Dear Zontian friends,
In anticipation of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), which will be held from 9 to 20 March at the UN headquarters in New York, your representatives from the UN –Paris-Geneva – New York wish to draw your attention to this major event.
The CSW70 will revolve around two key thematic axes:
1 | Priority theme: ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls. This includes promoting inclusive and fair legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices, as well as removing structural barriers that hinder access to justice.
2 | Review theme (based on the agreed conclusions of a previous CSW session): full and effective participation of women in public life and decision-making, and elimination of violence, as key elements to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
In order to mark this key event, the UN Committee on Zonta International has launched a series of four conversation circles, held on:
21 January | 4 February | 11 February and 18 February 2026
– each exploring an essential area of the priority theme. Maybe you already had the opportunity to participate last year. Until now, these exchanges were mainly held in English, but this year, the four meetings will be offered in English, French and Spanish.
A unique opportunity therefore awaits you: a conversation circle in French, led by one of your representatives at the UN in Geneva, Paris or New York.
Your presence and ideas would make this discussion even richer and inspiring. Don’t miss this great opportunity and join us for this moment of sharing! We look forward to seeing you there!
Find more:
Conversion Circle information with links an questions for CSW70 | PDF
For Zontians from Area 02 and 05: further information at Zonta Germany | external link – login required
How We Advocate | Zonta at CSW | external link to zonta.org
Conversation circles for CSW70
Ensure and strengthen access to justice
for all women and girls
January 21 – Zoom links for Paris sessions 4 PM (Paris) and 11 PM (PARIS) :
#1 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/GMHa-gvbRUSAJAdWXMX7Wg#/registration
#2 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/SlRqdaEhQNmiMQVAPvo-sQ#/registration
Questions:
1 | What are the challenges and structural barriers that women and girls face in accessing justice easily and affordably, and how can we address them?
2 | What methods are effective for the legal empowerment of women and their participation?
3 | How to create an enabling environment to ensure that women and girls have access to the law and justice, as well as effective protection of their rights?
Promote inclusive and fair legal systems
Moderators Lydia CHAILLOU – Marion LEUBA – Fabienne Moulin
February 4 | Zoom links for the sessions of 4 PM (Paris) and 11 PM (Paris):
#1 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/LR4tS3SCQfW879oguc_u4Q#/registration
#2 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/HxC6S–qTziIWVkzi4FWww#/registration
Questions:
1 | How can we work together—governments, communities and international organizations — to remove barriers to justice and make legal systems accessible, affordable and safe for all?
2 | How can we empower women and girls so that they better understand their rights and can navigate the justice system, especially those who face discrimination, poverty or violence?
3 | Innovative solutions: What innovative tools or approaches—such as digital platforms, legal aid technologies, community networks or new forms of mediation — could contribute to improving access to justice for women and girls, especially in underserved or remote areas?
This question allows for various examples (mediation, mobile applications, local networks, etc.).
Eliminate discriminatory laws, policies and practices
February 11 | Zoom links for the sessions at 4 PM (Paris) and 11 PM (Paris):
#1 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/uczlD3exTMi2svF3iELfVQ#/registration
#2 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/DqdRVScxRuqbIJ0vI-lLRg#/registration
Questions:
1 | If you were a victim of discrimination in your country, to whom would you go / should you turn for help? What would be their capacity to respond, particularly with regard to a woman? This may concern discrimination in hiring or in the workplace, discrimination in education, domestic violence, including violence.
2 | When a new formal law is proposed, is there a review system to ensure it is not discriminatory? Is there a review stage for new laws and policies, at any level?
3 | What strategies could a community use to replace discriminatory laws or policies with non-discriminatory ones?
Address the structural barriers
February 18 | Zoom links for the sessions at 4 PM (Paris) and 11 PM (Paris):
#1 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IVh2rqmnQJS_IwfmmW9zeg#/registration
#2 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/5ch3P-2xS-2xIFMrxZLmJQ#/registration
Questions:
1 | Can you discuss formal structures — such as social, economic or cultural structures—that you believe limit the participation of women and girls in public life?
2 | Can you indicate which formal structure has the most significant negative impact on women and girls’ opportunities, and explain why?
3 | As we advocate for greater equality for women and girls worldwide, can you give an example of a solution to dismantle these barriers?
The February 18 team will provide insight into the discussion by presenting an example of an area in which social, economic and cultural barriers limit the potential of women and girls to lead full and equal lives.
SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 5 and SDG 8.
We would be very happy to see many of you for this time of exchange, reflection and solidarity between Zontians – Your commitment, experiences and perspectives will enrich this conversation circle.
Looking forward to sharing this privileged moment with you and meeting up very soon to bring the values of Zonta together.
Lydia CHAILLOU, Elke FARNY, Marion LEUBA The representatives of UNESCO Paris
