International Women’s Day 2026 & the 70th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

On 4 March, ahead of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), UN Women will launch a report warning that the systems meant to protect women and girls are failing, leaving millions exposed to discrimination, violence and impunity as backlash against gender equality intensifies and violations of fundamental rights rise worldwide.

From 9–19 March, the world will gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York for CSW70 – the United Nations’ largest annual forum dedicated to gender equality and women’s rights. What happens at CSW influences laws, policies, funding and accountability across countries and generations.

This year’s focus is clear: rights, justice and action for all women and girls.

CSW70 is a defining test: whether the world choses to act together and deliver equality before the law for all women and girls or allow injustice to persist with impunity. UN Women calls on governments, partners, institutions and communities everywhere to stand up, show up and speak up for rights, justice and action – so all women and girls can live safely, speak freely and exist equally.

Follow the global conversation: #ForAllWomenAndGirls #IWD2026

Please reach out to [ Click to reveal ] if you are interested in an interview with:

• UN Women experts
• participants in the official commemoration event
• women’s rights activists

For media accreditation and to attend events at UN premises, ensure you have prior authorization. Details are available on UN Women's media page and in this CSW70 information note.

Photos of the events will be available on the UN Women Flickr page.

A full list of events can be found on the UN Women website.

Press Briefing: Global Launch of Secretary-General’s Report “Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for ALL Women and Girls”

• When: Wednesday, 4 March 2026, 12 p.m. EDT
• Where: Online and in-person at the UN Press Briefing Room (S-0237), UN Headquarters, New York
• Attendance: Open to UN-accredited journalists in-person; open to all journalists online
• Virtual access: Livestream link

At this press briefing, UN Women will present the findings of the Secretary-General’s report, “Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls.” The report shows how laws are being reshaped to restrict women’s freedoms, silence their voices, and allow abuse without consequence. It warns that women and girls are being failed by the very systems meant to protect them, leaving them exposed to abuse, injustice and impunity as backlash against gender equality intensifies and violations of their fundamental rights are on the rise. 

Voices Without Borders: Youth Demanding Equal Justice for All (Youth Forum)

• When: Sunday, 8 March 2026, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. EDT
• Attendance: By invitation only
• Virtual access: None

The CSW70 Youth Forum: Voices Without Borders is a vibrant, youth‑led global gathering that will bring together 200 young feminists and allies to confront systemic injustices and champion bold, transformative solutions. Grounded in the lived realities and leadership of diverse young people, the Forum will blend storytelling, strategic dialogues with UN agencies and Member States, and collaborative justice pods to advance concrete reforms across formal and informal justice systems. Designed as both a strategic space and a celebration of feminist resistance, it will amplify youth‑driven innovation, strengthen global solidarity, and position young feminists at the forefront of shaping a more just and equitable world for all women and girls.

Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls. United Nations Observance of International Women’s Day

• When: Monday, 9 March 2026, 9–10 a.m. EDT
• Where: UN General Assembly Hall, UN Headquarters, New York
• Attendance: Open to accredited CSW70 participants and United Nations grounds pass holders
• Virtual access: Livestream link

The United Nations Observance of International Women’s Day 2026, under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” will be held on 9 March 2026 at the UN General Assembly Hall, immediately preceding the opening of CSW70. Aligned with CSW70, the observance is conceived as a single, continuous political moment that will elevate global attention to justice as the critical bridge between rights on paper and rights in practice, reaffirming collective resolve to confront persistent setbacks, violence and the denial of rights. Bringing together Member State delegations, global leaders, advocates, Goodwill Ambassadors and global voices, the observance will serve as a high-visibility platform to galvanize leadership, media engagement and concrete action towards ensuring equal access to justice for all women and girls.

Opening of the Seventieth Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70)

• When: Monday, 9 March 2026, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. EDT
• Where: UN General Assembly Hall, UN Headquarters, New York
• Attendance: Open to accredited CSW70 participants and United Nations grounds pass holders
• Virtual access: Livestream link

The CSW70 Opening marks the start of the seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. The Commission will hear opening remarks by the CSW Chair, the Presidents of ECOSOC and the General Assembly and the Secretary-General, as well as a civil society representative and a young person. It will also hear introductory statements by the UN Women Executive Director, the Chairperson of the CEDAW Committee, the Chairperson of the Working Group on Discrimination against women and girls and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences. The ceremonial opening will be followed immediately by the adoption of the agreed conclusions, and the start of the general discussion which will focus mainly on the priority theme: ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including promoting inclusive legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws and practices, and addressing structural barriers to equality.

G77 and Emerging Partners Ministerial Roundtable: Pathways for Accelerating Sustainable Financing for Gender Equality for All Women and Girls

• When: Monday, 9 March 2026, 3–4.15 p.m. EDT
• Where: ECOSOC Chamber, UN Headquarters, New York
• Attendance: Open to all Member States, accredited CSW70 participants and academia.
• Virtual access: Livestream link

Ministers, financial leaders, Ambassadors and development partners convene at CSW70 to advance practical pathways for scaling sustainable finance for gender equality. Co-hosted by Brazil, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Timor-Leste, Uruguay and UN Women, the Roundtable will focus on mobilizing public and private capital, strengthening financial systems and investing in priorities such as care infrastructure, digital inclusion and women’s economic empowerment. As the SDG deadline approaches and financing gaps widen, the event highlights concrete national actions and partnerships needed to accelerate investment in gender equality and drive inclusive, resilient economic growth.

Achieving Gender Equality in Nationality Laws

• When: Tuesday, 10 March 2026, 10–11.15 a.m. EDT
• Where: Conference Room 2, UN Headquarters, New York
• Attendance: Open to accredited CSW70 participants and United Nations grounds pass holders
• Virtual access: Livestream link

UN Women, in partnership with the Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights, UNHCR, UNICEF, the Global Alliance to End Statelessness, and champion States will convene a high-level event on Achieving Gender Equality in Nationality Laws on 10 March at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Despite global progress, more than 45 countries still retain gender‑discriminatory nationality laws that deny women equal rights to confer nationality, causing statelessness and lifelong barriers for millions of families. The event will spotlight testimony from people directly affected, share lessons from recent reforms, and underscore why gender‑equal nationality rights are essential to achieving justice and the SDGs. It will also launch a new Legal Atlas on Discriminatory Nationality Laws, providing the first comprehensive global mapping of these legal gaps. Impacted States are expected to announce concrete reform commitments.

Townhall Meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General and Civil Society in the Margins of the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

• When: Tuesday, 10 March 2026, 10 –11 a.m. EDT
• Where: Trusteeship Chamber, UN Headquarters, New York
• Attendance: Open to representatives of ECOSOC-accredited NGOs
• Virtual access: Livestream link

The townhall provides an opportunity for the UN Secretary-General to meet with the largest gathering of civil society at the UN, and to have a frank discussion on issues related to the advancement of gender equality and women and girls' rights around the world. It offers intersectional and intergenerational civil society a space to directly engage with the highest leadership of the United Nations and to ask questions, share recommendations and strengthen collaboration. This will be the last townhall with the current Secretary-General whose term ends this year.

Bridging Systemic Gaps: Advancing Justice for All Women and Girls

• When: Tuesday, 10 March 2026, 1.15 – 2.30 p.m. EDT
• Where: ECOSOC Chamber, UN Headquarters, New York
• Attendance: Open to accredited CSW70 participants and United Nations grounds pass holders
• Virtual access: Livestream link

This interactive dialogue will examine the challenges outlined in the Secretary-General’s report across formal and informal justice systems, including discriminatory laws and other structural barriers that restrict women’s and girls’ access to justice. These gaps are most visible in women’s and girls’ lived experiences, which reveal persistent discriminatory laws, norms, and practical obstacles that increase risks of violence and revictimization. The event will combine experience-driven panel interventions with a moderated synthesis aimed at identifying actionable, survivor-centred strategies to strengthen women’s and girls’ access to justice.

From Policy to Practice: Strengthening Survivor-Centred Justice in Africa and Latin America

• When: Tuesday, 10 March 2026, 6.30 – 8 p.m. EDT
• Where: Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the United Nations, New York
• Attendance: Registration and confirmation required
• Virtual access: None

Co-convened by the Governments of Uruguay and Kenya, with UN Women and Equality Now through the EU-funded ACT programme, this CSW70 side event will examine barriers to justice for survivors of violence against women and girls in Africa and Latin America. The discussion will focus on practical reforms, survivor-centred justice approaches, and stronger state-civil society partnerships, including responses to technology-facilitated violence. It will highlight lessons from different legal and policy contexts and identify actions to improve access to justice and accountability. Speakers are expected from governments, civil society, and survivor communities.

Achieving Gender Equality and the Empowerment of All Older Women

• When: Wednesday, 11 March 2026, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. EDT
• Where: Trusteeship Council Chamber, UN Headquarters, New York
• Attendance: Open to accredited CSW70 participants and United Nations grounds pass holders
• Virtual access: Livestream link

As part of the CSW70, this Ministerial Round Table will focus on Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all older women, an emerging focus area identified by the Commission. The discussion, led by high-level ministers and UN leaders will address how rapid population ageing – with women comprising the majority of persons aged 60 and above – reshapes the conditions for gender equality across the life course. Ministers will exchange experiences, lessons learned and good practices to advance income security and economic independence of older women, and to transform social and cultural norms to counter ageism and sexism, prevent elder abuse, and more.

The Role of Parliaments in Achieving Parity in Decision-Making and Ensuring Gender-Responsive Access to Justice for Women and Girls

• When: Wednesday, 11 March 2026, 10 a.m. EDT
• Where: ECOSOC Chamber, UN Headquarters, New York
• Attendance: By invitation only
• Virtual access: Livestream links for Part 1 and Part 2

The meeting, co-organized by UN Women and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), will provide an opportunity to bring a parliamentary perspective into the CSW70 discussions on the priority and review themes. Members of Parliament from around the world will share perspectives and practices on legislative, oversight and budgetary actions to achieve parity representation in decision-making, eliminate discriminatory laws, address gaps between legal frameworks and their implementation, combat impunity for violence against women, and strengthen accountability and enforcement across justice systems. The event will also serve as the launch of the latest Women in Politics Map from IPU-UN Women, presenting new data for women in executive positions and national parliaments as of 1 January 2026.

Advancing Women’s Access to Justice: Building Justice Systems that Deliver for All Including in Fragile Contexts

• When: Wednesday, 11 March 2026, 10–11.15 a.m. EDT
• Where: Conference Room 8 (CR-8), UN Headquarters, New York
• Attendance: Open to accredited CSW70 participants and United Nations grounds pass holders
• Virtual access: Livestream link

Amid intersecting crises, uncertainty, and deepening inequality, there is an urgent need to reimagine justice systems that respond to the realities of a rapidly changing world. At CSW70, UNDP and UN Women – in partnership with the Governments of Brazil, Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Ukraine – are hosting a high-level event to spotlight country experiences, civil society innovations and emerging legal reforms. The discussion will identify recommendations that can be taken forward now and explore how governments, civil society and international partners can work together to co-create and sustain reforms for humans everywhere, including in fragile and crisis-affected contexts.

Making Systems Work for All: Advancing Legal Reform, Justice, and Women’s Access to Finance

• When: Wednesday, 11 March 2026, 12.30–3.35 p.m. EDT
• Where: UN HQ Delegates Dining Room (West Terrace)
• Attendance: By invitation only
• Virtual access: None

Drawing on the latest findings of the Women, Business and the Law 2026 report, this event will examine how evidence-based legal and policy reforms can strengthen access to justice, foster private sector growth, and expand women’s access to finance and economic opportunities. The discussion will highlight reforming countries that are making progress by removing discriminatory laws and addressing structural barriers that limit women’s participation, entrepreneurship, and opportunity across the economy.

Women Leaders Paving the Way: Access to Justice for All Women and Girls 

• When: Wednesday, 11 March 2026, 4–5.30 p.m. EDT
• Where: Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave, New York, NY 10016
• Attendance: Register by Friday, 6 March. Capacity is limited. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Virtual access: None

Hosted by the UN Women Leaders Network, in partnership with the Government of Iceland and the UN Foundation, this CSW70 side event will feature a panel discussion with distinguished speakers from the UN Women Leaders Network about ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, examined through a women’s leadership lens. The panel will highlight that meaningful access to justice depends on inclusive governance, accountable leadership, innovative policymaking, and cross-sectoral collaboration. The event will end with closing remarks from UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.

CSW High-level Meeting on Violence Against Women and Girls

• When: Thursday, 12 March 2026, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. EDT
• Where: Conference Room 4, UN Headquarters, New York
• Attendance: Open to accredited CSW70 participants and United Nations grounds pass holders
• Virtual access: Livestream from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3–6 p.m.

On 12 March 2026, Member States will convene at UN Headquarters for the CSW High-level Meeting on Violence against Women and Girls – the first annual High-level Meeting held during CSW under a new mandate to elevate critical cross-cutting priorities aimed at accelerating implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The meeting will highlight what works to prevent violence and strengthen survivor-centred responses – both online and offline – at a moment when progress remains too slow and technology is accelerating new harms. Across two sessions, ministers and leading experts, including from women’s rights organizations and survivors from all five UN regional groups will share evidence, good practices with potential for scale-up, and practical actions to close implementation gaps and accelerate commitments to end violence against women and girls.

Five Years On: Securing Achievements and Ensuring Durable Impact (High-level Meeting on the occasion of the Fifth Anniversary of the Group of Friends for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls)

• When: Thursday, 12 March 2026, 11.30 a.m. – 12.45 p.m. EDT
• Where: Conference Room 2, UN Headquarters, New York
• Attendance: Open to accredited CSW70 participants and United Nations grounds pass holders
• Virtual access: Livestream link

Marking the fifth anniversary of the Group of Friends, this CSW70 side event will take stock of progress to end violence against women and girls and address risks to hard-won gains, including funding cuts, shrinking civic space and digital threats. The meeting will focus on how governments, the UN, and civil society can protect momentum and strengthen prevention, survivor support, and accountability. Invited speakers include senior UN and EU leaders, civil society representatives, and Member States of the Group of Friends.

Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls

• When: Monday, 16 March 2026, 3–6 p.m. EDT
• Where: Conference Room 4, UN Headquarters, New York
• Attendance: Open to those with ECOSOC accreditation
• Virtual access: Livestream link

The Interactive Dialogue with Youth Representatives at CSW70 is a global platform that elevates the leadership, vision, and lived experiences of young people advancing access to justice for women and girls. It highlights the need for inclusive and equitable legal systems, the elimination of discriminatory laws, policies and practices, and action to address the structural barriers that deny women and girls justice.

Closing of the Seventieth Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70)

• When: Thursday afternoon, 19 March 2026
• Where: UN Headquarters, New York
• Attendance: Open to accredited CSW70 participants and United Nations grounds pass holders
• Virtual access: Livestream link

The CSW70 Closing Session brings the seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women to an official end. Delegates will review progress made during discussions on the priority theme of ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, consider outstanding agenda items, adopt the session’s report and agreed conclusions, and look ahead to the work of CSW71.

About International Women’s Day (IWD) 

International Women's Day (IWD) is observed each year on 8 March and celebrates women’s achievements while calling for equal rights and opportunities for all. Recognized by the United Nations in 1977, the day has become a global moment to push for progress on gender equality. UN Women leads efforts across the UN system to mark the day, mobilizing governments, partners and communities to turn commitments into action and ensure every woman and girl can live free from discrimination and violence, with equal voice and opportunity.

About the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 

CSW is a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the biggest global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to promoting gender equality, rights and the empowerment of women and girls. UN Women, as secretariat, supports all the substantive aspects of the Commission’s work.

About UN Women

UN Women exists to advance women’s rights, gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. As the lead United Nations entity on gender equality, we shift laws, institutions, social norms and services to close the gender gap and build an equal world for all women and girls. We keep the rights of women and girls at the centre of global progress – always, everywhere. Because gender equality is not just what we do. It is who we are.

Note that some event details on this page were updated on 5 March 2026.