MenEngage Alliance CSW70 Call to End Discriminatory Laws and Ensure Justice for All

Members of MenEngage Alliance came together at CSW70 for joint advocacy, culminating in a collective oral statement calling on Member States to build gender-just systems. 

Delivered by Pritha Chatterjee from Breakthrough, the statement highlighted the need to eliminate discriminatory laws and policies while emphasizing the critical role of engaging men and boys in advancing justice for all.

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Justice cannot be realized while discriminatory norms and structures remain intact. It cannot flourish in systems designed without the voices and lived realities of those most affected by inequalities. 

The current reality is stark: For 5.1 billion people — two thirds of the world’s population, meaningful justice is still out of reach, mostly women, girls, LGBTIQ people and other marginalized communities. 30 countries still lack laws against domestic violence. Across conflict zones, the bodies of women are not only collateral, but battlegrounds. Sexual and gender based violence is systematic and deliberate, and access to justice is not even in consideration.

MenEngage Alliance, together with the members globally, have worked to advance gender equality by transforming the stereotypes around manhood and working with men and boys as agents of change to dismantle power inequalities. Without meaningful and accountable engagement of men and boys, it will be difficult to dismantle systemic injustices and ensure justice for all.

Justice cannot be realized while discriminatory norms and structures remain intact. It cannot flourish in systems designed without the voices and lived realities of those most affected by inequalities. Transforming justice systems requires those in positions of power to acknowledge institutional biases, reform discriminatory laws, and transform institutions from the inside out. 

At CSW70, we urgently call on all Member States to eliminate discriminatory laws and policies that restrict the fundamental rights and freedoms of all women, girls, LGBTIQ+ people, and marginalized communities. Without this commitment, gender equality remains a promise, not a reality. 

We also call on Member States to create opportunities and spaces for men in positions of power – policymakers, judges, law enforcement, faith and traditional leaders – to critically reflect on their power and privilege and use them to advance women’s leadership, strengthening gender-responsive justice systems, and advocating for gender-just public policy and financing.

Finally, we emphasize the need for meaningful and active engagement of men and boys in dismantling patriarchal masculinities and advancing justice for all. This requires political will, resources and courage.  We urge Member States to act with boldness and urgency. Justice delayed is justice denied.