Journalists and Writers Foundation

Today, we hosted Session 3 of the JWF Global Youth Leadership Programme 2026 on “Interfaith and Civil Society Contributions in Building Peaceful and Inclusive Societies.” The session brought together important perspectives on the role of dialogue, civic responsibility, and interfaith engagement in building stronger and more inclusive communities. At a time when many societies are facing division, conflict, and mistrust, this conversation offered a valuable reminder that peacebuilding requires commitment, cooperation, and the willingness to engage across differences. We were pleased to welcome @HeiligerDavid, Director of @GracismGlobal , USA, and Imam Gazmend Aga, Director of Northeast Islamic Community Center, USA, as our speakers. Their reflections encouraged participants to think more carefully about the responsibilities of civil society, faith communities, and young leaders in promoting peace, reconciliation, and social inclusion. It was especially meaningful to see the engagement of our global youth participants in the programme. Their presence and participation reflected the purpose of GYLP: creating a space where young people from different backgrounds can learn, exchange ideas, and strengthen their leadership through thoughtful global conversations. Thank you to our speakers, participants who contributed to today’s session. #JWF #GYLP #GlobalYouthLeadershipProgramme #YouthLeadership #Peacebuilding #InterfaithDialogue #CivilSociety #InclusiveSocieties

Eid Mubarak from the Journalists and Writers Foundation. May this special occasion bring joy, peace, and prosperity to your life. We wish you and your loved ones a blessed Eid filled with happiness, togetherness, and renewed hope. May this day inspire compassion, solidarity, and a shared commitment to building a more just and peaceful world.

The JWF was honored to contribute to the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (#CSW70) in New York by co-organizing the panel discussion, “Ensuring Women’s Access to Justice and Addressing Structural Barriers.” @UN_Women The panel brought together distinguished experts from the judiciary, academia, and human rights advocacy to examine key challenges in advancing women’s access to justice globally. A clear message emerged throughout the discussion. Despite progress in legal frameworks and international commitments, access to justice for women and girls remains unequal. Economic constraints, social norms, stigma, institutional gaps, and shrinking civic space continue to limit meaningful access to justice. Panelists also highlighted how the erosion of the rule of law and the rise of authoritarian trends are further intensifying these challenges, particularly for women in public life, journalism, and human rights advocacy. The discussion underscored that legal recognition alone is not sufficient. Ensuring access to justice requires strong institutions, adequate resources, accountability, and systems that respond to the needs of marginalized communities. The panel called for moving beyond commitments toward measurable action and ensuring that justice is not only defined in law, but realized in practice. As an organization committed to women’s empowerment and human rights, JWF remains dedicated to advancing dialogue, strengthening partnerships, and supporting solutions that promote equitable and accessible justice for all. Watch the full panel here:youtu.be/sVySvCO5yns?si… Learn more here: jwf.org/ensuring-women…

The holy month of #Ramadan once again coincides with the largest global women's advocacy convention in New York: the 70th Session of the @UN Commission on the Status of Women #CSW70. Interfaith understanding is crucial and the first step towards building lasting friendships in our society. When we learn about other religions and faith traditions, we come to an understanding that we have more in common than what separates us. JWF was honored to host remarkable interfaith leaders who shared reflections on the significance of fasting, generosity, and kindness in their religious traditions. - Rev. James M. DiLuzio, Director of the Paulist Associates & Paulist NYC Interfaith Relations Liaison - Imam Dr. Shamsi Ali, Director of Jamaica Muslim Center and President of Nusantara Foundation - Rev. Doyeon Park, Minister of the Manhattan Won Buddhist Temple - Rev. Mark Fowler, Chief Executive Officer of TANENBAUM Center for Interreligious Understanding

Journalists and Writers Foundation Hosts Interfaith Iftar at the United Nations During Women’s Summit politurco.com/journalists-an… @Politurco

Video #DigitalInterfaith #StorytellingCampaign #AnandAshramYouth ➡️ youtu.be/AsXyX7jRMAU #GlobalYouthVoices #GlobalYouthVoices2026 #InterfaithDialogue #YouthLeadership #DigitalStorytelling #JWF @JWFoundation_ @wihw @Kemenag_RI @interfaith @intrfthalliance

#CSW70 As the Journalists and Writers Foundation, we were honored to host the organizers and speakers of the 12 panel discussions we co-organize with 22 civil society organizations from 9 countries during the 70th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. The JWF High-Level #Reception and #Ramadan Interfaith Iftar Dinner were dedicated to celebrating CSW70 while fostering dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful and inclusive societies as we gathered together and recognized the diverse traditions of fasting across different religions.The event brought together JWF’s CSW70 global partners, civil society leaders, ambassadors, and diplomats from various UN Member States, creating an important space for engagement and collaboration on advancing women’s rights and strengthening global partnerships. JWF believes that youth empowerment is essential, and that young people must be engaged in decision-making processes to help develop innovative solutions to global challenges. We were pleased to share the stage with participants of the JWF Global Youth Leadership Programme and students of the Pioneer Academy.We extend our sincere appreciation to all our partners, guests, and distinguished dignitaries for their presence and for contributing to the global momentum advocating for women’s rights and girls’ empowerment.

#CSW70 | Ensuring Women's Access to Justice and Addressing Structural Barriers Mehmet Kilic, PhD, President of the Journalists and Writers Foundation, emphasized the urgent need to safeguard women’s access to justice at a time when democratic values and human rights protections are increasingly under pressure worldwide. He noted that the growing number of autocratic systems has intensified risks for women in public life, particularly those engaged in politics, the judiciary, journalism, and human rights advocacy. He highlighted that discrimination, online harassment, defamation, and gender based violence continue to silence women’s voices and limit their participation in public and decision making spaces. Addressing these challenges requires stronger legal protections, independent institutions, and sustained international cooperation to ensure accountability and uphold the rule of law. He stressed that ensuring women’s access to justice is not only a legal issue but also a democratic imperative. Strengthening inclusive legal systems and dismantling structural barriers are essential steps toward protecting women’s rights and advancing gender equality globally. #GenderEquality #AccessToJustice

#CSW70 | Ensuring Women's Access to Justice and Addressing Structural Barriers Yveline Dalmacy, Founder of the International Caribbean Women Alliance for Empowerment, addressed the role of justice systems in advancing equitable societies and protecting women’s rights in practice. She emphasized that while many legal protections already exist on paper, women often face significant barriers when attempting to access them. Her remarks highlighted that legal frameworks alone are not sufficient without effective implementation and institutional capacity. Courts, police, and other justice institutions must have the training, coordination, and resources needed to enforce rights in a gender sensitive manner. She also emphasized that access to justice must be inclusive and accessible regardless of income, language, migration status, or geographic location. She underlined that meaningful justice reform requires a combination of legal recognition, strong institutional capacity, and accessible justice mechanisms. When these elements work together, legal commitments can translate into real protection and equitable outcomes for women and vulnerable communities. #GenderEquality #AccessToJustice

#CSW70 | Ensuring Women's Access to Justice and Addressing Structural Barriers @AndreaJilBarron, Advocacy and Outreach Program Manager at @TASSCintl addressed the barriers women and girls face in seeking justice after experiencing torture, sexual violence, and other serious human rights violations. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that survivors are able to raise their voices in national decision making spaces and are recognized not only for the harm they endured but also for their resilience and agency. Her remarks highlighted that sexual violence, including rape, continues to be used as a method of intimidation and abuse in many contexts around the world. Survivors often face fear, stigma, and institutional obstacles when attempting to seek justice, while perpetrators frequently benefit from impunity. Strengthening survivor centered approaches, protecting those who speak out, and ensuring that justice systems respond with fairness and accountability are essential steps toward ensuring that women and girls can safely pursue justice. Access to justice, she noted, must move beyond expressions of sympathy and translate into real protections, fair legal processes, and meaningful remedies. #GenderEquality #AccessToJustice

#CSW70 Side Event | Ensuring Women's Access to Justice and Addressing Structural Barriers Prof @ProfKobia, Chancellor of St Paul’s University, Kenya, addressed the structural barriers that continue to limit women’s access to justice and participation in society. Reflecting on lived experiences, she noted that many women encounter situations where their rights are violated, yet often choose not to pursue remedies due to fear, discouragement, or a sense of defeat. When women feel unsupported or powerless, she noted, the broader struggle for gender equality becomes even more difficult, making accountability within institutions essential. She also highlighted the influence of deeply rooted patriarchal norms that have historically positioned men as socially dominant in many contexts. Addressing these structural inequalities requires not only legal protections but also efforts to transform harmful social norms through education, economic empowerment, and collective action. Fear of social retaliation remains a critical barrier preventing women from seeking justice. Strengthening documentation and evidence, she noted, can help build confidence and support women in asserting their rights. She also expressed hope in the role of young people and emphasized that when women organize collectively, they are often able to identify solutions and advance meaningful change. #GenderEquality #AccessToJustice

#CSW70 Side Event | Ensuring Women's Access to Justice and Addressing Structural Barriers Melissa Benavides Víquez, Head of the Access to Justice Unit of the Judiciary at the #SupremeCourt of San José, #CostaRica, addressed the importance of eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices that continue to undermine women’s rights. She emphasized the need to strengthen the relationship between democratic governance and feminist perspectives in law and policymaking. She noted that many legal frameworks were historically designed and adopted without the meaningful participation of women, which helps explain continuing disparities in how laws are implemented and experienced in practice. She stressed that representation in decision making must be truly intersectional and reflect the diverse realities of women. Strengthening women’s participation in public institutions, she noted, requires structural measures that promote more equitable representation, including mechanisms such as gender quotas. #GenderEquality #AccessToJustice @UN_Women

#CSW70 Side Event | Ensuring Women's Access to Justice and Addressing Structural Barriers Prof. Sophia Murashkovsky, Chair of the United Nations Committee at the @NYCBarAssn, highlighted the urgency of moving beyond dialogue toward concrete implementation in advancing women’s rights and access to justice. She stressed that the global community already possesses the knowledge, legal tools, and institutional capacity needed to respond to inequality, yet the challenge lies in the political will to act decisively. Her remarks emphasized that the international community must move past another cycle of awareness and commitments without implementation. Women around the world are calling for practical remedies, accountable institutions, and sustained financial commitments that translate principles of equality into real policy and legal protections. She underscored #AccessToJustice ould never be framed as a concession or privilege, but must be recognized and protected as a fundamental right that requires strong legal frameworks, adequate resources, and collective responsibility to uphold. @UN_Women #GenderEquality #AccessToJustice

Today marked the opening of the Commission on the Status of Women 70th Session (#CSW70) at the @UN Headquarters in New York. On this occasion, the JWF, in partnership with the @NYCBarAssn, convened a side event titled Ensuring Women's Access to Justice and Addressing Structural Barriers. The session was opened by Mehmet Kilic, President, JWF, who welcomed participants and underlined the importance of safeguarding women’s rights and reinforcing the rule of law at a time when women in public life, including those in politics, journalism, the judiciary, and civil society, continue to face discrimination, harassment, and systemic barriers. The discussion brought together a distinguished panel of speakers including Sophia Murashkovsky, Melissa Benavides Vílquez, @ProfKobia , @AndreaJilBarron @TASSCintl and Yveline Dalmacy, who shared perspectives from legal, academic, and advocacy contexts. The conversation highlighted the continuing challenges women face in accessing justice and emphasized the importance of strengthening inclusive legal frameworks, accountability mechanisms, and international cooperation to address structural barriers and advance gender equality. #CSW70 #GenderEquality #AccessToJustice

Happy International Women’s Day! Today we celebrate the courage, leadership, and contributions of women and girls across the world. Together, let us continue advancing equality, dignity, and opportunity for all. On behalf of the Journalists and Writers Foundation, we honor the voices and achievements of women everywhere. #InternationalWomensDay #GenderEquality #WomenLeadership

#CSW70 Parallel Event | Media and Community Leadership for Justice and Gender Equality On the sidelines of the @UN Commission on the Status of Women, we invite you to join an important discussion on the role of media and community leadership in advancing justice and gender equality. 🗓 10 March 2026 (Tuesday) ⏰ 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM 📍 Salvation Army, Lower Level RSVP here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regist… This panel will bring together experts from journalism, academia, civil society, and international organizations to explore how media and community leadership can strengthen public awareness, advocacy, and gender equality efforts worldwide. We look forward to welcoming participants interested in strengthening media engagement, leadership, and gender equality initiatives.

#CSW70 Side event | The Role of Women Peacemakers & Empowerment Strategies On the sidelines of the Commission on the Status of Women, we invite you to join an important discussion highlighting the leadership, resilience, and contributions of women peacemakers across regions. 🗓 10 March 2026 (Tuesday) ⏰ 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM ET 📍Click here to RSVP: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regist… This panel will explore how women leaders and peacebuilders contribute to conflict resolution, social cohesion, and empowerment strategies within their communities and beyond. Speakers include: • Kristel Vaino – Estonia • Miroslava Bobakova – Slovakia • Marta Lempart – Poland • Persa Kounoutsí – Greece • Dimana Sotirowa – Hungary The conversation will bring together diverse perspectives on strengthening women’s leadership in peace processes and advancing empowerment strategies globally. We warmly invite everyone interested in women’s leadership, peacebuilding, and global cooperation to join this dialogue.

On the occasion of the 70th Session of the @UN Commission on the Status of Women (#CSW70), we warmly invite you to join us for an important youth-centered discussion. "Bibliotherapy for Youth: Rewriting the Story of Gender Justice" This session will explore how storytelling, literature, and reflective dialogue can empower young people to challenge gender stereotypes, strengthen resilience, and contribute to more just and inclusive societies. 🗓 9 March 2026 ⏰ 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM 📍 Church Center for the United Nations, 11th Floor, New York This event is co-organized by Set Them Free (USA), Core Belief Psychology (UK), and the Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF). We warmly invite students, youth leaders, researchers, civil society members, and advocates for gender equality to join this meaningful conversation. 👉 RSVP here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

Thank you to all global youth who participated in the Global Youth Voices #DigitalInterfaithStorytellingCampaign2026 @wihw In the spirit of World Interfaith Harmony Week, young leaders from around the world shared messages promoting dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence. Youth voices play a vital role in advancing understanding across cultures and faiths and in strengthening inclusive communities. The selected videos are now available on our YouTube channel and website. Scan the QR code to watch, or visit: youtube.com/playlist?list=…