NEW DELHI: Ahead of International Women’s Day, the global agency UN Women has issued a stark reminder: no country in the world has yet achieved full legal equality for women and girls. The warning highlights persistent legal gaps that continue to affect women’s rights, safety and opportunities worldwide.
The statement accompanies a report by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, which examines global access to justice for women and girls and the barriers that prevent them from enjoying equal rights under the law.
WOMEN STILL HAVE FEWER LEGAL RIGHTS THAN MEN
According to the report, women globally enjoy only about 64 percent of the legal rights available to men, revealing a significant gap in protections and opportunities. These inequalities expose women and girls to discrimination, violence and economic disadvantage throughout their lives.
Legal systems that are meant to uphold justice often fail to protect women effectively. Sima Bahous, executive director of UN Women, warned that when justice systems fail women, the consequences extend beyond individual cases. Weak legal protections can erode public trust and undermine the credibility of institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law.
MAJOR GAPS REMAIN IN LAWS PROTECTING WOMEN
The report identifies several areas where legal protections for women remain inadequate across the world.
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Rape laws: In about 54 percent of countries, rape is still not legally defined based on the absence of consent.
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Child marriage: Nearly three out of four countries still allow girls to be legally married under certain conditions.
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Equal pay: Around 44 percent of countries lack laws requiring equal pay for work of equal value.
These legal gaps contribute to persistent discrimination and limit women’s ability to seek justice or economic independence.
VIOLENCE AND DIGITAL ABUSE ON THE RISE
The agency also highlighted growing threats to women’s safety. Sexual violence in conflict zones has surged dramatically, with reported cases increasing by about 50 percent in the past two years.
At the same time, the rapid expansion of digital technologies has created new forms of abuse, including online harassment and cyber violence, which many legal systems are still struggling to address.
PROGRESS EXISTS BUT REMAINS UNEVEN
Despite these challenges, some progress has been made in recent years. Around 37 percent of countries have adopted laws against domestic violence, and more than 40 nations have strengthened constitutional protections for women and girls over the past decade.
However, experts stress that legal reforms alone are not enough. Social stigma, victim-blaming and cultural pressures often discourage women from reporting abuse or seeking justice. Practical barriers such as high legal costs, language limitations and lack of trust in institutions further restrict access to justice.
GLOBAL CALL FOR STRONGER ACTION
With International Women’s Day approaching, UN Women is urging governments to strengthen laws, enforce existing protections and address systemic barriers that prevent women from exercising their rights.
The issue is also expected to be a central topic at the upcoming 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the UN’s highest-level global forum focused on gender equality and women’s rights. UN Women emphasized that achieving equality requires more than symbolic commitments. Governments, institutions and societies must work together to ensure women and girls can live safely, participate freely and enjoy the same legal rights as men.
