Equal access to justice is one of the basic conditions for the equality of women and girls, and this topic will be in focus at the upcoming 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York. On this occasion, the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia organized a high-level regional preparatory meeting for representatives of state institutions from Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, the Western Balkans, and Turkey.
The focus of the meeting was on reforming legal systems toward greater inclusiveness and fairness, removing discriminatory laws and practices, and strengthening institutions that should ensure safety and justice for every woman.

Within the panel dedicated to overcoming structural barriers to access to justice, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality Milan Antonijević presented the most important competencies and activities of the Commissioner’s institution in this area and emphasized the importance of continuously improving legal and judicial mechanisms. Particular emphasis was placed on the availability of support systems, ensuring free legal aid, and achieving gender balance within institutions themselves.

The recommendations adopted at this meeting will be presented at the meeting at the United Nations, with the aim of accelerating the implementation of international standards in the field of women’s rights and sustainable development.