International Women's Day 2026 has reiterated once again the significant role that women play in the context of socio-economic dimensions within the matrix of our world. Women's rights are the rights and entitlements claimed for women and girls worldwide. They formed the basis for the women's rights movement in the 19th century and the feminist movements during the 20th and 21st centuries. In some countries, these rights are institutionalised or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others, they are ignored and suppressed. They differ from broader notions of human rights through claims of an inherent historical and traditional bias against the exercise of rights by women and girls, in favor of men and boys.
Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations (UN) has correctly noted that this year, attention towards the need of women has grown because the global community has observed this important day during a time of "continuing turbulence, conflicts and uncertainty about the future of our planet. Such moments remind us once again that women's equality and empowerment are not only issues concerning women; those are relevant for humanity as a whole - for all of us. This crucial point needs to be internalised by every one of us".
He has gone to the extent that such a Day has "underscored an unacceptable reality that in its eighty years of existence, the United Nations has not yet elected a woman Secretary-General-eight decades, nine men, and not one woman. What an embarrassment - what a shame! How can an institution that speaks of equality at every podium continue to model inequality at its pinnacle"? In this context he has underlined that the United Nations would "hopefully and appropriately elect a woman as its next Secretary-General".
There is a harsh and irrefutable reality in our world today that we have still not been able to pull humanity away from their ambition to live in a world of equality, peace and justice. In fact, it would be correct to observe that no country in the world appears to have reached full legal equality pertaining to women and girls.
Women's organisations, feminist activists and women human rights defenders have not only raised their courageous voices challenging discrimination and injustice but also underlined such a step as being indispensable for advancing human dignity and human progress.
Such a situation is sad because we need to understand that without peace, development is impossible, and without development, peace is not achievable.
Analyst Naureen Hossain in this regard has referred to views put forward by Anne Hathaway, UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, when she addressed the United Nations Observance of International Women's Day 2026 on the theme: 'Rights, Justice, Action for ALL Women and Girls.' She raised the rallying cry to strengthen justice systems for all women and girls in a time of increasing push backs on gender equality.
It may be noted that the United Nations held its annual observance of International Women's Day on March 9, commemorating the day during the beginning of the 70th session of the Commission of the Status of Women (CSW), which focused primarily on the theme "Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls". It is understood that stakeholders participated in different meetings and side events to deliberate over the issue of justice for women and girls across multiple, complex contexts.
Held in the General Assembly Hall, consensus was evident with regard to need for increased investments into not only strengthening justice systems and ensuring accountability but also achieving true gender parity, which would then stop the backsliding of rights for women and girls.
UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous also correctly pointed out that justice is the "non-negotiable foundation of rights" in a paradigm where women's rights are confronted with an "ever virulent and adaptative" pushback that continues to threaten their place in society.
When it comes to legal protections, women, even today, in most parts of the world appear to be facing vulnerability to discrimination, violence and exclusion. The rights of women and girls are not being enforced equally across the world. Systemic inequalities are further complicating legal protection for women and girls and preventing them from seeking justice due to systems, societal discrimination or fear of retaliation.
Despite widespread recognition of women's rights, access to justice still appears to remain deeply unequal with women and girls still holding only a fraction of the legal rights afforded to men. At this juncture one needs to refer to the torment faced and endured by women like Gisèle Pelicot, Virginia Giuffre and Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai. They have had the bravery to demand justice when horrific violence was forced on them, and in doing so, honoured their own right to dignity.
This International Women's Day has once again made clear that backlash against women's rights is still quite organized and strong in some countries. Nevertheless, it is also clear that basic rights of women and girls-- be it health care, education opportunities, sports, cultural paradigm or employment have to be pursued carefully and effectively.
It may be added that the current scenario in Bangladesh has seen promises that there will be efforts to implement correct measures to halt discrimination. We must not forget that all citizens including women are equally admissible to all public dignities, offices and employment, according to their capacity, and with no other distinction than that of their virtues and talents.
Across the world, women remain vastly under-represented in political leadership, with the most powerful decisions still overwhelmingly made by men.? When women are shut out of political leadership, decisions that shape peace, security, and economic priorities are made without half of the world's experience at the table.
Data released by IPU and UN Women indicate that women hold just 22.4 per cent of cabinet minister positions globally, down from?23.3 per cent in 2024, marking a reversal after years of gradual progress.
Women in politics face rising hostility and intimidation from the public, both online and offline. Seventy-six per cent of women parliamentarians surveyed report experiencing intimidation by the public, compared with 68 per cent of men - a trend that deters women from seeking office and slows progress toward equal political power.
Removing structural barriers, including discriminatory laws, violence against women in politics, and unequal access to resources, as well as challenging negative social norms, will be critical to ensuring women's equal political leadership in the years ahead. The future of democracy will be stronger, fairer, and more resilient when women are equally represented in decision-making at all levels.
Muhammad Zamir, a former Ambassador is an analyst specialised in foreign affairs, right to information and good governance.
muhammadzamir0@gmail.com