As the world set to mark International Women’s Day, UN Women has issued a global alert that justice systems meant to uphold rights and the rule of law are failing women and girls.

According to a new report by the United Nations Secretary-General titled, “Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls,” women worldwide hold just 64 per cent of the legal rights of men, exposing them to discrimination, violence and exclusion throughout their lives.

The report reveals that in 54 per cent of countries, rape is still not defined based on lack of consent, meaning survivors may not see their abuse recognised as a crime. It further notes that in nearly three out of four countries, national laws still permit child marriage, while 44 per cent of countries do not mandate equal remuneration for work of equal value, leaving room for women to be legally paid less than men for the same work.

Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Bahous, warned that denying justice to women has far-reaching implications.

“When women and girls are denied justice, the damage goes far beyond any single case. Public trust erodes, institutions lose legitimacy, and the rule of law itself is weakened. A justice system that fails half the population cannot claim to uphold justice at all,” she said.

The report comes amid growing backlash against gender equality commitments globally. UN Women said violations of women’s rights are accelerating, fueled by a culture of impunity stretching from courtrooms to online platforms and conflict zones.

It noted that laws are being rewritten in some countries to restrict women’s freedoms and silence their voices, while digital violence is rising as technology outpaces regulation. The body said in conflict settings, rape continues to be deployed as a weapon of war, with reported cases of sexual violence increasing by 87 per cent in two years.

Despite the bleak outlook, the report highlighted signs of progress. It stated that 87 per cent of countries have enacted domestic violence legislation, and more than 40 countries have strengthened constitutional protections for women and girls over the past decade.

However, the UN stressed that legislation alone is insufficient. Discriminatory social norms, stigma, victim-blaming, fear and community pressure continue to silence survivors and obstruct justice, enabling even extreme crimes such as femicide to go unpunished. Barriers including cost, time, language and lack of trust in institutions further limit women’s access to justice.

Marking International Women’s Day 2026 under the theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” UN Women called for urgent and decisive action to end impunity, defend the rule of law and deliver equality in law and practice.

The 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), described as the UN’s highest-level intergovernmental body on gender equality, has been identified as a critical opportunity to reverse rollbacks in women’s rights and advance justice globally.

Bahous urged governments and stakeholders to act swiftly.

“Now is the moment to stand up, show up, and speak up for rights, for justice, and for action – so that every woman and girl can live safely, speak freely, and live equally,” she stressed.

International Women’s Day commemoration and the opening of CSW70 will hold back-to-back on March 9, 2026, at the UN General Assembly from 9:00 a.m. EST, with virtual participation also available.