International Women’s Day 2026 comes at a pivotal moment, highlighting both progress and setbacks in gender equality. While legal protections against domestic violence have expanded in many countries, women and girls worldwide continue to face systemic discrimination, limited legal rights, and increasing violations of their fundamental freedoms. The day underscores the urgent need to ensure that gains in gender equality are protected and extended rather than rolled back.
Ahead of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), UN Women will release a report revealing that systems intended to protect women and girls are failing, leaving millions exposed to violence, discrimination, and impunity. The report emphasizes the intensifying backlash against gender equality and warns that women’s rights are at risk without concerted global action.
CSW70, held from 9–19 March at United Nations Headquarters in New York, serves as the largest annual forum dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s rights. This year’s session focuses on rights, justice, and action for all women and girls, influencing laws, policies, funding, and accountability worldwide. The forum is a critical test of global commitment to ensuring equality before the law and addressing systemic injustices faced by women and girls.
Key events surrounding CSW70 include the global launch of the Secretary-General’s report on access to justice for women and girls, a youth forum amplifying young feminist leadership, and the UN Observance of International Women’s Day, which highlights justice as the bridge between rights on paper and rights in practice. These events aim to elevate global attention on justice, safety, and equal opportunity for all women and girls.
Throughout CSW70, high-level meetings, roundtables, and panel discussions will address pressing issues such as sustainable financing for gender equality, empowerment of older women, parliamentary actions to ensure gender parity, and innovative approaches to justice in fragile contexts. Specialized sessions will focus on eliminating discriminatory nationality laws, advancing women’s leadership, preventing violence, and strengthening survivor-centered responses.
The session will also provide platforms for youth and civil society to engage directly with UN leadership, ensuring that diverse voices contribute to shaping policies and legal frameworks. By spotlighting challenges and highlighting effective solutions, CSW70 reinforces the critical role of inclusive, accountable, and gender-responsive justice systems in achieving equality.
CSW70 will conclude with a review of progress made, adoption of agreed conclusions, and a forward-looking agenda for the next session, emphasizing the continued global commitment to ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls. The events collectively reinforce the message that rights, justice, and action are inseparable in the pursuit of gender equality.
