Director-General/Executive Director
Honourable Justices,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you all for being here today.
I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to the governments of Australia and the Philippines not just for co-sponsoring this important event but also for being the co-chairs of the Group of Friends for Gender Equality, their commitment to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment sets a strong example for us all.
This event today speaks to a core aspect of UNODC’s work in striving for a world where women are active contributors and leaders in peace, justice, and the rule of law.
It is also a cause that I am a deeply committed to.
Two years ago, I launched the Women in Justice, for Justice initiative, which aims to increase the representation and leadership of women in justice systems worldwide.
Because when women are empowered, our societies become more equal, fair, and just – benefiting everyone, everywhere.
After all, women represent half the world’s population.
And in today’s complex environment, the need for women’s leadership in criminal justice and terrorism prevention is needed more than ever.
Conflicts, violence, and insecurity are on the rise, and women are too often caught in the crossfire.
In 2023, the UN reported over 3,600 cases of conflict-related sexual violence against women and girls.
Trapped in conflict zones, women are often deprived of justice and are more vulnerable to exploitation, forced marriage, and human trafficking by non-state armed groups and terrorist organizations.
For those who attempt to flee conflict and crisis, the journey to safety brings with it new dangers.
Half of the world’s 37 million refugees are women and girls, according to UNHCR, and they face heightened risks of violence and abuse during displacement and in humanitarian camps.
And as instability around the world erodes the rule of law, women everywhere find themselves at greater risk of criminal exploitation and greater vulnerability.
Crimes against women too often go unreported and unpunished.
According to UN Women, less than 40% of women report violations to the authorities, due to fear or mistrust in the law, while crimes against them are less likely to end in a conviction.
This underlines the urgent need for systemic changes that empower women to seek justice and ensure accountability for perpetrators.
Excellencies,
By building more inclusive, gender-sensitive institutions, we can help protect women, ensure better justice outcomes for everyone, and create more resilient, peaceful societies.
Women bring unique perspectives and solutions to the table, and they play a crucial role in challenging extremist narratives and building more accountable, transparent institutions.
Yet they remain severely under-represented in law enforcement, justice institutions, and peace processes.
In the courts, they account for less than a quarter of constitutional court justices worldwide, while 28 countries have no female justices at all.
At the peace table, they represent just 16% of negotiators, and out of 18 peace agreements reached in 2022, only six included provisions specifically relating to women, girls, and gender.
And in law enforcement, the numbers are equally concerning. In the ASEAN region, a study that we conducted with UN Women and INTERPOL found that women make up between 6 and 20% of law enforcement personnel.
But despite the barriers, women in the ASEAN region are making progress and changing regional law enforcement for the better.
They are improving responses to sexual and gender-based crimes, increasing operational effectiveness and building community trust, which is very important.
In the Philippines, female judges now outnumber their male counterparts, which is something to be very proud of.
And we are privileged to have with us today Justice Singh from the Philippines, who has been a strong advocate and representative for women in justice.
I look forward to hearing more about her experience, which can inform our efforts.
Excellencies,
There is still plenty of work to be done to achieve gender equality across the board. And we are taking steps in the right direction, together.
The EmpowerHer initiative was launched by UNODC earlier this year in the Philippines, in partnership with the Quezon City Government, UNHCR and UN Women, to identify gaps and challenges, break down barriers, and open the way for more women in justice.
The campaign engaged over 300 women through 15 roundtables, gathering law enforcement, the judiciary, corrections, and community workers, among other stakeholders.
Their perspectives have helped shape a set of practical recommendations for gender-sensitive reforms, which will be presented at the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security in Manila later this month.
At the same time, UNODC is mainstreaming gender across all of our projects in the Philippines and throughout the region.
We are working with national authorities to help integrate gender-sensitive provisions into the Philippines Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and to promote the role of women in post-conflict reintegration.
And we have been advancing gender-responsive prison management strategies, ensuring that women in detention receive the healthcare, rehabilitation, and reintegration services they need, in accordance with the UN Bangkok Rules.
Ladies and gentlemen,
By elevating women’s voices and leadership, we fight for gender equality, and build a future where justice serves everyone fully and equally, where peace is more attainable, and where communities are more resilient.
As the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said, “achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is the unfinished business of our time and the greatest human rights challenge in our world.”
We must not leave this business unfinished. Let’s work together to ensure that women’s voices are heard and valued, for a more just, inclusive, and peaceful world.
Thank you.
