Where the echoes of our shared past merge with the tremors of contemporary injustice, today, we gather our collective strength to raise a defiant cry for transformation on International Women’s Day 2025. This manifesto—an unflinching declaration of truth and rebellion—is both a paean to those who have suffered in silence and a searing indictment of policies that continue to subjugate women and marginalise entire communities. Here, we offer a feminist manifesto for 2025 that refuses to be diluted by complacency or muted by hollow promises. It is a call to arms—a summons to reimagine the future beyond the entrenched systems of oppression that have long defined our global landscape.
The ensuing narrative weaves together personal reflection, cultural analysis, and an uncompromising critique of institutions that have systematically disempowered women across continents. Our journey takes us from the hidden agonies in the United Kingdom, through the blood-soaked alleys of Gaza, the darkened corridors of Afghanistan under resurgent tyranny, to the disquieting policies in the United States. At every turn, our words resonate with the urgency to dismantle structures that condone cruelty and silence dissent.
The Cracks in the Union: A British Feminist Manifesto for Reckoning
Beneath the proud façade of Britain’s storied institutions flows a grim undercurrent of neglect that leaves countless women isolated and voiceless. Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal that nearly one in four women in Britain has experienced domestic abuse[^1]. This statistic belies the progress so often touted by political leaders, as centuries-old patriarchal traditions persist in reducing the lived experiences of women to mere entries in a ledger. Within the ornate halls of power, policies are debated, and decrees are issued, yet survivors—often trapped in the silence of legal neglect—continue to suffer profound isolation and betrayal.
The crisis is compounded by the persistent erosion of support services. Austerity measures have forced funding cuts of nearly 24% to domestic violence refuges, leaving survivors with limited access to safe spaces and crucial resources. For many migrant and ethnic minority women, the risk is even greater; bureaucratic barriers and fears of deportation discourage them from reporting abuse, thereby reinforcing their vulnerability. This is the legacy of a colonial past interwoven with modern policies that prioritise political expediency over genuine human care. In response, the call for cultural feminism UK and Intersectional feminist journalism demands that every policy failure be met with relentless accountability—a call to transform rhetoric into real protection for every woman.
Recent political shifts, including the ascent of a new Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, hint at a potential turning point. Early initiatives aimed at closing the gender pay gap, enhancing workplace rights (such as improved protections for menopausal women and flexible working conditions), and bolstering support for survivors suggest the dawn of a new era of feminist manifesto. Yet, the challenge remains: words must be translated into tangible, sustained action to mend the deep fissures in British society.
Gaza: The Tragic Theatre of Forgotten Women
Thousands of miles away, the battered streets of Gaza bear witness to a humanitarian catastrophe that defies easy explanation. Women and girls in Gaza have borne a devastating toll during the ongoing war. Nearly 70% of the 34,488 Palestinians killed since October 2023 have been women and children. UN experts condemn this “continued and systematic onslaught,” revealing horrific accounts of sexual violence, torture, and even mass graves of victims[^4]. Close to one million women and girls have been displaced amid the conflict, as reported by Brighton Sisters Salon, while entire neighbourhoods lie flattened. Basic protections have collapsed, leaving women exposed both to relentless bombardment and to unprecedented rates of gender-based violence, with many reporting rampant sexual assault and abuse.
The social and cultural fabric of Gaza has been torn asunder. Four in five Gazans face hunger or starvation due to a crippling blockade and the destruction of vital infrastructure. Displaced women are forced into overcrowded shelters lacking privacy and sanitation—so much so that many avoid eating or drinking to limit exposure to unsanitary conditions. With hospitals overwhelmed or destroyed, pregnant women struggle to secure critical medical care. The resultant trauma—physical and psychological—is immense, as mothers grapple with loss and widows bear the weight of sole responsibility. Yet, even amid such devastation, the resilience of Gaza’s women shines through as they continue to support each other and push for survival.
Government policies exacerbate these conditions. The Israeli military offensive, carried out with scant regard for civilian safety, has drawn international condemnation. UN human rights experts have labelled the actions as “unacceptable,” urging an immediate ceasefire while emphasizing that women and children form the bulk of the casualties. Humanitarian aid has been grossly inadequate, with only 0.9% of emergency “flash” funds reaching women’s organisations—a failure that speaks volumes about misplaced priorities. Activists and advocates worldwide call for a political solution that not only delivers immediate aid but also ensures that women’s leadership is central to any recovery process.
Afghanistan: The Shattered Horizon Under Taliban Rule
In Afghanistan, the fragile gains of modernity have been swept away by the resurgence of the Taliban—a regime determined to rewrite the rules of existence for women. Under Taliban rule, Afghanistan has become what Human Rights Watch calls “the world’s most serious women’s rights crisis.” It is the only country where girls are banned from secondary and higher education; an estimated 1.4 million Afghan girls have been forcibly shut out of schooling since 2021 (UNESCO.ORG). Afghan women have been virtually erased from public life—barred from most jobs, forced to cover their faces, and forbidden from travelling without a male guardian (HRW.ORG).
The Taliban’s draconian decrees dismantle protections against gender-based violence and have led to a surge in child and forced marriages, as poverty and hunger drive families to marry off girls as young as 13 (MEDICAMONDIALE.ORG). Women who defy these oppressive edicts face harsh punishment—detained for “improper” dress or movement and subjected to physical abuse and threats. One UN expert has described this as an “institutionalized system of discrimination, segregation… and exclusion.”
Government policies are the root of this oppression. Since seizing power, the Taliban have issued edicts banning women from education beyond the 6th grade and from working in most sectors, including NGOs and even international organisations. The shuttering of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the abolition of protective legislation, and the closure of women’s shelters have left survivors with nowhere to turn. In 2023, the Taliban banned the sale of contraception—a decision with potentially fatal consequences in a country where maternal mortality is among the highest in the world. Female participation in the labour force has plummeted to around 5–6%, while “virtue” regulations further silence dissent by prohibiting women from speaking out in public.
The social and cultural impact is catastrophic. Deprived of education and jobs, millions of Afghan women are confined to their homes, fueling rising poverty and a deepening mental health crisis—a phenomenon many describe as “social femicide,” the deliberate erasure of women from society. The collapse of healthcare is striking: with over half the female staff in some Kabul hospitals lost, access to care is severely compromised, and UN estimates warn that an Afghan woman dies from pregnancy or childbirth every two hours.
Yet, amid this systematic oppression, Afghan women continue to resist—holding clandestine classes, staging small protests, and using social media to amplify their voices. International advocates, including UNESCO and Human Rights Watch, decry the regime’s policies, insisting that the global community must act decisively to restore women’s rights.
Sudan: The Crisis of Forgotten Voices
In Sudan, a humanitarian crisis has plunged women and girls into unprecedented peril. Recent data from UN Women and other humanitarian sources reveal that gender-based violence in Sudan has surged dramatically—a two-fold increase in such violence has been recorded amid ongoing conflict[^11]. According to UN Women’s data, over 30% of Sudanese women report experiencing some form of gender-based violence in the past year, while thousands have been forcibly displaced as conflict intensifies[^11][^13]. In addition, studies published in The Lancet indicate that the collapse of public services and widespread displacement have left an estimated 1.2 million women and girls in critical need of humanitarian assistance[^12].
Mariam Djimé Adam, a refugee from Sudan with eight children, is seen in the yard of a secondary school in the neighbouring country of Chad. Photo: UNICEF/Annadjib Ramadane Mahamat
The breakdown of state institutions in Sudan has rendered women vulnerable to horrific acts of violence. Ethnicity-based attacks, as documented by ISHR, have seen women deliberately targeted—killed, beaten, and abducted with alarming frequency[^15]. The social fabric has been torn apart; many women now live in makeshift shelters with minimal access to healthcare, education, or legal protection. As conflict disrupts essential services, the resulting deterioration of living conditions has profound long-term consequences for Sudanese women’s physical and mental well-being.
International and local advocates are sounding the alarm on this crisis. UN Women has maintained a visible presence, highlighting that the ongoing violence is not only a humanitarian disaster but a feminist issue—a systematic attack on women’s rights that calls for immediate action[^11]. Relief organizations stress that only a comprehensive political solution can safeguard the rights and lives of Sudanese women. The consensus among advocates is clear: the onslaught against women in Sudan must end, and women’s leadership must be central to any recovery process. Grassroots movements have begun organizing community support and demanding accountability from both local authorities and the international community.
Mexico: Dual Realities of Progress and Peril
In Mexico, the struggle for women’s rights unfolds as a paradox—where legal advancements and increased political representation contrast starkly with persistent, rampant violence. Despite significant progress in legislative reform and growing awareness of gender inequality, women continue to face extreme levels of violence, discrimination, and a harrowing rate of femicide.
Statistics from Statista reveal that Mexican women and girls confront a myriad of challenges, including high rates of femicide, domestic violence, and pervasive gender discrimination[^1]. According to reports, the country suffers from one of the highest rates of femicide in the region, with hundreds of cases reported each year. This staggering loss of life is compounded by the chronic failure of the justice system to hold perpetrators accountable, leaving families and communities in endless mourning. Moreover, cultural norms and systemic corruption exacerbate the cycle of violence, creating an environment where women are persistently devalued and endangered.
While Mexico has seen commendable strides in legal reforms aimed at protecting women’s rights, these measures often fall short of ensuring actual safety and economic security. The World Bank’s Gender Assessment underscores that despite progressive laws, enforcement remains weak, and the promise of protection remains unfulfilled[^2]. As highlighted by Inkstick Media, progress in policy is not matched by real-world protection, leaving many women vulnerable to abuse and exploitation even in urban centres. This disconnect has left a generation of women fighting not only for equality but also for basic safety and dignity.
The stark duality in Mexico is evident in the everyday realities of its women. On one hand, increased educational and political opportunities offer a glimpse of transformation; on the other, high levels of violence and femicide—as reported by Women’s Voices Now—continue to cast a long shadow over these advances[^3]. According to Le Monde, while legal and institutional reforms have been instituted, deep-rooted cultural and structural barriers persist, ensuring that progress without effective protection remains a painful reality. The pervasive climate of fear not only affects personal freedoms but also undermines collective social progress, leaving many to navigate lives marked by uncertainty and constant risk.
Amid these challenges, grassroots movements and advocacy groups are mobilizing with renewed urgency. Activists call for comprehensive reforms that not only uphold women’s rights on paper but also translate into tangible safety and justice. They demand that women’s leadership be central to any future policy framework—a sentiment echoed by international organizations committed to human rights. The struggle in Mexico is a vivid reminder that progress must go hand in hand with protection, or else the cycle of violence will continue to claim lives and stifle hope.
The United States: A Dystopia of Exclusion and Regression
Across the Atlantic, in the United States—a nation long hailed as a bastion of liberty—the gap between democratic ideals and domestic realities has widened alarmingly. Under the regressive policies of recent years, particularly those from the Trump era, women, minorities, and survivors of domestic abuse find themselves targeted by a tide of exclusion. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, a patchwork of state bans has stripped millions of safe access to abortion.
Now, a conservative blueprint known as Project 2025 threatens to dismantle women’s rights. This 900-page agenda, spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation, calls for a nationwide abortion ban and proposes measures—such as banning abortion medication by mail and embedding fetal “personhood” into law—that could imperil the bodily autonomy of roughly 75 million women (NWLC.ORG; NATIONALPARTNERSHIP.ORG).
Beyond reproductive rights, American women are confronted with high rates of gender-based violence, with nearly 2 in 5 experiencing abuse by an intimate partner, and persistent economic inequality, as they earn only about 82¢ to every dollar earned by men. These challenges are exacerbated by systemic racism and discrimination, particularly impacting Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, low-income, and immigrant women. Despite legal protections on paper, the reality on the ground reveals a growing concern that the hard-won rights of women are eroding under the influence of rising right-wing populism.
Government actions further compound this crisis. The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson led to 14 states enacting restrictive abortion bans, forcing women to travel vast distances or endure unwanted pregnancies—a development President Biden has labelled a “health care crisis.” Meanwhile, Project 2025 outlines proposals to repeal protections against sex discrimination, weaken Title IX, defund equity programs, and even target LGBTQ+ rights and migrant women (NWLC.ORG; WOMENSREFUGEECOMMISSION.ORG). Although policy efforts, such as the Biden administration’s Gender Policy Council and proposals for paid family leave, offer glimmers of hope, critics argue that federal measures remain woefully insufficient.
Socially and culturally, the consequences are profound. The assault on reproductive rights has created a climate of fear and uncertainty in healthcare, while mass protests and record voter turnouts highlight both the passion and polarization that define this era. Activists, including the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) and grassroots movements, are mobilising across the nation to defend women’s rights, reminding us that even amid progress, the battle for equality is far from over (THEGUARDIAN.COM).
Global Complicity and the Echoes of Injustice
The tragedies unfolding in the United Kingdom, Gaza, Afghanistan, Sudan, and the United States are not isolated phenomena—they are interconnected manifestations of a global system that places strategic alliances and political expediency above human life. Governments often cloak their support for oppressive regimes or military actions in the language of democracy and freedom, yet such rhetoric renders the lives of women expendable. For instance, the sustained political and military support offered to Israel by both the United Kingdom and the United States intensifies the devastation in Gaza, where women and children bear the brunt of indiscriminate violence (POLITICO.EU). When power and profit dictate policy, the voices of the oppressed are systematically silenced.
The framework of Intersectional feminist journalism compels us to recognise these interdependencies. Every policy failure, every statistic of lost life, and every instance of state-sanctioned violence forms part of a larger narrative—a call to reclaim a narrative where every human life is valued and where justice transcends borders and ideological divides.
A Call to Resistance: The New Era Feminist Manifesto
Against the backdrop of systemic injustice and global complicity, this manifesto emerges as both a tribute to the indomitable spirit of resistance and a clarion call for transformative change. This new era feminist manifesto is not a wistful yearning for past glories—it is an active, ongoing struggle to dismantle the structures of power that have long dehumanised and marginalised entire communities.
This manifesto pays homage to the countless women whose lives have been upended by state violence and bureaucratic neglect—from the hidden chambers of British governance to the bombed-out ruins of Gaza, from the repressive streets of Kabul to the polarized battlegrounds of American policy, and from the crisis-ridden communities of Sudan. The indelible voices of Angela Davis, Gloria Steinem, and Malalai Joya shine as beacons of hope and resistance, urging us to challenge every system that denies dignity and equality.
Every policy that curtails the rights of women, every statistic that quantifies suffering, and every instance of institutional neglect are a rallying cry for change. Our manifesto is an appeal to every artist, writer, activist, and citizen to confront the stark realities of injustice—to expose the hypocrisy of policies that prioritise political expediency over human dignity—and to build a future where the promise of equality is fully realised.
As we traverse these turbulent narratives, it is essential to recognise that the struggle for women’s rights transcends national boundaries. The stories from Britain, Gaza, Afghanistan, Sudan, and the United States are threads woven into the broader tapestry of global feminist struggle—a tapestry interlacing personal pain with collective resilience. By embracing Intersectional feminist journalism, we acknowledge the multiple layers of oppression that intersect in women’s lives and empower ourselves to address today’s challenges with empathy and nuance.
The transformation we seek is not a fleeting moment of catharsis but a sustained movement anchored in solidarity and driven by an unwavering commitment to justice. Every policy decision, every act of governance, and every international alliance must be scrutinised through the prism of human dignity. The persistent call for International Women’s Day 2025 Rock & Art is a call to reclaim our narrative, to transform despair into action, and to reassert the inherent value of every human life.
Reflections on the Road Ahead
The road to emancipation is arduous and fraught with setbacks, yet the journey is illuminated by the indomitable spirit of resistance burning in the hearts of those who refuse to be silenced. Each act of defiance, every narrative that dares to reveal the harsh truths of our times, contributes to a mosaic of change that is as intricate as it is revolutionary. Our manifesto is not an abstract ideal but a lived reality—a testament to the power of collective action and the transformative potential of unyielding solidarity.
As we stand on the precipice of change, we must recognise that the struggle for justice is an ongoing endeavour—a fight that demands not only protest but the relentless pursuit of accountability. The statistics underscoring the plight of women in the United Kingdom, Gaza, Afghanistan, Sudan, and the United States are not mere numbers; they are calls to awaken, reminders that every lost life and shattered dream is a debt owed by our global conscience.
In the spirit of resilience and with the courage of our convictions, let this manifesto serve as both a memorial and a blueprint for the future. It is an invitation to question the status quo, to challenge the systems that perpetuate inequality, and to embrace a vision of the world where justice, dignity, and respect are inherent rights—not privileges reserved for a few.
May the stories of those who have suffered and the triumphs of those who have resisted echo through the corridors of time, inspiring future generations to take up the mantle of resistance. As we mark International Women’s Day 2025, let this manifesto be etched into the annals of history as a chronicle of unyielding defiance—a clarion call that reverberates across borders and generations.
Footnotes
- Office for National Statistics. (2019). Domestic Abuse in England and Wales: Findings from the Crime Survey for England and Wales. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk.
- United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). (2025). Gaza Humanitarian Update. Retrieved from UN OCHA reports archive.
- Ashrawi, H. – Numerous speeches and articles on Palestinian rights, including her 2018 address at the University of London.
- POLITICO.EU; AURDIP.ORG. – Reports indicating nearly 70% of the 34,488 Palestinians killed since October 2023 have been women and children, with over 200 women killed in targeted attacks.
- CIVIL-PROTECTION-HUMANITARIAN-AID.EC.EUROPA.EU; BRIGHTONSISTERS.WORDPRESS.COM. – Data showing close to 1 million women and girls displaced, collapse of basic protections, and unprecedented rates of gender-based violence in Gaza.
- BRIGHTONSISTERS.WORDPRESS.COM. – Accounts detailing severe hunger, overcrowded shelters, and the psychological toll on pregnant women in Gaza.
- RFERL.ORG; UNESCO.ORG. – Reports confirming Afghanistan as “the world’s most serious women’s rights crisis,” with 1.4 million girls banned from education since 2021.
- HRW.ORG; MEDICAMONDIALE.ORG. – Documentation of Taliban policies that dismantle protections against gender-based violence, bans on contraception, and the resultant collapse of women’s healthcare in Afghanistan.
- NWLC.ORG; NATIONALPARTNERSHIP.ORG; WOMENSREFUGEECOMMISSION.ORG. – Analyses of U.S. policies under Project 2025, highlighting the potential nationwide abortion ban and its disproportionate impact on marginalized women.
- MAGZTER.COM; HANSARD.PARLIAMENT.UK; WBG.ORG.UK. – Reports on the epidemic of violence against women in the United Kingdom, government shortcomings, and the socio-cultural impact of austerity measures.
- UN Women. (2024, September). Sudan Humanitarian Crisis Has Catastrophic Impact for Women and Girls with Two-Fold Increase of Gender-Based Violence. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2024/09/sudan-humanitarian-crisis-has-catastrophic-impact-for-women-and-girls-with-two-fold-increase-of-gender-based-violence.
- UN News. (2024, September). [Title of the UN News Article]. Available at: https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/09/1155056.
- UN Women. (2024, April). A Year of Suffering for Sudanese Women and Girls. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/statement/2024/04/a-year-of-suffering-for-sudanese-women-and-girls.
- ReliefWeb. (2024). Women on the Frontlines: A Feminist Perspective on the Ongoing Crisis in Sudan. Available at: https://reliefweb.int/report/sudan/women-frontlines-feminist-perspective-ongoing-crisis-sudan.
- The Lancet. (2024). Impact of Conflict on Women’s Health in Sudan. Available at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)00694-9/fulltext.
- UN Women Data Portal. (2024). Country Data for Sudan. Available at: https://data.unwomen.org/country/sudan.
- ISHR. (2024). Sudan: Ethnicity-Based Attacks in Al Jazeera – Where Women Were Killed, Beaten, and Abducted. Available at: https://ishr.ch/latest-updates/sudan-ethnicity-based-attacks-in-aljazeera-where-women-were-killed-beaten-and-abducted/.
- Statista. Issues Facing Women & Girls in Mexico. Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/814664/issues-facing-women-girls-mexico/.
- World Bank. Mexico Gender Assessment. Available at: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/pt/377311556867098027/pdf/Mexico-Gender-Assessment.pdf.
- Women’s Voices Now. Femicide in Mexico. Available at: https://www.womensvoicesnow.org/femicide-in-mexico.
- Le Monde. (2024). In Mexico, the Two Faces of Women’s Rights. Available at: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/11/29/in-mexico-the-two-faces-of-women-s-rights_6734517_4.html.
- Inkstick Media. Progress Without Protection for Women in Mexico. Available at: https://inkstickmedia.com/progress-without-protection-for-women-in-mexico/.
