As the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) convened at the United Nations headquarters, the atmosphere was charged with a sense of both celebration and profound urgency. UN Secretary-General António Guterres took the podium to deliver what would be his final opening address to the commission in his current capacity, framing the fight for gender equality not merely as a social ideal, but as a raw and historical struggle for power. His message was clear: progress for women and girls has never been a gift from those in authority; it has always been a hard-won victory achieved through the tireless activism of generations.
In a world increasingly defined by "permacrisis"—from escalating conflicts and climate catastrophes to the rapid, often unchecked rise of artificial intelligence—Guterres identified "access to justice" as the pivotal theme of this year’s gathering. Despite the dawn of the 21st century, the Secretary-General painted a sobering picture of a world where justice remains a luxury for the few rather than a right for the many. He noted that, globally, women still only hold approximately 64 percent of the legal rights afforded to men. This 36-percent gap is not a coincidence of history, but a structural barrier designed to maintain a status quo that limits the potential of half the world’s population.
Guterres was particularly blunt about the "backlash" currently sweeping across the globe. He characterized the modern pushback against women’s rights as a predictable, albeit aggressive, reaction from entrenched patriarchal power structures that feel their dominance beginning to slip. This erosion of rights is manifesting in several ways: the dismantling of hard-won legal protections, a surge in targeted attacks against women human rights defenders, and a systematic undermining of sexual and reproductive health rights.
The Secretary-General’s report highlighted a terrifying trend in modern warfare. As conflicts engulf the Middle East and various regions across Africa and Europe, women and children continue to bear the disproportionate weight of violence and displacement. According to UN data, the number of women and girls living in close proximity to active, deadly conflict zones is at its highest point in decades. Perhaps most distressing was the revelation that conflict-related sexual violence has seen a staggering 87 percent increase in just the last two years. In these settings, the absence of a functioning justice system becomes a secondary form of violence, where impunity allows brutality to flourish and cycles of abuse to become deeply embedded in the social fabric.
Despite these headwinds, Guterres pointed to a resilient undercurrent of change. He credited women-led movements for driving significant legislative reforms, noting that more than 40 nations have recently amended their constitutions to better protect women’s rights, while 90 percent of countries have strengthened laws specifically targeting violence against women. To build on this momentum, the Secretary-General outlined five critical "frontlines" where the pursuit of justice must be prioritized to ensure a more equitable future.
The first frontline is the intersection of justice and sustainable development. Guterres argued that when women are granted the legal right to inherit property, access fair labor markets, and secure legal identities, entire economies are transformed. Conversely, when justice systems fail women, inequality inevitably calcifies into systemic poverty. He drew particular attention to the dire situation in Afghanistan, where the systematic erasure of women from public life—including a recent ban on women entering UN compounds—represents a catastrophic injustice that threatens to close off the future for the entire Afghan nation.
The second frontline focuses on peace and security. Decades of research have shown that when women are meaningful participants in peace negotiations and transitional justice, the resulting agreements are more durable and societies heal more effectively. However, Guterres lamented that women remain largely excluded from the negotiating tables where the fate of nations is decided. He emphasized that breaking the cycle of violence requires moving beyond "pledges of protection" toward actual accountability for those who commit crimes against women in conflict zones.
Thirdly, justice must serve as the ultimate guardian of human dignity. Guterres spoke out against the "epidemic" of violence that permeates every level of society, from domestic abuse and human trafficking to the toxic harassment women face in digital and physical spaces. He noted with gravity that the exploitation of women often reaches the highest echelons of power, sustained by a "toxic convergence" of financial influence, patriarchy, and a culture of impunity. He called on the international community to stop looking away from these crimes, regardless of the status of the perpetrators.
The fourth frontline addresses the digital frontier. As an engineer by training, Guterres expressed deep concern over the "Silicon Valley patriarchy" that is currently shaping the infrastructure of the future. With only one in four tech workers being a woman, the Secretary-General warned that male chauvinism is being hardwired into the algorithms and artificial intelligence systems that will govern modern life. He called for technology companies to take immediate responsibility for closing the digital gender divide and ensuring that AI serves to correct inequality rather than reinforce it.
Finally, Guterres linked the quest for gender justice to climate action. Women in rural and marginalized communities are often the first to suffer from climate-induced resource scarcity. Yet, they are frequently denied a seat at the table when environmental policies are drafted. He argued that when women lead on climate adaptation and resource management, the resulting strategies are more just and significantly more effective.
Midway through his address, the Secretary-General transitioned into French to highlight the internal transformations he has led within the United Nations. He proudly announced that, for the first time in the organization’s nearly 80-year history, full gender parity has been achieved among the UN’s senior leadership and professional categories. This milestone was reached two years ahead of the 2026 target. Guterres was quick to clarify that this was not achieved by lowering standards, but by "broadening the search for talent" and recognizing merit in places where it had previously been ignored.
He also detailed structural changes aimed at amplifying the UN’s impact on the ground. By merging the strengths of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women, the organization is moving toward a more unified and potent strategy to support women and girls. These internal reforms are part of a broader effort to revitalize the Commission on the Status of Women, as envisioned in the "Pact for the Future," ensuring that the body remains a relevant and decisive force in global politics.
Concluding his address, Guterres took a moment of "personal privilege" to reflect on his decade-long tenure. While this marks his final opening speech for the CSW as Secretary-General, he insisted it was not a farewell. He spoke movingly of the women he has met during his travels—those standing strong amidst the rubble of earthquakes, those leading protests in the face of authoritarianism, and those demanding accountability in refugee camps.
"I have seen you build movements that have reshaped the world," Guterres said, reaffirming his role as a lifelong ally in the struggle. His parting message was one of enduring solidarity, reminding the assembly that while the path to equality is fraught with resistance, it is a path that must be walked with unwavering resolve for the sake of all humanity. For Guterres, the fight for justice for every woman and girl is not just a policy goal—it is the bedrock of a civilized world.
