The halls of the United Nations vibrated with a renewed sense of urgency this week as the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) took center stage in New York. Against a global landscape marred by shifting political tides and the erosion of hard-won civil liberties, a powerhouse assembly of diplomats, activists, and legal experts gathered to address a fundamental pillar of democracy that remains out of reach for millions: equitable access to justice. On March 11, a high-level side event titled “Women Leaders Paving the Way: Access to Justice for All Women and Girls” served as a critical forum for dissecting the systemic failures of current legal frameworks and charting a path toward a more inclusive future.
The event, hosted by the UN Women Leaders Network in strategic partnership with the Government of Iceland and the UN Foundation, arrived at a pivotal moment. As the world reaches the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the data remains stark. In many corners of the globe, the legal system—intended to be a shield for the vulnerable—has instead become a labyrinth of discriminatory statutes, prohibitive costs, and cultural biases. The convening aimed to bridge the gap between high-level policy and the lived realities of women and girls, emphasizing that justice is not merely a theoretical concept but a prerequisite for every other facet of gender equality.
The atmosphere of the discussion was one of “sobering reality,” as participants acknowledged the dual threats of democratic backsliding and rising socioeconomic inequalities. For many women, the “justice gap” is not just about the absence of a courtroom; it is the presence of laws that actively disadvantage them. Whether through restricted property rights, inadequate protections against gender-based violence, or the lack of legal standing in economic disputes, the structural barriers are pervasive. This context provided the backdrop for CSW70’s priority theme, which focuses on strengthening inclusive and equitable legal frameworks to ensure that the rule of law applies equally to all, regardless of gender.
Atifete Jahjaga, the former President of Kosovo and Founder of the Jahjaga Foundation, set a profound tone for the session. Her remarks centered on the moral imperative of leadership in times of global crisis. “We couldn’t find a better moment to convene and to be here together than today,” Jahjaga stated, her voice carrying the weight of her experience in post-conflict reconstruction and human rights advocacy. “While the world is under fire, we are more than ever in need to unite, because women and children are the ones who are suffering the greatest consequences. And it is our moral obligation as leaders to join forces and respond.” Jahjaga’s call for accountability resonated deeply, reminding the audience that leadership is defined not by titles, but by the courage to protect those most at risk during periods of instability.
The dialogue was intentionally intergenerational, recognizing that the battle for justice requires both the wisdom of established pioneers and the disruptive energy of youth activists. İlayda Eskitaşçıoğlu, a human rights lawyer and UN Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), challenged traditional notions of institutional strength. She argued that the efficacy of a justice system should not be measured by its individual components, but by the integrity of its connections. “Leaders must start rewarding connected accountability,” Eskitaşçıoğlu asserted. “They say that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I do not agree with that. A chain is as strong as how well-linked and how well-connected it is.” Her perspective highlighted a crucial shift in modern activism: the move away from siloed efforts toward a cohesive, intersectional movement where accountability is a shared responsibility across all sectors of society.
The economic dimensions of legal access were further illuminated by Shantel Marekera Chakara, representing the World Bank Group’s Women, Business and the Law programme. Her analysis brought a practical, daily-life perspective to the legal discourse. For many women, the “justice” they seek is the freedom to exist in the public sphere without fear and with the same opportunities as their male counterparts. “For me, access to justice means women and girls not having to think twice about making basic decisions,” Chakara explained. “Whether we are going to walk safely to work, whether we can even access education, or whether we are going to get the same pay.” Her comments underscored the fact that when legal systems fail to protect women from harassment or fail to enforce equal pay, they are effectively barring women from participating in the global economy.
The panel was expertly navigated by Yasmeen Hassan, a human rights lawyer and former Global Executive Director of Equality Now. Hassan, who has spent decades fighting to repeal discriminatory laws worldwide, facilitated a conversation that moved beyond identifying problems toward proposing concrete, cross-sector solutions. The diversity of the panel—ranging from youth activists to World Bank researchers—mirrored the “mass mobilization” strategy that many advocates now believe is necessary to achieve systemic change.
Adding a revolutionary spark to the proceedings, Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a prominent lawyer, political activist, and founder of Women in Leadership, urged the audience to look beyond traditional diplomatic channels. She suggested that if the current systems are designed to exclude women, then women must be “unconventional” in their pursuit of reform. “I believe in mass mobilization,” Mos-Shogbamimu declared. “Access to justice has to be achieved unconventionally. It has to be achieved in untraditional ways because that is where we ought to be today.” Her call to action served as a reminder that the most significant legal shifts in history—from suffrage to civil rights—often began with grassroots movements that forced the hand of the establishment.
As the event drew to a close, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous provided a synthesis of the day’s demands and a vision for the future. Bahous emphasized that the international community already possesses the “blueprint” for what works; the challenge lies in political will and sustained funding. She outlined a multifaceted approach to reform, centering on “integrated justice systems” that provide holistic support rather than fragmented services. This includes making legal aid and services entirely free of charge, ensuring that poverty is never a barrier to the courtroom.
Bahous also stressed the importance of supporting the “backbone” of the movement: well-funded women’s organizations that operate on the front lines. Furthermore, she pointed to the role of technology and data in the modern justice landscape. “Inclusive technologies and robust data” are essential for identifying where the system is failing and for providing women with the tools to navigate legal hurdles. However, she maintained that the most vital ingredient remains constant: “Women’s leadership, always, and in every space.”
The conclusion of the side event left a clear message for the delegates of CSW70 and the world at large: the quest for justice is not a niche “women’s issue,” but a prerequisite for global stability and progress. The discussions in New York made it evident that as long as women and girls are denied equal protection under the law, the foundations of justice itself remain fractured. Advancing this cause will require more than just the passage of new laws; it will require a fundamental transformation of how power is exercised and how accountability is enforced. With the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women continuing through the month, the calls for integrated, accessible, and courageous justice systems are expected to echo through the halls of power, demanding that the promise of “justice for all” finally includes every woman and girl.
