Equal Nationality Rights for Equal Citizens: High-Level Event at CSW70

4 March 2026

On 10 March 2026, a high-level event titled “Equal Nationality Rights for Equal Citizens” will take place during the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) at UN Headquarters in New York (Conference Room 2) and online via UN WebTV.

The event is co-sponsored by the Global Alliance to End Statelessness and its Thematic Working Group on Addressing Discrimination in Nationality Laws, alongside the Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights, the Governments of Liberia and the United Kingdom, Equality Now, Women’s Refugee Commission, UNICEF, UNHCR, and UN Women.

Bringing together ministers, UN leaders and civil society representatives, the event will highlight the urgent need to eliminate gender discrimination in nationality laws, which continues to affect millions of women and families worldwide. More than 45 countries still maintain nationality laws that discriminate on the basis of gender, and 24 countries deny women the right to confer nationality on their children on an equal basis with men.

Discriminatory nationality laws undermine gender equality, restrict family unity, and remain a major cause of statelessness, with far-reaching consequences for access to education, employment, property rights and participation in society.

The panel will feature high-level speakers including ministers, UN representatives and civil society leaders who will discuss the importance of achieving gender-equal nationality rights and call for accelerated action to reform discriminatory laws.

Speakers include:

  • Adlyn Teoh, President, Family Frontiers

  • Bandana Rana, Member, UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

  • Catherine Harrington, Manager, Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights

  • Danai Gurira, Award-winning playwright and actor, UN Women Goodwill Ambassador

  • Hon. Gbeme Horace-Kollie, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Liberia

  • Giovanni Bassu, UNHCR Deputy Director, New York Office

  • Hon. Hind Kabawat, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Syria (TBC)

  • Sima Bahous, Executive Director, UN Women (TBC)

The discussion will also feature testimonies from individuals directly impacted by gender discrimination in nationality laws and provide space for States and partners to share commitments and progress towards reform.

📅 10 March 2026
🕙 10:00 – 11:15 AM (EST)
📍 UN Headquarters, Conference Room 2, New York and UN WebTV

Registration:
Participants without UN badges must register here by 5 March to attend in person.

The event will be webcast on UNTV. Arabic, English, and French interpretation will be available.

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