Justice for women: High-level Group report

The inclusion of a global commitment to promote peaceful, just, and inclusive societies and access to justice for all (SDG 16) and a commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls (SDG 5) in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development creates unprecedent opportunities to make a difference in the lives of women and girls around the world. Justice for women is a critical dimension of social protection, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality, and the empowerment of women.

In this context, UN Women partnered with the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies; the International Development Law Organization; the World Bank; and the Task Force on Justice to form the High-level Group (HLG) on Justice for Women. The HLG consisted of the Governments of Argentina, Canada, The Gambia, the Commonwealth, the Association of Women in Development, and other organizations.

The HLG produced this report on justice for women. It elaborates on the investment case for women’s access to justice and highlights women’s justice needs and the justice gap. The “Call to action” of the report appeals to countries to accelerate implementation of the global goals for gender equality and equal access to justice for all.