beijing-bound train. The exhibition, open to the public until 22 May, invited visitors to reflect on the history of women’s rights movement and progress for the past decades.
Hosted by UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia together with the UN Women National Committee in Finland, the Beijing+30 anniversary event brought over 200 activists, government officials, ambassadors, and influencers from Europe, the Western Balkans, Türkiye, and Central Asia together to commemorate the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, celebrate three decades of progress, and discuss urgent next steps to accelerate gender equality across the region. Photo: UN Women / Larieemeli Matias Kuusisto
Hosted by UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia together with the UN Women National Committee in Finland, the Beijing+30 anniversary event brought over 200 activists, government officials, ambassadors, and influencers from Europe, the Western Balkans, Türkiye, and Central Asia together to commemorate the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, celebrate three decades of progress, and discuss urgent next steps to accelerate gender equality across the region. Photo: UN Women / Larieemeli Matias Kuusisto
Hosted by UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia together with the UN Women National Committee in Finland, the Beijing+30 anniversary event brought over 200 activists, government officials, ambassadors, and influencers from Europe, the Western Balkans, Türkiye, and Central Asia together to commemorate the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, celebrate three decades of progress, and discuss urgent next steps to accelerate gender equality across the region. Photo: UN Women / Larieemeli Matias Kuusisto
Hosted by UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia together with the UN Women National Committee in Finland, the Beijing+30 anniversary event brought over 200 activists, government officials, ambassadors, and influencers from Europe, the Western Balkans, Türkiye, and Central Asia together to commemorate the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, celebrate three decades of progress, and discuss urgent next steps to accelerate gender equality across the region. Photo: UN Women / Larieemeli Matias Kuusisto
Hosted by UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia together with the UN Women National Committee in Finland, the Beijing+30 anniversary event brought over 200 activists, government officials, ambassadors, and influencers from Europe, the Western Balkans, Türkiye, and Central Asia together to commemorate the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, celebrate three decades of progress, and discuss urgent next steps to accelerate gender equality across the region. Photo: UN Women / Larieemeli Matias Kuusisto
Hosted by UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia together with the UN Women National Committee in Finland, the Beijing+30 anniversary event brought over 200 activists, government officials, ambassadors, and influencers from Europe, the Western Balkans, Türkiye, and Central Asia together to commemorate the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, celebrate three decades of progress, and discuss urgent next steps to accelerate gender equality across the region. Photo: UN Women / Larieemeli Matias Kuusisto
Hosted by UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia together with the UN Women National Committee in Finland, the Beijing+30 anniversary event brought over 200 activists, government officials, ambassadors, and influencers from Europe, the Western Balkans, Türkiye, and Central Asia together to commemorate the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, celebrate three decades of progress, and discuss urgent next steps to accelerate gender equality across the region. Photo: UN Women / Larieemeli Matias Kuusisto
Hosted by UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia together with the UN Women National Committee in Finland, the Beijing+30 anniversary event brought over 200 activists, government officials, ambassadors, and influencers from Europe, the Western Balkans, Türkiye, and Central Asia together to commemorate the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, celebrate three decades of progress, and discuss urgent next steps to accelerate gender equality across the region. Photo: UN Women / Larieemeli Matias Kuusisto
The commemoration then continued at Finlandia Hall, where the official 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration took place. Tarja Halonen, former President of Finland, led the Finnish delegation to Beijing in 1995. Reflecting on the journey and its impact, President Tarja Halonen, stated:
“The impact of the Beijing Declaration was transformative, and it remains one of the most progressive frameworks for defining women's rights. However, despite progress, the world is not on track to achieve gender equality by 2030. At the current pace, it could take 300 years. Our road towards gender equality must be intersectional and it must be much shorter. Gender equality requires continuous work; it is like household work: it is not enough that you do it once - you have to do it repeatedly.”
Image
“It is deeply worrying that a quarter of countries report pushback in gender equality. Women are subjected to violence in homes, digital spaces, and wars. We must stand firm to ensure that progress will remain. Gender equality is a human right - not an ideology. We should never go backwards, but push progress forward, together.”
Image
At the same time, Belén Sanz Luque, UN Women Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, highlighted that the Beijing+30 Action Agenda is the answer for further promoting gender equality.
“A bold roadmap to end violence, fight poverty, bridge the digital divide, achieve climate justice, ensure women’s leadership, and build peace — with young women and girls at the heart. That is the solution and now is our turning point. Today’s event is not just a gathering – it is a room full of people who share a vision: a world where women and girls live free from fear, with dignity, and in control of their futures. We are here to rise, to lead with courage, to never step back — and always push forward. Let us be united in putting gender equality at the heart of every action.”
Image
Jaana Hirsikangas, Executive Director of UN Women Finland, brought into the room the energy and commitment from the International Women’s Day march that brought 10,000 people to the streets of Helsinki.
“Together, we can build a movement that propels us forward and brings others along with us. In Helsinki, on International Women’s Day, three women’s rights organizations united over 130 other organizations — and 10,000 people. We need every level of society to join us — from citizens and activists to educators, policymakers, governments, and businesses — to help turn the current pushback into progress for gender equality. We walk in the footsteps of those who paved the way 30 years ago. And we must never forget: we, too, are being followed by younger generations. Let’s make sure we lead them in the right direction.”
Image
More than a commemoration, the event became a platform to bridge generations and reaffirm the collective commitment to gender equality. It featured powerful testimonies from those carrying the torch today: activists, content creators, and influencers who are shaping today’s conversations on women’s rights and gender equality across Europe and Central Asia.
Aitbek Amangeldi, an activist and influencer from Kazakhstan, became a women’s rights activist after the tragic loss of his sister and was behind a national legislative reform on violence against women.
“In 2023, domestic abuse in Kazakhstan was punishable by a small fine — the same as for littering. With insights from real cases, we launched a petition demanding the criminalization of domestic violence. Over 150,000 people signed. The campaign — and ultimately, the new law — was named after my sister: Saltanat’s Law. It became a symbol of hope in a country where women’s voices had been silenced for too long.”
Image
From Ukraine, Khrystyna Kit, a legal expert supporting women survivors of sexual violence, sent a stark reminder of the urgent challenges faced by women and girls in a country torn by war:
“It is important for us to restore the rights of victims, make their voices louder, and not allow them to be silenced. The silence and fear of survivors is the victory of the abuser.”
Image
Adina Nivukoski, a young advocate for women’s rights in Finland, reminded the audience the importance of elevating girls' voices across the world.
“We must amplify girls’ voices—whether they are in Addis Ababa or Helsinki. They are part of the same global story: the fight for dignity, agency, and future.”
Image
In the end, the event did more than reflect on the legacy of 1995 – it reminded everyone that the journey towards gender equality is far from over.
Katri Viinikka, Ambassador for Gender Equality at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, concluded by saying:
“It is our duty to ensure that gender equality is not a thing from the past, not something merely to commemorate. It must be the present. It must be the future. Together with civil society and like-minded countries, we must continue our work towards gender equality, full inclusion, and empowerment that will benefit the whole society. We must have the courage for that.”
Image
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)