New york city: The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, is leading South Africa's delegation to the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. The session is scheduled to run from March 9 to 20, 2026, and marks a significant moment for global efforts towards gender equality.
According to South African Government News Agency, the global gathering is an opportunity for nations to assess progress in promoting the rights of women and girls while addressing ongoing structural barriers that impede access to justice, economic opportunities, safety, and equal participation in society. The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities emphasized that South Africa's participation reaffirms the country's commitment to fostering inclusive legal systems, abolishing discriminatory laws, and dismantling barriers preventing women and girls from fully realizing their constitutional rights.
The South African delegation aims to showcase the nation's alignment with international frameworks such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, the focus will be on Goal 5, which addresses gender equality, and Goal 16, which pertains to access to justice and strong institutions.
The 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women will gather global leaders, policymakers, and advocates dedicated to advancing gender equality and women's empowerment. This year's priority theme, 'Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls', highlights the need for legal systems that eradicate discriminatory laws and dismantle structural barriers.
The review theme revisits commitments to women's participation and decision-making in public life and the elimination of violence against women, reaffirming their essential role in achieving sustainable gender equality. Participation in this session provides a platform for sharing experiences, innovative practices, and policy recommendations, contributing to global discussions on justice, equality, and empowerment for women and girls in all their diversity.