UN Chief says women’s freedom depends on ending discriminatory laws – SABC News

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day on Sunday, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has stressed that the dignity, opportunity and freedom women deserve could only be achieved through fighting discriminatory laws and practices.
This year’s theme is “Rights, Justice, Action for all women and girls”. The annual Commission on the Status of Women at the UN Headquarters in New York starts on Monday, with thousands of delegations expected to descend on the Big Apple.

Globally, women hold just 64% of the legal rights enjoyed by men.
“When we are not equal under the law, we are not equal,” said @antonioguterres on Sunday’s #InternationalWomensDay.
“It is time to make justice a reality for women & girls, everywhere.” pic.twitter.com/aoak0cgTPa
— United Nations (@UN) March 8, 2026

The 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place from 9 to 19 March amid a global struggle for gender equality and the pushback that diversity, equity and inclusion has received from certain powerful countries in recent years.

Women’s rights are human rights. And investing in women and girls is one of the surest ways to make the world a better place
Yet, progress on gender equality has been slow and uneven.
It’s time to take action and deliver the equality our world so sorely needs.
Women and… pic.twitter.com/H68l3bQbFo
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 7, 2026

The priority theme for the session is billed as ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and addressing structural barriers.
South Africa’s delegation will be led by Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga.
An outcome document on agreed conclusions, currently under negotiation, will be issued at the conclusion of the commission.
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