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”
General Assembly Hall, UN HQ, New York | Tuesday, March 10, 2026
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Madam Chair, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
Liberia is honored to participate in this 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women and aligns fully with the priority theme. We reaffirm that gender equality and equal access to justice are fundamental to sustainable development and lasting peace.
Liberia has taken concrete legislative steps to remove discrimination and strengthen protections for women and girls. We amended our nationality law to eliminate gender discrimination, ensuring that women can confer nationality on their children and spouses on an equal basis with men. We continue to implement key laws addressing rape, trafficking, domestic violence, and women’s land rights.
In 2025, Liberia completed a comprehensive review of discriminatory laws to ensure alignment with constitutional guarantees and international obligations on gender equality.
The fight against gender-based violence remains a national priority. The President has made a clear and unwavering commitment to permanently ban harmful traditional practices. The Women and Girls Protection Bill, now before the Legislature, will outlaw these practices, including FGM, and significantly strengthen protection for women and girls.
To further expand access to justice, a draft Legal Aid Bill has been submitted to guarantee free legal services for women, girls, and indigent persons.
To address historical injustices and strengthen accountability, Liberia has initiated the establishment of War and Economic Crimes Courts. We are also proposing specialized Family and Children Courts to ensure efficient, child-sensitive, and survivor-centered adjudication of family matters.
On the policy front, we are finalizing a new National Gender Policy and developing a third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security to address emerging challenges and strengthen women’s rights.
Madam Chair,
Liberia remains firmly committed and stands ready to work with Member States, partners, and civil society to advance equality, accountability, and justice for all.
I thank you.
