CSW70 | Access to Justice: South-South Strategies for Dismantling Discriminatory Laws and Practices Against Women
In most modern democracies, access to justice is enshrined as a fundamental human right.
However, discriminatory laws and legal systems often limit women and girls from fully realizing this right. In many places, this gap is exacerbated by persistent structural, systemic, and cultural inequalities that further impede women and girls from exercising their rights.
Even when there are progressive laws on the books, weak implementation and entrenched discrimination keep them from being fairly applied, to the detriment of generations of women and girls. As of 2024, according to a World Bank Group report, women still enjoy less than two-thirds of the legal rights that men do.
This event will provide a space to share cross-regional strategies for reforming discriminatory laws and policies to ensure that women and girls have full access to justice.
Through an opening panel discussion, followed by a fireside chat, we will explore how discriminatory laws and practices, such as legacies of colonial legal systems, patriarchal norms, and structural discrimination, present barriers to access to justice for women and girls. Expert speakers will highlight innovative, movement-based approaches to reforming some of these laws and offer high-level insights into best practices and effective strategies, with opportunities for attendees to contribute their experiences and perspectives to the conversation.
A reception will follow.
This event is co-hosted in partnership with UN Women, the Permanent Missions of Colombia and Grenada to the UN, UN Development Programme (UNDP), International Development Law Organization (IDLO), Women Aid Collective (WACOL), and the University of Dayton Human Rights Center.
Access to Justice: South-South Strategies for Dismantling Discriminatory Laws and Practices Against Women
Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Carter/Evarts Room, New York City Bar Association, 42 W. 44th St., New York and virtual via Zoom
Speakers
- Senator the Hon. Gloria Ann Thomas, Minister for Social & Community Development, Housing and Gender Affairs, Parliament of Grenada
- Dr. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director, UN Women
- Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, SAN, OON, Executive Director, Women Aid Collective (WACOL); former UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children
- Dr. Satang Nabaneh, Director of Programs, University of Dayton Human Rights Center, and Member, African Committee of Experts on the Rights & Welfare of the Child
- Rea Abada Chiongson, Chief, Women and the Law, IDLO
- Maïssa Hubert Chakour, Deputy Executive Director, EQUIS Justicia para las Mujeres
- Revai Makanje Aalbaek, Global Lead & Senior Advisor – Rule of Law, Justice and Security, UN Development Programme
- Kelly Librera, Partner, Winston & Strawn
- Adaobi Egboka, Director, Africa Initiatives, Vance Center
Format: This is a hybrid event. Please note the Zoom will begin at 6:00 PM.
Language: English