Welcome to our live coverage of International Womens 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 coveragehere.

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

UN marks International Womens Day:Events at UN Headquarters precede the opening of the 70th session of theCommission on the Status of Women, the UNs largest annual forum on gender equality.

Focus on Rights, Justice, Action:This years themecalls for stronger action to ensure women and girls can fully access justice and equal rights.

Secretary-General highlights legal inequality:Antnio Guterresnoteswomen worldwide 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 will headline theobservance, with a musical performance by Michelle Williams.

Justice gap highlighted in Afghanistan:UN findingsshow women in Afghanistan are far less likely than men to access formal justice mechanisms.