Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice at CSW70
March 6, 2026— The 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) will bring together governments, civil society, and advocates from around the world to advance gender equality and strengthen access to justice.
Throughout the CSW70 period in New York, Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice will contribute to a number of discussions addressing gender justice in international law. These events explore issues including women’s participation in the judiciary, survivor-informed responses to conflict-related sexual violence, the protection of women human rights defenders, and ongoing efforts to develop a Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity.
Our participation reflects our mission to advance survivor-informed gender justice in international criminal law and to strengthen collaboration among advocates, practitioners, and policymakers working toward more inclusive and responsive justice systems.
Below is a selection of events taking place during CSW70 where our team and partners will contribute to ongoing discussions on gender justice and accountability.
Women’s Equal Right to Participate in the Judiciary and Women’s Access to Justice: More Women, More Access
A discussion exploring the connection between women’s equal participation in the judiciary and access to justice for women and girls, and the partnerships needed to advance both.
Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice Board Member Akila Radhakrishnan will deliver an intervention.
📅 10 March 2026
🕒 18:15 – 19:30
📍 Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, 425 Lexington Avenue, New York & Online
Organisers: Working Group in Gender Parity for the International Court of Justice, International Association of Women Judges, International Law Association
Supporters: UN Women UK, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations, Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations
Online participation:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ItwHHDXFRUqYBUeV_8LpOw#/registration
NGO CSW70 Briefing on the Crimes Against Humanity Convention
A panel bringing together experts and advocates to discuss the importance of a future Crimes Against Humanity Convention and how feminist advocacy has shaped developments in international criminal law.
Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice Board Member Akila Radhakrishnan will deliver an intervention.
📅 12 March 2026
🕒 8:30 – 10:00 EST
📍 Church Center for the United Nations, 2nd Floor, New York
Town Hall: Feminist Mobilization to Ensure Gender Justice in the Crimes Against Humanity Convention
This town hall will bring together feminist advocates, movement leaders, and legal experts to discuss how the proposed Crimes Against Humanity Convention can embed gender-sensitive, intersectional, and survivor-centred approaches.
Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice Legal and Advocacy Officer Juliana Laguna-Trujillo will speak during the discussion, and Akila Radhakrishnan will moderate the session.
📅 13 March 2026
🕒 10:00 – 12:00 EST
📍 Cardozo School of Law, 55 Fifth Avenue, New York
Civil Society Workshop on the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty: Advancing Gender Justice
A civil society workshop examining the proposed Crimes Against Humanity Convention and opportunities to advance gender-competent approaches within international criminal law.
📅 12 March 2026
🕒 14:30 – 16:00 EST
📍 Church Center for the United Nations, New York
Organised by: Global Justice Center, Columbia Law School Human Rights Institute, Asia Justice Coalition, Amnesty International, End Gender Apartheid, Strategic Litigation Project (WILIG), Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice, Washington University School of Law
Registration:
bit.ly/CAHtreatyatCSW
Access to Justice for Women Human Rights Defenders
A cross-regional discussion examining structural barriers women human rights defenders face in accessing justice and the role of collective advocacy and protection strategies.
📅 10 March
🕒 16:30 – 18:00 EST
📍 Church Center for the United Nations, 11th Floor
Organised by: Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRD-IC), International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Amnesty International, IM-Defensoras, WHRD MENA, Women’s International Peace Center, International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
Access to Justice: Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Voice their Demands
A discussion centred on survivor perspectives on justice and accountability for conflict-related sexual violence.
📅 10 March 2026
🕒 18:30 – 20:00 EST
📍 Church Center for the United Nations, 10th Floor
Organised by: Dr Denis Mukwege Foundation, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), SEMA Ukraine
Registration:
https://lnkd.in/eDpZAyxd
Advancing a Just Peace: Justice as Its Integral Element and Women’s Participation in Peacebuilding
An expert discussion examining the role of justice and accountability in shaping a just and sustainable peace, with a focus on women’s participation in peacebuilding processes.
📅 12 March 2026
🕒 13:15 – 14:45 EST
📍 Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations
Registration:
https://forms.gle/ad1DX4FsdEWq6PMdA
Access to Justice for Reproductive Violence
This panel will explore documentation and accountability efforts addressing reproductive violence, including in Afghanistan, Gaza, Myanmar, and Peru.
📅 9 March
🕒 10:30 EST
📍 UN Women Headquarters
Organised by: Global Justice Center, Physicians for Human Rights, Global Survivors Fund, UN Women, WILIG
Join the discussions
CSW70 provides an important space for advocates, policymakers, and practitioners to exchange knowledge, strengthen networks, and advance gender-responsive approaches to justice.
Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice looks forward to contributing to these conversations and continuing to work with partners to promote inclusive, survivor-informed accountability within international law.