'Year of the Woman': Gender equality comes into focus in 2018

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The past year has seen women's movements grow and spread around the world. In fact, in the US, 2018 is labeled the Year of the Woman. That's because a record number of women ran for political office. And many won. But, as CGTN's Nick Harper reports, the Year of the Woman had a limited influence, when governments were unable or unwilling to tackle issues that affect the female population.

In the hands of justice. In South Sudan, women are coming forward to relive the nightmare of rape or other acts of sexual violence as their attackers stand trial.

This mobile court, supported by the UN, is hearing cases in the northern town of Bentiu for the first time in over four years.

Meantime, the UN just ended its annual End Violence against Women campaign.

ANTONIO GUTERRES SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS "Violence against women and girls must end now, and we all have a role to play."

NICK HARPER NEW YORK "But during the two-week focus on sexual violence here at the UN, more than 150 women and children came forward in South Sudan with stories of mass rapes taking place over a 12-day period."

Women's movements like #MeToo have spread around the world, demanding an end to sexual harassment and violence.

This year's Nobel Peace Prize even paid tribute to two people working to combat sexual violence in Iraq and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

ASA REGNER DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UN WOMEN "We must think and believe it can be eliminated. And the UN can do a lot together with its member states."

And although globally, the fundamental issue of protecting women's rights is the same, conflict countries often struggle to sufficiently deal with that.

SIMON ADAMS GLOBAL CENTER FOR THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT "I don't think any government or multilateral organization has really figured out to relate to the core elements of the MeToo movement and translate it into something meaningful."

And in terms of gender equality, the UN is leading by example. This year, it achieved gender parity in its senior management team and among its officials leading in-country teams.

But in many of those places, the laws work against those goals - from discriminatory land rights, to laws about child marriage and female genital mutilation.

Nick Harper, CGTN, New York.