Guterres’ Call for Women’s Justice
NEW YORK – On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning regarding the erosion of gender equality, calling for urgent global action to secure justice for women and girls. This year’s theme focuses on rights, action, and justice, highlighting a sobering reality: globally, women still hold just 64 percent of the legal rights enjoyed by men.
In a formal statement released from UN Headquarters, Guterres detailed how legal discrimination continues to stifle the lives of billions. He noted that in many nations, women are still barred from owning property, seeking a divorce, or even entering the workforce without a husband’s permission. Shockingly, the Secretary-General pointed out that marital rape remains unrecognized as a crime in more than 40 countries. Other restrictive laws continue to impede women’s access to education, their right to travel freely, and their ability to pass citizenship to their children.
Beyond ancient laws that remain on the books, Guterres highlighted a “dangerous new trend” where modern progress is being actively dismantled. He attributed this regression to rising authoritarianism, political instability, and a renewed push to entrench patriarchal systems. From workplace protections to sexual and reproductive rights, the UN chief warned that the “hard-won advances” of previous decades are now under threat of being rolled back.
As the world approaches the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, the Secretary-General urged member states to unite and deliver on the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He emphasized that simply having laws on paper is not enough; weak enforcement and systemic discrimination still prevent women from accessing courts and legal support. “When we are not equal under the law, we are not equal,” Guterres stated. “It is time to make justice a reality for women and girls, everywhere.”
