International Women’s Day: No Country Has Achieved Full Gender Equality, UN Warns of Centuries-Long Legal Rights Gap!
Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi (journalist) | Sele Media Africa
As the world marks International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, the United Nations has issued a stark global assessment: no country has yet achieved full gender equality, with women and girls still facing significant legal, economic, and social barriers worldwide.
According to the United Nations’ latest findings, women currently enjoy only about 64 percent of the legal rights afforded to men globally, highlighting deep structural inequalities that continue to affect women’s safety, economic opportunity, and political participation.
The warning comes as governments, civil society groups, and international institutions commemorate International Women’s Day 2026, which carries the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” The theme underscores the urgent need to dismantle discriminatory laws, strengthen justice systems, and accelerate reforms that guarantee equal protection under the law.
Persistent Legal and Structural Barriers
A new report from the UN Secretary-General on “Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls” reveals persistent legal gaps that disadvantage women in critical areas of life, including employment, property ownership, family law, and protection from violence.
Among the most troubling findings:
Women worldwide hold only 64% of men’s legal rights.
In 54% of countries, rape is still not legally defined based on consent.
Many nations still permit child marriage under certain conditions, undermining the rights and wellbeing of millions of girls.
UN Women warns that justice systems intended to protect citizens are failing to deliver equal protection for women and girls, exposing them to discrimination, violence, and exclusion across multiple stages of life.
Progress Made but Uneven and Fragile
Despite these challenges, the UN notes that significant progress has been achieved over the past three decades. More than 1,500 legal reforms worldwide have been introduced to strengthen women’s rights and improve gender equality frameworks. However, progress remains uneven, fragile, and vulnerable to reversal, particularly in regions affected by conflict, economic instability, or weak legal institutions.
Experts warn that unless reforms accelerate, achieving full gender equality could take several centuries, reflecting the scale of entrenched legal and cultural barriers that persist across societies.
Global Call for Urgent Action
The United Nations is urging governments to prioritize legal reform, gender-responsive justice systems, and stronger enforcement of women’s rights protections. Advocates argue that gender equality is not only a fundamental human rights issue but also essential for sustainable development, economic growth, and peaceful societies.
International Women’s Day also precedes the upcoming session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the UN’s highest global forum dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s rights.
UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous emphasized the urgency of action, calling on governments and institutions worldwide to strengthen legal protections and ensure that justice systems deliver real and enforceable equality for women and girls.
“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,” she said.
Sources
United Nations, UN Women, UN News, Down To Earth, Anadolu Agency
Mustapha Labake Omowumi is a journalist from Ibadan, Oyo State, and a graduate of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Mathematics. He demonstrates a strong commitment to professional journalism, with a keen interest in writing and storytelling, guided by principles of self-discipline, accuracy, and trustworthiness.
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