As the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) unfolds, a sobering reality has emerged beneath the surface of diplomatic optimism: while the world has become remarkably adept at drafting laws to protect women, it remains tragically slow at enforcing them. The landmark gathering, a cornerstone of the international feminist calendar, has focused its priority theme this year on the concept of access to justice. For the delegates, activists, and world leaders assembled, the message is clear: a law without a functioning, empathetic, and well-funded system to back it up is little more than a promise written on water.
The data gathered since 2019 suggests a period of intense legislative activity. According to UN Women, a staggering 90 percent of Member States have moved to strengthen their legal frameworks regarding violence against women and girls. Furthermore, 79 percent of these nations have either updated or significantly expanded their national action plans to address gender-based violence. On paper, the world has never looked more committed to the safety of women. Yet, as the proceedings of the 70th session have highlighted, these legislative victories are frequently hitting a wall of institutional inertia and systemic fragmentation.
The lived experience of survivors remains a stark contrast to the progress reported in parliamentary chambers. Too many women who find the courage to come forward are met with a gauntlet of biased and disconnected systems. From police stations and courtrooms to healthcare facilities and social protection services, the infrastructure meant to support survivors is often described as fragmented. This lack of coordination creates a "secondary victimization," where survivors must navigate a confusing maze of bureaucracy, often facing skepticism or outright hostility at every turn.
Perhaps the most chilling statistic discussed during the session is that less than 10 percent of women who experience violence actually report it to the authorities. This is not a failure of the survivors; it is a failure of the system. For the vast majority of women, reporting violence feels either futile or, worse, dangerous. When the perception of the justice system is one of indifference or inefficiency, it undermines any potential for deterrence. This cycle of silence fuels a culture of impunity, where perpetrators remain unpunished and the cycle of violence is allowed to continue unabated.
The crisis is exacerbated by a deepening financial drought for the very organizations that provide a lifeline to survivors. Feminist movements and grassroots organizations, which have historically been the vanguard of the fight against gender-based violence, are facing an unprecedented funding crisis. Analysis from UN Women reveals a distressing trend: over one-third of these organizations have been forced to suspend programs specifically designed to address violence. Nearly all reported severe reductions in the ability of women and girls to access essential services. These are the organizations that provide the legal aid, the shelters, and the psychological support that government systems often fail to deliver. Without them, the safety net for millions of women is effectively being dismantled.
During the 70th session, a large majority of participants adopted a set of "agreed conclusions" that call for a paradigm shift in how we define justice. The consensus reached on Monday emphasizes that justice must go beyond the traditional courtroom setting. It must encompass a coordinated, adequately resourced ecosystem that centers on the dignity and specific needs of the survivor. This means justice is found in a hospital that provides compassionate forensic care, in a social service office that offers immediate housing, and in a legal aid system that is accessible to those without financial means.
The call for action is not merely a request for more meetings; it is a demand for budgeted national action plans and institutions that are trained to handle the nuances of gender-based trauma. The signal from the international community must be unequivocal: violence against women and girls will not, and can never, be tolerated.
Despite the challenges, the UN has pointed to successful blueprints that demonstrate what is possible when political will meets coordinated action. The Spotlight Initiative, a high-profile partnership supported by the European Union, serves as a primary example of this "UN acting as one" approach. The results of this initiative between 2019 and 2024 provide a glimmer of hope. Through coordinated efforts, the Spotlight Initiative helped reform 548 laws related to gender equality and violence against women. Perhaps even more significantly, it contributed to doubling conviction rates for gender-based crimes in 13 different countries. This proves that when international commitments are properly funneled into local action, real change in people’s lives is not just possible—it is measurable.
Furthering this momentum is the ACT to End Violence Against Women Programme, another EU-funded endeavor. Alongside the UN Trust Fund, these initiatives have focused on strengthening the "feminist leadership" and resilience of hundreds of civil society organizations (CSOs). By building the institutional capacity of these groups, the UN aims to create a sustainable infrastructure for advocacy and legal change that can survive shifts in the political wind.
The 70th session also recognized the pivotal role of the "Group of Friends," a powerful coalition of 96 Member States dedicated to this cause. This group is seen as a vital engine for maintaining visibility and momentum in an increasingly crowded global agenda. Their role is to champion effective national approaches and, crucially, to demand the resources necessary to fund the essential work of women’s rights organizations.
As the session looked back on the past five years, there was a sense of hard-won progress, but the road ahead remains steep. The leadership shown by the European Union and the commitment of various Member State leaders and the UN Secretary-General were acknowledged as vital components of the journey so far. However, the message from UN Women was one of urgent acceleration. The goal for the next five years is to outpace the challenges that are currently evolving—ranging from digital violence to the rollback of women’s rights in various regions.
The closing sentiments of the recent discussions centered on a shared responsibility. The fight to end violence against women and girls is not just a "women’s issue"; it is a fundamental requirement for the progress of humanity. The tools to solve this crisis—budgeted plans, coordinated services, and political leadership—already exist. The task now is to ensure they are used with the vigor and consistency that the world’s women and girls deserve.
As the delegates prepare to return to their respective nations, the mandate is clear: the time for rhetoric has passed. The next half-decade must be defined by the transformation of laws into lived reality, ensuring that the 90 percent of countries with new laws also become countries where women can live free from the fear of violence. The partnership between governments, international bodies, and civil society must be deepened and sustained if the promises made at the 70th session are to be fulfilled. Justice, in its truest sense, is within reach, but only if the world chooses to invest in it.
