Here are five key areas that need our joint action to ensure women are not left behind: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/announcement/2023/12/international-womens-day-2024-invest-in-women-accelerate-progress#:~:text=International%20Women%27s%20Day%202024%3A%20%27Invest,progress%27%20%7C%20UN%20Women%20%E2%80%93%20Headquarters Investing in women: A human rights issue Time is running out. Gender equality remains the greatest human rights challenge. Investing in women is a human rights imperative and cornerstone for building inclusive societies. Progress for women benefits us all. Ending poverty The COVID pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, climate disasters, and economic turmoil have pushed an extra 75 million people into severe poverty, since 2020. This could lead to more than 342 million women and girls living below the poverty line by 2030, making immediate action crucial. Implementing gender-responsive financing Due to conflicts and rising fuel and food prices, recent estimates suggest that 75 per cent of countries will curb public spending by 2025. Austerity negatively impacts women and crowds out public spending