CSW68 | IDLO at the Commission on the Status of Women

IDLO to call for urgent action and investment to reduce the justice gap for women and girls at the 68th Commission on the Status of Women

Evidence shows that when governments, institutions and communities invest in justice for women, it enables gender equality and women’s empowerment, leading to high returns in human development, economic growth and peace. Yet, dedicated action and investment for gender equality, including access to justice for women and girls, remains insufficient.

At the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 68), held from 11-22 March 2024 at UN Headquarters in New York, IDLO will be advocating for urgent investment and action to reduce the justice gap for women and girls.

Each year, the CSW brings together UN entities, Member States and civil society organizations from across the world to shape global standards on gender equality and women’s empowerment. This year, the Commission will focus on investment through the priority theme, ‘Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective’.

During the CSW General Discussions, IDLO Director-General Jan Beagle will deliver a statement outlining IDLO’s efforts to promote gender equality through the rule of law across its work, including in the most fragile and insecure regions of the world.

IDLO and its partners will also spearhead several official CSW side events highlighting the role the rule of law plays in accelerating gender equality, including:

‘Leading the Way: Women's Empowerment and Leadership in Customary and Informal Justice Systems’, together with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Government of the Philippines, and in collaboration with the Stand for Her Land Campaign, on 14 March, from 11:30am–12:45pm in UN Conference Room 6. Opened by IDLO’s Director-General, the event will examine the crucial role women play in customary and informal justice systems and identify strategies to enhance women's empowerment and leadership within these systems.

‘Gender Equality in Climate Action: The Role of Legal and Policy Frameworks in Delivering a Gender-Responsive Just Transition’, on 19 March from 10am–11:15am in UN Conference Room 6. Led by IDLO, with the support of the Government of the Philippines, and in partnership with the International Labour Organization, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Generation Equality Action Coalition on Feminist Action for Climate Justice, the event will include opening remarks from IDLO’s Director-General, and highlight the role of laws and policies in addressing pre-existing gender inequalities to ensure a gender-responsive just transition.

‘The Role of Women in Shaping Justice Systems: A Conversation on the Forthcoming CEDAW General Recommendation No. 40’, with the support of Global Affairs Canada and in partnership with Equality Now, the American Bar Association and the GQUAL Campaign on 21 March, from 1:15– 2:30pm in UN Conference Room 12. In support of the development of CEDAW General Recommendation 40 on the Equal and Inclusive Representation of Women in Decision-Making Systems, the event will shed light on the diverse ways in which women are shaping justice systems, the barriers they encounter and emerging pathways towards achieving women's equal and effective participation in decision-making.

Additionally, Director-General Beagle will provide keynote remarks at the side event, ‘Advancing Women in the Judiciary’ on 12 March from 1:15 – 2:40pm to commemorate International Women Judges Day. Hosted by the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the UN in New York and co-sponsored by the Governments of Indonesia, Morocco, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia as well as UN Women, the event will bring together women judges from various regions to discuss strategies and policies for enhancing women’s participation in the judiciary.

IDLO, together with UN Women, UNDP, the World Bank and Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies will also convene a global discussion on financing women’s justice needs, with a focus on national spending to prevent and respond to intimate partner violence. The virtual event, scheduled for 13 March from 10am – 11:45am will also preview the forthcoming report, Financing Women’s Justice Needs: Global Perspectives on Intimate Partner Violence, and a Case Study on Uganda.