Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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March 8, 2026 Women
The world celebrates March 8th International Women's DayThe UN calls on all people of good will to support the global movement to protect the rights of women and girls and their access to fair justice. It is estimated that women today possess only 64 percent of the legal rights enjoyed by men. At this rate, full legal equality will only be achieved in 286 years.
This year, International Women's Day is celebrated under the theme "For all women and girls: rights, justice, action," emphasizing the need to eliminate discriminatory laws and social norms.
"Women's rights are human rights. And investing in women and girls is one of the surest ways to make the world a better place," said the UN Secretary-General. Antonio Guterres in a video message on the occasion of the Day.
Legally enshrined inequality
Today, no country in the world has not achieved full legal equalityLaws in many countries still restrict women's rights in areas such as employment, access to finance, security, family relations, property, freedom of movement, entrepreneurship, and pensions.
Legal restrictions have long-term consequences not only for individuals but for entire societies. In some countries, early and child marriage is still legally permitted, depriving approximately 12 million girls annually of the opportunity to receive an education and realize their potential.
Women's Rights Forum
The opening is timed to coincide with International Women's Day 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women– the largest annual international forum on gender equality. The session will be held from March 9 to 19 at UN Headquarters in New York.
The theme of this session is “Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls.”
The Forum is taking place at a time of serious global challenges. In many countries, space for civil society is shrinking, and there is a backsliding on the rights of women and girls. Meanwhile, justice systems often prove unable to protect those facing with discrimination and violence.
Experts note that without effective and fair judicial systems, human rights remain mere declarations.
What does access to justice mean?
Access to justice means the ability for women and girls to defend their rights and seek accountability for violations.
This includes laws protecting women from violence, mechanisms to prevent discrimination, and fair law enforcement and courts. It also includes accessible legal aid that allows women to defend their rights regardless of income, language, or citizenship.
“Women’s rights mean nothing if they cannot be protected,” UN Women emphasized.
Justice also plays a key role in conflict and crisis settings, where women and girls face heightened risks. According to the UN, between 2022 and 2024, conflict-related sexual violence, increased by 87 percent.
Barriers to justice
Even where laws exist to protect women's rights, in practice they often fail to be implemented due to numerous obstacles.
In seven out of ten countries, women face greater barriers to accessing justice than men. Key barriers include discrimination, stigma, high court costs, distance to courts, and the underrepresentation of women in the justice system.
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At the same time, new technologies create both opportunities and risks. On the one hand, digital tools can facilitate access to legal information and court procedures. On the other, they open up new forms of online violence and discrimination.
Eliminating legal inequality requires systemic reforms. Experts call on governments to repeal discriminatory laws, strengthen judicial systems, expand access to legal aid, and support women's organizations, which are often at the forefront of the fight for the rights and protection of victims.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.