The Global progress report on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections assesses the World Health Organization’s three ongoing Global Health Sector Strategies on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STIs, noting progress and gaps and identifying actions to improve impact. The report highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the deep social, economic and gender inequalities which increase people’s vulnerability to disease and determines their health outcomes. The report contains messaging on going forward in order to achieve targets towards gender equality and women’s empowerment.