Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70): Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus, Western Balkans and Türkiye

The UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and the Government of Serbia are convening a high-level preparatory meeting to support Member States in their work ahead of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). Taking place from 9 to 19 March 2026, CSW70 will be held under the priority theme “Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and addressing structural barriers.”

The event will provide a forum for the justice sector, gender equality and women’s empowerment institutions from Eastern Europe, the Southern Caucasus, the Western Balkans, and Türkiye to examine ways to accelerate progress on key human rights instruments and frameworks. These include the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (in particular following the recent Beijing+30 commemorations), the 25th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Discussions will center on access to justice as a cornerstone of the dignity, freedom, voice, and agency of women and girls.

The meeting will also explore legal and institutional reforms aimed at realizing the rights of all women and girls, closing legal gaps, and strengthening gender-responsive judicial and alternative justice mechanisms.

A set of key recommendations to inform participating Member States in CSW70 and its preceding negotiations will be published following the event.

See event agenda. Register here.