Women leaders call for stronger justice systems for women and girls at CSW70
On the sidelines of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), the UN Women Leaders Network, in partnership with the Government of Iceland and the UN Foundation, convened a side event bringing together emerging and established women leaders to confront one of the most pressing challenges in gender equality: access to justice for women and girls.
The event, "Women Leaders Paving the Way: Access to Justice for All Women and Girls," on 11 March, drew intergenerational and intersectional leaders from law, policy, research, youth activism and public advocacy to explore how women's leadership can transform justice systems and remove structural barriers that prevent women and girls from realizing their rights.
The discussion unfolded against a sobering global backdrop of rising inequalities, democratic backsliding and persistent discriminatory laws – challenges at the heart of CSW70's priority theme on strengthening inclusive and equitable legal frameworks for women and girls.
“We couldn’t find a better moment to convene and to be here together than today. 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,” said Atifete Jahjaga, Founder of the Jahjaga Foundation, underscoring the importance of accountability.
Youth voices proved equally powerful. “Leaders must start rewarding connected accountability. They say that 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,” said human rights lawyer and UN Young Leader for the SDGs, İlayda Eskitaşcioğlu.
Shantel Marekera Chakara of the World Bank Group's Women, Business and the Law programme reflected on how legal frameworks shape women's opportunities: “For me, access to justice means women and girls not having to think twice about making basic decisions. 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.”
Moderated by human rights lawyer Yasmeen Hassan, former Global Executive Director of Equality Now, the discussion highlighted the unique value of cross-sector collaboration.
The event concluded with a call to action from all panellists, with Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, lawyer, political activist and founder of Women in Leadership, urging: “I believe in mass mobilization. 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.”
UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous closed the event, highlighting: “We know what works: Integrated justice systems. Accessible legal services and legal aid free of charge. Strong and well-funded women's organizations. Inclusive technologies and robust data. Women’s leadership, always, and in every space.”
The message was unambiguous: advancing justice for women and girls demands not only stronger laws, but courageous leadership and collective action across every sector.
