No Country Achieves Full Legal Gender Parity Globally

UN Women report finds justice systems are failing women and girls worldwide

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A new UN Women report reveals that globally, women hold just 64% of the legal rights of men, exposing them to discrimination, violence, and exclusion. The report finds that in over half of the world's countries, rape is still not defined on the basis of consent, a girl can still be forced to marry by national law in nearly 3 out of 4 countries, and in 44% of countries, the law does not mandate equal pay for equal work. UN Women is calling for urgent action to end impunity, defend the rule of law, and deliver equality for all women and girls.

Why it matters

The failure of justice systems to uphold the rights of women and girls erodes public trust, weakens institutions, and undermines the rule of law. As backlash against gender equality intensifies, violations of women's rights are accelerating, fueled by a global culture of impunity. This threatens to roll back hard-won progress on women's rights and gender equality.

The details

The UN Secretary-General's report "Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls" found that women globally hold just 64% of the legal rights of men. In over half of the world's countries, rape is still not defined on the basis of consent. Nearly 3 out of 4 countries still allow girls to be forced into marriage by national law. And in 44% of countries, the law does not mandate equal pay for equal work, meaning women can still legally be paid less.

  • The report was released on March 8, 2026, International Women's Day.
  • The 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), the UN's highest-level intergovernmental body on women's rights, will take place from March 9, 2026.

The players

UN Women

The United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Sima Bahous

The Executive Director of UN Women.

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What they’re saying

“When women and girls are denied justice, the damage goes far beyond any single case. Public trust erodes, institutions lose legitimacy, and the rule of law itself is weakened. A justice system that fails half the population cannot claim to uphold justice at all.”

— Sima Bahous, UN Women Executive Director (Mirage News)

“Now is the moment to stand up, show up, and speak up for rights, for justice, and for action - so that every woman and girl can live safely, speak freely, and live equally.”

— Sima Bahous, UN Women Executive Director (Mirage News)

What’s next

The 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), the United Nations' highest-level intergovernmental body that sets global standards for women's rights and gender equality, will take place from March 9, 2026, providing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reverse the rollback of women's rights and ensure justice.

The takeaway

This report highlights the urgent need to strengthen justice systems and uphold the rights of women and girls globally. Ending impunity, defending the rule of law, and delivering true equality in law and in practice are critical to ensuring that every woman and girl can live safely, speak freely, and be treated equally.