LIVE: International Women’s Day and CSW70 at the United Nations

9 March 2026 Women

Welcome to our live coverage of International Women’s Day 2026 and the opening of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at UN Headquarters in New York. Throughout the day, we will bring you updates, reactions and key moments from global leaders, diplomats and advocates gathering at the UN, alongside stories and reports from the field across the UN system, as communities around the world mark International Women’s Day and advance the theme “Rights. Justice. Action” for all women and girls. UN News app users can follow the coverage here.

HIGHLIGHTS

Watch: International Women’s Day 2026 commemorations at the UN HQs, in New York.

UN marks International Women’s Day: Leaders, advocates and youth voices gathered at UN Headquarters in New York to commemorate the International Day ahead of the opening of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the UN’s largest annual forum on gender equality.

Focus on “Rights, Justice, Action”: Speakers stressed the need for stronger action to ensure women and girls can fully access justice and equal rights worldwide.

Secretary-General highlights legal inequality: António Guterres noted that women globally hold only 64 per cent of the legal rights enjoyed by men, urging countries to dismantle discriminatory laws and defend hard-won progress.

High-profile participation: Anne Hathaway joined global leaders and advocates at the event, which also featured a musical performance by Michelle Williams.

Afghanistan in focus: Malala Yousafzai warned that women and girls in Afghanistan are being erased from public life under Taliban rule, while Afghan student Sunbul Reha urged leaders to protect girls’ right to education, saying millions of girls are counting on the international community to act.