As the United Nations approaches its landmark 80th anniversary, the global community finds itself at a critical crossroads. The foundational promise of the UN Charter—a world built on the bedrock of human rights for all—is being tested by a complex array of modern challenges. Amidst this backdrop, a singular, powerful truth remains the guiding light for progress: women’s and girls’ rights are not a specialized subset of international law; they are human rights in their most essential form. They are the “everyday essentials” that sustain life, liberty, and the pursuit of dignity. Yet, as we reflect on eight decades of international cooperation, we must confront the uncomfortable reality that these rights are not merely under pressure; they are under a coordinated and sustained assault.
The current global landscape is one of paradox. While technological and social advancements have reached unprecedented heights, the safety and dignity of women and girls are being eroded by a convergence of conflict, systemic discrimination, and economic injustice. From the frontlines of geopolitical wars to the quiet corners of the digital world, the vulnerabilities of women are being exploited. Violence against women has evolved, manifesting in rising forms of online harassment, digital stalking, and the weaponization of artificial intelligence, all while traditional forms of violence—such as femicide and domestic abuse—persist with alarming frequency.
In many jurisdictions, the very systems designed to protect the vulnerable are failing. We continue to witness the tragedy of sexual violence and femicide going unpunished, creating a culture of impunity that emboldens perpetrators. Perhaps most distressing is the persistence of legal loopholes, such as reduced penalties for so-called “honour” crimes, which treat the murder or assault of women as a matter of family reputation rather than a heinous violation of the right to life. When justice systems are infected by gender stereotypes, corruption, and a lack of accountability, the rule of law becomes a hollow concept. Human rights frameworks were meticulously crafted to prevent this exact type of erosion, but without a robust mechanism for accountability, these rights remain little more than promises on parchment rather than guarantees in practice.
This year marks a significant milestone in the journey toward equality: the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. In 1995, representatives from 189 nations gathered in China to create what remains the most progressive blueprint for the advancement of women’s rights. The Beijing Declaration was a moment of global consensus, a recognition that gender equality is not just a moral imperative but a prerequisite for peace, stability, and sustainable development. As we look toward the 30-year review of this historic document, the task before the international community is no longer just to envision a better world, but to deliver on the vision that was established three decades ago.
At the heart of this delivery is the concept of access to justice. For a woman living in a rural village or a girl navigating the complexities of an urban environment, “rights” are abstract until they are backed by the power of the law. Access to justice is the essential mechanism that transforms political commitments into tangible protections. It is what ensures that a survivor of violence can see her attacker held accountable in a courtroom; it is what allows a female entrepreneur to own land and enter into contracts; and it is what empowers a girl to stay in school despite social pressures to marry early. Without a clear path to legal recourse, the cycle of inequality remains unbreakable.
Looking forward to 2026, the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) represents a pivotal opportunity for the global community to reset the agenda. The focus of this upcoming session will be the elimination of discriminatory laws and the strengthening of justice systems worldwide. This is not merely a bureaucratic exercise; it is a direct challenge to the statutes that still exist in dozens of countries which prevent women from inheriting property, working in certain professions, or enjoying equal standing in divorce and custody proceedings. By targeting the legal foundations of inequality, CSW70 aims to create a world where the law is a shield for the marginalized rather than a weapon for the powerful.
In the face of these daunting challenges, UN Women has been working tirelessly to bridge the gap between global rhetoric and local reality. One of the most successful initiatives in this regard is the Gender Justice Platform. This collaborative effort has yielded remarkable results, providing more than 125,000 individuals with direct access to justice services in the last year alone. These services often mean the difference between life and death, providing legal counsel, psychological support, and safe havens for those fleeing violence.
Beyond individual assistance, the focus has been on systemic transformation. Last year, UN Women supported 77 distinct legal reforms across the globe, proving that change is possible even in the most challenging environments. In Mexico, this work led to strengthened constitutional guarantees that reinforce the state’s obligation to protect women. In countries like Bahrain, Guyana, Honduras, Malaysia, and Mali, new legislative frameworks have been established to provide more robust protections against domestic and gender-based violence. Meanwhile, in Albania, the passage of a comprehensive gender equality law has set a new standard for the region, ensuring that women’s voices are heard in both the private and public sectors.
These legal victories are not just wins for women; they are wins for society as a whole. History has shown that when women are protected and empowered, economies grow, peace agreements are more durable, and communities become more resilient. The legal reforms in Malaysia and Mali, for instance, do more than just punish offenders; they signal a shift in the national consciousness, asserting that violence is never an acceptable social norm. In Honduras and Guyana, where rates of violence have historically been high, these new protections offer a glimmer of hope for a future defined by safety rather than fear.
As the world observes Human Rights Day, the message is clear: human rights are the indispensable foundation of peace and stability. They are the threads that weave together the fabric of a functioning society. On this day, we are reminded that the fight for gender equality is not a “women’s issue”—it is a human issue that requires the active participation of men, boys, governments, and civil society. The progress made through the Gender Justice Platform and various national legal reforms demonstrates that when we move with purpose and invest in the rule of law, we can secure dignity and justice for everyone.
However, we cannot afford to be complacent. The “strain” on human rights is real and growing. Economic instability often leads to a rollback of social protections, and political polarization can make the defense of universal rights a contentious issue. We must remain vigilant against the “conditional” application of rights, where the safety of women is sacrificed for the sake of political expediency or cultural traditionalism. The UN Charter does not allow for exceptions, and neither should our modern legal systems.
As we look toward the 80th year of the United Nations and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, the path forward is illuminated by the courage of those who continue to demand justice. It is found in the activists who march for reproductive rights, the lawyers who take on pro-bono cases for survivors of abuse, and the legislators who brave political backlash to pass equality laws. Their work is the realization of the UN’s founding mission.
Ultimately, the goal is to reach a point where human rights are so deeply embedded in the “everyday essentials” of life that they are no longer a matter of debate. We strive for a world where every woman and girl, regardless of where she is born or the circumstances of her life, can live with the absolute certainty that her dignity is protected, her voice is heard, and her rights are guaranteed by the full force of the law. This is the vision of the Beijing Declaration, the mandate of the UN Charter, and the urgent task of our generation. On this Human Rights Day, we recommit to that vision, moving forward with the unwavering belief that justice for women is justice for all.
