Breaking Barriers: CSW70 Highlights Global Struggle for Gender Justice
- 365healthdiaries
- 1 minute ago
- 2 min read
By Hamu Madzedze
Online Health and Gender Editor-Zimbabwe
The 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) concluded with a stark revelation justice for women and girls is systematically obstructed by patriarchal, militarized, and fascist systems. Ayshka Najib, climate and gender justice advocate, pointed out the hypocrisy of western countries calling for access to justice while aiding military violence and occupation in global south countries. "Justice for women and girls is systematically obstructed by patriarchal, militarised, and fascist systems manifested through war economies, arms trade, corporate capture, and fossil fuel-based extractive models that dispossess indigenous communities," she said.
Maluseu Doris Tulifau, Samoan feminist, shared the struggles of Pacific women navigating multiple justice systems, including customary and community-based mechanisms that often prioritise reconciliation over women's safety.
"For most of the Pacific women, customary and community-based justice mechanisms remain the primary entry point for justice.
Asel Dunganaeva, social development specialist from Kyrgyzstan, emphasized the inaccessibility of justice systems in Asia, saying, "Women may have rights on paper but face stigma, fear of retaliation, lack of legal aid, and economic dependency that prevents them from claiming those rights." She also highlighted the role of technology-facilitated violence in silencing diverse women and girls.
The CSW70 outcome document, adopted via a formal vote which toreflects the widening global political divides over gender rights. Michelle Anzaya, African feminist leader, warned of the shrinking space for feminist voices from the global south, citing visa bans and restrictive access to participation. "Initiatives like 'Africa Disrupts CSW' demonstrate the power of African feminists to ensure that African realities and lived experiences inform global gender equality debates," she said.
Feminist movements are calling for strong language on multiple forms of discrimination, sexual reproductive health and rights, and bodily autonomy.
Shiphrah Belonguel, Fòs Feminista, said they are fighting for systemic injustices that justice systems must be equipped to confront.
Sai Jyothirmai Racherla, from ARROW, highlighted the need for redistributive justice, prioritizing marginalized people and environmental sustainability over profit.
She added that , "Justice demands redistribution of power and resources, demilitarization of economies, and decolonization of global governments
"It requires dismantling systems of power that perpetuate inequality.
She added that without transforming these structural conditions, access to justice cannot be realised
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