United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning that women's rights are under attack worldwide, urging immediate action to prevent further setbacks in gender equality.

Speaking at a UN event on the eve of International Women’s Day, Guterres highlighted how centuries of discrimination against women are now being compounded by modern threats, particularly in the digital space.

"Digital tools, while brimming with promise, are also often silencing women's voices, amplifying bias, and fueling harassment," Guterres said on Friday. He condemned the growing politicization of women's bodies and the alarming escalation of online violence into real-world attacks.

"Instead of mainstreaming equal rights, we are witnessing the mainstreaming of chauvinism and misogyny," he warned, emphasizing that gender equality is not just about fairness but about power and representation.

"It is about power – who gets a seat at the table, and who is locked out," Guterres stated. "It is about dismantling systems that allow inequalities to fester. And it is about ensuring a better world for all."

As the world marks International Women’s Day, the UN chief’s remarks serve as a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals to push back against gender-based oppression and work toward a more just society.