15th plenary meeting - Commission on the Status of Women, Seventieth session (CSW70) - General discussion (continued) Economic and Social Council Date: 17 March 2026 Language: English Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/en/asset/k1z/k1zun6i9ah Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- Chair [0:02]: I call to order the 15th meeting of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I now invite the Commission to continue its consideration of Agenda Item 3, to continue its general discussion under the item. Before giving the floor to the first speaker, I would like to remind delegations I would like to kindly request the delegates to kindly respect the agreed time limit of 4 minutes for individual delegations. The microphone will be automatically muted when the allotted speaking time has elapsed. I thank you for your understanding and cooperation. I kindly request the statements to be delivered at a normal speed to ensure proper interpretation. Longer versions of statements may be sent for posting in the Journal of the United Nations to I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, who will be speaking on behalf of the group of countries. United Kingdom, you have the floor. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [1:20]: Thank you, Chair. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of my own country, the United Kingdom, and 30 other member states of the United Nations, namely Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Uruguay. As we convene at the Commission of the Status of Women, we strongly reaffirm our unwavering determination that all women and girls have the right to live free from violence, discrimination, and oppression, to participate fully in their economies, politics, and societies. and to make the decisions which affect their lives. While we welcome the agreed conclusions on access to justice that CSW members adopted on 9 March, we still have far to go. In the 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, we have made significant progress towards gender equality around the world. The share of women in parliaments has doubled. Millions of girls have been educated. Child marriage and female genital mutilation have fallen. Maternal mortality rates have dropped, and millions more women have access to family planning. This progress has been transformative in improving the lives of millions of women and girls, as well as building our societies and our economies. Yet this progress is under threat. We are witnessing a backlash, a slowing, stalling, and even reversing of the gains we have made. Women and girls are having their autonomy restricted, legal protections weakened, and continue to face violence and discrimination. No woman or girl can access justice while they live under the threat of violence. Together, we must do more to tackle the international emergency of violence against all women and girls, because that violence is not inevitable, but preventable. As conflict and crises escalate around the world, we must work to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence, support survivors, and tackle stigma. And we must tackle new forms of online violence, that cross borders, from online harassment to AI deepfakes. No society can be just where women and girls do not have a voice in the decisions that shape their lives. We must advance women's participation in politics, government, and civil society, champion women's rights organizations, and demand women's full, equal, and meaningful participation in building peace. while engaging men and boys as allies who also benefit from gender equality. Nor can a society be fair where women and girls cannot participate freely and safely in the economy. We must secure more and better jobs for women, champion women's economic leadership and participation, and support girls to access education. Women and girls cannot access justice without the right to make decisions about their own lives and their own bodies. We must ensure safe access to contraception, maternal care, and essential health services for all women and girls, including the right to safe abortion. We call on member states in every corner of the globe to resist this rollback and stand up for progress in advancing the full human rights of all women and girls, ensuring that equality is not just a list of commitments in an agreed text, but a lived reality. I thank you, Chair. Chair [5:38]: I thank the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Argentina. Argentina [5:50]: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. The Argentine Republic welcomes the holding of this 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. While access to justice is an issue that affects both men and women, there are areas where the differential impact on women can be significant. What we have to do therefore is to reduce the gap between women and justice. For this reason, Argentina, with regard to geographic distance, has local access to justice offices, also mobile justice units and itinerant services that travel to where women are, as well as digital platforms and telephone hotlines for inquiries whose results are periodically evaluated. With respect to cultural distance, mechanisms for cultural and linguistic translation have been developed. And in some cases, indigenous jury trials and the inclusion of indigenous persons into the justice system have been implemented. With regard to when things are open, this particularly affects women. In nearly all jurisdictions of the country, we have offices that are open 24/7 for reporting violence. In general, complainants receive protective measures on the same day that the complaint is filed, all free of charge. In 2024, the Domestic Violence Office assisted 17,120 people, and 73% of complaints were received outside regular business hours. Argentina also promotes awareness of rights. A right that is unknown is a right that is not exercised. Argentina leads the movement for plain language with protocols and tools such as interpretation services, clear language information, and accessibility for women with disabilities. For women that are particularly vulnerable, an annual report on best practices regarding women's access to justice is published. The Argentine Republic, moreover, has public defenders for girls born and unborn, official defenders for women in conflict with criminal law, as well as guardians and defenders for women with restricted legal capacity, all free of charge, because we feel that vulnerability must be supported from conception until natural death. There are also systems of free legal representation, mediation, conciliation, and arbitration, all free of charge in all provinces. At the institutional level, structures have been reorganized to ensure that resources for women reach them where they are without being dispersed through bureaucratic systems. According to the latest statistics, cases have decreased by 10%. Argentina feels that justice not only needs to be accessible but also of high quality. Access to justice is ensured by having the best judges. For this reason, our country upholds the principle of merit in access to positions, promoting equal conditions between women and men. And therefore avoiding unjustified paternalism. And finally, given the many important issues that require progress in protecting women's rights, Argentina regrets that the debate has been affected by the reopening of issues already agreed upon, such as the reference to Annex IV of Beijing, which is part of the Platform for Action in its official text. This instrument constitutes a legacy that this Commission is mandated to to maintain and promote. We welcome the amendment submitted by the United States to clarify this point. Argentina reaffirms its commitment and stands ready to work in a concrete and constructive manner on the agenda of women's rights in order to build a better future. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Chair [9:47]: I thank the distinguished representative of Argentina. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates [10:00]: Madam Chair, it is my pleasure to congratulate you on presiding over the 70th session of the CSW. I would also like to thank the UN Secretary-General for his valuable report and would like to thank UN Women for its continuous support for the work of the Committee. We would like to welcome the selection of the priority theme for this session because we believe that women and girls' access to justice is a key component of having a state based on law and advancing the rights of women and girls, especially given the challenges they face all over the world. In this framework, I would like to provide the following recommendations that we have implemented in our legal system. Firstly, we must ensure awareness among girls and women regarding their legal rights and the tools at their disposal. Therefore, we have worked to remove any barriers that prevent women from accessing the judiciary, including financial barriers. We have also established specialized units within courts and tribunals to tackle domestic abuse. Secondly, we believe that inclusive and just systems are particularly important. Therefore, we periodically review our legal systems, and these results have led to our adoption of an amended law in April of 2025, which has given women more rights. Finally, in order to have a qualitative and sustainable change, we need to have true access to data. Reliance on technology and access to proper data is essential in this regard. For example, we use the data provided in the reports in courts and police precincts in order to have better data on the issues of women and to be able to better address them. In conclusion, Madam Chair, we reaffirm our firm commitment to gender equality, and we will resume and continue our efforts to make sure that access to justice is a guaranteed right to every woman and girl. Thank you. Chair [12:08]: I thank the distinguished representative of the United Arab Emirates, and now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sudan. Sudan [12:20]: Madam Chair, the world today is discussing a crucial issue, namely guaranteeing and promoting girls' and women's access to justice. This is a key objective if we are to achieve equality and human dignity, especially given the challenges and complexities facing girls and women all over the world. Sudan renews its commitment to enhancing institutional and legal frameworks that protect and guarantee the rights of girls and women so that they can participate in peacebuilding processes and decision-making processes and can contribute effectively in all states' bodies in line with the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Madam Chair, national laws and legislations guarantee women's rights to access justice, and state institutions are working to guarantee this right by developing legal mechanisms and prohibiting any discriminatory policies. However, the current war wherein we see the Rapid Support Forces with regional support carrying out violations against all women and girls and children, including using sexual violations and sexual slavery, along with trafficking and abductions. It is very difficult to address these violations that undermine women's rights and their dignity, and this undermines our efforts as well to achieve justice. Therefore, we are working through our national bodies in order to implement a comprehensive strategy to guarantee accountability and prevent any impunity. We are taking a survivor-based approach to provide sexual and reproductive health services along with support projects and rehabilitation and reintegration projects in partnership with the civil society. We take into account that these services must be Chair [14:23]: Thank you. Sudan [14:23]: Easily accessible and sustainable and must respect the dignity of survivors. Madam Chair, we must find methods that are compatible with the specificities of every state in order to achieve gender equality, especially in cases of armed conflict, in terms of social protection and gender equality, in order to implement the law in line with states' international obligations and also in line with national priorities. In conclusion, Madam Chair, the reform of national legal systems to make them more fair to girls and women is a matter that requires a true will and resolve, hand in hand with implementable and measurable projects. And this can only be done by putting women at the heart of the priorities of the state as the nucleus of the family and of society and a key partner in growth and development and prosperity. Sudan will continue with its efforts to improve legal and institutional systems so that women and girls are protected and so that their status as a key partner in the building of society is maintained. Thank you. Chair [15:43]: I thank the distinguished representative of Sudan, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia. Indonesia [15:54]: Thank you, Madam Chair. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, Indonesia reaffirms its commitment to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, as mandated by its Constitution and national legislations. This is in line with the provisions of CEDAW and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, to which Indonesia subscribes. Central to this commitment is ensuring effective access to justice. Inclusive and equitable legal systems are essential to protecting women's rights, eliminating discriminatory practices, and addressing structural barriers that limit their full participation in society. In recent years, Indonesia has made steady progress in narrowing gender gaps, as reflected in improvements in both the Gender Equality Index and the Gender Development Index. Certainly, it is not without challenges. Women continue to face barriers in accessing justice for 2 main reasons. First, economic and time constraints that are often linked to the disproportionate burden of unpaid care responsibilities. And second, limited awareness of legal rights and available remedies. In this regard, allow me to highlight 3 key areas of action based on Indonesia's experience. First, strengthening legal reform and institutional measures. Access to justice has been expanded through several initiatives, including the National Action Plan on Human Rights, the introduction of electronic judicial systems to improve transparency and accessibility, and the provision of free legal aid services. Indonesia has also advanced gender-responsive adjudication through Supreme Court guidelines. Further, Indonesia has also reviewed more than 300 discriminatory regulations. Many of them have been amended or revoked. Second, strengthening protection and victim-centered services for women and children. The government has established a national reporting hotline mechanism for victims of violence, especially women and children. Meanwhile, at the grassroots level, we have encouraged local initiatives to create safe, inclusive women- and child-friendly community spaces. Third, promoting women's empowerment through integrated policies, and stronger evidence-based policymaking. Gender perspectives have been mainstreamed across sectors, including, among others, the recognition of unpaid care work through the Care Economy Roadmap, affirmative policies to strengthen women's political participation, continued improvements to data systems, and climate resilience initiatives. At the regional level, Indonesia also contributes actively through ASEAN, including in shaping the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2026-2035. Excellencies, Indonesia remains steadfast in advancing gender equality and strengthening justice systems that are accessible inclusive and responsive to the needs of women and girls. We look forward to continued collaboration. Chair [20:01]: I thank the distinguished representative of Indonesia, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia. Malaysia [20:11]: Thank you, Chair. Malaysia welcomes this year's priority theme and firmly believes that access to justice is a cornerstone for the realization of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. Our commitment to equality is enshrined in Article 8 of Malaysia's Federal Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender. This constitutional foundation continues to guide Malaysia's efforts to strengthen legal protection and eliminate gender-based discrimination. Malaysia reaffirms its steadfast commitment to advancing women's empowerment. The National Women's Policy and the Women Development Action Plan 2025-2030 serve as the overarching frameworks guiding national efforts to advance women's empowerment across key sectors, including the economy, education, health, governance, legal protection, and access to justice. Following the enactment of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022, which established a dedicated tribunal to address sexual harassment complaints and provide victims with a clear legal pathway to seek justice, Malaysia is now developing a digital platform that will enable victims to safely submit complaints online. This initiative aims to further strengthen access to justice, particularly for women and girls in rural and underserved communities. Recognising the importance of community engagement, Malaysia has implemented grassroots initiatives such as Squad Wajah, a community-based volunteer programme that empowers individuals to act as agents of change in addressing violence against women. Through psychosocial support, awareness programmes, and community outreach, this initiative contributes to building safer communities and strengthening support networks for victims. Malaysia also recognises that strengthening access to justice requires addressing structural barriers through inclusive governance and gender-responsive policymaking. Gender mainstreaming has been institutionalized across the government through mechanisms such as gender focal points and gender focal teams across ministries and agencies. These mechanisms support evidence-based policymaking and ensure that gender perspectives are integrated into national policies, programs, and budgeting processes. Unpaid care responsibilities remain one of the key structural barriers limiting women's economic participation. Thus, Malaysia has launched the Malaysia Care Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2026-2030. By expanding accessible care services and professionalizing the care sector, the framework seeks to reduce disproportionate burden of unpaid care work on women, therefore enhancing social justice by enabling them to participate more fully in economic, social, and public life. Distinguished delegates, despite the progress achieved, much work remains. Ensuring meaningful access to justice for women and girls requires sustained political will, inclusive institutions, and strong partnerships. At all levels. Malaysia remains committed to working with Member States, the United Nations system, and all stakeholders to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Together, we must ensure that justice systems are inclusive, responsive, and accessible, so that every woman and girl can live with dignity, exercise her rights, and contribute fully to the progress of our societies. Thank you. Chair [24:10]: I thank the distinguished representative of Malaysia, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Saint Kitts and Nevis [24:20]: Madam Chair, distinguished delegates, representatives of civil society, Saint Kitts and Nevis thanks you, Madam Chair, and commends you and the Bureau for the dedication and hard work that you bring to this Commission. Saint Kitts and Nevis notes that under your stewardship, this 70th session has risen to the moment it was called to meet. The priority theme before us, ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, is not an abstraction for Small Island Developing States. It is a daily imperative. It is the difference between rights declared and rights delivered. Saint Kitts and Nevis is committed to closing this gap. Women and girls represent more than half of the world's population. They are not a special interest group. They are not a minority. They are the foundation upon which families, communities, and nations are built. And yet, across the globe, they continue to be denied fundamental rights. This Commission exists to change that. The theme of this 7th session is not merely timely, it is urgent, and Saint Kitts and Nevis stands fully committed to the work that it demands. Madam Chair, last year Saint Kitts and Nevis had the honour of co-facilitating the revitalization of this Commission alongside Ireland. The resolution put forward was adopted by consensus last September, and Saint Kitts and Nevis is now working to turn its words into action. Saint Kitts and Nevis has never measured its commitment by the size of its landmass. We measure it by the lives we change, and our government works assiduously every single day to ensure that the rights of our women and girls move from page into practice. We began by building the architecture. Our Gender Equality Policy and Action Plan guides gender mainstreaming across every sector of government. This is not a policy on a shelf, it is a policy in motion. We ensure that when a woman escapes violence, there is somewhere to turn. Through our partnership with the Garden of Rebirth Shelter, Women in our federation have access to counseling, legal support, and a place to heal. And we recognize that violence against women is addressed through our, our broader national approach to crime and violence as a public health issue, integrating prevention, early intervention, and rehabilitation. St. Kitts and Nevis does not wait for violence to escalate before we act. We intervene early, rehabilitate, and we protect. The women and girls, girls of Saint Kitts and Nevis are not waiting. They are leading in our civil service, our communities, our courts, and our schools. They have shelter, legal protection, and a government that sees them. Saint Kitts and Nevis leaves this session committed to carrying forward the agreed conclusions of CSW 70, not as a document to be filed, but as a mandate to be implemented. Thank you, Madam Chair. Chair [27:47]: I thank the distinguished representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Maldives. Maldives [27:56]: Thank you, Chair. All protocols observed. The Maldives reaffirms its commitment to improving the future of women and girls. This includes legal protection, representation in decision-making, economic inclusion, and many other areas so that the Maldives could invest adequately in gender equality. The Gender Equality Act in the Maldives remains the basis of our national frameworks. It promotes gender perspective in governance, It reinforced by legislation, including the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, the Sexual Offences Act, and the Prevention of Sexual Abuses and Harassment Act. Together, these instruments strengthen the protection for survivors and accountability for perpetrators. Equality before the law must translate into practice. The Maldives is improving implementation through institutional gender mainstreaming and coordination between institutions and reporting and referral mechanisms. The National Strategy for Development Gender Statistics ensures that our policies are data-driven and help us measure progress. Geographical accessibility is a necessity across our adults. The Family and Children's Services Centers provides assistance to women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities. They work with relevant agencies, including law enforcement and the judiciary, to ensure timely prevention, protection, and support. Women's roles in governance is equally critical. Maldivian women now hold 40% of island council seats, up from 6% in 2017. Women's development committees across the islands further strengthen women's integration into local decision-making. Inclusive representation is essential. The women's— Maldivian women remain committed to improving structural barriers in politics as well as public and private sectors. The Maldives is honored to serve as a member of CSW from its next session. We look forward to continuing its work in responding to the realities and aspirations for all women and girls. I thank you. Chair [30:28]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Maldives, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Greece. Greece [30:37]: Thank you, Chair. Greece remains firmly committed to the full realization of the rights of women and girls. Effective access to justice is fundamental in this regard. The key challenge today is not the absence of laws, but their consistent and effective implementation. In Greece, the legal framework on gender equality and women's access to justice is aligned with international standards. Our priority is its full operationalization. First, we have strengthened the normative basis for protection. Discrimination on the grounds of sex is explicitly prohibited, and access to judicial protection, particularly in employment, has long been secured. The ratification of the Istanbul Convention significantly reinforced our national framework for the prevention of and response to violence against women. Furthermore, our law on domestic violence recently amended in 2025, enhances criminal accountability and strengthens victim protection mechanisms. It addresses structural and emerging forms of violence, including female genital mutilation, forced marriage, and cyber harassment and technological stalking, affirming that violence, whether offline or online, must be effectively prevented and prosecuted. Second, we are addressing institutional barriers within the justice system itself. Access to justice must be survivor-centered and trauma-informed. Greece is taking steps to establish sexual violence and rape crisis centers in line with our international obligations to provide integrated and multidisciplinary support while preventing victimization. In parallel, our National Strategic Plan for Gender Equality 2026-2030 marks a strategic shift from policy design to measurable implementation with emphasis on monitoring, coordination, and accountability. Third, we are leveraging innovation to enhance protection. The nationwide expansion of the Panic Button application provides women at high risk with a discreet and immediate channel to alert law enforcement authorities. This tool complements broader prevention and early intervention strategies aimed at disrupting cycles of violence before they escalate. At the same time, we recognize that economic vulnerability can severely constrain access to justice. Financial dependence often prevents survivors from pursuing protection or legal remedies. For this reason, Greece has introduced subsidized employment programs and targeted financial support measures to promote economic autonomy and enable women to effectively exercise their rights. Excellencies, Greece remains committed to working in partnership with member states United Nations entities, and civil society to transform formal equality into lived equality and commitments into concrete results. I thank you. Chair [34:05]: I thank the distinguished representative of Greece. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the League of Arab States. League of Arab States [34:18]: Thank you, Madam Chair. On behalf of the League of Arab States, I congratulate you on assuming the chairmanship of the 70th session of the CSW, and I congratulate the members of the Bureau too. Allow me to begin, in light of serious developments in our region, to reaffirm our condemnation of attacks against civilian facilities in several member states of the Arab League. We also condemn the ongoing Israeli occupation and its settlement practices, which have had a serious impact on women and girls. Madam Chair, access to justice is not merely about procedure. It is an absolute prerequisite for achievement of equality, and for trust in state institutions. In the Arab region, women face many challenges. These include legal barriers, social constraints, and the impacts of conflict and displacement. A lack of access to justice is an obstacle that prevents women from enjoying their rights, in particular in fragile societies. And to strengthen protection. However, there's much to be done ahead. More needs to be done to ensure legal systems that are fair. The Agenda for the Development of Arab Women in the Arab Region for the period 2023 to 2028 encompasses as well the strengthening of legislation as a priority in the Arab region. The Arab League reiterates its support to member states for the development of national legislation. The issue under review in this session calls upon us to move from commitments to the implementation of texts to achieve a real impact. This can be done only by dismantling legal and structural barriers to ensure justice for all women in all circumstances. That includes conflict and crises. The League of Arab States reiterates its commitment to working with member states and international partners in order to bolster access to justice. Chair [37:20]: The microphone has been cut off. Representative of the League of Arab States, I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the African Union. African Union [37:29]: Thank you, Chair. Excellencies, ministers, ambassadors, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, let me also join earlier speakers by congratulating the Chairperson and members of the Bureau for their elections and the efficient way in which they are conducting this meeting. On behalf of His Excellency, The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, it's an honor to address this august assembly. The African Union welcomes the convening of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women under the priority theme, Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls, including promoting inclusive legal systems and eliminating discrimination. Discriminatory laws. This priority resonates strongly with Africa's commitment to gender equality and women's rights across our continent. Justice for women and girls is inseparable from peace, development, and human dignity. Africa has made significant progress in advancing gender equality through a robust continental normative The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, which is ratified by 46 out of 55 AU member states, remains one of the most progressive legal instruments globally on women's rights. Complementing this are the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa the African Union Strategy for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, and Agenda 2063, which envisions an Africa where women and men fully participate in shaping the continent's development. Building on this foundation, the African Union adopted the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in 2025. This landmark convention represents Africa's collective determination to end one of the most pervasive human rights violations affecting our societies. To date, 8 AU member states have signed the convention, and we look forward to receiving the requisite number of ratifications to bring this important instrument into force. Excellencies, Africa's leadership in gender equality and women's empowerment extends to the global stage. In this spirit, the African Union has put forward its candidacy to host the 74th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in 2030, a historic opportunity to situate the final review of the Sustainable Development Goals within a continent that has demonstrated resilience, innovation, and leadership in advancing— Chair [40:29]: Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of the African Union, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Development Law Organization. IDLO [40:46]: Thank you, Madam Chair. Distinguished delegates, we are all aware that as we gather at the 70th session of the Commission, it is a time of immense global upheaval. The agreed conclusions adopted last week confirm the importance of and I quote, promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice. We should celebrate the reaffirmation of these fundamental principles at a time when there is global pushback against hard-won progress on human rights and gender equality. But at the same time, we must recognize that for too many women and girls, these commitments remain distant from everyday reality. In nearly 70% of countries, women still face greater legal, financial, social, and cultural barriers to justice than men. As the only global intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to enhancing— to advancing the rule of law to promote peace and sustainable development, IDLO's 4 decades of experience in some 100 countries confirm that turning equality from principle into practice requires strong laws, effective institutions and justice systems that work for women and girls. It also requires challenging patriarchal views and persistent social norms. Allow me to highlight 5 key actions that drive change. First, eliminating discriminatory laws and policies is the first step towards removing structural barriers to equality. Second, by building people-centered justice systems, that listen to and reflect the needs of women and girls, we don't just deliver fair outcomes, we also rebuild trust. Women's equal participation and leadership in justice institutions is also key to achieving this objective. Third, legal empowerment is essential to ensure that women are able to use the law to claim their rights. Fourth, ending gender-based violence, including cyber violence, is fundamental for women and girls to live free from fear and to contribute fully to their societies. Fifth and finally, we must invest strategically to address women's justice needs at all levels and to close the gender justice gap locally, nationally, and internationally. Empowering women through the rule of law can be transformational. It leads to more resilient families and communities, more dynamic economies, and more peaceful and inclusive societies. SDGs 5 and 16 are mutually reinforcing. Accelerating progress requires sustained political commitment, innovative approaches, adequate funding, and mobilizing broad, multi-sectoral coalitions for change. IDLO remains committed to working with all partners to strengthen the rule of law and access to justice as an essential pathway to gender equality. Thank you, Madam Chair. Chair [43:42]: I thank the distinguished representative of the International Development Law Organization, and I now give the floor to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. International IDEA [43:56]: Thank you, Chair. Distinguished delegates, the theme of this year's Commission, Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls, speaks directly to the foundations of democratic governance. Inclusive and equitable legal systems free from discrimination are essential for enabling women to claim their rights, participate fully in public life, and hold institutions accountable. Without access to justice, gender equality and women's empowerment remain a promise rather than a lived reality. International IDEA's Global State of Democracy Indices shares that global gender equality scores have improved significantly since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration, but on— but only marginally in the past decade. Women still hold only 27.5% of parliamentary seats globally, and structural barriers including discriminatory norms, violence and harassment in politics, and unequal access to resources continue to limit women's political participation and leadership. These barriers also undermine women's access to justice. Discriminatory laws, weak accountability mechanisms, and gender-blind institutions often prevent women and girls from seeking redress and exercising their rights fully. Ensuring justice requires not only legal reform but also gender-responsive democratic institutions capable of addressing discrimination and strengthening public trust. International IDEA's work consistently shows that democracies tend to perform better on gender equality indicators than non-democratic regimes. Democratic institutions, when inclusive, transparent, and accountable, create pathways for women to influence laws, policies, and judicial systems that shape their lives. However, recent global trends provide cause for concern. Around the world, we are witnessing a backlash against gender equality and democratic values alongside shrinking civic space and rising polarization. These trends threaten the progress achieved in advancing women's rights and undermine efforts to build inclusive justice systems. Excellencies, ensuring justice for women and girls requires addressing structural barriers at every level. This includes eliminating discriminatory laws and practices, strengthening judicial and constitutional frameworks that uphold equality, and ensuring that women are meaningfully represented in institutions responsible for lawmaking, governance, and oversight. Women must not be seen merely as beneficiaries of justice systems, but as leaders and agents of change in shaping them. When women participate in decision-making, institutions become more responsive, inclusive, and legitimate. But we must not forget that achieving access to justice for all also requires addressing violence against women in politics and public life, improving data and monitoring mechanisms, and investing in institutions. Chair [46:58]: I thank the distinguished representative of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. IUCN [47:13]: Thank you, Chair. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, as the world confronts the interlinked crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and rising inequality, gender equality is not only a human right, it is a prerequisite for effective and lasting environmental action. IUCN's global research shows that gender inequality continues to limit the resilience of communities, the sustainability of ecosystems, and the success of environmental policy. At the same time, the evidence is clear: when women and girls have equal rights, access, voice, and leadership, environmental outcomes improve and climate ambition rises. The theme of the 70th CSW is particularly relevant to IUCN's work on addressing gender-based violence linked to the environment and to access and control over natural resources, as well as their work to protect and defend women environmental rights defenders. IUCN's research has documented the connections between environmental pressures, resource scarcity, and increased risk of gender-based violence. We know that violence is used as a systemic tool of control to reinforce power imbalances, and at times violently discouraging or stopping women from speaking out for their rights. Environmental action must include mitigation, prevention, and response measures, ensuring that women and girls can benefit from conservation efforts and participate, participate safely and meaningfully. Even as major environmental frameworks acknowledge the importance of environmental human rights defenders, their safety continues to deteriorate. Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, more than 1,500 defenders have been murdered, an approximate of one every other day. In '23 alone, nearly half of those killed were Indigenous leaders, and 12% were women. This reflects a deeply rooted pattern of gendered and racialized violence, which is not only a matter of environmental justice, it's a human rights crisis. As a rights-based union, IUCN is committed to strengthening protections and advancing access to justice for women and women environmental human rights defenders. We are supporting community-led efforts to address, mitigate, and respond to gender-based violence in the context of environmental conservation and the protection of Indigenous women environmental human rights defenders. We call on member states to take urgent and coordinated action, including facilitating access and meaningful participation in environmental decision-making processes and recognizing the vital role that women and Indigenous leaders play in their communities. Achieving gender equality is not separate from environmental ambition. It is— Chair [50:14]: I thank the distinguished representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature And now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Criminal Police Organization, Interpol. Interpol [50:29]: Thank you, Madam Chair. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, access to justice is a core human right and affirmation of one's dignity. Yet many women and girls still struggle to access justice for gender-based crimes. When perpetrators enjoy impunity, this sends a devastating message that women and girls' suffering can be dismissed, their rights disregarded, and their dignity undermined. As the world's largest police organization, Interpol is committed to fight impunity and strengthening enforcement, particularly in addressing gender-based violence. Allow me to highlight 3 ways we are doing so. First, we help global authorities bring perpetrators of gender-based crimes to justice. Our Red Notices can alert law enforcement about fugitives wanted for crimes against women and girls, including sexual violence, bodily injury, and murder. These are shared with all our member countries, ensuring that crossing borders does not mean escaping accountability. Her name was Eva Maria Palmer, and after 20 years, her family was finally given closure. Third, we strive— we drive structural change within the criminal justice system by uplifting women in law enforcement. Women continue to be underrepresented in law enforcement leadership or confined to administrative roles, partly due to the unequal access to training opportunities. Accordingly, Interpol is investing in training and fellowship programs for female police officers, including through Project Momentum MENA, which has trained over 220 officials since 2024. Excellencies, when half of the world's population faces barriers in accessing justice, this is a grave injustice that affects us all. Interpol remains committed to uniting law enforcement to deliver justice for women and girls so that their dignity is respected, protected, and defended under the law. I thank you. Chair [53:12]: I thank the distinguished representative of the International Criminal Police Organization and now— the Interpol, and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Interparliamentary Union. IPU [53:27]: Thank you. The IPU is a vital platform for parliamentarians from around the world to come together and advocate for policies that promote the rights and well-being of women and girls. As a parliamentary powerhouse, we are honored to bring a parliamentary angle to the CSW for many years in partnership with UN Women. Our 11th of March meeting saw some 120 parliamentarians from 27 countries focus on the role of parliaments in achieving parity in decision-making and in ensuring women and girls' real access to justice and remedies. The persistent patriarchal social norms and stalled progress on women's representation and leadership are clear in too many nations. Participants underscored the importance of gender-sensitive, parity parliaments to ensure laws and policies respond to the lived realities of women and girls in all their diversity. And deliver justice systems that are resilient, accessible, and rights-based. They emphasize the need to adopt innovative, gender-sensitive frameworks and effective implementation of measures to ensure the safety of women in politics. They stress the importance of gender-responsive budgets that advance substantive and lasting equality. There were 3 key areas for parliamentary action. First, parliaments must guarantee gender parity and ensure that decisions are made in inclusive institutions free from violence, harassment, and discrimination. Adopting measures such as legislative quotas and enabling structures to support women reach and remain in the highest positions of leadership and responsibility are essential. An intersectional approach is used to ensure— is needed to ensure that the needs of women in all diversity, including women with disabilities and Indigenous women are not left behind. This requires a whole-of-parliament engagement— political parties, parliamentarians, and leaders— to proactively ensure that mechanisms are meaningfully enforced. Actions needed to prevent and address violence against women in politics, including in the digital sphere, through legislation and policy measures that prevent its amplification and ensure that online spaces do not become spaces of impunity for perpetrators. Secondly, parliaments must adopt and oversee policies that promote equal access to justice for women and girls using a cross-sectional approach. They need to take into account not only the law itself but also the broader legal, social, and institutional environment, including cultural barriers, accessibility, and implementation and enforcement. We must get rid of discriminatory laws, particularly in inheritance, nationality, property ownership, and employment. And thirdly, parliaments must invest and transform into gender-sensitive institutions, working with civil society and local, national, and regional organizations to guarantee that legislative process— Chair [56:29]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Interparliamentary Union and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Pan-African Intergovernmental Agency for Water and Sanitation for Africa. Pan-African Intergovernmental Agency for Water and Sanitation for Africa [56:43]: Thank you, Madam Chair. The observer mission of the Pan-African Intergovernmental Agency for Water and Sanitation for Africa is honored to address this 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. We gather under the theme that speaks to the heart of Africa's development journey: ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls through a comprehensive, intersectional, and rights-based approach. Across Africa, the lived realities of women and girls reveal a truth we can no longer ignore. Justice is not only a legal pathway, but also conditions shaped by water, by safety, by health, by climate, and by the environment in which women live. A woman who must walk long distances for water is exposed to violence. A girl without safe sanitation is denied dignity. A mother in a climate-stressed community faces impossible choices between survival and safety. These are not peripheral concerns. These are justice concerns rooted in structural inequalities that science policy and community leadership must address together. At our Observer Mission, we affirm that science-based solutions are essential to dismantling these barriers. Our flagship initiative, WaterHub, demonstrates how evidence data gathered, responsive design can transform the daily realities of women and girls. WaterHer integrates hydrological science, climate data, behavioral research, and community-driven governance to ensure that water and sanitation systems are not only functional but equitable. A comprehensive approach requires linking justice systems with essential services— water, sanitation, health, education. A rights-based approach requires affirming that women and girls are not beneficiaries of development, they are right holders entitled to safety, dignity, and equal opportunities. We call on member states and partners to integrate gender responsive into WASH services, invest in science-based solutions, expand legal aid and survivor-centered services, elevate women's leadership. Excellencies, we are here to deliver justice for every woman and girl. We must recognize that water is justice, safety is justice, dignity is justice, and science is justice. Our observer mission wishes to assure you of our readiness to work with all the partners to advance a future where every woman and girl in community can claim their rights, access justice, and live with dignity. I thank you. Chair [59:17]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Pan-African Intergovernmental Agency for Water and for Africa, and now give the floor to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. SAARC [59:33]: Madam Chair, it is my honor to address this 70th session on behalf of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, SARC. This year's theme aligns perfectly with the priorities of South Asia, where gender equality remains central to our shared development. South Asia, home to nearly one quarter of humanity, views gender equality not merely as a goal but as a bedrock for sustainable peace. For decades, SAARC member states have moved beyond rhetoric to establish transformative regional framework. From 2002 SAARC Convention Against Trafficking to the 2004 SAARC Social Charter, we have committed to a South Asia where every girl is protected from exploitation and every woman has a seat at the table of power. Our progress is tangible. Through the SARC Gender Infobase and SARC Development Fund, we have institutionalized the use of data and direct social investment to uplift community-level livelihood. Today, we see a region in transition. Legal systems are being reformed to tackle the gender-based violence, Legal aid is expanding, and women are increasingly leading our judicial and policymaking institutes. However, we must remain clear-eyed about the challenges ahead. Structural inequalities and entrenched norms continue to obstruct justice for the most marginalized. Overcoming these requires more than isolated efforts; it demands the collective innovations we foster through partnership. SARC has maintained longstanding cooperation with UNICEF in advancing the child rights and protection across the region. Similarly, in collaboration with the UN Women, SARC supports regional dialogues, knowledge-based initiatives, and policy discussions aimed at advancing gender-responsive governance, strengthening institutional framework, and promoting women leadership and participation. I'm happy to note that SARC, in collaboration with UN Women, UN Women will be hosting a regional dialogue, Transform Care South Asia, in April 2026, which will focus on transforming care systems to unlock women's economic potential. Madam Chair, Excellencies, as we move forward, SAARC remains steadfast in its mission to dismantle discriminatory laws and building a future where every woman and girl can live with dignity. Let us reaffirm our shared responsibility to ensure that justice is not a privilege for the few but a reality for all. I thank you. Chair [1:02:08]: I thank the distinguished representative of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. IGAD [1:02:22]: Your Excellency, distinguished Chair, ladies and gentlemen, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, IGAD. At the outset, IGAD wishes to express its appreciation to the leadership of this year's Commission on the Status of Women, to the Bureau, and to the UN Women for guiding this important session at a time when the international community must move with a greater seriousness from the commitment to the implementation. This year's Commission comes at an important moment. Around the world, women continue to confront the layered costs of conflict, inequality, displacement, poverty, and climate insecurity. At the same time, women continue to demonstrate leadership, endurance, and political wisdom in ways that often remain insufficiently recognized in formal decision-making spaces. It is therefore both timely and necessary that this Commission continue to press the international community to not only reaffirm principles but to demonstrate political resolve in advancing them. Excellencies, for IGAD, the question of women leadership is not abstract. It is visible across the region, particularly in fragile and border settings where women are often the first responders to instability, the stewards of social cohesion, and the quiet architects of peace. Allow me in this regard to draw attention to Moyale, a town between Ethiopia and Kenya, one of the most conflict-affected cross-border areas in our region. Moyale is often spoken of through the language of fragility, yet IGAD has seen something more profound there, a living example of how women sustain dialogue, preserve trust, and hold communities together even in the deeply difficult circumstances. Among the Borana, the Gabra, the Gari, the Burji, and other communities in around Moyale, women have long played a vital role in reducing tension, preserving communities across divides, and sustaining the social fabric upon which peace ultimately depends. What is striking is that this work has often placed long before formal institution or external interventions. In many ways, these women have been doing the daily work of peace without recognition, without adequate resource and without the visibility they deserve. It is precisely this reality that IGAD, under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Workona Gebeyo, has sought to elevate and support more deliberately. Through IGAD's cross-border peace agreement in Moyale, a peace committee comprising 16 women leaders and elders has been established. This is not symbolic initiative. It is a practical mechanism rooted in local legitimacy They participate in the difficult and necessary work of mediation, social dialogue, early warning, and de-escalation. IGAD has witnessed similar realities in other parts of— Chair [1:05:24]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Organization for Migration. IOM [1:05:38]: Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates and partners, the Commission's priority theme for this 70th session, ensuring access to justice for all women and girls, by extension also applies to women and girls on the move. This imperative is not abstract. It determines their safety, dignity and ability to exercise their human rights throughout the migration continuum. Women on the move are indispensable actors in development. Their contributions are multifaceted. They sustain their households and communities through their earnings and remittances. Yet, their journeys are too often constrained by systemic impediments, discriminatory legal frameworks, lack of access to legal services such as civil documentation, language barriers, to name a few. These conditions heighten exposure to further exploitation, trafficking, and sexual violence, harms that must never accompany mobility. Advancing rights and justice requires that women and girls on the move must be safe, heard, and treated with dignity at every stage. When looked at from a humanitarian lens, migration and humanitarian systems it must be commensurately protective. Through IOM's co-leadership of the Global Shelter, Land and Site Coordination Cluster, we work to ensure responses are designed around women's protection, dignity, and agency grounded in their lived realities. In crises, risks of gender-based violence escalate. Access to justice is unattainable without access to life-saving GBV services. Often, these services chronically are underfunded despite being foundational to safety, recovery, and accountability. In closing, Madam Chair, allow me to remind all delegates that the 2nd International Migration Review Forum to discuss progress on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration is taking place here in New York, 4th to 8th of May. In this regard, IOM stands ready to work with all member states and partners to ensure that evidence-driven policy and sustained investment translate into measurable improvements in women's access to justice, placing their voices, leadership, and rights of women on the move at the center of our collective action. I thank you. Chair [1:08:03]: I thank the distinguished representative of the International Organization for Migration and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization. FAO [1:08:17]: Thank you, Madam Chair. Excellencies, distinguished guests, it is an honor to address this distinguished gathering at the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at a time when the international community must strengthen its resolve to ensure that women's contributions and rights are fully recognized and supported. This year, we celebrate the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, which provides great opportunity to elevate the visibility, leadership, and contributions of women farmers in agri-food systems, while advancing policies and investments that empower all women working in these systems. It is also an opportunity to promote greater synergies among international initiatives supporting women farmers. Women farmers are indispensable actors in agrifood systems, making up around 40% of the global agrifood force. Yet their contributions remain undervalued and are constrained by persistent gender inequalities. Across contexts, women have less secure access to and control over lands, as well as finance, fewer opportunities for education and extension services, and limited participation in decision-making spaces. Spaces that shape agricultural policies and rural development pathways. The International Year of the Woman Farmer aims to raise awareness about these challenges and to catalyze policy reforms, investments, and collective action that empower women farmers and strengthen food security, nutrition, economic security, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods. Gender equality and the empowerment of women farmers are integral to to FAO's mandates. Our latest evidence, including the Status of Women in Agrifood Systems, the Unjust Climate, and the Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems reports, underscores the magnitude of structural gender disparities in agrifood systems and their adverse effects on productivity, incomes, and resilience. FAO estimates that across agrifood systems, women earn just 78 cents for every dollar earned by men, and women farmers, who often cultivate smaller plots, still face a 24% productivity gap even when managing farms of the same size. But FAO analysis also points to clear opportunities. When women farmers have equal access to land, technologies, finance, and market, productivity rises. hunger falls, and rural economies become more robust. FAO underscores that closing the gender gaps in farm productivity and wages could raise global gross domestic product by $1 trillion and reduce food insecurity for 45 million people. FAO continues to work closely with other UN agencies. Chair [1:11:17]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization and now give the floor to the distinguished WHO [1:11:29]: Distinguished delegates, colleagues, access to justice for women and girls in all their diversity resonates with WHO's mandate. Without health systems working to advance justice for women and girls, achieving their right to the highest attainable standard of health will remain unfulfilled. When women and girls cannot claim their health-related rights or obtain remedies when violations occur, justice is denied and inequities deepen. 30 years after the Beijing Declaration, important gains have been made. Births among adolescent girls have declined, more women have their contraception needs met with modern methods, and maternal mortality has fallen. Yet injustices persist. Structural barriers, including discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, continue to prevent women and girls from accessing affordable, acceptable, and quality healthcare. These injustices continue to determine who is heard, who is protected, and who is left behind. Women still face maternal health risks, especially in conflict-affected and institutionally fragile contexts, while climate change, household air pollution, and humanitarian crises threaten their health. Adolescent girls account for a disproportionate share of new HIV infections. Women who have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual violence particularly vulnerable to developing mental health conditions. Health systems are often the primary institutions with which women and girls engage, including when seeking help after violence. Justice for women and girls means health systems informed by sex-disaggregated data that represents everyone. It means taking action to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights. It means ensuring access to information and services that enable bodily autonomy and informed decisions about when and where to seek appropriate healthcare, including for fertility and contraception. It means receiving non-discriminatory and quality healthcare. Justice means ending all forms of violence against against women and girls and access to safe accountability mechanisms when health rights are violated. Justice also means redressing gender inequalities in the health workforce and recognizing that women constitute 67% of the health workforce. WHO reaffirms our commitment to supporting member states in undertaking meaningful reforms to ensure rights based and gender-responsive health systems. Chair [1:14:30]: I thank the distinguished representative of the World Health Organization and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development. IFAD [1:14:43]: Thank you, Chair. Distinguished Chair, Excellencies, colleagues, the International Fund for Agricultural Development is honored to contribute to this discussion at the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, particularly as we mark the International Year of the Woman Farmer, an opportunity to recognize the central role women farmers play in agrifood systems worldwide. Across the globe, women farmers feed communities, sustain rural economies, preserve biodiversity, and strengthen resilience to climate shocks. Yet their contributions remain undervalued and their rights especially to land and productive resources, are too often insecure. Through its programs and investments, IFAD expands rural women's access to productive assets, financial services, technologies, and markets, while strengthening their leadership and voice in rural institutions. For example, in Ethiopia, IFAD-supported programs promote women's participation and leadership in water user association. In Pakistan, our initiatives have enabled landless women from more than 6,000 households secure land titles. In Bolivia, leadership and social norms initiatives have supported rural women to take on community leadership roles and spearhead efforts to address water scarcity through solar-powered irrigation systems. These experiences show that when women farmers are empowered, entire systems transform. Productivity rises, incomes grow, nutrition improves, and communities become more resilient. Achieving this requires sustained commitment and partnership from governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to close persistent gender gaps and ensure that rural women farmers can fully exercise their rights and leadership. IFAD remains firmly committed to ensuring that rural women farmers are recognized, supported, and empowerment— empowered as leaders of resilient rural economies and sustainable agrifood systems. systems. Thank you very much. Chair [1:16:45]: I thank the distinguished representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Zambia. Zambia [1:16:59]: Thank you very much, Chairperson. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Zambia congratulates you and the Bureau on your leadership of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, and we have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zambia. Zambia reaffirms its strong commitment to the full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action, CEDAW, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Goals 5 and 16 on gender equality, justice, and strong institutions. Distinguished delegates, in line with this year's priority theme, Zambia has undertaken significant legislative, policy, and programmatic reforms to strengthen access to justice for women and girls. Victim-centered and trauma-informed systems have been established, including specialized courts and coordinated police prosecution and medical services, with the state covering the cost accessing justice. A robust legal framework supports these efforts, including the Penal Code, the Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act, and the Gender Equality and Equality Act. Zambia has also outlawed child marriage through the Children's Code Act and the Marriage Amendment Act. Further, innovative approaches have been expanded for survivor support, including using confiscated assets to establish shelters for survivors and establishing remote evidence centers to enable victims to testify safely outside physical courtrooms. Zambia has also bold— taken bold constitutional steps to strengthen inclusive governance. The Constitution Amendment Act Number 13 of 2025 introduces a mixed-member proportional representation system reserving seats for women, youth, and persons with disabilities aimed at significantly increasing women's representation in Parliament. These reforms build on recent milestones, including the appointment of women to the offices of Vice President, Speaker of the National Assembly, and Minister of Justice. As Africa Union champion on ending child marriage, Zambia continues to prioritize girls' education through free education policy, strengthened police school entry guidelines, and school feeding programs. These efforts have contributed to a decline in child marriage from 29% in 2018 to 23.9% in 2024. Government is also expanding health and social protection services, strengthening maternal health facilities, and investing in community development through the Constituency Development Fund, which supports school infrastructure, health services, and women-led initiatives. Your Excellencies, while progress is evident, challenges remain, including harmful social norms, unequal access to productive resources, women's underrepresentation in elective positions, and the persistent impact of gender-based violence. Zambia recognizes that accelerating progress requires strong partnerships and increased financing for gender equality and including gender-responsive plans— planning, greater investment in girls' education, and expanded economic opportunities for women. In conclusion, Zambia remains firmly committed to ensuring that every woman girl enjoys equal rights, opportunities, and protection under the law. When women and girls thrive, families prosper, communities grow stronger, and the nation develops sustainably. Zambia stands ready to work with all member states, development partners, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders to turn the promises of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action into lived realities for women and girls everywhere. I thank you. Chair [1:20:37]: I thank the distinguished representative of Zambia. And now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Telecommunication Union. ITU [1:20:48]: Thank you, Chair. Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, dear partners, the International Telecommunication Union, United Nations Specialized Agency for Digital Technology, is pleased to contribute to discussion at the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, and I'm honored to deliver this statement today. This year's review theme on women's full and effective participation and decision-making in public life is particularly timely because today participation in public life increasingly happens in digital spaces. From civic engagement to access to services and information, digital technologies are now shaping how women participate, express their voices, and influence decisions. But participation in the digital age is not guaranteed. Despite progress, the gender digital divide remains significant. Globally, 77% of men use the internet compared to 71% of women, representing around 280 million fewer women online. This gap is not only about connectivity. It's about access to opportunity, to information, and to meaningful participation in public life. And when participation is limited, whether due to lack of access, skills, or safety, women's ability to engage, to be heard, and to seek redress and accountability is also affected in practice. At ITU, our work focuses on addressing these barriers through 3 key areas: expanding meaningful connectivity, strengthening digital skills and pathways, and promoting women leadership in the digital sector. We support member states in integrating gender equality into digital policies, strengthening women's participation in ICT governance, and ensuring that digital transformation delivers inclusive outcomes. We also work through global partnerships, such as the EQUALS Global Partnership on Gender Equality in the Digital Age, and through concrete initiatives that equip women and girls with the skills, confidence, and opportunity to engage fully in the digital age. We welcome the strengthened recognition of gender equality within global digital framework. The World Summit on Information Society+20 outcome document that was adopted by consensus in December 2025 reinforced the importance of inclusive digital transformation and calls for the full and equal meaningful participation of women and girls in the information society. To further advance work in this area, ITU has established a dedicated Gender and Youth Office reporting directly to the Secretary-General to strengthen and institutionalize our efforts across the organization. Distinguished delegates, as public life becomes increasingly digital, ensuring inclusion, safety, and equal opportunity in these spaces is essential. Chair [1:23:48]: I thank the distinguished representative of the International Telecommunication Union and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. UNAIDS [1:24:03]: Thank you, Chairperson. More than 21 million women and girls live with HIV worldwide, accounting for 53% of all people living with HIV. Women and girls living with HIV and women in key populations at high risk of HIV face increased stigma and discrimination and often criminalization, resulting in exposure to violence, arbitrary detention, denial of access to health services, and other violations of their human rights. Even where the protection— protective laws exist, justice systems remain inaccessible for many women and girls living with or at risk of HIV. Community-led organizations, including those led by women, play a critical role by providing legal aid as well as HIV prevention, treatment, and support services more generally. However, the abrupt cuts in HIV funding since early 2025 have particularly affected community-led programs. More than 60% of women-led HIV organizations have lost funding and been forced to suspend vital services. Against this background, the CSW resolution on women, the girl child, and HIV/AIDS is ever more important. UNAIDS commends the continued leadership of the Southern African Development Community, SADC, on this issue. We welcome the draft resolution tabled by South Africa on behalf of the SADC and call on Member States to adopt it by consensus as usual. Chairperson, Remarkable progress has been made against AIDS, but it is not over. The 2025 targets expired, most of which have not been achieved. The 2026 High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS will be a critical opportunity to bring together leaders from governments, UN, civil society, and private sector to renew the political and financial commitment to end AIDS by 2030 and to adopt an ambitious political declaration that will set new targets to guide the HIV response towards that goal. Protecting the rights, health, and well-being of all women and girls, including those living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV, investing in their empowerment and inclusion in decision-making in all spheres, must be at the center of the discussions at the high-level meeting and its outcomes. We call on all stakeholders to participate at the meeting at the highest possible level and to actively contribute to its success. Thank you. Chair [1:26:52]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. UN DESA · United Nations Interagency Group on Ageing [1:27:11]: Thank you, Madam Chair. Let me begin with something simple. If we are serious about advancing the status of women, we cannot retire women from the agenda of this Commission at age 60. It is therefore encouraging that this session included a ministerial panel on this issue last week. And on behalf of the United Nations Interagency Group on Ageing, let me say clearly, this attention by the Commission is welcome, it is timely, and frankly, it is long overdue. The reality is this: older women are not a marginal group. They're one of the fastest-growing segments of the female population, yet so often, too often, absent in discussions on women's advancement. Not absent in reality, mind you, but absent in framing, absent in data narratives, and absent in policy design. This disconnect should give us pause. It raises an uncomfortable question: why do discussions on the status of women so often focus on the beginning and the middle of the course of life, yet grow quieter in later life? Recognizing this is not about setting age groups in opposition. It is about correcting blind spots, because when age is not explicitly considered, it is rarely implicitly addressed. It is perhaps no surprise that applying an age lens requires such determination when we recall that age was not explicitly articulated in the founding blueprint of the United Nations 80 years ago. From the perspective of the 32 members of the UN Interagency Group on Aging, 3 priorities are clear. First, keep older women firmly and consistently on the agenda in this Commission's discussions. Second, ensure that the Commission's outcomes explicitly reflect the realities of women in later life. And third, create intentional space for older women themselves to participate in shaping the discussions and priorities that affect their lives. And to the girls, the young women, and adult women here, like myself and you, Madam Chair, we do not lose space when older women gain it. We gain allies— older women that advocate not only for themselves, but also for our future. Chair, we hope this session marks not a temporary spotlight on older women, but a turning point for their inclusion in the Commission's future work, including forthcoming priority themes. And as part of this collective effort, I invite you to draw on the Interagency Group on Ageing's common messages. And on behalf of the group, we stand ready to support member states in advancing this agenda. I thank you. Chair [1:29:59]: I thank the distinguished representative of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Labour Organization. ILO [1:30:14]: Thank you, Madam Chair. Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women is essential to advancing social justice, and there can be no social justice without women's rights and gender equality in the world of work. Access to justice means that women workers are able not only to know their rights, but also to claim them and obtain effective remedies when those rights are violated. This requires inclusive and equitable legal systems, as well as effective labour dispute prevention and resolution mechanisms. In the world of work, these mechanisms include workplace grievance procedures, labor inspection systems, mediation and conciliation services, as well as labor courts and tribunals, and importantly, freedom of association and the right to organize. When they function effectively, they allow workers and employers to address grievances, enforce labor rights, and resolve disputes fairly and efficiently, ensuring that labor rights are translated into protection in practice. Access to justice in the world of work is strongly linked to freedom of association, the right to organize, and collective bargaining. These fundamental labor rights support democracy at work, enabling the representation and collective voice of workers to both prevent and address violations of their rights. Despite progress, many women today continue to face structural barriers in accessing justice. Legal frameworks may not fully protect women's— women workers' rights, and sectors where women are overrepresented, such as domestic work and agricultural work, may remain outside the scope of labor law protections. Women may also face practical and social barriers, including limited access to information about their rights affordable legal assistance, or collective representation. Discriminatory norms, fear of retaliation, economic dependency, and social stigma may further discourage women from seeking justice. ILO Convention No. 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, now ratified by 54 countries, provides a comprehensive roadmap for access to justice in the world of work. It provides coverage for all involved in the world of work, whether in the informal or formal economy, rural or urban areas, whether a job seeker, intern, or apprentice. It calls for accessible, safe, and gender-responsive reporting and dispute resolution mechanisms, protection against retaliation, training for employers, workers, and relevant authorities, and access to remedies and support services for victims. Through its normative framework, technical cooperation, knowledge development, and tripartite structure, the ILO works to ensure that women workers can effectively access justice, claim their rights, and fully participate in the world of work. I thank you. Chair [1:33:11]: I thank the distinguished representative of the International Labour Organization and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Economic Community of West African States. ECOWAS [1:33:25]: Merci, Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of ECOWAS, I would like to express our satisfaction at participating in this 70th meeting of the CSW. We fully endorse the statement delivered on behalf of the African Group. We reaffirm our unwavering support for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. In order to clear away systemic obstacles that prevent women and girls from accessing justice and prevent them from participating fully in public life. The ECOWAS has adopted statistics allowing for the measurement of governance and public administration. We are also looking into a model law for empowerment of women for the subregion. This draft law aims to consolidate the gains of the community and bolster the rights of women. For the next 50 years to come in terms of democratic governance. In that spirit, we also have a political declaration of ECOWAS on gender parity. We have a Gender Center for Development in ECOWAS. It's continuing its efforts to battle against gender-based violence and to ensure the economic empowerment of women. ECOWAS will continue to maintain its efforts by working with governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector so as to ensure genuine lasting change. Through collective action and political will, we can craft a future that is more inclusive and better for all women and girls in our region. Together, we can make a difference. By way of conclusion, I reiterate our gratitude to the CSW for the excellent conduct and organization of this session, and we thank all the institutions and organizations present here for their kind attention. I thank you. Chair [1:35:25]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Economic Community of West African States and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. OHCHR [1:35:38]: Madam Chair, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights welcomes the timely focus this year's Commission on Access to Justice and the adoption of the agreed conclusions. We also welcome the special focus placed on older women this year, long overdue, as my colleagues just said. Ensuring women's access to justice is not only a legal obligation, it is a foundation for equality, dignity, and the full realization of all human rights. International human rights law The Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action, 2030 Agenda, and Security Council Resolution 1325 all make clear that justice systems must work for women and girls. Access to justice and the right to an effective remedy are inseparable from the right to equality in both private and public life. But for this to be real, Justice systems must be independent, impartial, adequately funded, and grounded in the rule of law. They must guarantee due process and be guided by international human rights standards. Justice is also a powerful instrument against poverty and discrimination. It enables women to claim their rights, including economic and social rights, the recognition of unpaid care work, to seek alimony from— and social protections, and to challenge sexual harassment, unfair labor practices, and discriminatory laws and norms. Encouragingly, between 2019 and 2024, nearly 100 positive legal reforms were adopted worldwide to eliminate discrimination and strengthen gender equality frameworks. Yet laws alone are not enough. Women of all ages, including young girls and older women, need accessible, gender- and age-sensitive justice across all courts and administrative bodies. Legal aid, especially for women in low-income or vulnerable situations, is essential to ensure justice is truly universal. Not a privilege only for those who can afford it. Parity in the judiciary, the sustained capacity building on women's rights for judges, prosecutors, legal professionals, and law enforcement are also vital. Tackling gender stereotypes within justice systems remains a persistent challenge that demands renewed commitment from member states. OSCE will continue to support states through technical assistance and by working closely with women's organizations, women's human rights defenders, to ensure that every woman and girl can access justice without discrimination. Thank you. Chair [1:38:37]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of ACT Alliance, Action by Churches to ACT Alliance [1:38:55]: Thank you, Madam Chair. Action by Churches Together, ACT Alliance, is a faith-based, rights-based coalition with over 153 members working in 125 countries. Access to justice is not only a legal matter, it is a moral imperative and a cornerstone of gender equality. Around the world, millions of women and girls continue to face discriminatory laws, patriarchal norms, and legal systems that are inaccessible, be unsafe. Reforming legislation is essential, but laws alone cannot transform societies when the social norms beneath them remain unchanged. As faith-based actors, who are rooted in our communities. We witness how faith leaders can either reinforce harmful practices or become powerful allies in dismantling them. When faith-based leaders act against gender-based discrimination, challenge harmful norms, and affirm human rights, we can push forward on the road to gender equality. Theological framework that uphold human rights, equality, and bodily autonomy can serve as profound tool for justice reform, helping to confront violence, expand access to sexual reproductive health and rights, and advance the rights of women and girls in all their diversities. We call on member states to reform discriminatory family and personal status laws, including those rooted in religious systems, so that all women have equal rights, including in marriage, inheritance, and economic life. Promote economic justice, ensuring women equal access to land, credit, decent work, and microeconomic policies that prioritize equality. Guarantee survivor-centered, trauma-informed responses to all forms of violence. Violence, develop gender transformative transitional justice mechanism in fragile and conflict-affected setting, fully implement regional commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights such as the Maputo Protocol. We invite for a reflection on the people not in the room today. To advance justice, CSW itself must model justice. Today, shrinking civil spaces, visa denials, and unequal access prevent grassroots feminists, faith-based peacebuilders, and human rights defenders from participating in the very forum meant to elevate their voice. CSW 70 must not become a platform of exclusion. We urge member states and UN leadership to uphold. Chair [1:41:56]: I thank the distinguished representative of the ACT Alliance, Action by Churches Together, and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Nations Office for Project Services. UNOPS [1:42:11]: Thank you, Madam Chair. UNOPS is honored to participate in this forum and to share how, in partnership with governments and other stakeholders, we help address the challenges women face worldwide, particularly in fragile and remote contexts. As the operational arm of the United Nations working in infrastructure procurement and project services, UNOPS focuses on turning commitments into action. Our work helps translate policies into practical solutions that expand women's access to services, opportunities, and decision-making in their communities. UNOPS integrates gender-responsive approaches in all its projects and operations. In infrastructure projects, that— this includes setting targets for women's participation in construction and engineering roles while ensuring that health facilities, schools, and water systems are designed with gender-sensitive features that improve access to education, health, and essential services. Earlier this month, In the lead-up to International Women's Day, UNOPS launched its gender-responsive procurement guidelines. Women remain largely excluded from one of the world's largest economic opportunities, public procurement. Of the approximately $11 trillion spent globally each year by governments and international organizations, less than 1% is awarded to women-owned businesses. By making procurement more inclusive and equitable, UNOPS aims to open doors for women entrepreneurs and promote fair competition in the marketplace. UNOPS also supports women's livelihood and economic empowerment. In countries such as Afghanistan and Myanmar, we implement cash-for-work projects, skills training, and support for women-led small businesses, enabling women to generate income and participate more fully in local economies. Agile fee-for-service business model allows us to respond quickly in fragile and conflict-affected settings, ensuring support reaches those who face the greatest barriers. In Ukraine, for example, UNOPS is rebuilding bridges, repairing schools and homes, and restoring essential infrastructure while providing cash for work activities that engage women directly in community recovery. Across these operations, UNOPS addresses both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term empowerment, placing women at the center of recovery and sustainable development efforts. We measure success in large part by the extent to which women can access infrastructure that meets their needs, participate in community decision-making, and benefit from education, health, and economic opportunities. Madam Chair, UNOPS remains committed to forging partnerships and advancing projects that turn policies into real-world impact for women and girls, bridging the implementation gap and supporting sustainable, inclusive development fully aligned with the United Nations values on women's empowerment and gender equality. I have— Chair [1:45:10]: I thank the distinguished representative of the United Nations Office for Project Services and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Associação de Cauães Inga Comando. Forgive my poor Portuguese abilities. Associação de Cauães Inga Comando [1:45:35]: Thank you. Distinguished Chair, delegates, and fellow activists, we stand before this Commission as part of a global collective of youth leaders and adolescents whose voices were mobilized through consultations across the globe. This process reflects a extensive political mandate shaped by live realities across regions and generations. Our message is clear: access to justice must be understood as a structural priority. Transforming patriarchal masculinities is essential to dismantle legal systems that shield perpetrators. Rigid gender norms and male supremacy ideology within justice institutions foster impunity and block rights of women and girls. We therefore advocate for gender transformative justice that addresses root causes of discrimination and promotes institutional cultures grounded in equality, accountability, and prevention. These are some of the reasons why the CSW70 Global Youth and Adolescent Recommendations exist. Our document is a product of the youth consultations organized by youth activists in more than 70 countries and that mobilized more than 23,000 young leaders worldwide, generating a shared political vision for structural change. In our recommendations, we remind the Commission that there is no gender justice without climate justice. For young women in the Global South, the climate crisis is a legal crisis. We call on justice systems to recognize the displacement due to extreme weather events, address the climate debt owed to the future generations and ensure the protection of environmental defenders who continue to face criminalization for safeguarding our shared home. Therefore, we demand action. Transform the laws, fund the movements, and deliver justice now. Thank you. Chair [1:47:29]: I thank the distinguished representative of Associação de Jovens em Garimpo, and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Association for the Defense of the Rights of Azerbaijani Women in Iran. Association for the Defense of the Rights of Azerbaijani Women in Iran [1:47:51]: Thank you. Madam Chair, Excellencies, Association for the Defense of Human Rights of Azerbaijanis in Iran welcomes this important dialogue and stresses that access to justice for all women and girls cannot be realized without addressing the compounded barriers faced by those who experience discrimination on the basis of gender, language, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. In Iran, all women face systemic discrimination embedded in laws, policies, and practices that restrict equality, bodily autonomy, participation, and meaningful access to justice. However, Azerbaijani women and girls, along with other ethnically and linguistically marginalized women and girls, face additional and intersecting forms of exclusion that further weakens their access to rights remedies and protection. One of the most serious structural barriers is the denial of mother language education. When Azerbaijani girls are deprived of education in their own language, the consequences extend far beyond the learning outcomes. The denial weakens literacy, reduces legal awareness, limits access to information and undermines confidence in institutions and formal processes. Over time, this creates a cycle in which women and girls are less able to understand their rights, seek remedies, and navigate legal systems and participate fully in civic and social life. The barriers have concrete and harmful consequences. Educational exclusion contributes to lower socioeconomic status and leaves women and girls more vulnerable to child and underage marriage, exploiting a coercive or self-serving interpretation of laws and religious norms. It also weakens access to legal protection, support systems, and reporting mechanisms that reduces participation in social networks and public decision-making spaces. For young women and girls in particular, linguistic and educational exclusion often becomes a lifelong barrier to justice. Besides illiteracy, the digital dimension of these effects must also be recognized, which deprive the non-Persian-speaking women and girls of any education on women's health issues and their bodily autonomy. And yet women in Iran have been at the forefront of recent uprising and demanding dignity and equality for freedom. This includes the women from Azerbaijan and other marginalized communities whose courage must be met with protection and representation and justice. We urge the United Nations members states and relevant international mechanisms and explicitly address the denial of mother language education and related structural discrimination in Iran. Chair [1:50:52]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Association for the Defense of the Rights of Azerbaijani Women in Iran and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Best Practices Policy Project. Best Practices Policy Project · Nijay Lurie [1:51:12]: Thank you for this opportunity. My name is Nijay Lurie, and I'm a representative of the Best Practices Policy Project. We are a U.S.-based sex worker and trans-led organization focused on holding the United States accountable for human rights abuses. My message is a simple one: sex worker rights are human rights. By that, not only do I mean that those in the sex trades must be recognized as fully realized rights holders, but it also must be recognized that violations of our rights are intrinsically linked to the violation of the rights of transgender, the disabled, migrants, Black, Indigenous, and people of color. Laws that criminalize us today are the frameworks used to criminalize other populations tomorrow. There will be no justice for women and girls LGBTQIA+ people without abolishing the carceral systems that criminalize their poverty and survival. Furthermore, the conflation of sex work with trafficking harms all parties. Sex workers seek justice against discriminatory laws that want to erase us from public life. We were excluded from pandemic relief, Denied access to banking and online platforms simply for being identified as sex workers. These moralistic restrictions lay the legal foundation to deny sexual freedom and economic freedom to all minority groups. As an activist in the United States, we are concerned about the impact of U.S. policies globally. Aid and funding should be aligned with furthering human rights and not moralistic punishment. Instead of focusing on harm reduction, HIV/AIDS care, health, and housing, U.S. policy focuses on increasing stigma and imprisonment. The U.S. accepted UPR Recommendation 86 in 2010, which demanded the reduction of stigma and access to public services for sex worker transgender, and people of color, yet the criminalization, surveillance, and deplatforming of sex workers has only increased since then. There has been a shocking increase in proposed anti-LGBTQIA+ and age verification bills that seek to legislate populations out of public life. We must stand up for the humanity and dignity of all, and no nation be able to impose its narrow definitions of gender or labor rights on others. All nations should be held accountable equally. The rapid erosion of rights has to be confronted boldly and loudly. Sex worker rights are human rights. Chair [1:54:13]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Best Practices Policy Project I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Campaign Life Coalition. Campaign Life Coalition [1:54:25]: Thank you, Chair. Campaign Life Coalition is a national nonprofit organization in Canada dedicated to protecting human life from conception to natural death and strengthening the natural family. As the Commission considers how to ensure and strengthen access to justice for women and girls, we must begin with a fundamental principle. Justice must be rooted in respect for the inherent dignity and equal worth of every human being. Without the right to life, all other rights become meaningless. Yet today, millions of the most vulnerable human beings are denied the most basic right. Abortion deliberately ends the life of an innocent human being. It kills a child in the womb. No legal system can truly claim to be inclusive or equitable while allowing the intentional killing of one class of human beings. A just society must protect the weak, not exclude them. At the same time, many women are told that abortion is their only solution when facing difficult circumstances. This is not justice. Women deserve better than a system that offers them the death of their own child as the answer to poverty, fear, or lack of support. Real justice means ensuring that women receive actual accurate information, compassionate care, and genuine alternatives. Around the world, thousands of organizations provide mothers with practical support such as prenatal and postnatal care, financial assistance, baby supplies, as well as counseling and healing for those who have experienced abortion. These life-affirming solutions truly empower women without ending the life of their child. However, some governments have adopted laws that silence those who offer this help. So-called bubble zones around abortion facilities criminalize peaceful conversations words of encouragement, and offers of assistance to pregnant women. These laws do not expand justice; they restrict it by silencing voices that seek to protect both mother and child. We must also address the growing problem of ideological colonization. Too often, international aid and development assistance are conditioned on the adoption of abortion policies that contradict the cultural and legal traditions of many nations. Maternal mortality is a serious concern, but killing children is not the solution. The real solution includes improving maternal healthcare, trained medical professionals, strengthening legal protections for mothers and their children, and building stronger support systems for families. True justice demands that every human life be protected. It demands that women be supported, not pressured, and it demands that nations be respected in their efforts to defend both mothers and their children. Campaign Life Coalition therefore calls on the Commission to reject policies that promote abortion, silence pro-life voices, or pressure nations to abandon their commitment to the right to life. Instead, let us recommit to building legal systems that defend human dignity at every stage of life and provide real support so that mothers, fathers, and their children can flourish. Thank you. Chair [1:57:11]: I, I thank the distinguished representative of the Campaign Life Coalition and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of CFAM Inc. CFAM Inc. [1:57:24]: Thank you, Madam Chair. There can be no true justice unless it extends to all people, men and women, boys and girls, throughout their entire lives, including both before and after birth. That abortion is not a subject of human rights law is the long-standing UN consensus reached at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development. The legal status of abortion is solely for individual countries to determine. It is not the place of the UN agencies or the experts tasked with ensuring that consensually agreed and duly ratified human rights treaties are implemented to create new rights. International human rights law requires that women are able to enjoy all their human rights, including the right to effective remedies on a basis of equality with men. This— they must not be excluded from justice on the basis of their sex, nor does their sex entitle them to rights not shared by men. Most countries impose some limits or criminal penalties on the practice of abortion, and this applies to any person who provides an abortion regardless of their sex. Women's access to justice cannot be seen as dependent on their right to take the lives of their unborn children with impunity. This is a blatant and intentional misreading of binding international law. As the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states, every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life. The unborn child is a human being. This is not merely a legal determination. It is a matter of basic biology. Abortion denies the child in the womb the right to life, which is the foundation upon which all rights rest, including the right to effective remedies. Finally, the United Nations exists to be a place where debates can occur on important issues across differences. Issues of gender and sexuality remain areas of intense contestation among both governments and members of civil society. It is therefore problematic for UN officials to characterize one side in a political debate as a backlash or pushback for contesting proposals that have never earned approval by consensus. The governments of the world have negotiated, debated, and agreed to a lengthy list of goals that remain unfinished, such as ending preventable maternal and child mortality, and ensuring access to food, peace, justice, and security for all. If we are to speak of progress, then let us measure it by fulfilling what has already been promised, not by trying to force through what has not and will not be agreed. Thank you. Chair [1:59:52]: We thank the distinguished representative of CFAM-INC and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Christian Council International. Christian Council International [2:00:05]: Thank you, Chair, for this opportunity to speak. I deliver this statement on behalf of Christian Council International. While many organizations and member states regard the outcome document as a positive step for the advancement of women and girls, we wish to express our concern regarding the process that led to its adoption. From the start of negotiations on the agreed conclusions, civil society organizations could not participate in a meaningful way. Instead of conducting the primary negotiations during the session itself, the Commission was presented with a finalized text on the first day of the session for consideration. Transparency, accountability, and constructive involvement by civil society organizations in the drafting of the text were disregarded, to say the least. Noteworthy in this regard is also the fact that member states were affected by this method of work, as the latest draft of the text was circulated less than 24 hours prior to its adoption. This was also on a day many Christians consider a day of rest and sanctification. This limited their ability to review, consult, and contribute in good faith. As a young person who is interested in the processes and procedures United Nations, I find these actions deeply troubling. The spirit in which these actions were carried out conveyed not openness, but a willingness to silence member states and the values they represent. The adopted text calls upon member states to engage with civil society to ensure equity and transparency. Yet the working methods of this session stand in clear tension with that commitment. Article 71 of the Charter of the United Nations recognizes the consultative role of the non-governmental organizations in the work of the United Nations, and Resolution 1996-6 emphasizes broad-based participation, information sharing, and meaningful NGOs engagement. Action-oriented conclusions arise from dialogue, panel discussions, and the participation of NGOs, not from from closed processes. By avoiding critical reflection and disregarding numerous calls by CSOs in several member states, the Commission has weakened its credibility. The failure to reach consensus on the outcome document suggests that many distinguished members of the Commission are reluctant to critically examine current trends concerning women's rights. For example, there has been a failure to acknowledge the biological realities that define a woman. A disregard for the family unit and the invaluable role that millions of mothers play in the upbringing of their children, and a tendency to promote reproductive rights in a way that violate the human dignity of the unborn child. Chair [2:03:06]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Christian Council International and now give the floor to the distinguished Concepts of Truth Inc. [2:03:17]: Thank you, Excellencies, distinguished guests. Concepts of Truth provides counseling for women and girls in sexual and maternal health. Based on our experience with thousands of clients and an ever-increasing amount of scientific research, we take issue with what the UN calls sexual and reproductive healthcare Namely abortion. When it comes to abortion, women simply don't make informed decisions. They don't make informed decisions because the truth is globally suppressed. A lot about abortion harms is not widely known, and I'm referring today to what the UN calls legal and safe abortions. Women aren't told how much abortion hurts them. Because reporting is mostly not required. In the U.S., only 27 states even report abortion complications. For chemical abortions, the only complication that U.S. providers are required to report is death. Most women don't die from abortion, but they do suffer many other harms. Outside the U.S., harms from abortion are greatly underreported. In many European countries, for example, there's no legal requirement for a private clinic to report surgical complications unless the patient dies. Again, many women suffer terrible harms short of death. We have the science about these harms. It's just not provided to the women and girls who need it most. Thousands of peer-reviewed studies show that women who abort have Significant increased risk of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, suicide, and other harms. Nearly every day, our international crisis helpline gets calls from these post-abortive women, which confirms these harms. Women and girls also aren't told about the harms of gender-affirming care. There's no evidence that gender-affirming treatments provide any health benefits to minors with gender dysphoria. There's no evidence they curtail suicide. Actually, these treatments harm youth, mostly girls. They cause infertility, sexual dysfunction, psychiatric disorders, and many more harms— harms that are often irreversible. Most youth receive these treatments after little or no psychological counseling and often without knowledge of their parents. Education programs and policies that encourage youth to change their biological sex are harmful and dangerous. That's why some countries have banned gender-affirming care treatments for youth altogether. If member states and UN agencies really want to protect women and girls, they must provide them with the truth they're entitled to so they can get the justice they deserve. Thank you. Chair [2:06:10]: We thank the distinguished representative of the Concepts of Truth Inc. And now the the floor to the distinguished representative of the Congregations of Saint Joseph. You have the floor. Congregation of Saint Joseph · NGO Mining Working Group [2:06:31]: The statement is delivered on behalf of the NGO Mining Working Group. The rapid exploitation of natural resources has devastated the environment and adversely impacted human rights, especially those of women and girls. We see similar issues repeated globally in areas affected by extractives. Women must walk longer distances to access clean water, contend with dust-covered crops, and risk subjection to gender-based violence. Land dispossession, forced eviction, and forced labor undermine women's capacity to provide for themselves and their families. Women environmental and human rights defenders confronting mining activity face retaliation, intimidation, sexual harassment, and even rape and death. Indeed, the rapacious extraction of natural resources throughout colonial history has long violated human rights, the right to self-determination, and the rule of law. For example, the ICJ's 2024 advisory opinion on the illegality of Israel's occupation underscored Israel's unlawful appropriation of natural resources. States have taken no substantive action in regard to their obligations as outlined in the opinion and subsequent General Assembly resolution. Instead, the genocide and ethnic cleansing continue. A precedent of impunity is an unacceptable norm. We see this lack of accountability also in regard to heightened sexual and gender-based violence in extractive communities. The presence of non-local miners and security forces is linked with frequent experiences of sexual violence among women and girls living nearby, a common experience in the Amazon region of Brazil. Standing with women and girls affected by extractivism everywhere, the NGO Mining Working Group calls on States to ensure the regulation of businesses, including by instituting mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence and related measures that hold corporations to account. States should further promote women and Indigenous representation in decision-making processes and ensure the right to free, prior, and informed consent. They should safeguard women and girls in extractive communities by effectively addressing the differentiated risks. Chair [2:09:36]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Congregation of Saint Joseph and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Coptic Orphans Support Association. Coptic Orphans Support Association [2:09:50]: Chair, Excellencies, and distinguished delegates, on behalf of Coptic Orphans, allow me to illustrate the importance of the grassroots work that makes the efforts that we've talked about in this room possible and realizes the institutional policies that we've discussed during this forum. Imagine a girl growing up in Sharona, a small rural village along the Nile in Egypt. The nearest school is across the river, accessible only by boat. Unable to reach the school, she drops out at 11 years old like most girls in her village. She has no literacy skills. As the years pass, her dependence on others grows and her choices narrow. In her town, most girls are marriage by— married by 18. Her mother's experience echoes this path, married at 14, her first child at 15. and widowed by 26. It is this girl's inevitable fate. This girl will never hold a future job or gain financial independence. In a few years, when she meets her fate, her husband will control her finances. She doesn't know her rights, how to protect herself, or where to turn if she experiences harm. If she's ever a victim of a crime, she will not contact the police or set foot in a courtroom. She will move on quietly and avoid making eye contact with neighbors in order to escape the shame of being a victim. Now imagine that same girl encountering Coptic Orphans, an NGO ensuring that vulnerable children achieve their potential through education and one of the world's largest nonprofits operating in Egypt. Because of one intervention, this girl's trajectory changes. She's no longer thinking about her fate as a teenage wife and homemaker. Rather, she's making plans to study engineering and start a water purification project for her village. She finishes high school and earns her engineering degree. She learns not only reading and math, but also confidence, leadership, and how to recognize abuse and seek help through judicial institutions. Her mother is also involved, gaining independence and financial literacy. What began as support for the girl becomes a 2-generation intervention for a family eventually a community. Girls from her village start sharing her story and following her footsteps. This girl from Sharona is real. Her story is real. I had the pleasure of meeting her last year. She's just one of the tens of thousands of girls for whom Coptic Orphans has broken the cycle of injustice. When girls are surrounded by support through education, membership, family engagement, and community protection, they can exercise their rights and make informed decisions, access justice, participate in society, and dare to be at the forefront of decision-making processes. Coptic Orphans has conducted a valuable girl project for almost 25 years, and through this project, we have noticed that girls from various religious backgrounds have improved literacy rates by a staggering 90%. Additionally, girls and women initiated community projects benefiting nearly 800 Chair [2:12:52]: I thank the distinguished representative of Coptic Orphans Support Association and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Australian Graduate Women. Australian Graduate Women · Professor Jaya Dantas [2:13:07]: Honorable Chair, Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, and civil society delegates, my name is Professor Jaya Dantas and I am from Australia. I speak on behalf of of Australian Graduate Women, Graduate Women International, and Curtin University. Australian Graduate Women places the highest priority on higher education of girls and women in the world. We believe that access to quality education and tertiary education advocates for women's rights, equality, and empowerment. We work with women graduates across all cultures, all fields of study, all professions, and all generations to empower women and girls through lifelong education for leadership, decision-making, and most importantly, peace. We view education as the catalyst to health and well-being, as essential for empowering women, reducing poverty, supporting human rights, and maintaining peace. To ensure that the Commission on the Status of Women effectively supports and addresses national legislative mechanisms for strengthening access to justice for all women and girls by equitable legal systems. We need to strengthen institutional capacity. We need to provide technical and financial assistance, enhance policy coordination, amplify grassroots engagement in many parts of the world, and secure sustainable funding. In 2026, Australia is centering its effort on balancing the scales of justice for women and girls through significant legislative reforms, increased funding, and increased advocacy. All of these initiatives target the persistent structural barriers against gender-based violence, financial stress, systemic inequality that prevents women from exercising their legal and regal rights. We have a National Access to Justice Partnership, a National Women's Justice Strategy, Family Law Act reforms, and specialist women's legal centers. Along with this, we have eliminated several discriminatory laws and practices. But global leadership and advocacy is needed to strengthen global norms and advance women's economic empowerment and leadership to address the structural barriers of violence and discrimination by implementing and enforcing laws to prevent gender-based violence. We can strengthen monitor and review and data collection appraisal and encourage real-time data monitoring through digital platforms to ensure transparency. we need collective action and continued advocacy. There's a powerful truth in achieving gender equality. Chair [2:16:07]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Australian Graduate Women and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of COC Netherlands. COC Netherlands · LBTI Caucus · Nadia Swanson [2:16:19]: Hello, my name is Nadia Swanson. My pronouns are they/them. I'm from the United States. And giving this intervention on behalf of the LBTI Caucus, a coalition of more than 200 organizations around the world. Across every region, lesbian, bisexual, transgender women, girls, gender nonconforming, and intersex people are facing escalating violence, discrimination, and systemic exclusion, including from accessing justice. These harms are the result of coordinated political attacks, discriminatory laws, and institutions that deny our communities access to justice, healthcare, housing, and safety. All leading medical and mental health organizations affirm how gender-affirming care is not only just safe, but prevents suicide, increases overall health outcomes, and all qualities of life. For many of the young people I work with globally, homelessness is not accidental. It is the predictable outcome of oppressive laws, family rejection, discrimination in schools, and the denial of gender-affirming care. Trans youth and young adults are often pushed into systems that criminalize their survival rather than protect their dignity and are left to fight for safe resources and support that are wildly underfunded and often far from home. These harms are not experienced equally. Black and brown and Indigenous trans women and girls face some of the highest levels of violence, poverty, and criminalization globally, shaped by the intersecting forces of racism, sexism, and transphobia. Transgender migrants and refugees face additional layers of risk, forced to flee persecution only to encounter detention, homelessness, and barriers to justice, healthcare, and legal recognition in the countries where they seek safety. And today we must speak clearly about what is happening in the United States. Experts have warned that the escalating targeted attacks of dehumanization, criminalization, and erasure targeting transgender people in the U.S. Reflects the early to middle stages of a genocidal process. These policies are not only about restricting rights, they aim to remove transgender people from public life entirely. Trans people in the US are being used as scapegoats to further authoritarian power and putting all people at risk of violence. When governments normalize anti-trans policies, those narratives travel across borders. We are already seeing the ripple effects: increased violence, emboldened anti-rights movements, and new laws targeting trans and intersex people globally. We all carry a responsibility to act now. But trans communities are not only thriving, we are building solutions. We know what works: safe and affordable housing, access to gender-affirming care, legal recognition, protection from violence, and meaningful inclusion decision-making. So today we call on the United Nations and member states to act, to reject any hostile amendments or proposals that would weaken the current text on gender equality commitments. Doing so would threaten the legitimacy of consensus-based agreements in future CSWs and other UN processes. States must ensure that commitments to gender equality apply to all women and girls, including— Chair [2:19:19]: I thank the distinguished representative of COC Netherlands and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Forum Mediterranea pour la Promotion des Droits du Citoyen. Forum Mediterranea pour la Promotion des Droits du Citoyen [2:19:37]: Thank you, Madam Chair, ladies and gentlemen. As a defender of human rights and of civil society, our organization is committed to defending human rights and dignity and defending women that have been exposed to sexual violence following wars in particular. We are particularly concerned about thousands of women having been sexually exploited during wars and subject to sexual violence, which for them has caused a lot of physical and psychological damage that's lasting. Their suffering has never been recognized. Their rights to reparations have not been recognized either for these comfort women. And we suggest that that this issue of comfort women be recognized by UNESCO so that this tragedy will not be repeated. We must respect women's rights throughout the world. According to international criteria, human rights criteria, we reaffirm the following principles: the right to information, for example, Historic reality must be recognized and maintained and passed on to future generations, so that the importance of what happened to them is not diminished. And judicial authorities must prosecute those that commit these kinds of sexual crimes according to international law. They must also guarantee these. Survivors and their families significant reparations, including material reparations to enable them to recover their dignity and to ensure that they won't suffer from these kinds of crimes again. The survivors must live in dignity and be given health and psychological support and legal support in order to enable them to deal with the stigma. They also have the right to prevention. We need to strengthen human rights activities as well as ensure gender equality and punish and prevent sexual violence during conflicts. We would call upon the international community and all governments and educational institutions as well as the civil society to assume their historic responsibility towards this group and their survivors. Chair [2:22:42]: And now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Foundation for Studies and Research on Women. Foundation for Studies and Research on Women [2:22:51]: I'm going to speak in Spanish. Gracias, señora presidenta. Thank you, Madam Chair. I've come here to speak on the Institute for the Study of Women and also NGOs for CSW and a lot of networks present here. For us in Latin America and the Caribbean, access to justice that began to be developed was lost. With the pandemic, and unfortunately, it didn't come back. Now, there are several reasons for this, but some of the reasons are linked to the lack of forward thinking in general in our legal systems when it comes to gender issues, and also because there's not very much interest in this, and that's the case in my country, Argentina, that has rejected and denied everything that has to do with women's rights because apparently we're equal. But as everybody knows, that's not the case. And in our region, unfortunately, what we're seeing is high levels of femicide. The worst form of violence suffered by women. And to that, we must add that we are champions in persecuting and murdering human rights defenders, and that's another one of the problems that affect us and where we haven't been able to overcome this. Violence continues to be something that affects us, particularly affecting girls. And that's bad enough, but what's worse is the impunity. We don't have security or the ability to apply a given method to contain obstetric violence and that's why we really are suffering now serious problems. The excuse that a lot of our countries give us is that they don't have enough money. That's just an excuse. The real thing is that there's been no political decision taken in order to improve access to justice for all kinds of violence. And in conclusion, let me say that in our region and in the world, I'd say, what we need is for there to be recognition of women's and girls' rights in all their diversity. Gender for us is a principle that was ratified in Beijing and we must— Chair [2:25:51]: the microphone has been cut off. Thank you very much. of the Foundation for Studies and Research on Women. Muchas gracias. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Network. Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Network [2:26:15]: A greeting from women from Latin America and the Caribbean. We demand a life free of violence. For women and for girls. This Commission has recognized that progress to bring about gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls to ensure they have full enjoyment of their rights, all of that has been put on hold. We do recognize that progress has been made, but there's a lot of backtracking that is standing in the way of us being autonomous and having a life free of violence because of of all these barriers that we see in access to justice, femicide, hate crimes, violence against political women figures, judges, human rights defenders. All of that sort of thing should stop right away. We need— we also have historical violence, child marriage, FGM, vicarious violence, obstetric violence, and today we are seeing digital violence as well in all forms and manifestations. And we don't see the law punishing this in very many countries. 80 years after the creation of the United Nations and 70 years following the creation of this Commission, we have to say that a lot of women are still seeing their most fundamental human rights being violated. This is why for all of this we're asking governments recognize the central nature of the right to development for women and girls, that equality must be assured by the implementation of international and national agreements already agreed to. We need to ensure the economic empowerment of women, guarantee their universal access to health and sexual and reproductive healthcare rights in accordance with the Program of Action on Population and Development and also the Beijing Platform of Action, which includes access to modern methods of contraception, information, comprehensive sexual education based on scientific evidence, and the inclusion of reproductive health in national strategies and programs recognizing that human rights include the right to have control over one's own sexuality and reproduction, which recognizes the importance of contributions that women's organizations can make. Our participation is not a privilege, it's a necessity in democracies, and to guarantee our funding is the duty of states. The debt of governments to the world and to women today is enormous to overcome the historic restructural disadvantages. We need political commitment that will reverse this trend and help to significantly increase the pace of progress. History is calling upon our governments to make up for lost time. Thank you very much. Chair [2:29:17]: Of the Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Network. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Imam Ali's Popular Students Relief Society. Imam Ali's Popular Students Relief Society [2:29:31]: Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, thank you for opportunity. The theme of this year's CSW includes words like justice. As a woman and a social activist exiled from Iran's civil society, the only experience of justice I remember is how contrary to human rights brutality and crime against humanity are justly distributed by the Islamic Republic. We witness how the imprisonment of the innocent and the passing of death sentence and long-term prison terms— no distinction is made between women and men. For years, the women of Iran have been imprisoned, tortured, and killed for fighting for their rights, and mothers of justice have been locked up for seeking the bloods of their children. Today is no longer the time for us to merely point to the horrifying statistics of honor killing, child marriage, anti-woman and discriminatory laws, and the exponential rise of female poverty in Iran. This regime has stripped its people of the most fundamental right, the right of life, and with the horrific and ruthless massacre in January 2026, It has shifted the boundaries of brutality and crime not only in our country but across the global in recent decades. Unfortunately, some women's rights and human rights defenders in the international community have displayed double standards by closing their eyes to the massive crime, leaving the suffering people of Iran alone, with their executioners. In the midst of this, the shadow of war was the only thing missing, and now it's arrived. It is clear that we as civil society activists and believers in human rights always stand in opposition to any war which is in serious conflict with civilians' rights. Thank you. citizen agency and the realization of democracy, human rights, and women's rights. But when we want to stand firmly on this position and say that no country reaches peace through war, in the silence of my country's internet, we hear the leaking voice of my comp— Please. compatriots with Christ. Chair [2:32:33]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Imam Ali's Popular Students Relief Society and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists. International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists [2:32:51]: Madam Chair, distinguished delegates, the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists was founded in 1968 by leading jurists of the 20th century with a clear mission: to mobilize the legal community in defense of human rights, the rule of law, and justice in international affairs. Today we work globally in courts, international institutions, and civil society to confront some of the most pressing legal challenges of our time, one of which is a persistent cycle of impunity surrounding the grave human— surrounding grave human rights violations, including conflict-related sexual violence. Sexual violence is tragically not new. For centuries, it has been used as instruments of warfare, often aimed at humiliating individuals and destroying communities. Yet today, recognition increases that such crimes are not incidental acts of brutality, but are frequently systematic tools of terror and control. As a Jewish legal organization, our engagement with this issue is also shaped by a deeper legal and historical perspective. Jewish legal tradition places extraordinary emphasis on the inherent dignity of every human being, or kavod ha-briyot, reflecting the same fundamental idea embedded in modern international humanitarian law that the right of belligerents to harm the enemy is not unlimited. Jewish history teaches another important lesson: silence and denial cannot— can be as dangerous as the crimes themselves. Too often atrocities are followed not only by silence but by reluctance to acknowledge uncomfortable facts. Credible evidence of sexual violence committed during the Hamas-led attacks of October 7th was, in some quarters, met with hesitation, doubt, or prolonged silence, including from organizations whose mandate is to defend women's rights. Victims are silenced a second time when CRSV is filtered through political considerations. Such double standards do not only harm the victims, they weaken the credibility of the global struggle against CRSV, Which, to effectively combat, this principle must be clear: sexual violence must be condemned, investigated, and prosecuted regardless of the identity of the perpetrators or victims. CRSV is not confronted to one conflict or region but is a global human rights challenge. While this discussion takes place within the CSW framework, this is not only a women's issue. Men and boys are also victims. Ultimately, this is about protecting the dignity of every human being. Breaking this cycle requires stronger international and domestic legal tools. It also requires cooperation between states, international institutions, and civil society. Thank you. Chair [2:35:26]: I thank the distinguished representative of the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Disability Alliance. International Disability Alliance [2:35:39]: Thank you, Madam Chair. Excellencies, distinguished delegates and colleagues, I am pleased to address the Commission on behalf of the International Disability Alliance, representing more than 1,100 organizations of persons with disabilities around the world, here to discuss an issue that is central to the realization of gender equality: the meaningful and effective participation of women with disabilities. Participation is not a symbolic gesture. It is a right and a necessary condition for building inclusive societies, enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Yet for many women with disabilities, participation remains limited by barriers that persist in our institutions, in our policies, and in our attitudes. When we talk about inclusive decision-making, making, we must recognize the key enablers that make participation possible. Accessibility in all its forms is essential. Accessibility is not just limited to physical space, to physical access. It also means accessible information and communication and inclusive meeting formats to ensure that women with disabilities can engage equally in decisions discussions and decision-making processes. Non-discrimination must be guaranteed. Women with disabilities experience multiple intersecting forms of discrimination that continue to limit our voices in political, social, and economic spaces. Colleagues, meaningful participation is not only about being present here in this room. It is about being heard It is about being respected and being recognized as equal partners in shaping the policies that affect our lives as women with disabilities. In that regard, the participation of women with disabilities in high-level spaces such as CSW is really essential, necessary, and critical. It is also particularly relevant to this year's priority theme on access to justice. Too often, women with disabilities are perceived Only as mere recipients of protection. However, women with disabilities are also leaders and experts who are ready to contribute to inclusive justice systems. When women with disabilities participate fully and effectively, our institutions become more inclusive, our justice systems become more responsive, and our societies become stronger for everyone. We are here at the Commission to raise our voice for access to justice for women in all their diversity. And as we have said throughout this Commission, justice that is inaccessible is justice that is denied. Thank you so much. Chair [2:38:33]: I thank the distinguished representative of the International Disability Alliance and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women. International Federation of Business and Professional Women [2:38:51]: Is this on? Hello? Is this on? Chair [2:38:55]: Yes. Yeah, please go ahead. You have the floor. International Federation of Business and Professional Women · Vice President of Membership · Francesca Burak [2:38:59]: Is it on? Okay. I'm Francesca Burak, Vice President of Membership for the International Federation of Business and Professional Women, and I'm here on behalf of our Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, the International Federation of Business and Professional Women, founded in 1930 by Dr. Lena Madison Phillips, is a global network present in over 100 countries dedicated to advancing women's leadership, economic independence, and equal participation in public and economic life. For nearly a century, IFBPW has worked with the United Nations to promote women's rights and leadership, guided by a simple conviction: justice for women is essential for sustainable development and lasting peace. Yet many women still face justice systems that are costly, complex, and insufficiently responsive. Legal discrimination, gender-based violence, including online forms, and the persistent underrepresentation of women in decision-making lead to inequality and a lack of faith in institutions. BPW International believes accessible justice and women's leadership are inseparable. In this context, IFBPW calls on all member states to take 3 essential actions. 1, eliminate discriminatory laws and barriers that create limitations on women's economic and legal autonomy. 2, invest in accessible, survivor-centered justice systems that reach rural women and marginalized women. Third, ensure women's equal representation in justice institutions and decision-making bodies. IFBPW also reaffirms its commitment to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, Women, Peace and Security, recognizing that women's participation in peace and governance is essential for lasting peace. After 100 years of global action, IFBPW remains steadfast in our mission to empower women economically, strengthen leadership, and help build a world where justice, equality, and peace advance together. Thank you. Chair [2:41:45]: I thank the distinguished representative of the International Federation of Business and and Professional Women, BPW, and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Federation of Medical Students Associations. International Federation of Medical Students Associations · Darin Khiyari [2:42:09]: Distinguished Chair, Excellencies, and colleagues, my name is Darin Khiyari. And I have the honor of speaking on behalf of the International Federation of Medical Students Associations, representing over 1.5 million medical, medical students from over 130 countries. Globally, nearly 1 in 3 women experience violence in their lifetime. However, many survivors do not report, not because it doesn't matter, but because of stigma, fear of retaliation, and mistrust in institutions. When justice is out of reach, survivors are left behind, and cycles of harm continue across generations. As medical students, we witness firsthand how gender inequality directly impacts women's health, bodily autonomy, and safety. Health systems often become the first point of contact for survivors, but with clear, safe pathways to legal and social support, many women fall through the cracks. This is why integrated survivor-centered systems are essential. At the same time, access to justice cannot be separated from women's participation in public life and decision-making. Despite progress, women still hold only about 27% of parliamentary seats, and their representation in leadership positions is even lower. This underrepresentation matters because when women are excluded from policymaking spaces, the laws and the very systems that are meant to protect them fail to reflect their lived realities. Young people are already driving change. Medical students, for example, are working in their communities to respond to gender-based violence, advocate for equitable health systems, and support the rights and well-being of women and girls. However, these efforts are often limited by a lack of access and decision-making spaces. Youth participation must move beyond consultation toward actual partnership. Therefore, the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations calls on member states to ensure legal frameworks are effectively implemented to protect women and girls from violence and discrimination, invest in accessible gender-responsive justice and health systems that provide comprehensive survival-centered care, ensure the meaningful participation of women and young people in decision-making at all levels, And finally, support civil society and youth-led organizations in advancing gender equity and human rights. Excellencies, medical students stand for health systems that are fair and for a world where every woman and girl can access justice, have a choice, and live free from violence. We can only achieve this with real commitment, accountability, and the political will to turn promises into change. I thank you. Thank you. Chair [2:44:54]: I thank the distinguished representative of the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Trade Union Confederation. ITUC [2:45:10]: Thank you, Chair. I speak on behalf of the International Trade Union Confederations, which represent around 200 million workers all over the world. Global trade union movement welcomes the inclusion of decent work agenda in the agreed conclusion of CSW 70. This achievement stands in stark contrast to how the negotiations began, as in the draft document there was no mention at all to access to justice for women in the world of work. Key victories in the CSW agreed conclusions include, first, right to work and rights at work. The text recommends fulfilling the obligations arising from relevant conventions of the International Labour Organization Addressing violence and harassment in the workplace, and tackling the gender pay gap. It also includes enforcing labour rights, including the rights to organize and collective bargaining, the transition from informal to formal and decent work, and right to redress and justice for victims of labour rights violations. Secondly, care economy. UN Member States commit to invest in the care economy, and strengthen care and support systems by recognizing, reducing, and redistributing women's disproportionate share of unpaid care and domestic work. Thirdly, trade unions are recognized as key promoters of access to justice for women. The ITUC and its affiliates will continue to hold governments to account to ensure these commitments are implemented and lead to tangible improvements in access to justice for women. At the same time, we deplore the circumstances that led to the first-ever vote on CSW-agreed conclusions. We encourage Member States to continue to resist any efforts to revisit, rewrite, or remove language that has been agreed in the 3 decades following Beijing. In this sense, as trade unions, we call on member states to vote no on the US resolution that will be tabled on the 19th of March. CSW is where the world raises the bar on gender equality and not lowers it. Given the backlash against women's rights, human rights, and democracy across the globe, backlash that the trade union movement feels deeply, we call on the CSW to hold the line and continue to push forward. We need you. Thank you. Chair [2:47:44]: I thank the distinguished representative of the International Trade Union Confederation and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of IRIS Sustainable Development. IRIS Sustainable Development [2:47:57]: Thank you, Madam Chair. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, as we advance the commitments of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, The rapid digitalization of legal systems raises a critical question: will artificial intelligence expand women's access to justice or entrench existing inequalities behind a veil of technological neutrality? AI is already shaping justice systems worldwide, from case management and legal research to risk assessment and decision support tools. When governed responsibly, AI can expand access to legal information, especially for women and girls facing geographic, financial, or social barriers. However, the risks are profound. AI systems are only as fair as the data and assumptions that shape them. Globally, over 2 billion women live under at least one discriminatory law, and justice data often reflects these structural biases. When trained on such data, AI systems can reinforce gender stereotypes, adversely affect marginalized women, and undermine due process. Opaque algorithms and weak oversight threaten women's rights to equality before the law, privacy, and effective remedies. Without strong safeguards, AI risks becoming a new systemic barrier since technology is never neutral. Ensuring access to justice for all women and girls in the digital age requires human rights-based and gender-responsive AI governance. This includes strengthening AI literacy across the legal sector while also empowering women as rights holders through accessible legal information and transparency whenever AI tools are used in legal decisions. In this context, concrete accountability mechanisms are critical. Commitments must be supported by gender and human rights impact assessments, transparency and explainability requirements, disaggregated data to detect bias, and enforceable remedies to challenge both human and automated decisions. To deliver on these commitments, we call on member states to establish and strengthen human rights-based governance for, for AI in justice systems, ensuring transparency, oversight, and safeguards against gender bias. Excellencies, access to justice is not defined by innovation alone. It depends on trust, accountability, and fairness. AI must dismantle discrimination, not encode it into digital systems. The choices we make today will determine whether AI narrows or deepens gender inequality. Ensuring justice for all women and girls in the age of AI is therefore not only a responsibility, it is a defining test of our collective commitment to gender equality. I thank you. Chair [2:50:24]: I thank the distinguished representative of Iris Sustainable Development and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Justicia Global. Justicia Global [2:50:35]: Thank you, Madam Chair, distinguished delegates, and fellow civil society members. I address you today to raise urgent concerns about 2 issues: the torture and sexual abuse of Palestinian women in Israeli captivity and the total absence of justice for survivors. The prohibition of torture under the United Nations Convention Against Torture is absolute, yet myriad credible testimonies from Palestinian women detail pervasive acts of torture in Israeli prisons. These widespread, systematic, and brutal abuses constitute a de facto state policy and form part of the actus reus of genocide. As detailed by the UN Committee Against Torture in its November 2025 review of Israel. The following draws on hundreds of hours of digital evidence, testimonies, and reporting, as well as the experiences of 2 of my colleagues in Israeli prisons. In detention facilities including Stei Tayman detention camp, Hasharon Prison, and Ofer Prison, women reported filmed gang rapes, objects being inserted into their bodies, degrading and violent strip searches, beatings, and threats of blackmail using compromising photographs taken by guards. In Kitsiot Prison, 2 members of our team were detained, stripped naked, beaten, and threatened with death, while those detained with them were sexually assaulted. Despite the well-documented nature of these egregious violations, torture has been carried out with alarming impunity. According to documentation cited by the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, of approximately 1,400 complaints of torture filed with the Israeli Ministry of Justice over the past 2 decades, zero indictments have been issued against alleged perpetrators. Only 3 cases resulted in a formal criminal investigation. Israel has also prevented independent monitoring, denying the International Committee of the Red Cross access to Palestinian detainees, in prisons and military detention. What is happening in Israel is clear: gender-based violence shielded by entrenched impunity. In the context of Israel's prolonged occupation and destruction of civic and civil society institutions in Palestine, Palestinian women have little to no access to justice for these abuses. We urge this Commission to take decisive action. to condemn the continued use of torture, to demand independent investigations, to ensure access for international monitors, to establish gender-sensitive safeguards, and to guarantee reparations from and accountability for all perpetrators. Thank you. Chair [2:53:20]: I thank the distinguished representative of Justicia Global and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Men Engaged Global Alliance. MenEngage Global Alliance · Prita [2:53:32]: Good evening, Madam Chair and distinguished guests. My name is Prita and I work with Breakthrough, which is a civil society organization based in India working to shift and address harmful gender norms. I represent MenEngage Global Alliance here in this forum as I deliver the oral statement. The current reality is stark. For 5.1 billion people, two-thirds of the world's population, meaningful justice is still out of reach, mostly women, girls, LGBTIQ people, and other marginalized communities. Across conflict zones, the bodies of women are not only collateral but battlegrounds. MenEngage Alliance, together with the members globally, have worked to advance gender equality by transforming the stereotypes around manhood and working with men and boys as agents of change to dismantle power inequalities. Without meaningful and accountable engagement of men and boys, it will be difficult to dismantle systemic injustices and ensure justice for all. We believe that justice cannot be realized while discriminatory norms and structures remain intact. It cannot flourish in systems designed without the voices and lived realities of those most affected by inequalities. Transforming justice systems requires those in positions of power to acknowledge institutional biases, reform discriminatory laws, and transform institutions from the inside out. At CSW 70, we urgently call on all member states to eliminate discriminatory laws and policies that restrict the fundamental rights and freedoms of all women, girls, LGBTIQ+ people, and marginalized communities. Without this commitment, gender equality remains a promise, not a reality. We also call on Member States to create opportunities and spaces for men in positions of power, like policymakers, judges, law enforcement, faith and traditional leaders, to critically reflect on their power and privilege and use them to advance women's leadership and strengthen gender-responsive justice systems. Finally, we emphasize the need for meaningful and active engagement of men and boys in dismantling patriarchal masculinities and advancing justice for all. This requires political will, resources, and courage. We urge member states to act with boldness and urgency. Justice delayed is justice denied. Thank you. Chair [2:56:10]: I thank the distinguished representative of MenEngage Global Alliance. We have just heard the last speaker in the general discussion for this meeting. The general discussion will resume tomorrow, Wednesday, 18 March, following the adjournment of the closed meeting to consider the report of the Working Group on Communications, which will start at 10 AM in this conference room. Information on the session, including the live list of speakers, is now accessible on the iGov The meeting is adjourned. Thank you.