In the hallowed halls of the United Nations Headquarters, a milestone moment in the pursuit of gender equality unfolded this January as world leaders, activists, and legal experts gathered for the first multi-stakeholder hearing of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). The atmosphere was one of both gravity and renewed determination, as the assembly took on an ambitious and long-overdue priority theme: ensuring and strengthening access to justice for every woman and girl on the planet. This landmark session aims to move beyond rhetoric, targeting the elimination of discriminatory laws and the dismantling of the structural barriers that have historically kept justice out of reach for half the world’s population.
Addressing the assembly, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous delivered a poignant call to action, framing the current global climate as a critical crossroads for human rights. The hearing itself is a direct outcome of the CSW revitalization resolution and the recently adopted Pact for the Future, signifying a shift toward more inclusive, multi-stakeholder deliberation. In a world where civic spaces are shrinking and resources for social programs are being redirected toward conflict, the UN is positioning access to justice not merely as a legal goal, but as the very foundation of social cohesion and lasting peace.
The necessity of this focus is underscored by a sobering reality: according to the latest UN Women data, the global legal landscape remains overwhelmingly tilted against women. Currently, women hold only 64 percent of the legal rights afforded to men. Perhaps most startling is the fact that in the year 2026, no single country can claim to have achieved full legal equality. This gap is not just a matter of bureaucratic delay; it is a systemic failure that manifests in the most intimate and public spheres of women’s lives. The data reveals that 54 percent of nations still lack a legal definition of rape based on consent, leaving survivors in a vacuum of accountability. Furthermore, 44 percent of countries operate without laws that mandate equal pay for equal work, while three-quarters of the globe continues to permit child marriage—a practice that disproportionately halts the education and physical autonomy of young girls.
Sima Bahous emphasized that these statistics are not just numbers; they represent the lived experiences of millions who find the law to be an instrument of exclusion rather than protection. “Justice reflects our social norms,” Bahous noted during the hearing. “It is the essential framework underpinning all aspects of our lives. Justice delivered means good governance, lasting peace, security, sustainable development, and social cohesion.” However, for many, that framework is fractured. The rise in global conflict has exacerbated these vulnerabilities, with more than 676 million women and girls currently living within 50 kilometers of active conflict zones. In these regions, conflict-related sexual violence has surged by a staggering 87 percent in just two years. When international humanitarian law is disregarded, the promise of justice feels more distant than ever for those on the front lines of crisis.
To address these staggering challenges, CSW70 is focusing on “transformative legal reform.” This involves more than just passing new laws; it requires a complete overhaul of how legal systems are structured to ensure they are inclusive and equitable. The UN’s strategy involves a three-pronged approach: strengthening coordination between international and local legal bodies, prioritizing prevention through education and social change, and securing the financial resources necessary to treat justice as a fundamental public good.
The history of legal reform provides a glimmer of hope and a roadmap for the future. Since 1970, family law reforms across various nations have unlocked economic opportunities for more than 600 million women. By changing laws regarding inheritance, property ownership, and divorce, these reforms have allowed women to enter the workforce, start businesses, and achieve financial independence. Similarly, the criminalization of domestic violence and sexual harassment in various jurisdictions has not only provided a path to safety but has empowered women to participate more fully in public and educational life. The evidence is clear: when the legal barriers fall, women thrive, and when women thrive, entire economies and societies follow suit.
One of the most critical components of the CSW70 agenda is the elevation of women’s rights organizations. These grassroots groups act as the vital link between high-level global policy and local implementation. They are the ones utilizing strategic litigation to challenge discriminatory norms in real-time, often at great personal risk to their members. Yet, as Bahous pointed out, these organizations are currently facing a double-edged sword: they are being called upon more than ever while simultaneously seeing their funding slashed and their movements undermined by political pushback. CSW70 serves as a rallying point to reverse this trend, calling for a surge in political and financial support for the frontline defenders of gender justice.
Innovation is also at the heart of the new UN mandate. The commission is exploring the potential of digital justice systems to reach women in remote areas or those who are prevented from accessing traditional courtrooms due to social stigma or physical threats. By harnessing technology and strengthening data collection, the UN aims to create an evidence-based approach to reform that can adapt to the unique cultural and structural challenges of different regions. This digital evolution is seen as a way to “leapfrog” traditional barriers, providing women with direct access to legal resources, reporting mechanisms, and support networks.
As the 70th session continues its work, the eyes of the international community are turning toward March, when International Women’s Day will be celebrated under the banner of “Rights. Justice. Action. For all women and girls.” This theme is intended to be more than a slogan; it is a mandate for the coming decade. The UN’s vision for CSW70 is to create a unique space where Member States, the private sector, and civil society can combine their energies to move the needle on legal equality.
The path forward is admittedly steep. The “pushback” against gender equality is real, well-funded, and increasingly vocal on the global stage. However, the sentiment at the UN is that the momentum of the feminist movement is an even more powerful force. The revitalization of the CSW is designed to ensure that the voices of the most marginalized—those who have been denied justice for generations—are the ones leading the conversation.
The hearing concluded with a look toward a future where the “equal rights of men and women,” as enshrined in the UN Charter, are no longer a distant ideal but a lived reality. By focusing on the tangible, legal structures that govern daily life, CSW70 aims to leave a legacy of accountability. It is an invitation to the world to recognize that justice for women is not a “special interest” issue, but a prerequisite for a functional, peaceful global society. As the delegates prepare for the weeks of intense negotiation and deliberation ahead, the message remains clear: there is no regression more powerful than a movement that refuses to stop. The success of CSW70 will be measured not just in the documents signed in New York, but in the courtrooms, workplaces, and homes where women and girls will finally be able to claim the justice they have been so long denied.
The partnership between UN Women and global stakeholders continues to be the engine of this change. With a focus on inclusive and equitable legal systems, the goal is to ensure that the law becomes a shield for the vulnerable rather than a weapon for the powerful. As the multi-stakeholder hearing drew to a close, the call for “steadfast partnership” echoed as the final word—a reminder that the pursuit of justice is a shared responsibility that requires the collective courage of the entire international community.
