“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.” — Sima Bahous, UN Women Executive Director
International Women’s Day 2026 comes at a time when justice systems are under strain. Conflict, repression, and political tensions are weakening the rule of law. Women’s rights mean nothing if we cannot defend them. This year, UN Women is marking International Women’s Day under the theme: Rights. Justice. Action.
Justice systems meant to uphold rights and the rule of law are failing women and girls everywhere. According to a recent report from the UN Secretary General, globally, women hold just two-thirds of the legal rights that men enjoy, exposing women to discrimination, violence, and exclusion at every stage of their lives. Not a single nation has achieved 100 per cent legal equality.
When we think of justice, we often picture criminal courts. But for women, injustice most often plays out in civil and administrative systems – family law, employment disputes, housing, immigration, and access to benefits. These systems decide safety, income, and autonomy, yet they are slow, costly, and often impossible to navigate without legal aid.
To learn about legal equality for women and girls, the barriers to justice, and how we can break them down, read UN Women’s call to action: What Justice Means to Women and How to Deliver It.
