Statement by the Director-General, Ms Jan Beagle
11 March 2026
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues and friends,
It is a pleasure to join you today.
This is very personal for me. As a very young delegate, I participated in the final negotiations in the Third Committee leading to the adoption of the Convention.
Article 8 of CEDAW is clear: women must have the opportunity to represent their governments internationally and participate in the work of international organizations on equal terms with men.
But the path to equal international representation does not begin in The Hague, New York or Geneva.
It begins at home: in families, in national institutions, in courts, in public service, and the private sector.
If women are excluded from these parts of public life domestically, we will struggle to realize the commitment in Article 8.
As the only international intergovernmental organization devoted exclusively to advancing the rule of law globally, IDLO believes that eliminating discriminatory laws and promoting women’s full and equal participation and leadership in justice systems is critical.
Let me give a few concrete examples of ways in which we are supporting this.
In Tunisia, IDLO supported the Ministry of Justice to develop a digital system on women’s participation and career progression in the judiciary. Data is important to better understand the barriers women face and to track progress over time.
In Uganda, IDLO partnered with the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) to promote mentorship initiatives, research led by women on more effective justice sector responses to GBV, and the participation of women judges in international judicial forums.
Through our series of reports on Women Delivering Justice, IDLO shares best practices, highlighting the growing impact of women judges in improving access to justice, particularly for women, and outlining practical pathways and policy reforms to strengthen women’s leadership.
Last month, IDLO joined Women in International Security Italy, the Global Alliance of Regional Women Mediator Networks and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in organizing a high-level dialogue that brought together over 50 women mediators from eight regional networks. Meetings like these support women peacebuilders and advance the participation of women in peace processes, linking local, regional and global levels of peacebuilding.
When women lead in justice systems, they shape legal norms, influence accountability processes, and build the experience and authority that feed into diplomacy and multilateral leadership.
As we mark the 70th Session of CSW and the 45th anniversary of CEDAW’s entry into force, we need to reaffirm that equality before the law is not enough.
Women must not only be protected by the law.
They must have equal power to shape it, apply it, and represent their countries in the international system.
And it is incumbent on those of us who have the privilege of holding senior posts in the international system to support other women – as I am happy to do, including as a member of GWL Voices under the leadership of Susana Malcorra.