Andorra Pushes Gender-Sensitive Justice at UN Women's Commission

Mariona Cadena, Andorra's Secretary of State for Equality and Citizen Participation, called for stronger access to gender-sensitive justice during the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York.

Speaking at the annual forum, which gathered governments, civil society, and experts to address barriers to justice for women and girls, Cadena stressed that her government has prioritised this area in recent years. She highlighted efforts to create enforceable rules that go beyond mere declarations of equality, including specialised training for legal professionals dealing with gender violence victims. These programmes aim to prevent re-victimisation and enhance institutional responses.

Cadena also pointed to the full implementation of regulations under the 2022 Law for Equal Treatment between Women and Men. Key provisions require equality plans across public and private sectors, address pay disparities, and establish protocols against sexual harassment and gender-based harassment.

At a side event organised by the Andorran and Swiss UN delegations, in partnership with UN Women and the CEDAW committee, she outlined the government's focus on prevention alongside victim support. The session examined justice access and gender stereotypes. Cadena explained that protecting women and their children involves providing resources, psychological and social aid, and community support networks. She argued that a sense of security enables women to pursue legal proceedings and rebuild their lives. Justice systems, she added, mirror wider society, underscoring the role of awareness campaigns like the one launched on 25 November for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, under the slogan "Uncover the violence. It doesn't always leave a mark."

Participating states, including Andorra, endorsed a political declaration at the session's start. It pledges to foster inclusive legal frameworks, remove discriminatory laws and practices, and tackle structural obstacles to justice for women and girls.

The Andorran team included Judith Pallarés, president of the Andorran Women's Institute; Mireia Porras, head of the Equality Policies Department; and Joan Forner, ambassador to the United States and permanent representative to the UN.