International Women’s Day 2026: Rights. Justice. Action.

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. The result – women and girls have just 64 per cent of the legal rights of men.  Women are turned away, not believed, revictimized, or priced out of legal support. Equality never arrives. 

In nearly 70 per cent of surveyed countries, women face more barriers accessing justice than men. Can't afford a lawyer? Justice denied. Legal fees, transportation, childcare, lost wages keep millions of women locked out of justice systems. Want to report an injustice? Be prepared to be ignored, disbelieved, or – worse – blamed and silenced. 

For the 676 million women and girls living within 50 km of active conflict zones, justice systems are largely absent and perpetrators act with impunity.

Read more about the fight for justice for women