This year, women all over the world are convening again for the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) from March 9 to 19. This UN conference brings together women’s rights advocates championing the cause of women for inclusion and equitable legal systems. International Women’s Day also falls on March 8 with the theme, “Give to Gain”. Globally, women will be celeberating the broken barriers and the shattered glass ceiling. However there are several gaps that need to be bridged in order to give women more access to legal support, equal rights and justice.

Women in cells

Joining spaces and dialogues on women inclusion and access to justice has made me appreciate the need for more focus on women’s participation in the decision-making process. More women are globally recorded to be accused of heinous crimes due to poverty and lack of proper information on their rights. Property rights and unemployment have led to more women engaging in sex work which make them end up in prison cells.

Access to funding

With more women venturing into businesses, the need for the conversation on access to funding is prevalent. The most important thing for businesses today is the right networks and cooperatives for funding. When women come together to pool resources togehter, they can gain rights to access loans and funds from investors.

Justice system

The legal system is failing women by not owning up to defending them properly in court. Rights, justice, and legal support all go hand in hand. And when the right support is put together to help women in solidarity, this will go a long way to helping them balance their care giving role for the larger family system. The discussions around rights, justice, and action for all women and girls cannot be had if the Commission on the Status of Women do not rise up to the occasion.

Legal framework

As conflicts escalate in the war regions, more women will be displcaed and there needs to be a legal framework that has spelt out policies that will support them. All parties are supposed to respect international human rights law and priotise protecting its citizen including women and girls, amongst all vulnerable groups.