The year 2024 was marked by significant political, environmental, and humanitarian events that shaped global affairs. More than 60 countries representing nearly half of the world’s population voted for national elections. Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, along with its military operations in Lebanon and Syria, resulted in devastating casualties and intensified the region’s humanitarian crisis. Several countries faced the brunt of climate change with 2024 being on track to be the warmest year on record.
In this volatile political climate, there have been moments of optimism. In some parts of the world, the fall of oppressive regimes has opened doors to potential reform and change. The fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh and the uprising in Syria offer glimpses of hope, suggesting that people are finding ways to assert their agency and demand better futures.
IDS researchers and partners have covered many of these political changes, and key points for development throughout the year. Here, we highlight our top 10 opinion pieces of 2024:
1. International Women’s Day: Palestine and weaponising gender and sexuality
In the article ‘International Women’s Day: Palestine and weaponising gender and sexuality’ Samreen Mushtaq argues that women joining the violent security apparatus at the frontlines as part of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is a classic “security feminism on display”. These women are being presented as the “symbols of progress and equality,” and “pushing new boundaries” given they are equal participants in the “righteous” fight against the “terrorist” other. The article urges that discourse of women’s rights cannot and must not distance itself from the conversations and outrage over the genocide in Gaza.
2. South Africa decides 2024: The state of the nation
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) party was voted out 30 years of rule in South Africa. In the regime of ANC, the country is marred by no improvement in child hunger, persistent poverty, and a failing education system. IDS researcher Stephen Devereux writes in ‘South Africa decides 2024: The state of the nation’ that this inaction is not due to lack of money, rather, the muddled ideology, “a curious blend of neoliberal capitalism – which is pro-business and not pro-poor – and heavy-handed interventionism by incompetent politicians and political appointees, which results in the state (mis)managing enterprises which would benefit from private sector investment and management.”
3. India election 2024: The world’s largest democracy votes
Despite facing domestic and international scrutiny regarding the stance on religious and ethnic minorities, Narendra Modi came into power with a slim majority in 2024. Earlier this year, IDS researchers warned against the co-option and manipulation of feminist or gender empowerment discourses by the right wing government to further their agenda.
4. Double disaster: Flood fallout and state eviction in Nairobi & Karachi
The devastating floods in Nairobi and Karachi have underscored the growing vulnerability of urban low-income neighbourhood to climate change-induced disasters. In response, the Nairobi and Karachi governments forced evacuation of the residents living there, causing further loss of life and property and exacerbating the crisis. IDS researchers and partners in ‘Double disaster: Flood fallout and state eviction in Nairobi & Karachi’ argued that the governments’ response to disasters is a locus for social, infrastructural, and climate injustice and call for actions that can respond to the specific mitigation and adaptation needs of affected communities.
5. Gen Z are ready to help build a new future for Bangladesh
IDS researcher Sohela Nazneen writes in ‘Gen Z are ready to help build a new future for Bangladesh’ that Bangladesh received its “second independence” after the long-standing government was overthrown, opening the door for a new regime focused on democratic reform and development. The movement started by the university students demanding merit-based competition emerged into demands for justice and accountability. As Bangladesh progresses into a new form of governance, the energy and activism of young people could catalyse significant changes driving forward policies that are more equitable and sustainable.
6. New recommendations for G20 centred around inequality, food and hunger
In a series of policy briefs published for the T20, researchers from IDS and other Food Equity Centre partners have outlined policy options for strengthening equity food systems and their governance, and preventing hunger and famine.
7. Israel’s long war against UNRWA
More than a year later Israel’s war on Gaza has killed over 43,000 people, displaced 90 percent of the population and meeting the threshold for genocide. IDS researchers Stephen Devereux and Philip Proudfoot wrote on ‘Israel’s long war against UNRWA’ saying the ban on United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), “the backbone” of the aid operation in occupied Palestine risks not just the delivery of essential services, but a potentially fatal blow to the Right of Return. Israel has subsequently blocked the entrance of food trucks using starvation as a weapon against the people of Palestine.
8. Trump’s victory shows that we need to remake the case for progressive policies
IDS Acting Director, Peter Taylor writes in ‘Trump’s victory shows that we need to remake the case for progressive policies’ that Trump’s win has very significant consequences for the USA domestically and globally – most notably with greater risks now for the outlook in the Middle East and Ukraine, and for action on climate change. Peter calls for more progressive governments around the world, civil society and research institutes to stand firm against authoritarian “strong man” politics. The re-election of Trump is also a reminder to galvanise efforts towards participatory decision-making, and for progressive funders to strengthen their efforts to forge solidarities with partners to help protect rights.
9. Six ways to build solidarities for gender justice
Significant progress on gender equality has been made in past decades, but in recent years feminist and queer movements have faced a rising onslaught of violence and repression that targets and seeks to reverse progress on gender equality. In a time of backlash and growing fragmentation, solidarity becomes a source of strength for different “communities of people who have chosen to work and fight together”. IDS researchers put forward ‘Six ways to guiding principles build solidarities for gender justice’ as a primary tactic to counter the rising backlash.
10. Return, to what? Syrian returnees in the post-Assad era
After 13 years of conflict, the Turkish-backed armed opposition launched a military operation under the leadership of the former Jihadist organisation Hayat Tahere Alsham (HTS) with the support of two other organisations. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians are now returning from key places of refuge to their homes. IDS researcher Dolf J.H. te Lintelo and independent researcher and journalist Sultan Jalabi give a cautiously positive view on the HTS governance in ‘Return, To What? Syrian Returnees in the Post-Assad Era’ writing that their research suggests that HTS held territories will find it easier to be incorporated into one common Syrian state.
While 2024 has been a year fraught with political tensions and humanitarian crises, it also offers a reminder of the resilience and determination of people worldwide in the face of adversity. From the fall of oppressive regimes to the rise of youth activism, there are reasons to be hopeful for the future. The ongoing challenges, particularly in the Middle East and the growing impact of climate change, underscore the importance of collective action and solidarity in creating a more just and sustainable world for all.