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The Herald Scotland

Stars shine the spotlight on our need for women's rights

Last month, against the backdrop of a world grappling with crises, the Royal Albert Hall was transformed into a stage of unity, power, and hope. Sisters: Annie Lennox & Friends, the first-ever concert of its kind, brought together an extraordinary line-up of artists, including Beverley Knight, Hozier, and Paloma Faith, to raise funds for The Circle, a global feminist organisation founded 17 years ago by Lennox and other leading women. More than just a charity, The Circle is a movement – a force for change rooted in the belief that women's rights are human rights. Since 2008, it has worked tirelessly to support women and girls facing gender-based violence and economic inequality across the world. From the moment the first note was played, the atmosphere was electric. The concert felt like a beacon of light, igniting hope and strength in a time of darkness. Legends of music stood side by side with rising stars, amplifying a single, unshakable message: women supporting women can change the world. The night was filled with performances that stirred the soul, including a breath taking rendition of Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves by Lennox – an anthem that has defined feminist movements for decades. Reflecting on the event, Livia Firth, founding member and ambassador for The Circle, described it as: 'So inspiring and uplifting – just what we all needed.' And indeed, as voices united in song, there was an overwhelming feeling that collective action is not just powerful – it's unstoppable. The urgency of this initiative cannot be overstated. More than 300 million women and girls live in extreme poverty, and one in three women will experience violence in their lifetime. Despite global efforts, progress on gender equality has stalled – one in three countries has made no advancements since 2015, while in 18 nations including Venezuela, Afghanistan and South Africa, conditions for women have worsened. At the current pace, achieving global gender equality will take another 131 years, according to World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2023. This is unacceptable. The latest UN Women report published last month, Women's Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing, also presents a sobering reality. While gains have been made – such as increased female political representation and reductions in maternal mortality – women's and girls' rights are facing unprecedented threats. Nearly a quarter of governments report a backlash against gender equality. (Image: Photographer Misan Harriman) Digital platforms are amplifying harmful stereotypes, the digital gender gap continues to limit opportunities for women, and women's rights defenders face harassment, violence, and even death. Global crises, including Covid-19, climate change, and surging food and fuel prices, only exacerbated these challenges. 'When women and girls can rise, we all thrive, yet globally, women's human rights are under attack. Instead of mainstreaming equal rights, we're seeing the mainstreaming of misogyny,' warned UN secretary-general António Guterres. UN Women executive director Sima Bahous reinforced this urgency, stating: 'Complex challenges stand in the way of gender equality and women's empowerment, but we remain steadfast, pushing forward with ambition and resolve. Women and girls are demanding change – and they deserve nothing less.' Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most ambitious global roadmap for gender equality. In response, the UN's new Beijing+30 Action Agenda outlines six key priorities for transformative change: ensuring equal access to digital technology, eradicating poverty, ending violence against women, increasing women's decision-making power, prioritising women's roles in peace and security, and achieving climate justice. Across all these areas, one truth is undeniable: centring women and girls in decision-making is the only path to meaningful progress. Compounding these challenges is the fact that many countries are rolling back on international aid, leaving women's rights organisations with even fewer resources. As government support dwindles, the role of NGOs like The Circle becomes even more critical. These organisations are often the only lifeline for women facing violence, discrimination, and economic hardship. Without sustained funding, progress on gender equality risks being reversed. Raakhi Shah, CEO of The Circle, reinforced the critical need for immediate action: 'The rollback of women's rights is a huge deal. Funding is vital and critical right now.' The shocking reality is that less than 1% of global development funding goes to women's rights organisations – the very groups working on the frontlines to dismantle inequality. The Circle is committed to changing this, directly funding grass-roots, women-led initiatives in some of the world's most vulnerable regions, including Afghanistan, South Sudan, and conflict zones where gender-based violence is rampant. Over the past 17 years, The Circle has directly supported more than 1.4 million people on women's rights and empowered over 700,000 women and girls facing violence, discrimination, and fear. These numbers are staggering, but they represent only the beginning of what needs to be done. This concert was not only to raise awareness but to raise funds to help women most impacted. Annie Lennox said: 'It was truly amazing to bring women and allies together, to find inspiration and community in each other, as well as raising much-needed funds to support our outstanding female-led organisations around the world.' Strengthening the power of women's rights organisations through long-term financial support is essential to advancing gender equality and building a safer, fairer future for all. Nadine Shah, another performer at the event, echoed this sentiment: 'I fully support The Circle's mission statement to persevere to ensure a future where there is equality and safety for all women and girls. If Annie asks you to do something … you do it.' As we reflect on the impact of Sisters: Annie Lennox & Friends, one thing is clear: this is not just about policy change or government intervention – it's about all of us. Whether through activism, advocacy, donating, or simply standing in solidarity, every single person has a role to play. As The Circle has proven time and again, when women stand together, change is not just possible – it is inevitable. For me, and for women across the globe, sweet dreams are made of this: a world where equality is not just a dream, but a destiny within our reach. Now is the time to act, to amplify, and to stand in solidarity with Annie all our sisters – because gender equality cannot wait another 131 years. n Dr Antoinette Fionda-Douglas is co-founder of Beira, and assistant professor at Heriot-Watt University